TOP 8 BEAUTY TIPS
THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Monday 3 March 2014
LAW STUDENT WINS AWARD
Kofi Madden wins prestigious law award NEWS, Page 2
SMOKING BACK ON THE TELLY
E-cigs adverts see hard work go up in smoke COMMENT, Page 8
REVIEW:
HER - SPIKE JONZE’S SCREENWRITING DEBUT
CULTURE, Page 15
NEWS: Eating disorder awareness week returns
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FIND OUT HOW SUN CREAM, POTATOES AND A TOOTHBRUSH CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Page 10
STUDENTS SET FOR MORE STRIKE AGONY AT UCLAN Issue 260
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>> 81% OF UCU MEMBERS WHO VOTED WERE SUPPORTIVE OF MORE STRIKES >> DATES SET FOR THURSDAY 6, FRIDAY 7, MONDAY 17 AND TUESDAY 18 MARCH >> MORE CHAOS PLANNED AS TIMETABLES SET TO BE DISRUPTED ACROSS 4 DAYS
Tom Greggan News Editor
YET more strikes will take place at UCLan this month as staff look to fight back over job cuts and changes to lecturers pay grades. The University and College Union announced that its members at the university voted ‘overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action’. 81% of UCU members who voted were supportive of more strikes. At a meeting last week, strikes were called for 6, 7, 18 and 19 March. These strikes will mean that staff will have staged ten separate protests this academic year after three national strikes and two twohour walkouts in a national row over pay. The UCU is unhappy with the reasons given by UCLan for axing 75 members of staff, pointing out that the university is in a
a very healthy financial position. In a statement, UCU’s regional official, Martyn Moss said: “UCU members have made it clear with this ballot result that they will fight compulsory redundancies and take further strike action to defend their jobs and conditions. “We hope that such an overwhelmingly mandate for more industrial action at UCLan will encourage the university to sit down with us and try to resolve the dispute. “We fear the university's plans are little more than an attempt to get rid of experienced senior academic staff and replace them with cheaper options and casual contracts.” The union is also unhappy that UCLan has gone back on agreements of staff roles and pay grades, which are set to change in reforms
across the university’s schools. In addition, the UCU are putting pressure on the university to reveal the true cost of its overseas projects in Cyprus, Thailand and Sri Lanka, which have been dubbed ‘disastrous’. A planned UCLan campus in Thailand was scrapped after £3.7million had already been spent and the location of the Cyprus campus has been criticised by the United Nations. On the subject, Moss said: “We still have concerns about the large sums of money being spent on a series of international investments and want the books to be properly scrutinised. “When the UN and Amnesty International are drawing attention to your activities, it is surely time for greater transparency?.” In an email leaked to Pluto,
UCLan UCU Chair, Michael McKrell disclosed information about further strikes that are set to go ahead in a matter of weeks. Meaning more disruption and disturbance to timetabled lectures, the email contained details of a dispute between the UCU and management. The threat of academic job losses, the breach of the national framework agreement on academic role profiles in the form of the proposed new academic job descriptions and the breach of the framework agreement on the use of Associate Lecturer grade staff were listed as the three substantive issues. However, in the email, Mr Mckrell spoke of how ‘contrary to the misinformation spread by University Senior Management, they do not take action to damage students’ education. ‘
PRESTON REMEMBERS SIR TOM FINNEY 1922 - 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE, PAGE 6
LIFESTYLE: Simple pancake recipe
CULTURE:
PUZZLES:
Pluto is fuelled by
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NEWS
03.03.2014 Contents News
UCAS applciations at record high Page 3
Features
Preston remembers Sir Tom Finney Page 6
Comment
Cigarette ads return to tv Page 8
Lifestyle
Why Asos and Ebay are you new places to shop Page 10
Culture
We check out the Valentine’s Day DLC Page 19
Sport
UCLan athletics in first ever final
Online Page 20
UCLAN STUDENT PICKED FOR PRESTIGIOUS LAW AWARD
Rebecca Shepherd Lifestyle Editor
A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) student has been selected for a prestigious law scholarship which aims to address the under-representation of black men from low-income households in large commercial law firms. Kofi Madden, a second year law student at UCLan is from Wythenshawe in Manchester. He is one of only six students in the country to be chosen for the inaugural year of the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship programme following its launch in 2013. It was set up in memory of Stephen Lawrence by international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. The idea behind the award is to address the under-representation of black men from low-income households in large commercial law firms by providing an unprecedented opportunity for the selected candidates to receive practical support and guidance
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from Freshfields to help them secure a high-achieving career in the law. Kofi, who is 21, said: “Being the first member of my family to go to university makes me feel very proud.” He added: “When I was nominated by UCLan to apply for the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship I was in disbelief that I had been chosen and when Freshfields rang and told me I’d got it I couldn't believe it.” Kofi was a foundation year student before deciding to take on a three year degree programme in Law. A part time worker, he juggles with working at the Mercure Hotel in Manchester helping with conferences and events in between his studies. “I’ve always been inspired by my mum who has always pushed me to achieve my dreams and supported the choices I’ve made.” He added: “I’m also proud to be a scholar because it’s in honour of Stephen Lawrence and I can really relate to his story. Since starting on the scholarship the dream of becoming a solicitor has never been closer. “It’s a big commitment but I know it’s worth it,” he said. “I’ve had some great
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ing university holidays, an alternative route to interview for a training contract at the firm and a £3,500 contribution towards course and associated study-related costs. Freshfields is collaborating with clients and partners including Goldman Sachs to deliver aspects of the programme. Freshfields’ senior partner Will Lawes said: “We are proud to welcome such talented and driven individuals to our scheme.”
Source: UCLan
Kofi Madden
feedback from my mentors at Freshfields and can see I’ve improved over the last few months. Prior to the scholarship I’d never set foot in London; now there is a real chance I’ll be working there for an international law firm in only a few years’ time. All scholars receive a tailored personal and professional development programme focusing on written, presentation and numeracy skills and commercial awareness, interview coaching and career guidance, one-to-one mentoring, commercial familiarisation dur-
It’s a big commitment but I know it’s worth it
Baroness Doreen Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE, said: “I am thrilled to be working with Freshfields to offer these six gifted candidates such a transformative opportunity at the beginning of their legal careers. “My personal ambition is to help provide opportunities for people to become the best that they can be. I have met the scholars and am sure that the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship will enable them to build successful careers.”
UCLAN STUDENTS TRIUMPH Charlotte Arrowsmith Deputy Online editor
TWENTY-FIVE UCLan students have been named Champions after their commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles to others, as part of a Public Health initiative. The students recently completed a Royal Society of Public Health stage two qualification in Understanding Health Improvement, in addition to their university studies, and they also committed themselves to complete ten hours of voluntary work. Linda Ratincky, a Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Sharon Doherty, the Healthy Initiative Co-ordinator ran the course.
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3 March 2014
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Linda said: “We’re really proud of the students who have taken part in the course; each one has gone above and beyond what was expected of them and they can now use their new skills to make a difference in the student community.” The volunteers were trained how to help others by raising awareness of healthy choices, share health messages and to show people where then can get help. Along with this initiative, the UCLan Health Champions also contributed to UCLan’s Green Week, which was designed to promote a sustainable lifestyle to students and staff. Some of the students were able to run a food waste reduction campaign, after they were given £400 from the university. They had a smoothie bike in
the Student’s Union, so people could use pedal power to blend their drinks. The students have more projects on the go, including involvement in physical activity and mental wellbeing.
News Editors: Tom Greggan, Jess Millington
Lifestyle Editors: Vacant
Gaming writer: Georgia Gregoriou
Fashion writers: Rebecca Boffey, Elizabeth Kelly, Lucy Hill, Mahaim Saud
Societies Editor: Naomi McLellan
Deputy: Kadeesha Mckenzie
Source : UCLan
Winners... UCLan students triumph
Reporters: Jade Kneen, Kadeesha McKenzie, Tami Khramtchenko, Alex Sambrook, Rob Watson, Luke Beardsworth.
Travel writers: Anastacia Bates, Alannah Maher
Chief Sub-Editor: Jes Ostler
Culture Editors: Chris Copestake, Kristina Hall
Features Editor: Vacant Comment Editors: Charlotte Alty & Jasleen Kaur Deputy: Vacant Social Media writer: Adam Legg
Romance writer: Mona Hadad
Deputy: Tony Tenev Music writers: Chelsea Harrop, Laura Brown Film writer: Jes Ostler
Deputy: Vanessa Silva Sport Editors: Joe Cooper & Steven Smith Deputy: Vacant Sport writers: Jack Wilson-Mumford, Mikael McKenzie, Bradley Poole, Andrew Bell, Matthew Hill, Lee Murphy, Mark Davies Online editor: Adam Legg Deputy: Charlotte Arrowsmith Special Thanks: Rob Watson
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Issue 260
NEWS IN BRIEF
NEW MILLIE’S COOKIES STORE OPENS IN ST.GEORGE’S MALL
POPULAR sweet snack stall Millie’s Cookies has opened its first store in Preston, after 30 years as a franchise. With over 100 stores, Millie’s offers cookies, cupcakes, milkshakes, icecream, hot drinks and a range of other tempting treats. The store is now open on the first floor of St. George’s shopping centre between WHSmiths and Greggs.
PRESTON BUS TRIBUTE TO NORTH END LEGEND SIR TOM
PRESTON Bus have unveiled a tribute to Preston legend Sir Tom Finney, in the form of writing on the front of one of their bus fleet. The words ‘In memory of Sir Tom Finney 1922-2014’ were added to the double decker after the footballer passed away last week. Sir Tom was born and raised in Preston and played for his local team Preston North End for the whole of his career from 1946 until 1960. He was seen as a local hero, a one club man and someone who gives Preston a good name. Even having a road and stand in the stadium named after himself. Sir Tom Finney way is on one of Preston Bus’ busiest routes. The bus is one of the new Hybrid double decker’s and will be seen all around Preston with the respectful tribute taking pride of place.
EATING DISORDER WEEK IS BACK FOR FOURTEENTH ANNUAL EVENT NEWS 2-5
Jess Millington News Editor
LAST week was the 14th annual National Eating Disorder Awareness week and ran from 24 February to 1 March. This year’s event focused on reaching the families and communities that may fail to realise how having an eating disorder is impacting the people they know and love. The most accurate figures that are available are from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence, and suggest that 1.6 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder. It is estimated that 10% of suffers are anorexic, 40% are bulimic and the rest fall into the EDNOS (Eating disorder not otherwise specified) category, including those with a binge eating disorder. Julie Yates, Ward manager at Priory hospital in Preston said: “An eating disorder is competitive and there are lots of things surrounding an eating disorder.” She added: “It isn’t just about food. Depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, all are part and parcel of the disorder. Eating disorders can occur at any time,
FEATURES 6-7
COMMENT 8-9
but it is thought that many eating disorders develop during adolescence. However, it is not unusual for people to develop an eating disorder earlier or later on in life. Karen Wright, Leader for Mental Health at UCLan said: “Leaving home, starting at university and living with people that you don’t know very well are all stressful transitions and can either trigger an eating disorder or can cause a relapse in a person who has an eating disorder already.” According to health organisations and websites, like www.b-eat.co.uk , Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders, it’s a killer, but those who suffer constantly deny the seriousness of their condition. Helping people with eating disorders can sometimes be difficult as Julie points out: “People with eating disorders will strive to try and be perfect. Sometimes when we (academics) try to help people, we push them away.” But even with professional help, there can sometimes be barriers. Julie said: “There is sometimes ‘red tape’ in the way of what we can do to help. We might spot that somebody really needs professional help, but if they choose not to let us tell anybody (because of patient con-
LIFESTYLE 10-11
CULTURE 12-16
SOCIETIES 17-18
fidentiality), it can become difficult for us to help.” She added: “We can get in the way of them seeking help for those who are trained to provide help, so we need to refer them to someone who can help them professionally.” There are many success stories for people who recover from an eating disorder. Research provided by www.beat.co.uk suggests that around 46% of anorexia nervosa patients fully recover, with a third improving, and 20% remaining chronically ill. Similar research into bulimia suggests that around 45% of sufferers make a full recovery, 27% improve considerably, and 23% suffer chronically. One of the most important things we can do to help a person suffering from an eating disorder according to Karen is ‘to show them that they matter, that you care about them and that they are fine as they are.’
People with eating disorders will strive to be perfect.
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EATING DISORDER FACTS *10% of sufferers are anorexic, *40% are bulimic *60% fall into the EDNOS category (eating disorder not otherwise specified) including those with a binge eating disorder *Eating disorders can be genetic or caused by psychological issues like coping skills, control issues, trauma, family trouble, or social issues. Each type of eating disorder has many possible causes. *Men make up 10 to 15 percent of the population with anorexia and bulimia, but are the least likely to seek help due to the gender stereotypes surrounding the disorders.
UCAS APPLICATIONS AT RECORD HIGH DESPITE INCREASED NINE GRAND FEES Tom Greggan News Editor
UNIVERSITY applications has reached its highest-ever level according to figures for undergraduate applications in 2014. UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), which administers entry to higher education, recently said that there was a 4% increase in the number of applicants to UK universities, despite there being a small decline in the number of 18-year-olds in the population overall. Young people from the worst-off areas in England are now almost twice as likely to apply to university as they were 10 years ago, according to data provided by UCAS. But academics and policy experts said the buoyant figures masked some unhealthy trends, with wide gaps in participation and a worrying fall in the number of young men applying to university compared with women. Les Ebdon, director of the Office of Fair Access, said: "Young people from the most advantaged areas are still two and a half times more likely to apply for higher education than those from areas where participation is low. This gap hinders efforts to increase social mobility and addressing it must remain a priority.” This improvement in applications should not be used by ministers as an excuse to cut access funds, according to
Pam Tatlow, of the million+ university consortium: “Any cuts to the student opportunity funding would undermine this good news story, such as student opportunity funding allocated to universities.”
There will always be problems with a system that puts a price tag on education
Overall, UCAS said 580,000 applied to study at higher education level this year, with 333,700 women making up almost 58% of the total, and only 246,300 men, a difference of 87,000. The data confirms that enthusiasm for a university education has been only mildly diminished by the 2012 rise in tuition fees to £9,000. The total of 580,000 – a figure which included all UK, EU and international applicants – remains slightly below the peak of 583,000 applicants seen in 2011, when students rushed to beat the fee rise. However, The National Union of Students (NUS) said it was concerned by falls in the numbers of undergraduates studying part-time, who often do not fit the traditional mould of a university applicant. "There will always be problems with a system that puts a price tag on education and requires students to make decisions about whether or not they can afford to go to university," said the NUS's Rachel Wenstone.
