Mercury Newspaper Issue 1503

sheffield loses out in levellinG up

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced overnight a further 100 projects across the country are set to receive a share of the £2.1billion Levelling Up Fund.

In summer 2022, Sheffield City Council submitted two bids for Parkwood Springs and Heeley Development Trust. Unfortunately, no Levelling Up Fund was allocated to Sheffield on this occasion.

Cllr Mazher Iqbal, Co-

Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “We are naturally disappointed to learn Sheffield will not benefit from any further Levelling Up funding from Government this time around.

“Despite the hard work of councils across our region, the latest round of funding means that the Yorkshire and Humberside region ranks only eleventh

out of twelve for Levelling Up funding by population across the UK.

“Council staff put together a compelling and exciting proposal for the future of Parkwood Springs and also worked closely with Heeley Development Trust to shape their plans to improve community facilities for the benefit of residents. Despite the latest update, we remain committed to seeing through our

plans for Parkwood Springs and will continue to support Heeley Development Trust with their ambitions.

“It’s an absolute priority for us to secure a bright future for Parkwood Springs and we will now begin to seek alternative funding routes to see out our vision. We are still in talks with Skyline and we reached out to them this morning to discuss next steps.

“While this is clearly

disappointing, we still have plenty to look forward to in Sheffield, including our first two successful Levelling Up bids for Castlegate and Attercliffe.

“This news will not dampen our spirits in Sheffield – we are even more determined to secure the best for our city, fighting every day to bring in investment whilst focusing on getting the most out of every penny we spend.”

Torched car damages Sheffield Wednesday community football pitch

A suspected arson attack has caused "devastating" damage to a Sheffield Wednesday community football facility.

Firefighters were called to the Jubilee Sports and Social Club after a stolen car was driven on to the pitch and set alight on Sunday.

The facility, which cost just under £1m, was opened earlier this year.

Marcus Brameld, from the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, said he was "at a loss" as to why anyone would target the site. Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, he said the attack had happened shortly after 5:30pm.

"They had cut through the emergency gates with bolt cutters and driven a car on and set it alight and ran off, causing quite a lot of damage to half of the pitch," he said.

The site in Hillsborough is home to a full-size 3G pitch with floodlights, which was paid for by the foundation through grants, as well as a gym and dressing rooms.

Mr Brameld said on Friday it had been used for a 24-team schools tournament for more than 200 young players, while Sheffield Wednesday's first team used the

facility earlier in the week, with manager Darren Moore describing it as a "fantastic facility".

Mr Brameld said the damage to the pitch would mean shutting, but he hoped they would reopen as soon as possible.

"People have rallied round," he said.

"The company that laid the pitch are sending their MD today to have a look at it for us.

"We will get it back up and running and we won't let these people defeat us."

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

South Yorkshire Fire and

Rescue Service tweeted an appeal for anyone with any information about the incident to report it.

A spokesperson for the service said: "Upon arrival [firefighters] found a car had been driven onto an astro turf sports pitch and set alight.

"This was dealt with by 18:12 GMT and is thought to have been started deliberately."

South Yorkshire Police said the car was a black Toyota Yaris which had previously been reported as stolen.

Officers have appealed for anyone with any information about the incident to get in touch.

REYTONS ON COURSE FOR NUMBER 1 ALBUM

The South Yorkshireformed indie group –comprising Jonny Yerrell, Lee Holland, Joe O’Brien and Sean O’Connor –track for the top spot at the midweek point with their third full-length release What’s Rock & Roll? Previously, the band scored two UK Top 40 albums with 2021 records May Seriously Hard You And Others Around (27) and Kids Off The Estate (11).

Since the release of their debut album ‘Kids Off The Estate’ in November 2021, The Reytons have gone from strength to strength, the word of mouth sensation spreading like wildfire throughout the UK. The band now boast

an impressive 1,000,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify, however this online popularity is far from superficial. Over 18,000 fans saw the band live on their huge sold out UK tour last Autumn, including landmark dates at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom, London’s Electric Ballroom and Nottingham’s Rock City, to name just a few.

It doesn’t stop there though – the Doncaster lads are due to play a huge headline show at Sheffield’s 13,500 capacity Utilita Arena this September and, with over 70% of tickets sold over the first weekend of general sale, they look to be on their way to being only the second truly unsigned

band to sell it out. With their headline prowess and popularity at festivals across the world this year (including the likes of NBHD Weekender, Y Not Festival and Benicassim), 2023 is set to be one to remember for the band. Setting The Reytons apart from the competition is their fiercely independent approach to the way they work. The band channel their working class grit and determination to overcome every obstacle thrown at them. Aided by the masses of loyal fans, no achievement is out of reach and now, after a strong campaign and high preorder figures, eyes turn to a number one album.

Crossword Clues

I don’t understand people who preserve four leaf clovers...

They’re really pressing their luck.

Anyone want to buy a broken barometer? No pressure.

I bought an Oasis GPS and now... ...all the roads I have to drive are winding.