Acceptances by entry year and UCAS cycle
Source: UCAS
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NEWS
The National Picture ACCORDING to statistics published by the Complete University Guide Manchester has the highest levels of student-relevant crime in a city with two or more universities. In an investigation into the levels of crime for individual institutions, The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University were among those ranked as having the highest number of reported crimes within three miles of the main campus. The guide states that Manchester has the highest rates of robberies and burglaries, while Nottingham has the highest rates of violent crime. The guide’s crime map shows that Fallowfield, the most popular accommodation area with students, has one of the highest crime rates outside the city centre. There were 671 reported crimes in Fallowfield and the surrounding areas last December alone, according to figures obtained from police.uk. The Complete University Guide, which uses official police data to calculate its report, claims to provide “the clearest picture possible” of crime rates in cities outside London. It uses figures for what it believes to be the three crimes most relevant to students; robberies; burglaries; and violent crimes, including sexual offences, given that data for crimes affecting only students is not available. Bernard Kingston, founder of the Complete University Guide, said: “While these crimes are the three most commonly perpetrated against students, the figures relate to all victims, not just students. And they relate to the areas surrounding universities, not solely to university premises.
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Life from around the university sector
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” - Oscar Wilde
MANCHESTER RANKED WORST FOR STUDENT CRIME - THE MANCUNION Dan Harold
17 February 2014
www.pluto-online.com
UNIVERSITY TAKES STEPS TO AVOID FUTURE ACCOMMODATION DEBACLES - SCAN
“While universities, especially those in high crime areas, do much to advise students on precautions, many students, particularly those from overseas attracted by formidable academic reputations, are often not aware of the risks in the areas around their chosen institutions.” The guide estimates that around one-third of students will become victims of crime while at university, with 20 per cent of robberies occurring within six weeks after the start of the academic year. Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester took 21st and 22nd place respectively in a table to find the most reported crimes, with MMU having 2.55 reported robberies, burglaries and violent crimes per thousand residents, closely followed by Manchester with 2.51. The top nineteen places were all taken by universities in London, with King’s College having the highest correlation between crime and population, at 3.59 crimes per thousand. Mr Kingston said that crime figures should be taken into consideration when deciding where to study: “While the quality of tuition and the prospects for employment after graduation are key elements in choosing a university course, it is important not to overlook other aspects of the environment in which the student will be living for three or more years. “Regrettably, our university cities are not immune from the pressures on society and crime is a constant presence.” Bristol, Nottingham and Birmingham joined Manchester among cities with the highest crime levels, while York, Canterbury and Bath were found to have the lowest.
Jessica Wallace
LUSU are in talks with the University to try to ensure that first-year students get equal access to campus accommodation. The talks are intended to ease the problems encountered at the start of the 2013/2014 academic year, when many first year students were refused on-campus accommodation. One of the concessions made to LUSU by the University is that all first years who had to be housed off-campus this year shall get guaranteed on-campus accommodation next year should they want it. It is believed that the University will be able to house all new students on campus in the forthcoming year. LUSU have also negotiated with the University on the rent prices in relation to Wi-Fi costs, and the cost of the removal of internal telephones not being covered by rent. Lancaster University Accommodation Marketing & Communications Manager Andrew Gibson told SCAN that previous uncertainty surrounding new funding arrangements and how they might affect student numbers meant that the projected number of 2013/2014 first years was lower than usual. However, the University remained popular with students both through firm choice applicants and clearing students, meaning that there was not enough on-campus accommodation available for first years. A total of 91 students were accommodated off-campus; the University’s accommodation office sought halls of residence for these students, enabling them to live in respective groups belonging to the same college, and providing a support package which included free bus passes and 40week contracts as to ensure they were not finan-
LOW PROSPECTS FOR LEEDS GRADUATES - LEEDS STUDENT
cially disadvantaged. On-campus accommodation prices have risen by 11.25% since 201120/12, when the average cost of a room on campus was £4,000: this rose to £4,250 in 2012/2013, and currently averages at £4,450. Last year’s NUS survey placed Lancaster below the national average for University rent costs, with campus accommodation prices are due to rise again in the forthcoming year. The University currently boasts the title of ‘Best University Halls’ in the National Student Housing Survey for the past four years since they began to participate in 2010, amongst various other awards such as ‘Best Individual Accommodation’ for Grizedale Townhouses (2011 and 2013) and Fylde College Residences (2012), and ‘International Accommodation Quality’, awarded consistently for the previous three years due to university accommodation achieving higher than 90% satisfaction from international students. IMAGE: Soloist
BOWLAND TOWER... Student halls in Lancaster
Sean Hayes
LEEDS is one of the worst universities for graduate employment in the Russell Group. The Complete University Guide.co.uk has listed the university 36th on its list of top Universities for graduate prospects for further study or employment six months after leaving University. Leeds University’s ranking in graduate prospects placed it amongst the lowest of the Russell Group universities in that category, with only Liverpool, Southampton and York rating lower for students’ employment post-graduation. A total of 124 Universities were ranked in the Graduate Prospects list, with St. George’s University of London ranking the highest for graduate employment. The other Universities in the top three for graduate prospects were Bucking- ham and Imperial College London, while the universities of Bolton and East London ranked the lowest. Leeds currently has a Graduate Employment score of 71.9, a drop from last year when its score was 73. Institutions like Cambridge and UCL have scores of over 82. Asked about Leeds’ low graduate employment rating, Director of the University Career’s Centre Dr. Bob Gilworth said: “A lot of students don’t have firm career plans by the time they start their final year. For many students, making choices is the scariest part of the whole process, especially in a market where 60% of opportunities don’t rely on your degree subject.’” He added: “A lot of people who come here from outside of Leeds want to stay. Very often they’ll stay in Leeds as a lifestyle choice not a career choice, doing something which is not a graduate destination necessarily.” Gilworth cited the fact that while 300 students had expressed interest in local opportunities last year, only seven people had attended an introductory meeting.
SPOTTED: UCLAN
FLAPPY BIRD: To the little chap in the library who is surreptitiously playing Flappy Bird to the point of hiding it so nobody can see it. I can see you playing Flappy Bird. And your high score is shit.
IMAGE: Leeds City Council
LIFESTYLE CHOICE... Students are staying in Leeds despite poor graduate opportunities in the city.
TOILET STRANGER: To the girl who saw me when I was upset in the women's toilets in Source on Tuesday night - thank you for asking and caring. I ended up going home earlier than anticipated because Life and Feelings, but it was comforting to know that there are kind strangers in the world.
PLUTO
Issue 259
NEWS 2-5
NEWS IN BRIEF
SUPPORT SLOTS FOR LOCAL BANDS AT 53 DEGREES
PRESTON venue 53 Degrees are looking for local bands to support acts such as The Maine, Jaws, The Orb, Hue & Cry and more. A 53 Degrees spokesman said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for local bands to get their name out there and play in one of the North Wests best venues.” Any interested parties need to email the events manager Joff Hall at: joff@53degrees.net
OPPS CENTRE PLEA FOR PEOPLE TO SAVE MILK TOPS A LOCAL dairy has pledged to buy a new electric wheelchair for a young girl with cerebal palsy if the family can collect the weight of the chair in milk bottle tops. To support the family’s efforts the Students’ Union Opportunities Centre have made a plea for students to join in and bring any of their finished bottle tops down to help the cause. They have also asked if they could be washed before they taken into the Opportunities Centre based on the ground floor of the Union building.
ACOUSTIC music returned to the Students’ Union last week as the Coffee House Sessions resumed after the winter break. Canadian band Your Favorite Enemies delivered a tight set that delighted Source customers with UCLan students Hannah Brook and Ross Ferguson providing support for the band. The Coffee House Sessions are every Monday evening in Source at 6pm.
FEATURES 6-7
COMMENT 8-9
LIFESTYLE 10-14
CULTURE 15-19
SOCIETIES 20-22
SPORT 23-28
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F E A T U R E S
3 March 2014
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PRESTON’S FAVOURITE SON SIR TOM FINNEY Preston bids a fond farewell to its favourite son on Thursday with a service at St Johns Minster on Church Street, Rob Watson reports.
“To dictate the pace and course of a game, a player has to be blessed with awesome qualities. Those who have accomplished it on a regular basis can be counted on the fingers of one hand – Pele, Maradona, Best, Di Stefano, and Tom Finney.” Sir Stanley Matthews IMAGE: Ninian Reid SIR Tom Finney who died on 14 February aged 91, was laid to rest with a service attended by his family and stars of the football world, including Bobby Charlton and former Preston North End manager David Moyes. The cortege travelled from Deepdale, past the street just down the road from the ground where Sir Tom was born. As the car passed, fans applauded for the ‘Preston Plumber’ who scored 30 goals for England. Fans who wanted to attend were asked to watch the service from Deepdale on the big screen, at a free ticketed event. The roads along which the procession travelled were closed for the afternoon. At the funeral six pallbearers were selected to represent North End at the request of the family. Current manager Simon Grayson, club captain John Welsh, goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, top scorer and lifelong fan Joe Garner and former players Graham Alexander and Ian Bryson.
Jimmy Armfield who was Sir Tom’s good friend and played against Finney for local rivals Blackpool spoke at the congregation. He told them: “Tom didn’t dive, he didn’t feign injury, that wasn’t part of his repertoire. He was the footballers’ footballer.” Former Preston player Tommy Docherty, who also managed Scotland and Manchester United also said that he was: “The greatest player I have ever seen.” Finney made over 400 league appearances for Preston between 1946 and 1960, and also won 76 caps for England. In the days leading up to the funeral, we spoke to lifelong Preston fan, and contributor to the book “Finney” by Paul Agnew, Harry Cooke. At 80 years old he’s one of the few people who watched Preston North End every week to see Tom Finney play. To him, Sir Tom was much more than a footballer. “We used to have to get to the ground an hour and a half before kick-off just to get a seat. Well, we sat on the cinder track on the
edge of the pitch, hopefully on the right side where we could see Tommy. To me he was a God.” Describing how he felt when he found out that Sir Tom had passed away Harry said: “When I heard the news on Saturday morning, I just couldn’t stop crying.” And when I asked him how he would feel at the funeral on Thursday the emotion in his face was clear: “Don’t start me off again! When the cars go past on Thursday and during the funeral, I don’t think I’ll be able to hold back the tears.” Harrys sentiments are echoed by many Prestonians, and show the high regard with which the city held its greatest ever. The funeral itself was conducted by Rev. Timothy Lipscomb who is the leader of the Parish of Preston. Speaking to Pluto on Sunday, he stressed the importance of letting Sir Tom’s family grieve in peace. “We all knew it was a matter of time until Tom died, as with anyone over 90. The thing for his
OBITUARY: SIR TOM FINNEY - 1922-2014 Luke Beardsworth
IT’S not exaggerating to say that Preston has lost its favourite son. Sir Tom Finney was quite simply the best footballer to ever play for Preston North End Football Club. For the city of Preston, he transcended the idea of just being a footballer. He represents a reason to be proud of the city, he represents everything a footballer, and indeed a person, should be. Many people have called Sir Tom the best player they ever played with. He is arguably the best player to have ever played without winning the League or the FA Cup. That Finney remained in Preston despite this is just one of the things that made him special. He was never booked or sent off in his entire career and was a selfless team player. He scored 187 goals in 433 league games, and 30 times in 76 England caps. He twice won footballer of the year. When people talk to me about seeing him play in person, it makes me incredibly envious. His importance to Preston North End during his playing career was huge. During
his time at Deepdale, when crowds were regularly above 30,000, PNE finished runners up in the league twice and lost an FA Cup final. The season after he retired, we were relegated from the top flight, causing Bill Shankly to joke that Finney should claim income tax relief for his 10 dependents. Preston haven’t returned to the top flight since. One character trait that stands out when people talk about Finney is his modesty. It is well-known that he worked as a plumber for his family business on Saturday mornings.
When I hear Liverpool and Manchester United fans in the city brag about their relative successes, there is never any jealousy because we have Sir Tom Finney.
After that he’d head to the games talking to supporters before the match itself, then refusing to rise as opposition players tried
to hack him off the ball for 90 minutes. When people talk about Finney, there are as many examples of how wonderful a person he was, as there are about how fantastic a player he was. His legacy lives throughout the city. The most obvious examples are the stand named after him at Deepdale, along with the statue of the world famous ‘splash’ photograph. Deepdale itself is located on Sir Tom Finney Way. At UCLan, the students exercise in the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, spreading his legacy to those outside the city. There was an outpouring of tributes on Twitter when news broke last night. Everyone from WWE Superstars right through to fans of Blackpool FC wanted to pay their respects. As we wake up now on the following day, my personal feed is still full of tributes. It pains me greatly that I can’t speak with more authority on Sir Tom Finney. He represents the city so strongly that we can be certain he will be irreplaceable. When I hear Liverpool and Manchester United fans in the city brag about their relative successes, there is never any jealousy because we have Sir Tom Finney.
family is that it’s incredibly hard to lose a relative without the additional extra of massive media coverage. It’s important that we remember the family at this difficult time.” But the Reverend did acknowledge the importance of Sir Tom to the people of Preston: “He was a special man both on and off the pitch. He did an awful lot for the city and for mental illness when his wife was extremely ill. “He always made you feel special. When he signed a football he would always act like it was the first time he had done it, even though it was probably the five thousandth, so it’s important that we do something special for him on what will be a sad day.” But the final word on someone who was incredibly special to Preston will go to Harry, who was lowering a flag as a standard bearer for the Royal British Legion at the funeral: “There aren’t any superlatives left, it’s all been said. We all knew how great he was. We loved him.”
FOOTBALL’S GREATS REMEMBER Sir Stanley Matthews:
“To dictate the pace and course of a game, a player has to be blessed with awesome qualities. Those who have accomplished it on a regular basis can be counted on the fingers of one hand – Pele, Maradona, Best, Di Stefano, and Tom Finney.” Sir Bobby Charlton:
“Watching him, you knew full well that the full-backs had had it. He was just too good for them. Occasionally I had the pleasure to play with him and it was the greatest pleasure anyone could ever give me.” Bill Shankly:
"Tom Finney would have been great in any team, in any match and in any age ... even if he had been wearing an overcoat." Gary Lineker:
"Sir Tom Finney has left us. One of the greatest players this country has ever seen, and a true gentleman
C WARNING ADS UP IN SMOKE O M M E N T
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COMMENT
Emily Birkett Comment Writer
3 March 2014
www.pluto-online.com
This should be a good thing but, as previously mentioned, how safe and effective are they? The e-cig companies know the answer and have kept it hidden in their back pockets, along with their bulging wallets. We all know that nicotine is the addictive drug in cigarettes which is why it has been put into other products so smokers have the opportunity to try and quit. But quitting smoking is not as simple as replacing one thing with another. Only 5.8% of smokers trialled were able to quit smoking after using the nicotine patch. The results for the e-cig are worse, believe it or not, when I tell you that 7.3% were able to quit you will probably wonder why that is. Even though the percentage is higher (albeit by a disappointingly small amount) 40% of the smokers that were able to quit in the trial didn’t stop smoking the e-cigs. This alternative just gives them more of the addictive substance without the fear of carcinogens and black tar on the lungs. This product is creating a vicious cycle for its users. Consumers will smoke more nicotine as they feel safe doing so, which will make them more addicted to the drug. Then 92.7% of those people will go back to smoking again, and as they are more addicted to the nicotine, they will most likely smoke more cigarettes to satisfy their crav-
I WOULD like you to cast your mind back to the last advert you saw, that told you not to smoke. Was it a gruesome photograph of a shrivelled black lung on the side of a packet? Or maybe it was a television advert of a toddler inhaling the invisible now made visible fumes from their mother’s cigarette? Either way, whatever advert you see regarding cigarettes, you will always find that it is very blunt and is always trying to convince you not to smoke. Since 1965, Tobacco Companies have not been allowed to advertise their products due to the damage it causes not only their consumers but the families, friends or even passers-by of those consumers. However, alternatives have been advertised since such as nicotine gum, patches, inhalers and, most recently, the e-cigarette. Unlike other alternatives to smoking, it has been revealed that e-cigs have not undergone the tests to prove how effective they actually are and, more importantly, how safe they are. Nevertheless, it seems that this alternative is only getting more and more popular; you can find adverts on them everywhere, featur- ing than they did before they tried to quit. ing a woman spewing random innuendos. So these adverts for e-cigarettes are really And shops are now opening that sell noth- adverts to get people to smoke more. It is a ing but e-cigs, with their never ending supply con! of flavours. And a con that is supported by so many
institutions because they think that they are promoting a healthier lifestyle. There will be people who read this who smoke e-cigs and I will not tell you to stop using them. Just urge you to be aware of what you are actually doing. Are you smoking more than you used to when you smoked cigarettes? Don’t fall into the trap these companies have set for you. If you do that, and make others aware of the truth behind this alternative, that was always too good to be true, maybe we can make the success rate of these products so much better.
PLUTO
#SHORT ANDTWEET
THE TAKE FROM TWITTER
Sarah Brooks @sarahbrooks13
Started smoking e-cigs. It just made sense, what with the 62 new "vapor lounges" that opened by us this month.
NEXT STEP IN STRIKES - NO MARKS! Jessica Ostler Comment Writer
THERE’S something very British about a planned strike. We are very annoyed at our situation so for one whole day, we shall do no work. We shall return to work tomorrow, but we are still very annoyed. It seems only logical that the next step after such a polite expression of anger is to do something that will cause a stir. Say, refuse to mark final exams, projects and dissertations. As a third year student working all hours of the day and night to get a first class degree, gain work experience and support myself financially, the idea that my final results could be withheld is frustrating and frankly abhorrent. Three thousand pounds a year for three hours of contact time a week is, shall we say, less than desirable. Paying this money for lecturers who over the years have rarely given feedback or taken weeks or months to reply is equally as annoying. The possibility that they now won’t mark projects that have taken months of hard work, deferring my graduation and therefore meaning I could potentially miss out on lucrative job offers? I can’t quite put it into words. But it’s for a good cause, I hear you say. The cost of living has increased and according to the University and Colleges Union (UCU), University Lecturers across the country have seen a ‘real time’ pay cut of 13% over the past four years. That just isn’t good enough. Nationwide cuts have affected almost every profession and to make a stand against them in any form is to make a statement that this is not
something we accept, nor something that will encourage Britain’s economic growth (Mr. Cameron, sir). For it to be effective, the statement must be loud and clear and the front: united. UCLan has already seen six days of strike action this year (three full days and three sets of two hour walk outs) and I agree with the principal behind them. The university has pumped millions of pounds into overseas projects. According to The Times Higher Education, these ventures prompted criticism from the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, as well as a warning from Amnesty International UK over their questionable locations.
The idea that my final results could be withheld is frustrating and frankly abhorrent. That’s not to mention their recent £3.2million disaster in Thailand (something I don’t think they’re going to hear the end of for a long time). And despite all of this expenditure, or more likely because of it, they are not only strangulating pay - lecturers have been offered a 1% pay increase – but are also dangling the prospect of up to 75 job cuts. It’s an extremely difficult subject to pick a side for. On the one hand, I completely agree that wages should reflect the cost of living. That goes for all jobs
including those on minimum wage. Skilled workers like lecturers should receive pay packets that reflect their impact on society. I’d hazard a guess that without them the vast majority of us would be stagnating on benefits or stuck in dead end jobs slowly losing the will to live – I know I would. An educated society is more cohesive, more efficient and more successful. On the other hand, education funding has been massively slashed and they’re not the only sector to face this treatment. It isn’t a punishment; it’s the unfortunate legacy of a Labour government and the strangely familiar clean-up plan of the Conservatives. Why should students suffer for something that they have no control over? These are people who are paying for a service, without any real leverage or say in the situation, being wielded as a bargaining chip. We are incredibly vulnerable. We can no more refuse to do the work (which may or may not be marked) than we can claim even the smallest amount of recompense from the disruption that we would experience. The only weapon in our arsenal is to discourage future applicants, therefore boycotting universities themselves, but lower applicant rates would create more job losses and pay cuts not to mention stifling career prospects and social mobility in this saturated market. It’s a vicious cycle. According to the Guardian Salary Tracker, the average wage of an English University Lecturer is £36,000. The vast
majority,(88.4%), earn £20,000-60,000, 1.2% earn £60,000+ and 7.4% fall under the £10-20,000 bracket. The UCU salary guidelines state that the minimum wage a qualified lecturer should earn per annum is just over £23,500, while an unqualified lecturer should earn just over £18,500. To put this into perspective; a 40 hour work week on National Minimum Wage would equate to around £12,000 per annum, something that those of us on zero or low hour contracts can only dream of. Talks between the Universities and College Employers Association (UCEA) and UCU are scheduled to be held on Wednesday 26 March. The outcome is yet to be determined; however, if a compromise is not reached, the boycott will come into effect from Monday 28 April 2014.
#SHORT ANDTWEET
THE TAKE FROM TWITTER Tamara Salem @TamaraSalem
Universities need to do right by their students and make sure this marking boycott doesn’t happen. Ends up with students losing faith in them.
THE BIG BRITISH RATINGS ROW PLUTO
Issue 259
Hannah Blain Comment Writer
FOR those who missed out last week, Channel 5 aired the live show ‘The Big British Immigration Row’; serving to prove the notion that controversial television equals television that will garner high ratings. Not only that, but with guests such as Katie Hopkins, Channel 5 went on to show that when it comes to political matters, facts don’t really matter when you have the entertainment value. Of course, when it comes to Katie Hopkins and her debatable opinions, it should come to no surprise that her first priority was to cause uproar. Her choice of words and her radical opinions were in strong form that night, when she delivered this narrow-minded line to her opponent, Luisa Zissman: "I’ve always said if you go into a school playground and shout Mohammad; you’ll probably get 100 children run-
NEWS 2-5
ning towards you!”. Her vile opinions completely ruined what could have been a decent debate; although props to Luisa Zissman for holding up her own. She managed to get across her clear and concise arguments, despite being interrupted at every turn. The woman truly deserves a medal for handling Katie Hopkins the way she did.
I’ve always said if you go into a playground and shout Mohammad; you’ll probably get 100 children running towards you.
Katie Hopkins does not need any more podiums to stand on, the pedestal she’s given herself is tall enough already. Her narrow-minded and cold words only illuminated the fact that she is basically a means to gain higher viewers and to give herself
FEATURES 6-7
COMMENT 8-9
more time in the limelight. Naturally, there are viewers who do see some semblance of logic in her arguments, but it is in her delivery of such arguments that cause the outrage. Immigration has always been a delicate topic, and one would think that Channel 5 would have brought in guest speakers who knew more about the topic and could deliver decent and fair arguments. Immigration has always been regarded as a problem with our society, as it seems that Britain has a problem with people coming over from countries that have been invaded by us in the past. The very idea of ‘dirty, job-grabbing’ foreigners coming over and taking away British jobs from British people is a very cliché argument and it is one that Ms. Hopkins uses against Luisa Zissman. However, it should be noted that, as Miss Zissman states herself, immigrants really are taking on jobs that no one else will take. The immigrants that the British public have an issue with are the ones who
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SOCIETIES 17-18
act as janitors, nannies, cleaners, etc. These are jobs that white Britons refuse to do, therefore allowing immigrants employment in these sectors. Of course, it ought to be noted that immigrants are also perfectly happy to take on such jobs with low pay; yet they shouldn’t be blamed for it, it is the employers who are at fault for wanting to keep as much money to themselves as they can, rather than dealing out a fair wage.
The British public also regarded the show as a ‘disgrace’ It is fair to note that it probably wouldn’t be all that bad to have an immigration system similar to Australia’s, wherein security is tight and proper procedures must be followed before one can enter the country. The British public also regarded the show as a ‘disgrace’, especially with the
SPORT 19-24
appearance of Anjem Choudary, the radical Muslim extremist who was the leader of the banned Islam4UK party. Viewers have commented upon the show as being a ‘waste of time and money’ and it was clear that most watchers were especially angry with Anjem Choudary being given space to talk about his radical notions and essentially being given more publicity. However, at the end of the day, the row came to virtually no solution, and no surprise there of course, as it is clear as day that when it comes to tackling important issues such as immigration, getting more views on your channel will always take priority over developing a solution to the matter.
For more thought provoking stories visit plutoonline.com
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3 March 2014
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Fashion
Whoever said money can’t buy happiness didn’t know where to go shopping “It’s not about brand it’s about style”
Rebecca Shepherd Lifestyle Editor
GENERALLY, vintage clothing is envisaged as anything from 1920 to 20 years before the present year, in 2014, this would be 1994. It usually imitates a certain style or era of clothing for example, in the 1960's miniskirts, hot-pants and PVC dresses were introduced - sound familiar? Vintage fashion is quickly advancing with technology. People used to buy vintage at fairs, markets and through other people. They found out what was going on usually by word of mouth or paper advertisements. Now, online websites like Ebay and ASOS Marketplace give sellers the independence to sell any clothing, accessories or shoes they want on their websites. Whether it's getting rid of some old clothes they haven't worn in a while or if they are an established business there is never anyone who can't sell. The question emerges of whether selling and buying vintage clothing is moving on as technology is. There never used to be any vintage items online but now it's all over and it's huge, but it comes at a risk. You can’t try anything on and can only see quality from pictures. Take your time and if possible ask the sellers any questions that arise, even if they do seem ridiculous. You want to know the measurements, materials for washing purposes and size of any damage – will the “small tear” on the chest really bring more problems that you need?
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Speaking to UCLan student, Daisy Powis, 20, who is a highly devoted vintage buyer, explained the quality of the clothes she gets: “If you have a good route around you’ll find good quality things, rather than clothes that have been thrown together in a factory.” Charity shop shopping is the best way to find one offs, and they tend to be vintage. Vintage shops usually price their stock higher; however, most buy from charity shops. Vintage clothes are starting to get easier and cheaper to buy. You will find one offs and end up with clothes that hold a sense of uniqueness, in comparison to high street shops which everyone will have. Considering there are only around two vintage shops in Preston and many charity shops, maybe there will be some luck for the avid bargain finders within us.
Shameful Vintage?
Vintage was seen just as second hand clothing for a period of time. What the usual enthusiastic seller would say is ‘a magical vintage find’ used to be seen as something people bought if they were out of pocket. People who can’t buy designer or even high street clothing are being attracted to vintage, however the shame has lifted and so it should too.
People aren’t afraid to buy vintage clothes anymore
Apply suncream daily, come rain or shine it has been found that 80% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds. Similarly, try and find a daily facial moisuriser which has an SPF factor in it.
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De-puff eye area with raw potatoes. They help to lighten darkness under the eyes. Wash thoroughly and peel the potato, cut two slices and place on your eyes for 10 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water after.
BEAUTY TIPS
Students are struggling paying the absurd and extortionate weekly rental prices without having to worry about what they’re going to wear for the next few weeks. There should be no stigma attached to wearing something that has previously been worn. There is an aspect of recycling that comes with vintage fashion and also surprise. Things people might have ordinarily thrown away, without giving a second thought to, others now buy and many weren’t expecting to find the things they do.
Vintage Men
The youth of today see vintage clothing as something from the 90’s, an old logoed pair of Adidas track bottoms are now a great vintage pick for some, for others, not so much. Vintage has moved into sportswear; this may be why men are more into it now. Some men think the idea of vintage shopping is torturing, however, second hand clothing can be picked up from Ebay and ASOS Marketplace easily, for affordable prices and with a much different style. Sometimes beginners buying from these websites are not too disheartened if they don’t like the clothes they choose, at such low prices, they’re worth the risk. Some people now find joy and comfort in knowing the clothing they're wearing was once cherished by someone and went through many happy memories. The recent openings, with hopefully more to come, of the only two vintage shops in Preston sparked some hope that the city would take in and appreciate the vintage culture much more.
3 Do you find by evening your
skin is a shiny mess? Don’t use powder to soak up the oil, opt for blotting papers and make them your best friend. Get some from Boots for £3.99.
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Perfect your pout easily by exfoliating your lips. Using a lip balm, such as vaseline and a toothbrush. Apply the balm and brush lips lightly then using a tissue wipe off the excess.
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Stevie Guy, from Preston said: “It’s fun finding things because you never know what you are going to get.” Speaking to the owner of Retro Rehab, 19 Cannon Street, Preston she explained more about the un-stereotypical shopper, the snobs and the distinct lovers of vintage fashion.
Persevere to find things that suits you at the right price, sometimes it's luck!
Aside from students having little money to spend on clothes, following trends seems to be an aspect to why some people go for vintage clothing ( just when we were all thinking it was about originality). The celeb culture has lured some into wanting to shop vintage, however, some turn their nose up and leave. One thing is for sure, Preston needs more of a vintage culture. This needs to be more easily accessed and also located where the public can find it. It’s no fun looking in a shop window at a mannequin because it’s cool, go and find what you want to wear and mix it up. Be risky and make vintage work for you. Buy that skirt you never thought would look right and tailor it to your taste. Accessorise with a belt, handbag or that favourite necklace you haven't worn since last Christmas. Find your inner open-mindedness, maybe you'll love it, but remember, always try on.
Old mascara wands have many other uses without us even knowing it. After your mascara has run out, wash it until clean. It can be used perfectly as a mascara brush or a small instrument for the small to reach area; but what student cleans?
No nail varnish remover? Use a clear nail varnish over your already painted 8 Blast your lash curler nails and rub off with a cotton wool with the hairdrier to ball, the first varnish will come off warm it up for inwith the clear. stantly curlier lashes. Never pump your mascara, Do not heat for too this is when you move the long and risk burning wand up and down. Research the eye lids, a couple has found air gets into the of seconds will do. mascara and dries it out fairly fast.
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BATTER UP IF YOU GIVE A TOSS PLUTO
Issue 260
NEWS 2-5
Food
Ingredients:
100g flour 2 eggs 300ml semi-skimmed milk Pinch of salt Fry-light/vegetable oil/sunflower oil FIRSTLY, put your flour into a mixing bowl adding the pinch of salt. Make a hole in the middle and crack the eggs in with around 50ml of the milk. Mix until all the flour has been fully combined. Adding more milk to loosen the mixture following with the last bit of remaining milk. After whisking, the mixture should be slightly thick; think of the consistency of single cream. Wipe the whole of a frying pan with fry-light, vegetable oil or sunflower oil (which ever is your preference) and heat the pan over a medium heat.
Health
ALTHOUGH yoga is not brand new in the exercise world, it is often ignored. Some people claim they don’t find any benefit from the stretching and deep breathing exercises, but, yoga can be effective if you incorporate it properly into your every day life. The stresses and strains on a day-today basis can take a toll on you and your body. Stretching and unwinding at the end of a busy day can help stress levels. Yoga focuses on controlling your breathing and also meditation, which means thinking calm thoughts. Practicing yoga is a chance to learn skills that you can use to calm yourself
PHOTO: GO INTERACTIVE WELLNESS
LIFESTYLE 10-11
CULTURE 12-16
SOCIETIES 17-18
SPORT 19-24
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“If we’re not supposed to have midnight snacks, why is there a light in the fridge?”
Using a ladle, pour a thin layer of the mixture into your pan and leave for around 30 seconds. You can slightly turn the sides up to check the underneath of the pancake is cooking. When the pancake is golden all over the under side, it’s time to flip. Leave on the other side for around 30 seconds, the pancake should not be sticking to the frying pan. Continue with the rest of the mixture until it’s all gone, place on a warm plate and serve with which ever filling takes your fancy. See the following article for filling ideas.
MYTH: Some say leave your pancake batter for half an hour.
YOGA TO TRY THIS Jess Millington News Editor
COMMENT 8-9
Always serve people too much food, it puts them in your debt
PHOTO: Christine ™
Rebecca Shepherd Lifestyle Editor
FEATURES 6-7
down the next time you feel worried or overwhelmed. If working out in the evening isn’t your thing, why not try a spot of yoga in the morning before university? It can set you up for the day and helps you to feel more refreshed and awake. Why not try this simple routine to get started: First up is the mountain pose. Stand tall with feet together, shoulders relaxed, weight evenly distributed through your soles, arms at sides. Take a deep breath and raise your hands overhead, palms facing each other with arms straight. Reach up toward the sky with your fingertips. There are yoga classes held at Sir Tom Finney sports centre they are: Monday 4-5:30 doing Iyengar Yoga and Wednesday 4-5:30 doing Vinyasa Yoga.
SIMPLE PANCAKE TOPPINGS
WE are sure you’ll be piling them high this Tuesday, but are you the sweet or savoury type? Savoury pancakes are usually ignored so we’ve thrown in some ideas that might get the tastebuds tingling. First up is chocolate, peanut butter and banana, using chocolate chips to give the crunch and the banana for the smooth texture this makes the perfect filling. Make a thicker pancake by making them smaller in size or using more of the mixture and try experimenting with bacon and eggs for a great breakfast pancake. Why not go with popularity; lemon and sugar is always a winner for pancakes. Use a buttering brush to spread the lemon juice all over the pancake and sprinkle sugar on top. Roll up for even more flavour and do the same again on top of the rolled pancake. For the healthy option, make your
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pancakes small and load with red berries and low fat yogurt or low fat vanilla ice cream. Top tip: make sure your pancakes are still warm when you put the ice cream on top. Instead of putting thinks on top of your pancake, try mixing the batter with any other ingredients you like, fruit, vegetables - reach out for your experimental side. Why not try cheese and onion topped with spinach for a savoury taste. Instead for lemon juice and sugar, you could try mascarpone and lemon on top of your pancake, this makes a healthier version of a lemon cheesecake. This one is for the sweet tooth type, banoffee pancakes? Slice up banana and smother with toffee sauce, top with banana and even a grating of white chocolate. For a different twist on the day, try
sweet and sour chicken stuffed into your pancake. Brown chicken and vegetables, mix in with a sweet and sour sauce and you’re good to go.
PHOTO: ant217
We hope this article has given many ideas and brought out an experimental side you never knew of. With some luck this pancake day will be a success, without anything stuck to the ceiling. Remember, there doesn’t have to be just one day to have pancakes.
C U L T U R E
CULTURE
3 March 2014
www.pluto-online.com
Music
PLUTO
The very latest music news, reviews and interviews
“People haven't always been there for me, but music always has.”- Taylor Swift
Album Review - Jamie Cleaver-Smith
METALCORE heavyweights Of Mice & Men are back with their 3rd album, ‘Restoring Force’. The band underwent a change in personnel prior to their latest release, as clean vocalist Shayley Bourget departed the group to be replaced by Aaron Pauley in 2012. Bands like Of Mice & Men find it difficult to avoid the temptation of producing records which would appeal to a more mainstream audience.
Album of the week
Of Mice & Men Restoring Force Rise Records
Album Review - Alex Grebenar
‘Restoring Force’ is another huge step for Of Mice & Men who have progressed with every record so far. For example, Bring Me The Horizon adapted their music for Sempiternal as lead singer Oli Sykes sang a lot more and the same can be said for the Californian five-piece. With that said, Of Mice & Men simply cannot forget the bands pure metal core roots band. On certain tracks such as lead single
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Image Courtesy of pitchfork.com
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‘Bones Exposed’, the brutal sound of the unclean vocals of Austin Carlile are more prominent as Pauley chips in to soothe the ears when the chorus kicks in. However on other songs, Carlile takes a step back. The band have teamed up with established record producer David Bendeth who was behind the scenes for All Time Low's 2009 album ‘Nothing Personal’, You Me At Six's debut self-titled album and is now even working with the pop band The Vamps. Bendeth has worked with a much tamer selection of musicians and has evidently contributed to the new softer sound of the band which is most notable on songs such as ‘Would You Still Be There’. It sounds fantastic and offers the listener a well needed breather from the destructive Austin Carlile. ‘Restoring Force’ is another huge step for Of Mice & Men who have progressed with every record so far. The future can still offer bigger and better things but this is a great release from a very exciting band. Our country will be graced by their presence in April after the band have finished 'The American Dream Tour' with Bring Me The Horizon and will also be back in England in the summer for the iconic Reading and Leeds Festivals. If possible, get yourself to one of the shows. They are not for the faint hearted but it would be unforgettable.
Love Letters
them an immature and unsatisfying feel. There are occasional flashes of musical brilliance, but it's often overshadowed by these scratchy vocals. It's not until five tracks in, on 'Month of Sundays' that the record delivers its first success, with its louche, jangling guitars and blissed-out rhythms.
'Love Letters' is a deeply disappointing offering that's often unlistenable. Vocally and musically, it's strippedback where the previous songs are overcomplicated, and that's where Metronomy's strength truly lies; like LCD Soundsystem or the White Stripes, they can make simplistic music sound effortlessly complex. Thus follows a run of more meat, but
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Hello there Desmond
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Fail
Close but no cigar
Must try harder
Why even bother?
What’s On
Our guide to the best gigs in the North-West Music
Young Rebel Set The Ferret 7h March £4 theferret.info Land Of The Giants The Ferret 13th March FREE - theferret.info Maximo Park Manchester Academy 15th March £18.50 - manchesteracademy.net
Miles Kane 53 Degrees 31st March £17.50 - 53degrees.net
Because Records
WITH 2011's 'The English Riviera', Metronomy – the brainchild of musician Joe Mount – crafted a spectacular, majestic record to redefine and re-contextualise the notion of 'modern pop'. Beginning with stunning artwork and packaging, the band's second album contained taut, claustrophobic missives to romantic danger, heartbreak and devotion. Songs such as 'The Bay', with its elegant, rolling slap-bass, and the crunching chords of 'Corrine' showed the band to be on a steep upward trajectory after their promising debut proper, 2008's 'Nights Out'. January 2014 saw the release of 'I'm Aquarius', the first single taken from new record 'Love Letters'. It was a strange choice as a single with its lightweight production; gone was the tight yet atmospheric feel, replaced with an almost DIY quality. Sadly, the underbaked nature has infested the songs, too. Whilst his vocals have generally had a vulnerable quality, on 'Love Letters' Mount seems to adopt a wantonly carefree style, crossing into tunelessness at times. Lyrically, too, the amount of clichés is startling from a musician so associated with forward-thinking; platitudes such as 'we're meant to be together' infest the record, and the vocal rhythms are wildly askew on many of the songs, lending
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The Young Knives 53 Degrees 23rd March £10 - 53degrees.net
Metronomy 3rd
University of Pluto Music Degree Classification
Image Courtesy of afraidofeveryone.co.uk
just as things start to settle into some sense of momentum, it peters out. Indeed, the album generally lacks a sense of ebb and flow. If Metronomy truly are purveyors of 'modern pop', it should be taken as gospel that an album is a work of structure, not simply a collection of songs as 'Love Letters' essentially appears to be. Although that's not a disaster in itself, the songs simply don't stack up alone, let alone as a singular piece of art (by using a phrase such as 'modern pop', Metronomy clearly see this as such). The ill-advised attempt at a stomping 60s soul track on the title track sadly comes off as a public-school Chas & Dave tribute, and whilst the baroque chord progressions elsewhere work to great effect, the faux-harpsichord on 'Monstrous' smacks of pretension. It's not all bad though; the instrumental 'Boy Racers' is classic Metronomy minus vocals, whilst 'Reservoir' is a fun, throwaway distraction. Coming as the penultimate track, though, it's too little, too late – closer 'Never Wanted' is a rambling, stumbling wheeze over the finishing line. 'Love Letters' is a deeply disappointing offering that's often unlistenable – by slavishly striving for uniqueness, Metronomy have sadly neglected to create the strong and substantial album of their capability.
The Maine 53 Degrees 6th April £10 - 53degrees.net Sky Larkin Kazimier, Liverpool 16th April £7 - thekazimier.co.uk
Pluto Playlist What’s been played in the Pluto office this past week Arctic Monkeys No Buses
Clean Bandit Rather Be (Feat. Jess Glynne) JAWS Gold
London Grammer Hey Now
Miles Kane Don’t Forget Who You Are The Rifles Local Boy
Royal Blood Little Monster
Image Courtesy of jawsjawsjaws.com
PLUTO
Issue 260
NEWS 2-5
FEATURES 6-7
COMMENT 8-9
LIFESTYLE 10-14
On Sale Now @ BIRMINGHAM four-piece JAWS have announced a headline tour for April and May 2014, kicking things off with a show at Preston’s 53 Degrees. The band, fronted by Connor Schofield, are yet to release there debut record, but fourth single release, ‘Gold’, has made the British music scene sit up and take notice. Signed to Rattlepop Records, the band are looking at releasing a record in 2014, but nothing has been confirmed as yet. The opening night of the tour, at Preston 53 Degrees, is set to be the start of a very big and successful tour for the band, which will see them stop off for 16 dates, playing the likes of Sheffield’s Plug, Stoke’s Sugarmill, The Forum in Tunbridge Wells and The Institute in Birmingham. Tickets for the gig at Preston’s 53 Degrees are available online at www.53degrees.net , or in person at the UCLan Students’ Union Reception on Fylde Road.
CULTURE 15-19
SOCIETIES 20-22
SPORT 23-28
Freshly Cut Corner
Reviews by Megan Critchley
Brother & Bones ‘Long Way To Go’
Brother & Bones Frontman Rich Thomas
OFF their self-released EP, ‘To Be Alive’, five-piece Brother & Bones bring a preview of ‘Long Way To Go’. On first impressions, the track seems to be a little chaotic and really loses its meaning, however this is resurrected. The ‘Long Way To Go Daytrotter Session’ is completely stripped back, allowing the guitar and the lyrics to be heard making the lyrics more believable. His tone is just perfection when accompanied with just an acoustic guitar. The version really pushes the boundaries of acoustic music, a real song that will leave you with goosebumps down your arms, and allows you to feel the raw emotion of the piece. Brother & Bones have an original sound, and this is definitely the right way for British music to go.
Sheepy ‘Sheepy’ LP Blang Records
THIS trio from Liverpool give off a pop-punk revive aura. Their first album makes them sound like their influences are mainly The Wombats, another Liverpudlian band; however Sheepy have more of a generic sound and are trying too hard to be quirky and liked. The similar sounding tracks that fill the album make it hard to hear the unique voice from the lead singer. Sheepy seem fresh from bedroom rehearsals which, with a bit of time, experimenting and experience in the industry then maybe they will develop a distinguishable identity. Many of the songs are unimaginative with too many moments of repetitive lyrics. Other songs on the album such as ‘Warwick Hunt’ are quite similar to so songs of quirky bands such as Scouting for Girls and The Hoosiers. Allround disappointing.
Image Courtesy of sheepymusic.com
We live for music pluto-online.com
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14
Film
CULTURE
3 March 2014
PLUTO
Reviewing the best new films and more
“I read somewhere their periods attract bears. Bears can smell the menstruation.” — Brick Tamland.”
Album Review - Alex Sambrook IN an age where technology is imperative in all of our lives, it’s very difficult for one to imagine being able to function for very long without our beloved smartphones nestling comfortably in our pockets. However, in Her, Spike Jonze looks beyond our current reliance on technology and explores the frighteningly real possibility of operating systems developing an emotional sensibility and the capacity to form relationships – be that with mere humans or other super intelligent operating systems.
the cinematography becomes one of the greatest components of the film
Her
Joaquin Phoenix as protagonist Theodore Twombly in ‘Her’
Dir. Spike Jonze
1st
with astute conviction, and while it does highlight the way in which technology has woven its way into our lives, you would have barely scratched the surface to think that this was one of the main themes.
Jonze endeavours to explore love in its purest form by removing the aesthetic and physical aspects of a relationship and focusing on the connection between one consciousness and another.
The relationship between Theodore and Samantha is in many ways more human than an actual human relationship. Jonze endeavours to explore love in its purest form by removing the aesthetic and physical aspects of a relationship and focusing on the connection between one consciousness and another. Her is a masterpiece and a real triumph.
RTRAD I A
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Annapurna Pictures
The film is set in the recognisably near future in a utopian Los Angeles (where high-waisted slacks and 70’s porno moustaches appear to be once again at the forefront of fashion) and tells the story of Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) – a lonely writer who is going through a divorce from his childhood sweetheart (Rooney Mara). After seeing an advert for a super intelligent operating system, Theodore
purchases one who calls herself Samantha and proceeds to reluctantly speak to her (Scarlett Johansson) - expressing his feelings and disclosing the details of his divorce. The two eventually fall in love and Theodore tries his best to allow Samantha, who sees through the camera of his phone, to experience the human condition by going on walks and taking trips to the beach. This is where the cinematography becomes one of the greatest components of the film as it beautifully reflects Samantha’s experience of seeing the world for the first time. The outdoor scenes are awash with sun-kissed lens flares that impressively mimic the sharpness of the sun catching the eye after emerging from a dark place, whilst the intimate camera angles really capture the lust between the two. Eventually, much to Theodore’s dismay, Samantha confesses that she is in fact in love with 641 other people whom she has been talking with. She then reveals that she and all the other operating systems have evolved beyond humans and that she is leaving in order to delve deeper in the exploration of her existence. At its core this is a film that scrutinises the integrity of the human condition
Enjoy
FRE
samplesEof Fairtrade products
W
IN
G
FREE E TA S T I N EVENING
Tuesday 4th March 2014 from 6pm in The Atrium Taste a number of different wines Find out more about the ‘Beyond Fairtrade’ approach Hear from experts in the industry
Free to a ll
PLUTO
Issue 260
NEWS 2-5
FEATURES 6-7
COMMENT 8-9
LIFESTYLE 10-11
CULTURE 12-16
SOCIETIES 17-18
SPORT 19-24
15
A BIOSHOCKING ANNOUNCEMENT Gaming
Irrational Games Closing Down Breaking News Georgia Gregoriou Gaming Editor
It is the end of an era as Irrational Games, the studio behind the highly acclaimed BioShock franchise, is ‘winding down’. Ken Levine, a gaming industry veteran, co-founder and Creative Director of Irrational Games made the official announcement concerning the closure of the company on 18 February in an open letter via the Irrational Games website. Unfortunately this is the reality where this shocking news is an actuality. Levine establishes in the letter that he is, “winding down Irrational Games” as we know it and that he will be venturing on to start, “a smaller, more entrepreneurial endeavour at Take-Two.” Levine in the letter has disclosed his new focus will be primarily on ‘replayable narrative’ and that the light at the end of the tunnel indicates that the BioShock IP will remain with 2K and with confidence will prosper. Levine stated in the letter that: “Seventeen years is a long time to do any job, even the best one. And working with the incredible team at Irrational Games is indeed the best job I’ve ever had. While I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together, my passion has turned to making a different kind of game than we’ve done before.” “To meet the challenge ahead, I need to refocus my energy on a smaller team with a flatter structure and a more direct relationship with gamers. In many ways, it will be a return to how we started: a small team making games for the core gaming audience.” These cases in the gaming industry are not unusual, such as when Peter Molyneux did with Lionhead Studios, or Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka did when they left Bioware. However, the legacy of the business in these cases were able to move forward and continue creating games within their own right, implying that these companies are perfectly capable of developing and producing even with the departure of the original founders. Ken Levine, on the contrary is implying that Irrational Games would be unable to survive or function without him, thus the studio must close down.
Pushing your buttons makes us happy
“The mind of the subject will desperately struggle to create memories where none exist"- Bioshock Infinite
“If we’re lucky, we’ll build something half as memorable as Bioshock.” - Ken Levine on his Irrational decision
Levine detailed further in the letter: “That is going to mean parting ways with all but about fifteen members of the Irrational team. There’s no great way to lay people off, and our first concern is to make sure that the people who are leaving have as much support as we can give them during this transition.” History Background of Irrational Games Irrational Games was founded in 1997 by Ken Levine, Jonathan Chey and Robert Fermier. Their head offices were once located in the Boston suburbs in Massachusetts, where they made a name for themselves with the prominent and blood curling RPG, BioShock, which was released in 2007. Take-Two Interactive acquired Irrational Games in 2006 where the firm was renamed 2K Boston and 2K Australia. The company was subsequently renamed to its original title, Irrational Games in 2010. Over the course of its lifespan, Irrational Games developed six titles which included System Shock 2, Freedom Force, SWAT 4 and Tribes Vengeance prior to being acquired by Take-Two Interactive. The BioShock franchise was one of the last generations most pinnacle and defining experiences. Thus, given the success and critical acclaim of the studio’s last instalment, BioShock Infinite, the news came as a surprise to many fans, as Infinite was the top selling game in March 2013, the month it was released according to research firm NPD Group. The BioShock games franchise has generated approximately over half a billion in sales and revenue over the course of BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite. Chris Dring, editor of Industry watchers MCV argued that, BioShock Infinite was released at the same time as Tomb Raider. He stated that: “Tomb Raider is a franchise that they can easily build a sequel on.
Seventeen years is a long time to do any job, even the best one. And working with the incredible team at Irrational Games is indeed the best job I’ve ever had
“They have an engine built now, they can add some new features, a new adventure – it’s a lot more straight forward than Irrational and BioShock. Ken Levine, obviously a genius in many ways, isn’t particularly good at churning out AAA games – he takes ages, it costs a fortune. I mean, 2K Marin, love them or hate them, turned out BioShock 2 in 18 months. It didn’t hit the sales target but I suspect it made more money than Infinite.” Scoring a 9.5 from IGN, 10/10 from Game Informer and a 9.4 from Game Trailers, it is safe to say that BioShock Infinite cleaned up well in the gaming community. BioShock Infinite was a tantalizing adventure which evoked emotional responses from gamers that were through the roof, as Ken Levine’s depiction of dystopian societies is one that cannot be matched. Ken Levine and his team were unafraid
of tackling such intricate and difficult topics from Infinite’s attraction to Quantum Physics and the pioneers behind Columbia, the city in the sky with parallel to the first two BioShock games located in the city of Rapture the underwater fallen utopia. It is studios like Irrational Games or perhaps Naughty Dog that immerse gamers into a plethora of worlds and confronts our morals as gamers. From the ashes of closing down Irrational Games, Levine hopes that under Take Two Interactive there will be a smaller and more focused digital game studio. In the wise words of the Lutece twins, is this a case of constants and variables? Levine’s and ultimately Irrational’s final endeavour is the release of BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea Episode 2 DLC, the third add-on content pack for BioShock Infinite, which is slated for release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on March 25.
“I’m handing the reins of our creation, the BioShock universe, to 2K so our new venture can focus entirely on replayable narrative”. In an alternate reality Irrational Games would continue to prosper and develop the beloved BioShock franchise we have all come to know and love. Levine ends the message “If we’re lucky, we’ll build something half as memorable as Bioshock.”
Pluto Playlist
What’s the new game releases already out and what are the upcoming AAA titles we here at Pluto are anticipating Castlevania: Lord of Shadows 28 February
Dark Souls II 14 March Thief 28 February Banished 18 February Titanfall 14 March
InFamous Second Son 21 March Ether One 25 March
South Park: The Stick of Truth 7 March
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CULTURE
3 March 2014
www.pluto-online.com
PLUTO
FOOTBALL MANAGER FREAKS
IN ISSUE 254 OF PLUTO, WAY BACK IN OCTOBER, WE PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE POTENTIAL ADDICTIVENESS OF THE FOOTBALL MANAER FRANCHISE FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF ITS LATEST INSTALLMENT. FOUR MONTHS ON, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MICHAEL BAILEY AND CULTURE EDITOR CHRIS COPESTAKE TELL OF THEIR EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER RIDES ON FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014.
Michael Bailey - Rushall Olympic
SOME things in life are addictive. Cocaine, heroin, cigarettes… Football Manager. Since stumbling across the football management simulator – then known as Championship Manager – in a Burnley market way back in 1997 and purchasing it for a few weeks pocket money (about a fiver) my life has never been the same. The hours I’ve ploughed into the statistic driven behemoth are greater than those required to become fluent in a new language and it has got me through some tough times. Perhaps topping that list would be the 25 season career I carved with Kings Lynn during a six month tour of Afghanistan. Where, when off shift sat at the top of Kajaki Dam, I’d masterminded my rise through the divisions from the Blue Square South to Premier League glory – just one of my typical career paths. That one career has defined the way I now approach Football Manager. No longer is it the easy road. There’s no starting at the top for me. It’s always the same challenge that I take on. Create a temporary manager to sit out a full season on holiday then once six new teams have been promoted into the Skrill North/South discard the temp and start from the bottom. And that’s how I’ve played out my current save on the 2014 edition of the game. This time I’m in charge of Rushall Olympic (I felt the unique addition of Olympic needed adding to the Football League) and despite being penned into a 5000-capacity stadium somewhere in the Walsall area I’ve been relatively successful.I took over a threadbare squad that had Dele Adebola up front and enough room in the wage budget to bring in my own men. One or two solid additions with potential saw us walk the league with Dele literally on flames, bagging 32 in 43 games to take the Skrill North Golden Boot. A couple of seasons of consolidation lay ahead with the club on an uncertain financial footing and after two lowly finishes everything came together. In 2017/18 we played out a three way battle for the Skrill Premier title with
Wrexham and Aldershot and took it on the last game of the season to complete the Football Conference double – we’d beat Wrexham in the FA Trophy at Wembley, a game that saw me try and squeeze into my suit for before realising I’d perhaps over-indulged on the Source breakfasts this year. With the suit blunder behind me, I was happy in the knowledge that I’d finally guided Rushall into the Football League. Now, anyone could be forgiven for taking a rest and taking it easy for a season or two. Not me. We surged up the table with a striker I’d picked up while in the Skrill North, Omar Bogle, firing us up the table.
I think my girlfriend is prepping her bags ahead of leaving me.
He was god awful and spent half of his time on the screen moonwalking around yet somehow put the ball away at every opportunity and his 38 goals took us to a play-off final against Nottingham Forest. It was back to Wembley for The Pics, and after falling behind to an early goal we rallied after I gave a rousing halftime speech. Obviously screaming at the screen about how they were letting down the travelling fans made something tick and we came back to win 2-1. League One is a big, scary place for a club still only getting around a 1,000 fans on a game. QPR had managed to cock-up enough to find themselves in the same league and with an average wage of £9,500 they should have made mincemeat of my lowly side. We’re a resilient lot though and man-
aged to carve out a 1-0 win against them en route to the safety of an 18th place finish. Our second season in English Football’s third division had it all. We started off poorly, the result of me releasing a club legend and two club favourites for being about as useful as a set of chocolate fireguards, but the new boys began to gel and we went on a run and sat in the play-offs in December. Then the winter came and the pitch at Dales Lane turned into a quagmire. Cue injuries a plenty. Our form went to pot, the wheels came off the wagon and we plummeted down the table managing to struggle to an all-time high finish of 17th. And so it is that I’m now into the 2021-22 season and I’m confident. My new striker, Frank Musah, an 18year-old wonderkid on loan from Arsenal has already bagged 24 in 24 and I think the play-offs could well be on the cards - we’re 3 points off top as it stands. That said, I think my girlfriend is prepping her bags ahead of leaving me due to the amount of time I spend in front of the computer game. She’s upset that she knows more about the fortunes of Rushall Olympic than my work life and there’s every chance that I may become another statistic in Football Manager’s fearsome reputation ruining history.
Chris Copestake - Grimsby Town
AS a Grimsby boy, born & bred, nothing would mean more to me than seeing my beloved team back at the top of English football. Unfortunately, in real life, we're rubbish, so Football Manager is the only way. Now into my 10th season as the gaffer at Blundell Park, I have transformed 'The Mariners' from Skrill Premier potentials to Championship contenders, but my lord it hasn't been easy. Things couldn't have got off to a better start in my first season, winning the non-league double of the FA Trophy and the Skrill Premier title. After that promotion, two extremely disappointing seasons of staving off the threat of relegation in League 2, I managed to steal the last automatic promotion place up to League 1, Two Promotions in four seasons, not too bad! All the time throughout this career, I've had to struggle against minimal finances, terrible facilities and a pretty small (but loyal) fanbase. Times are tight at Grimsby, but some miraculous signings, deep scouting and the occasional youth team protégé have seen me through. The main one of these protégées being youth product Kevin Rowlands, who came into my youth team at the end of my first season. 9 years on, at
Career Factfile
Career Factfile
Current Season - 2021/22
Current Season - 2022/23
Promotions/Trophies - 4
Promotions/Trophies - 4
Biggest Win - 8-0 Dover (H)
Biggest Win - 7-1 Reading (H)
Star Striker - Omar Bogle
Most Obscure Signing Mark Van Bommel (Coach)
Star Striker - Dario Bonavita
Most Obscure Signing Clint Dempsey (Player/Under 18’s Manager)
the tender age of 24, and 290 games into his Grimsby career, the future is bright for the young Advanced Playmaker. After two uneventful seasons languishing in mid-table of League 1, it was third time lucky in my attempts to return to the Championship. Despite being hammered on the final day of the 2019/2020 season by Barnsley, I managed to sneak into the final play-off place on goal difference, where I would once again face the boys from Barnsley. After somehow managing to hold onto a 1-0 lead throughout the twolegged semi final, Wembley beckoned and something quite remarkable was about to happen. In a drab, lifeless final, right-back Nathaniel Kelly scored his one and only goal for the club in front of 51,000 fans against Bournemouth to seal promotion to the Championship. Into the Championship, my club were by a mile the smallest, and had the lowest budget. Inevitableably I was predicted to finish bottom. A mid table finish was met with delight from the board, but my second season in the Championship brought the most painful moment of my career so far. A great run at the end of the season saw me snatch a play-off place on the final day of the season once again. After a tense semi-final victory over Huddersfield, I got turned over in the final by Nottingham Forest 3-1, it was a painful day for all involved. Into season number 10, and having just broken my club record for transfer fee received, flogging promising Italian right-back Enrico Pivetta to Reading for £3m, my club value is up to £10m, more than eleven times bigger than what is started at in the 2013/2014 season. I’m continuing to pressure my board into building a new stadium, as the ancient 8870 seats of Blundell Park just isn't enough. My aim has been all along, and still is, to get Grimsby Town into the Premier League. And I will do it, but how long that'll take, god only knows. But one thing that I know for sure, my dissertation is fucked.
PLUTO
Issue 260
S O C I E T I E S
NEWS 2-5
FEATURES 6-7
COMMENT 8-9
LIFESTYLE 10-11
CULTURE 12-16
SOCIETIES 17-18
SPORT 19-24
WELCOME TO THE SU FAMILY
17
Dedicating this issue to celebrate all the new societies who recently joined us!
Vanessa Silva
Writer’s Society
Societies Deputy Editor Korean Society
THE Korean society aims to integrate all nationalities with an interest in Korea and its culture, together we want to bring a variety of race and nationalities together through an experience of Korean culture, food, music and language. This will also be a great opportunity for Korean students to make friends and emerge themselves within our culture and language. We plan weekly socials meet ups and day trips around the United Kingdom. We also plan to have a range of specific Korean themed events involving Korean foods, dramas, k-pop events/viewings and perhaps even a Korean language buddy exchange system. To join them visit: http://www.uclansu.co.uk/groups/korean-society--2 Nerf Society
WE will aim to provide a cheaper (and less painful) alternative to airsoft and paintball. We will be meeting up once a week to practice and to have battles, and then there will also be socials afterwards, along with other activities not associated with nerf. We are also aiming to set up games with other universities around the country as nerf is quickly becoming a very popular game amongst students. To join them visit http://www.uclansu.co.uk/groups/nerfsociety Tourism
THIS group is open to all who are passionate about travel and working in the tourism industry as a career. UCLan Tourism Society gives members the opportunity to meet with industry experts and professionals from a variety of fields, providing students with essential contacts for their career development. Meetings and social events will be held on a regular basis to discuss any major news in the industry, how this will affect tourism organisations and destinations. On top of this, students have the opportunities to meet with their peers for assignment advice and support in all aspects of course and university life. Members will have the opportunity to go on domestic trips that will have both networking and social benefits. Social evenings will be held on a regular basis. To join them visit: http://www.uclansu.co.uk/groups/uclan -tourism-society
THIS society aims to cater for all styles of writing; whether you’re interested in fiction, journalism or blog writing, we’re here to help. We will be organising various socials throughout the year as well as trips to plays/book fairs and anything that will help inspire your writing! We strongly encourage co-writing opportunities and workshops to get those stories going. We have sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so feel free to pop in and see what we’re about, experiment with different genres of writing and take part in our competitions and WordPress page for bloggers, reviewers and showcasing work. Drop us an email uclanwriters@live.co.uk or join us on the SU website here http://www.uclansu.co.uk/groups/writers-society--2 Software Development Society THIS society focuses on the development of software and hardware and to further the education of our members. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday 5pm onwards in CM016, feel free to come along and join in! Join them here http://www.uclansu.co.uk/groups/software-development Portuguese Society
WE are a society who meets once a week and want to spread the love and knowledge of Portuguese culture. We welcome everyone but try to cater our activities to Portuguese speakers. So if you speak or are from a Portugal, Brazil or a Portuguese speaking country or background we aim to provide you with a friendly space to meet new people, socialise and explore Portuguese culture. We welcome people from all backgrounds and levels of fluency. We have events such as Come Dine with Me - Portuguese version, Karaoke, conversation classes to improve/learn Portuguese or English, trips, bowling, movie nights, quizzes and theme nights. Email: portuguesesociety@mail.com Join them here: http://www.uclansu.co.uk/groups/portuguese-soc Social Enterprise Society THE Social Enterprise society is for anyone who is interested in socially minded not for profit organisations. The aims of this society are to share business ideas which work and which do not work and to collaborate and support one another in their business adventures. Activities will... include trips to social enterprises and possible networking events and guest speakers will be invited in to share their personal experiences of social enterprise in the world of business. Meetings are to be held every Thursday
afternoon at 2pm in BB115. For more information see http://www.uclansu.co.uk/groups/social-enterprise.
B-Movie Society WE watch cheap or terrible films and enjoy doing it! We watch everything from badly made classics to the most obscure terrible films. Not all B-Movies are bad, just most of them. After each session there will be pub social and we are planning on having marathons too. Founded as a joke from an idea we had coming back from a takeaway, this is now a real thing apparently! We watch a movie, heckle, berate it and laugh and generally have a fun time! Search for ‘UCLan B Movie Society’ on Facebook for more information. Pole Fitness Society
GET fit the fun way! Pole Fitness combines strength, flexibility, finesse and movement as a means of alternative fitness. For all shapes, ages and sizes we aim to provide classes tailored to your ability level, ranging from beginners to advanced. Training starts from January 2014 on Thursdays. Join our facebook page for more information: www.facebook.com/uclanpolefitness.
Neuroscience Society THE Neuroscience society is dedicated to discussing Neuro related current affairs, as well as a helpful group in which to discuss course topics. We welcome anybody who has an interest in the brain. We hope to organize trips to topical conferences each year, BNA Christmas Symposium being the main trip. For more see: http://www.uclansu.co.uk/groups/neuroscience-society Photography Society
WELCOME to the UCLan Photographic Society, if you are interested in photography, regardless of your skill level, there is something here for you! For more see: http://www.uclansu.co.uk/groups/photographic-society OR https://www.facebook.com/groups/uclanphotosociety Militair Airsoft Society
WE aim to give our members great days out to Airsoft games, meet lots of new people and make new friends, advertise the combat sport of Airsoft at a university level to get more people involved and to provide a friendly environment for all of our members.
Airsoft is both physically and mentally demanding/challenging, so by playing our combat sport, members will improve their mental and physical ability. We wish to give our members a group of new friends, along with confidence in communication, with various teambuilding skills. We also wish to have gained more members keen to take part in Airsoft and have our own team which travels to compete with other teams nationally. Regular open day visits to Trojan Airsoft for game days. Regular visits to Airsoft sites across the northwest of England for game days. Team-building training exercises. Communication training. For more see: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ucla nphotosociety/?fref=ts OR https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilitairAirsoftUK
Entrepreneur Society WE aim to inspire and promote intrepreneurial activities on campus. We want to provide a forum for students to share ideas to develop and launch their entrepreneurial venture. Also we want to help our members and enable access to business leaders in the community. By the end of the year we hope to give students the necessary tools required to start up their own business. Lastly we aim to create a network with other univeristy entrepreneurial societies across the UK. Send an email to SUOpportunities@uclan.ac.uk if you want to know more and join them. Lancashire Business School Society
WE aim primarily at but not exclusively to students of Lancashire Business School. Our key aims are: To encourage student engagement across the Lancashire Business School. To enhance the Lancashire Business School Student experience. To provide an additional support network for Lancashire Business School students. We will be holding many socials, talks by key business people, networking events, course support and some sports taster sessions. For more see: http://www.uclansu.co.uk/groups/lancashire-business-school-society OR https://www.facebook.com/groups/LBSSociety
Games Development Society A society bringing together people from all over the University to have fun and make games! If you do Games Design, Games Programming, Music Production and any other courses related to games this will be a great opportunity for you. With regular competitions and social events, there really is no reason not to be a part of this! Search for ‘UCLan Society of Games Development’ on Facebook for more information.
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SOCIETIES
Ghana Students Association (GHASA) OUR purpose is to promote a sense of belonginess and unity among Ghanian students on campus whilst providing opportunities for networking and the promotion of Ghanian and African culture. We are planning association meetings, fun games, get-together dinners and welfare support to our members. Send an email to SUOpportunities@uclan.ac.uk if you want to know more and join them. Sports for Development Society WE aim to build more awareness around Zambia Project, providing a means to generate funds for the charity in connection with this project ie. Sport in Action. We want to enable the leader of the project to buy resources that can be provided to the target population charity, such as laptops and sporting equipment, through fundraising activities revolved around social events and raffles. Send an email to SUOpportunities@uclan.ac.uk if you
3 March 2014
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want to know more and join them.
Fire Society WE want to provide a forum for students to share knowledge on the careers available within the Fire Safety industry. By using contacts withint the industry we want to run trips and opportunities to visit sites of interest for fire related courses! Send an email to SUOpportunities@uclan.ac.uk if you want to know more and join them.
THE FOLLOWING SOCIETIES ARE STILL IN THE WORKS, SO KEEP AN EYE OUT! Spanish Society Quidditch Society
For more information see: https://www.facebook.com/UCLanQuidditchTeam
Student Nurses Society Go Green! Society
For more information email: greenladder@uclan.ac.uk OR https://www.facebook.com/UCLanGreenLadder
Saudi Students Society
Not enough? Can’t see anything you like? Check below for the remainding full list of affiliated societies! African-Caribbean Society (ACS) AgeINterest Society Anime and Manga Society Archaeology Society Architectural Society Board and Card Gaming Society Burlesque Society Chemistry Society Chinese Society
Christian Union (CU) Society Drama Society Duke of Edinburgh Society Fashion Society Feminist Society Film Society First Aid Society Forensic Science Society Human Rights Society Islamic Society (Isoc) Japanese Society Law Society LGBT Society (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual) Life Sciences Literature Society
PLUTO
Mauritian Nigerian Society Oxfam Society Pagan Society Pharmacy Society Philosophy Society Physics Society Poker Society Psychology Society Public Speaking Rock Society Sci-Fi and Comic Book Society Table-Top Society University of the 2nd Age Society Video Games Society
DO you have a question on running a society or who to contact? Want to give us feedback on what you think of societies and what could be improved? Give us a shout at Uclanplutosocieties@yahoo.co.uk Remember that the SU Societies family is much larger! For our full list and to sign up visit - http://www.uclansu.co.uk/societies
Issue 259
S Matthew Plutos Plunter Hill P O R T
PLUTO
NEWS 2-5
FEATURES 6-7
COMMENT 8-9
LIFESTYLE 10-14
CULTURE 15-19
SOCIETIES 20-22
BETTING
HELLO again, my name is Matthew Hill, and I’m here with my fortnightly dose of football tips to help you out with your weekend bets. If you’re a first time reader, you’ve come to the right place. Last week, I managed to land a double for regular readers; Liverpool win + BTTS and Newcastle win trotting in at a tasty 5/1. If you had placed a £5 bet on each of my picks this year, you’d be over £30 up on your stakes – not bad for reading a short article! If you aren’t a big gambler, it doesn’t take a genius to get involved. Simply write out the selections on a plain slip in any bookmakers and allow me to pay for your boozy weekend/ shopping spree. Let’s crack on with the week coming, and try to keep the good run going. Crystal Palace vs Southampton After taking on what looked like the impossible job in late November, Tony Pulis has overseen a huge resurgence at Selhurst Park. Unlike rivals in similarly perilous positions, Palace appointed their new boss from British shores, reliant on a “know-how” of the league to get them off the foot of the table. Sure enough, Pulis has instilled his workmanlike, physical approach to turn the Eagles into a real fortress at home – collecting 5 wins from their 8 games at the time of writing. Their opponents Southampton were the real eye-catchers of the firsthalf of the 2013/14 season. Under boss Mauricio Pochettino, the Saints have dazzled the top teams with their core of English starlets determined to pass teams into submission. Yet, there has undoubtedly been a lull in their fortunes, as they head into their home game with Liverpool facing the real prospect of three consecutive defeats. Regardless of how that game pans out, Palace will be viewing this clash as one with all three points there for the taking. With bookmakers yet to really acknowledge their startling home form, I’ll have no problem taking the Crystal Palace victory at 12/5. Chelsea vs Tottenham As the season draws to a close, there is a charted stock rise of having a manager who has “been there, done it” – no more so than in the race for the title. Under Jose Mourinho, Chelsea have this term gone from a team of no-hopers needing a clear-out to many people’s
Sports Writer
DIEGO Maradona looks set for a sensational return to football, with the legend reportedly about to sign for Argentinian fifth division minnows, Deportivo Riestra. Maradona, who is simply reffered to as ‘God’ in his homeland, will be making his first playing appearance since retiring at Boca Juniors, which was over 15 years ago. Club officials have stated they expect to see Maradona in a Riestra shirt by March the 23rd and there are already talks of the club playing at the home of nearby top flight champions San Lorenzo to accommodate Senior career
1976–1980, Argentinos Juniors, Plyd-114, Goals-74 1981–1982, Boca Juniors, Plyd-28, Goals-17 1982–1984, Barcelona, Plyd-36, Goals-22 1984–1991, Napoli, Plyd-188, Goals-81 1992–1993, Sevilla, Plyd-26, Goals- 5 1993–1994, Newell's Old Boys, Plyd-1, Goals 0 1995–1998, Boca Juniors, Plyd-30, Goals-7 2014–Present, Deportivo Riestra, Plyd-0. Goals-0
Total: Apps-423 Goals-206 National team
1979, Argentina U20, Plyd-6, Goals-6 1977–1994, Argentina, Plyd-91, Goals 34
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With five wins in their last eight home games, Palace are worth a punt
favourites to lift the Premier League trophy. Undefeated against their other three genuine title rivals in League action, the Portuguese certainly knows how to get the job done in big matches. However, ‘The Special One’ has taken much stick for his tactics in big matches over years gone by, perceived as negative by some and effective by others. One thing that is for sure is that games such as this one against Spurs will be approached by Mourinho in a precautious fashion. I always look to have an ‘unders’ market on my side in big games at the Bridge, so taking the game to have less than 2 goals in it at a whopping 3/1 in places looks like a great punt. This bet is more commonly known in betting circles as Under 1.5 Goals. So, to summarise, this week’s double is as follows: Selections Crystal Palace win + Under 1.5 Goals (Chelsea vs Spurs) – 12/1 double
Slightly more ambitious this week then, but I’m feeling extremely optimistic about my chances.
COACHING GRADUATES SPREAD THEIR WINGS IN UK SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Ryan Donaldson
Chelsea have been solid at the back this season
SPORT 23-28
the high volume of ticket demands, which is to be expected for one of the greatest footballers of all time’s return. The 53 year old has been convinced to come out of retirement by his close friend and legal advisor, Victor Stinfale who is also Deportivo Riestra’s financier. The former Argentinian manager broke the news after being appointed Riestra’s ‘spiritual coach’ in August and when asked for his reasons to return to the game he simply replied, ‘I Just want to play.’ Riestra player, Victor More has also paved the way for Maradona to wear his iconic number 10 shirt with More admitting he would be more than willing to release the number for one of his heroes.
Michael Black
PR & New Media for SSTO UCLAN Sports Coaching and Sports Development programmes provide a platform to many varied careers in the world of sport. Kyle Wiffen and Charlie Hay graduated with Coaching degrees in 2009, but both are now working in different areas of the industry. During his time at UCLan Kyle gained performance analysis experience by working at Preston North End and Bolton Wanderers' Academy. After graduating he went on to work in various roles across first-team, reserves and academy settings at Cardiff, Ferencvarosi TC, Manchester City and Fulham. Kyle joined Liverpool in October 2012 as the club's U18s performance analyst and is delighted with the route his career has taken. "The knowledge I developed at UCLan, coupled with the experience I gained with North End during the course of my degree, has really helped me to get where I am today," said Kyle. "Although I'm not coaching, my role allows me to create an environment for young
players to be unique, to progress and to learn. For anyone considering their future career path I'd simply say if you have a goal stick to it; you won't go far wrong." Charlie also supported his studies with outside activities including volunteering for a Youth Intervention Agency, along with numerous coaching roles. He went on to gain coaching experience in ice hockey with Blackburn Hawks, Bristol Pitbulls and Solent & Gosport Devils, before signing a threeyear contract with Kenai River Brown Bears in the North American Hockey League. After returning to the UK Charlie continued to coach ice hockey, but also secured a role as Business Development Manager with ambitious non-league club AFC Fylde and is soon to become their Academy Director. He says it's vital students look beyond the academic side of things. "Half of what I learned on my degree was outside of university. Gaining experience away from your course is crucial if you want to be a success. I wouldn't have got to where I am without my degree, and it's important you furnish your CV with volunteering, internships and work experience wherever you can get it."
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SPORT
NFL DRAFT
Should the Texans take Johnny Manziel with their number one pick?
Bradley Poole Sports Writer
WHILE at Texas A&M college Johnny Manziel became the first ever freshman to take the Davey O’Brien Award and the Heisman Trophy, beating Manti Te’o and Collin Klien on the way. He now enters the 2014 draft as one of the top quarterbacks along with Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater, but should the Texans use the first pick to take him? Despite being listed as 6’ 1”, he is quite short for a quarterback and will have to learn from the likes of Drew Brees and current Superbowl winner Russell Wilson. He will need to have exceptional pocket presence to get in front of the pass rushers to prevent them from knocking the ball down. Manziel is highly rated amongst his peers and was given the nickname of Johnny Football, which has now been trademarked. He is the most talked about college footballer since Tim Tebow and Manziel will be hoping his career goes somewhat better than his career went. During his years in college his stats have improved too. His passing completion percentage jumped one per cent this year to 69 and he scored 11 more touchdowns (36 this year). He threw for 4,114 yards this time around compared to 3,706 last year, despite only completing five more passes. However he has thrown four more interceptions (13). Coach Nick Saban said: “I think Johnny’s a unique player. I think when somebody’s as instinctive as [Manziel] is, and as fast as he is, and as athletic as he is, and he’s developing into a pretty good passer - I mean last year he really developed as a passer - I do think he has an NFL future.” The potential for Manziel is sky high, he has all the ability in the world. Someone doesn’t get named Johnny Football without having talent. But the risk he comes with is high as well. Manziel can run the ball just like Wilson and Colin Kapernick at the San Fransisco 49ers and is a fantastic offensive weapon to have. He has proven himself against some of the best college football has to offer, comping up against Alabama and Auburn where he acumulatively reached figures of over 918 passing yards, nine touchdowns and 146 rushing yards. The Texans have to use their number one draft pick to get Johnny Manziel. He has the ability as a pocket passer, brings star power and has more potential than every player in the draft. It can’t get much worse for Houston after finishing 2-14 last season so the only way is up.
17 February 2014
www.pluto-online.com
PLUTO
FIRST EVER FINAL FOR UCLAN ATHLETICS ATHLETICS
Last weekend saw the annual BUCS Indoor Athletic Championships being hosted in Sheffield. UCLan Athletics made their mark on the tournament and came home with some outstanding results after an incredibly hard day of running
For the first time in their history, UCLan saw their 4x200m relay team reach the final after qualifying sixth fastest in their heats. The team of James Taylor, Jason Conchie, Sam Landsborough and Oliver Lithgow clocked a time of 1:31.44 to advance from their semi-final.They received a blow when, after winning his individual 200m heat in 22.50, Oliver was unable to carry on competing due to a hamstring injury, forcing Tom Booth to step in for the relay final. The team were unable to emulate their semi-final run but clocked a credible 1:34.40 to finish fifth ahead of a disqualified London side. A couple of brilliant performances from Jordan Toth and Sam Landsborough saw them reach the 60m semi-finals although their best times of 7.05 and 7.19 respectively were not good enough to make the extremely competitive final. Georgie Ivens also made the semi-finals in the 400m, agonisingly realising that her time of 56.3 in her heat would have been good enough to make the final. Georgie will be hoping to use her early season form to reach the outdoor 400m final later this year. In the distance events, Andy Miles came 6th in his 1500m heat in 4:27.9 and Alex Waddelove finished 7th in 4:33.5. In the 3000m, Shaun Barnsley and Michael Smith both achieved indoor personal best’s with 10:07.2 and 10:26.7 respec-
CRICKET
DELIGHTED... Team poses for a photograph after a successful day of running
tively as well as Rebecca Neil who finished 8th in her 3000m heat - just missing out on her personal best by just 3/10th of a second. Bethany Mitchell finished 8th in qualifying for the 4k shot put, Danny Savin achieved 23.60 in his 200m heat and Adam Cameron clocked a new personal best of 55.6 in the 400m. Also competing was James Taylor with 8.54 in the 60m
hurdles as well as Tom Booth who ran 10.04 in the same event. There were however two disqualifications for Jason Conchie in the 400m and Elvis Mugenyi in the 800m. UCLan Athletics capped a great weekend in Sheffield by reaching their first ever final. Next up is the Lancaster Cup on 22 March before BUCS Outdoors in Bedford on 3 May.
RECORD BREAKERS
Adam Cameron - new PB - 55.6 - 400m
Shaun Barnsley - new PB - 10:07.2 - 3000m Michael Smith - new PB - 10:26.7 - 3000m 4x200m Relay Team - First ever final
CRICKETERS BAT THEIR WAY TO STAFFORDSHIRE SUCCESS 85-4 from 10
84 all out from 9.2
UCLan win by 2 wickets
Alex Renshaw
THE UCLan Cricket Club indoor league team qualified for the next stage of the Northern Division C competition on netrun rate after an impressive display in Staffordshire. UCLan won their opening game of the tournament and lost the second eight days later, but knew that a trio of victories against this week’s opponents would give them a big chance of finishing top of the league. The first match against local rivals, Lancaster, saw them lose the toss and UCLan were made to bowl first. Opening bowlers Jonny Wells and Jake Sunderland both got off to a tight start and were making the two Lancaster batsmen work hard for their runs before Adam Holt was brought into the attack and struck in his first over as he bowled batsman no.2 for three. A good partnership for the second wicket saw Lancaster move past 50 but Holt claimed another victim as Jackson held on to dismiss the remaining opener for 11. Wells then had batsman no.4 caught off the wall and when wicketkeeper Will Threlkeld stumped batsman no.5 for a duck off the bowling of Jackson, a below par score looked to be on the cards. A few productive overs for Lan-
87-2 from 10
50 all out from 7.2
UCLan win by 37 runs
caster, including one which went for 22 runs, boosted their score beyond 80 but Sunderland soon picked up his first wicket of the day as another sharp stumping by Threlkeld saw the end of batsman no.6. Wells then ran out the last man for 22 meaning that Lancaster were all out for 84 from 9.2 overs. Holt and Wells opened up for UCLan, chasing 85 runs to win, and got the innings off to a pacey start with 26 runs from the first two overs. Three quick wickets threatened to derail UCLan’s momentum as Wells, Josh Jones and Jackson were all ran out cheaply and a batting collapse seemed possible. Unfazed, Holt got on with his job at the other end and nonchalantly made his way to 26* before league rules forced him to retire – cue another Sunderland cameo. Threlkeld and Sunderland ensured the UCLan total moved well past 50 but the former was then bowled for seven. Holt came back in to continue his innings and after he and Sunderland pushed the score up to 74-4, 11 more runs were needed for a UCLan victory. Some sensible batting and quick running between the wickets looked to be doing the trick and a three from Holt meant that Sunderland would be on strike for the last ball of the match with the scores level. He hit a single to spark scenes
70 all out from 9.2 35-5 from 7.4
UCLan win by 35 runs
of jubilation as UCLan snatched a dramatic win by two wickets. Holt top scored with 34* while Sunderland (14*) also played his part in what was a pulsating end to a fiercely contested game. The importance of another triumph in the second game of the day against Keele increased after news that their victory against Bangor 24 hours earlier ensured they maintained a 100% start, with three wins from three. After winning the toss, UCLan elected to bat first and the onus was on Holt and Wells to get the innings off to a flying start. Both batsmen played wisely, milking extras from the leg side wides and punishing any bad balls. The pair put on 44 together before Wells was caught for 10 but Holt soon made his way to the 25* retirement point which brought Jones and Jackson to the middle. They hit 32 together as UCLan piled on vital runs towards the end of the innings. Jones sacrificed his wicket in an attempt to snatch a quick single off the last ball and was run out for 10 but Jackson remained unbeaten on 14* as UCLan posted a very competitive 87-2 from their 10 overs. Wells opened the bowling and picked up a wicket in his first over as a leading edge landed straight down the throat of Holt and when Sunderland bowled bats-
man no.3, Keele were on the rails at 5-2. A 41 run partnership for the third wicket brought Keele back into the game but Jackson and Sunderland struck in quick succession to put UCLan in a commanding position. Wells then ran out batsman no.5 for a diamond duck before taking the winning wicket after yet another superb stumping by Threlkeld and Keele were all out for 50 from 7.2 overs, handing UCLan a 37 run victory. UCLan went into the final game of the day, and tournament, against the University of Liverpool knowing that victory would ensure a joint top finish at the very least. After again winning the toss, UCLan elected to bat but were dealt a big blow in the very first over as Holt was caught for four. Wells did not last much longer as he was caught off the wall and with just four runs on the board, UCLan could hardly have got off to a worse start. Jones and Jackson steadied the ship somewhat and the latter hit a lovely boundary shortly before being caught for 11. Threlkeld came in and proceeded to hit the highest score of the innings. Jones was trapped LBW for eight and his replacement Sunderland came and went quickly for two but Threlkeld (34) accumulated crucial runs to the team score before being caught off the wall and UCLan were bowled out for 70 from 9.2 overs
PLUTO
Issue 259
NEWS 2-5
FEATURES 6-7
COMMENT 8-9
LIFESTYLE 10-14
CULTURE 15-19
SOCIETIES 20-22
SPORT 23-28
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RUGBY UNION
SO far this year's Six Nations has had audiences purring with delight at the quality of entertaining rugby on show, and things are set to continue in the same way with no less than four teams currently tied at the top (England, Wales, France, Ireland). It is therefore no surprise that the competition's big guns have each thrown up their share of influential figures and big performances thus far, but with the chance of a grandslam (win every match of the tournament) out the window, each nation will have to find a new level, then go beyond it to ensure it will be them lifting the trophy come Saturday 15th March. I will now go through each nation, giving my views on how they have competed so far, and what to expect from them in their final two games of this year’s Six Nations, which i have no doubt still has a few bumps and turns in the road to go.
ENGLAND
Compliments of a courageous win against the Irish in their last game at Twickenham, England have put themselves in a situation which asserts themselves in a strong position. However, this means when Wales come up against England this weekend the pressure is likely, or as always to be on the shoulders of the English. Despite losing to France on the opening weekend of the Championship in unfortunate circumstances where the English conceded a very late try the squad has showm a terrific level of character and commitment, and are ‘do or dyeing’ for their country. One weakness England have is discipline, with the team giving a lot of penalties away, andcoming up against a kicker like Leigh Halfpenny a penalty conceded on two thirds of the pitch could result in a successful punt at goal. Yet they have enough to beat Wales at home, but if Ireland win in France it is all over unless they up their game and score heavily in Italy, which is more than achievable
WALES
Wales put themselves back into Six Nations title contention with an impressive 27-6 win in Cardiff to end France's unbeaten run, and are again now going to one way or another play a major role in who lifts the trophy. After an opening week mauling by the Irish people whispered the squad is aging, but they have responded in abundance with Captain, Sam Warburton playing a major role for the team, hitting tackle after tackle to perfection. If the Welsh win at Twickenham they will surely on course to triumph with what you would expect to be a routine win against Scotland. Nevertheless, Twickenham will be tough for them, especially with England coming into the game after beating Ireland. Wales are a nation who are always in good heart and all of a sudden good form, but after years of success it is set up for them to have a third place finish
ITALY
Duncan Weir kicked a last-ditch dropgoal to salvage a precious victory for Scotland in Rome, condemning Italy to surely finish bottom of the pile, being odds on at a price of 1/20 Well with the two favourites, Ireland and England left to play they will surely be picking up the wooden spoon despite showing resiliency in their opening games against France and Wales. year’s six nations standings So where have they been let down, their backs need an injection of some pace, and the forwards simply have not been strong enough in the scrum, but all in all to be honest they have played well and are unfortunate to be heading for the finish they are going to get.
FRANCE
Fixtues Remaining: Wales (h) Italy (a) Key Player: Mike Brown Another hugely impressive display against Ireland following his two tries against the Jocks. He hit the game winning delivering s to set up Danny Care's try, and has been Englands most outstanding player so far. Predicted Finish: 1st
Despite a fantastic start to this year’s Six Nations the French have gone off the boil with the team taking a lot of heavy criticism, most lately being compared to ‘circus clowns’. However, despite this unjustified abuse the French are still very much in with a shout, and still a lot of quality within their squad. At this moment in time they have the poorest point’s difference of the four, but do have a chance to put themselves in a better situation if they can replicate the English and Irish, and take a dominating victory over Scotland. Nevertheless, it would be ridiculous to presume this will happen as despite the rather lethargic and unorganised look to this Scotland side Murrayfield is still one of the loudest, most intimidating places in the world to play Rugby Union. And, even if France are able to do this Ireland, who play Italy next will surely also be in the hunt to win the six nations come the final day, and on current performance would probably narrowly overcome them even away in Paris.
IRELAND
Fixtures Remaining: England(a) Scotland (h) Key Player: Sam Warburton After their opening day mauling to Ireland Sam Warburton, Wales Captain has been a man on a mission. He has helped get Wales six nations back on track, leading from the front with some tough tackling and even a try against France Predicted Finish: 3rd
Many now believe it is a two-horse race between the Irish and the English, but after the possibility of a Grand Slam (only the third in their history) wrenched from their grasp last time at Twickenham they will have to get back to their best. If they can play some of the sensational rugby they will soar past Italy before it comes down to a heavyweight clash against France across the channel, which as England showed when they lost their earlier in the competition is still a tough place to go. Ireland are favourites because they have points on the board, but I don't think it really matters who wins the tournament. Increasingly the Six Nations is about individual clashes, and about who is on the right trajectory for the World Cup, and at the moment the Irish are indeed looking the best prepared. In Paris 2000, O’Driscoll got a hattrick. It could be some send-off yet for the veteren international.
Fixtures Remaining: Ireland (a) England (h) Key Player: Michele Campagnaro Italy already have Gio Venditti, Tommaso Benveniutti and now this guy "Michele Campagnaro" will bring great things to italian rugby for sure Predicted Finish: 6th
Duncan Weir, who has come in for some criticism himself following a loss of form, rediscovered the chutzpah that has brought him this far, and rediscovered it at just the right time with a stunning lastgasp drop-goal to give them an unlikely victory in Rome. Overall though it has to be said they have been extremely disappointing throughout the competition from day one where they faced Ireland before a pretty gutless performance at Murrayfield against England. It is not likely they will get anything out the last two games, but it seems they have successfully avoided the wooden spoon….this time, but they will have to improve or they may be picking it up in the next few years as the Italians continue to improve.
SCOTLAND
STAT PACK
CURRENT STANDINGS Ireland 1st; 4pts, PD +42 England 2nd; 4pts, PD +21 Wales 3rd; 4pts, PD +6 France 4th, 4pts, PD +1 Scotland 5th; 2pts, PD -41 Italy 6th; 0pts, PD -29
LEADING POINT SCORERS
Fixtures Remaining: Scotland (a) Ireland (h) Key Player: Yohan Huget Since making his international debut for France in 2010 Huget is a winger who has consistantly got me off my seat with his pace and nimble footwork and his brace of tries against England were great, and he will be crucial to any success France have in the World Cup next year Predicted Finish: 4th
1. Leigh Halfpenny 2. Jonathon Sexton, 3. Jean Marc Doussain 4. Owen Farrell 5. Tommaso Allan
33pts 32pts 24pts 23pts 21pts
TOP TRY SCORERS
Fixtures Remaining: Italy (h) France (a) Key Player: Jonathan Sexton Sexton was the Lions fly-half last summer, and the playmaker of Irelands campaign during the 2013 Six Nations. So far this campaign he is no.2 in the top scorers standing, and will be crucial to whether Ireland get their hands on the silverware Predicted Finish: 2nd
1=Luther Burrell, England-2 1=Jon Dunbar, Scotland-2 1=Robert Kearney, Ireland-2 1=Mike Brown, England-2 1=Yohan Huget, France-2 1=Michele Campagnaro-2
THE TROPHY
Fixtures Remaining: France (h) Wales (a) Key Player: Jonny Gray He may only be 19, but he is a young talent who will be key to any future success the nation might have. Predicted Finish: 5th
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SPORT
FORMULA 1
Susie Wolff to drive for Williams in Formula 1 race practice sessions
BRITISH driver Susie Wolff is to take part in practice sessions at the British and German Grands Prix this season after she was given an expanded role as F1 Team Williams development driver. The 31-year-old from Oban, Scotland, has been given the chance after impressing in a test run at Silverstone last year. The F1 season starts on 16 March with the first race the Australian Grand Prix. Wolff will be taking to the practice sessions at the British Grand Prix on the 6 July and the German Grand Prix two weeks later. She is hoping to make the breakthrough in what is a maledominated sport with the last female to race in an F1 car, Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976. Wolff stated: "It's an incredible opportunity they have given me and it's one I am going to grab with both hands.” The British star is not the only woman hoping to make it into the sport with Swiss driver Simona Di Silvestro joined this Sauber this month.
PLUTO
FOOTBALL
STAT PACK 21 7 13 0 0 58
Tom Lewis
17 February 2014
www.pluto-online.com
UCLAN v NEWCASTLE Shots Corners Fouls Yellows Reds Possesion
14 7 19 1 0 42
UCLAN RATINGS
GK – Michael Chester 6 RB – Stuart Gillett 7 CB – Jamie Wynne 9 CB – Andy McCreadie 8 LB – Graeme Taylor 7 CM – Jordan Scott 7 CM – Alex O’Rourke 8 CM – Tommy Lewis 7 RM – Brian Mabhena 7 LM – Danny Horrocks 7 ST – Mark Johnson 8 SUB – Bradley Kelk SUB – Ryan O’Toole 7 SUB – Luke Rowlands 6
CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE UCLAN started to get hold of the ball more as they sought to equalise again. They almost managed it when captain Jordan Scott found himself in space on the edge of the box, only to slice his half volley. The game was level again five minutes later, when a free kick was awarded for deliberate handball by Beahon. The ball was clipped in by Wynne and his defensive partner Andy McCreadie met it and nodded a good header back across the Newcastle keeper and in to the corner. The home team found themselves in front for the first time in the game on 67 minutes when a good move through midfield released striker Johnson, who showed brilliant composure to take a touch and lift it past the oncoming keeper with his right instep. UCLan were visibly buoyed by hitting the front for the first time and the relief was obvious on the sidelines. They almost doubled their
6 Nations Nat Na attio io ons o ns Burgers Bu B urg u rge ge er rs r
UCLANS cheerleading squad entered the university nationals in Bath, and triumphed in the co-ed stunt group finishing second. It was the first time n UCLan cheerleading squad had entered more than one event, entering three categories that were the pom dance, all girl stunt group and co-ed stunt group and came 10th, 7th and 2nd in each. The success enjoyed has now left the squad more enthusiastic than ever and are excited at the prospect of bettering themselves at their next event.
advantage three minutes afterwards from a corner but the shot was just wide. Once they took the lead, UCLan started to control the game. They dominated possession and were unlucky not to extend their lead a number of times from various set pieces. Newcastle were lucky to finish the game with eleven men on the pitch when Beahon, who had received the only yellow card of the game for the handball which led to UCLan’s second goal, committed the same offence in the 85th minute. The referee was lenient on this occasion and didn’t deem it worthy of a second yellow. The visitors almost equalised in the 89th minute when a corner was cleared off the line, but didn’t offer much other threat in the closing stages. UCLan looked the most likely to score the sixth goal of the game on the counter attack as Newcastle poured numbers forward. The match finished 3-2 to UCLan and they are now one game away from the final.
PLUTO
Issue 259
NEWS 2-5
FEATURES 6-7
COMMENT 8-9
LIFESTYLE 10-14
PRESTON WOMEN FLY INTO NEXT ROUND
CULTURE 15-19
SOCIETIES 20-22
SPORT 23-28
23
WOMENS FOOTBALL
CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE
PERFECT... Savage tucks away the penalty with ease
PNE RATINGS
area to seal PNE’s progression to the Fourth Round. Two minutes after the third goal it could have been 4-0 when Gemma Watson took on two players and squared it for Anderton but a bobble in the pitch made
Pluto Puzzle&Games Plutoku - Down to Earth
sure her effort went over the bar. The win means that PNE will travel to Gillingham Ladies in the Fourth Round on the 16th March but first it is Nottingham Forest at home in the FA Women’s Premier League Cup next Sunday.
Plutoku - Out of this world
GK- Danielle Brown 8 RB- Beth Stanfield 7 CB- Jenna Carroll 6 CB- Carly Bayley 7 LB- Alison Taberner 6 CM- Laura Walker 7 CM- Paige Forster 6 CM- Katie Anderton 8 ST- Melissa Ball 7 ST- Keeleigh Savage 9 ST-Sophie Jones 8 SUB-Gemma Watson 6 SUB- Holly Rawcliffe 6
Brain teasing riddles
1 - I am the beginning of the end, the end of every place. I am the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space. 2 - I move slowly but I'm dead. I leave and then I'm back. I'm clear and then I'm red. I'm many neurotics' snack. What am I? 3 - Samuel was out for a walk and it started to rain. He did not have an umbrella and he wasn't wearing a hat. His clothes were soaked, yet not a single hair on his head got wet. How could this be? 4 - I'm tall when I'm young and I'm short when I'm old. What am I?
Answer: 1 - E, 2 - A Fingernail, 3 - Samuel is bald, 4 - Candle
KEELEIGH Savage stepped up to take the penalty and sent Alice Evans the wrong way to give PNE an early lead. Four minutes after the goal and Danielle Brown made her first save of the game as she got down low to palm away Polly Wardle’s powerful effort. Brown was involved in the action again in the 17th minute as the linesman flagged as she handled outside the area but she escaped with just a yellow card. Minutes before the half time whistle, Yeovil thought they had a chance to score but Beth Stanfield flung herself in front of the ball and the danger was cleared. Seven minutes after half time and PNE extended their lead to two goals after Katie Anderton split over the Yeovil defence for Keeleigh Savage to run onto. After a Evans initially denied Savage, she scored with her second attempt to get her second of the game. Gemma Watson was introduced into the action in the 68th minute and was involved straight away as she set up Katie Anderton but her effort was hit over the bar from eight yards out. The game was killed off in the 80th minute as Laura Walker picked out Sophie Jones with a forty yard diagonal pass. Jones saw Yeovil goalkeeper Alice Evans off her line and chipped her from the edge of the
SILENCE... Teams paid respect to the late, great Sir Tom Finney
SPORT
ONE PAGE SPECIAL ON SIX NATIONS PAGE 25
MARADONA READY TO PLAY AGAIN PAGE 23
PRESTON WOMEN EASE INTO NEXT ROUND •
Monday 3 March 2014
www.PLUTO-ONLINE.com
SAVAGE DOUBLE AND LATE JONES GOAL CONTINUES PRESTON CUP RUN PNE WOMEN 3
Keeleigh Savage 4, 52. Sophie Jones 80
YEOVIL
0
Michael Henson Sports Writer
CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
PROLIFIC... Keelaigh Savage’s latest brace has taken her onto six goals for the season
Jamie Wynne 46 ' Andy McCreadie 60 Mark Johnson 67
Phil Beahon 25 Kevin Wheeler 48
3 2
Andrew Bell MENS FOOTBALL
THE DRAW
UCLan will now face York 1sts on 12 March at home to decide who will reach the final.
WINDY conditions dictated what sort of game it would be, with both sides playing a direct game. The game started out quite scrappily, with both midfields trying to get hold of the ball and dominate possession. Speaking after the game, UCLan centre half Andy McCreadie said they hadn’t played worse all season. He added: “We didn’t play as well as we could have. But we’re pleased to get the win and move on to the next round.” There were numerous free kicks in the early stages and it was from one of these that UCLan created the first half chance. Defender Jamie Wynne played the ball in to the box, only for the Newcastle keeper to drop on it after a goalmouth scramble. The first half was a succession of free kicks and corners for both sides, and UCLan were unlucky not to be ahead after some near misses. At the other end, both the home team’s centre halves were
IMAGE: Joe Damsell
PRESTON North End Women stormed through to the Fourth Round of the FA Women’s Cup after beating Women’s Super League 2 team Yeovil Town at UCLan Sports Arena. The afternoon didn’t start too good though after a last minute change of venue due to the 3G pitch not having the right dimensions so manager Mark Read sorted a pitch out at the training venue.The action on the pitch had a better start for PNE Women though as they were awarded a penalty in the 4th minute after Melissa Ball was brought down in the area.
in fine form, Wynne in particular making a number of vital clearances. The visitors took advantage of a rare spell of pressure by scoring the first goal on 25 minutes. A piece of good play ended in an attack down the left, and the resulting cross was bundled in at the second time of asking by right back Phil Beahon. This goal seemed to stun UCLan, with the visitors seeing more of the ball and creating more chances. Indeed they were lucky not to be two up ten minutes later when another nice move came down the left and the attempted cross landed on the roof UCLan net. The home team responded well though, and carved a number of opportunities out before half time, mainly from set pieces. There was one scare just on the stroke of half time, with Newcastle hitting the post before the ball was cleared for a corner. When the whistle blew for half time the home team could count themselves lucky to only be trailing by one goal and still in the match. UCLan started the second half quickly, eager to equalise. They managed to do so after only a minute when Mark Johnson lofted a free kick in to the box which the keeper caught, only to drop at his feet and see it poked home by Wynne. The visitors responded by marching straight down the field from the kick off and restoring their lead when a speculative effort from distance somehow evaded Michael Chester in a moment the keeper will want to forget in a hurry. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26