A woman is on trial for beating her husband to death with his guitar collection.

The judge asks her: “First offender?” She replies: “No. First a Gibson, then a Fender.”

I was in a restaurant in Paris and ordered the ‘Napoleon Chicken.’ When the dish arrived, I was surprised to find very little meat on it, and it was mainly carcass. I asked the waiter why and he said: “We only use the Boneypart.”

What do you call bad breath that sneaks up on you? Ninjavitis.

How does a flamenco dancer catch lots of fish? She castanets.

I bought a U2 GPS and it’s garbage. The streets have no name and I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.

My girlfriend just couldn’t accept my obsession with horoscopes. In the end it Taurus apart.

I told my wife she’d drawn her eyebrows too low. She just scowled at me.

Weekly Quiz

design of its Lego bricks, still compatible with bricks produced today.

29/1/1856 - Queen Victoria institutes the Victoria Cross.

30/1/1969 - The Beatles’ last public performance, on the roof of Apple Records in London.

31/1/1990 - The first McDonald’s in the Soviet Union opens in Moscow.

Which country won Gold in the women’s Volleyball competition at both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games?

to a survey taken in 2016, which fruit sold most in the UK that year? Grapes or Strawberries?

Born this week

Etta James

25/1/1938

26/1/1925 Paul Newman

27/1/1972 Mark Owen

28/1/1978 Jamie Carragher

29/1/1971 Clare Balding

30/1/1937 Vanessa Redgrave

31/1/1981 Justin Timberlake

MaYOR COMMENTs ON sY TRaNspORT IssUEs

A HISTORIC rail station in Doncaster has been backed to be restored, in plans to bring new life to former passenger routes and lost services in South Yorkshire. Local leaders have put a case for funding to Government to reopen Askern Station and the Askern Line, between Doncaster and Knottingley, for passenger services following its closure in 1948. Plans would create new rail links between South and West Yorkshire, bringing economic and environmental benefits through better access to jobs, homes and education. South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “There is huge support for our plans to reopen the Askern railway line, because of the chance it gives us to level-up and reconnect communities currently left behind because of poor public transport links. Fixing South Yorkshire’s public transport system is a key priority; it has to include reconnecting our communities with our railways and better links between our train, tram and bus networks, to not only meet our net zero goals but to open up the work, education and social opportunities that everyone in South Yorkshire deserves. The government have set a timeframe for levelling up transport connectivity across our region by 2030, but we need them to match our energy and ambition. We’ve been working to keep the pressure on both Government and transport companies, to get the investment we need here in South Yorkshire in order

to achieve that goal. Rubber-stamping projects such as our ‘Restoring Your Railways’ plans offer a great starting point.”

South Yorkshire’s Askern Line bid was shortlisted in October 2021 to progress to the next stage of the Government’s £500 million Restoring Your Railways fund, designed to reinstate local rail services and restore closed stations. A number of route and service options have been developed as part of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s (SYMCA) business case, linking Askern to Doncaster and Leeds, and potentially south to Lincoln.

Meanwhile the 2% annual budget increase for transport from local councils in the region comes despite continued pressures on local government finance, and is the first uplift of its kind since the start of austerity over twelve years ago. Mayor Oliver Coppard called the move a ‘real signal of intent’ in support of his plans to fix South Yorkshire’s public transport system; but warned it won’t go far enough to prevent further cuts without intervention from Government. He said: “My vision is for a greener, smarter, integrated transport network that our communities can rely on. Bit by bit we’re trying to make things better for the travelling public and this is a real signal of intent - we are taking the important first steps on our journey to fix public transport in South Yorkshire. But while the levy increase will help us to act now to secure longer-term

financial sustainability for our buses, trams and trains, it does not make the crisis facing public transport go away – we still can’t afford to protect all South Yorkshire services from cuts when our emergency budget expires. We will face hard trade-offs across the board. That’s why I’ll continue to fight for the funding and the powers to build a better transport network for South Yorkshire; to continue to call on Government to maintain existing national support. Because our community deserves a proper rescue plan, not a series of sticking plasters that patch-up a broken public transport system. We’re doing our bit, now Government need to do theirs.”

The move follows a £12.3m emergency rescue package from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to protect bus routes and school services from cuts by operators, in addition to incentivization and cost-of-living packages including the 18-21 concession and the Mayor’s £2 fare-cap. However, commenting on the news that South Yorkshire’s bid for money to fix its public transport system had lost out in the second round of Levelling Up fund money, Coppard said: “This is deeply disappointing for South Yorkshire, and just the latest example of how the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ mission isn’t working.

While I’m happy for communities who have been successful in getting funding, Yorkshire as a whole got half the money that London and the south-east received and

yet, £20m of the money for Yorkshire has gone to the Prime Minister’s own constituency.

This latest let-down is an attack on our local ambition to fix our public transport network; it comes at a time where South Yorkshire has lost 15% of its bus network, whilst places like London and the southeast see theirs grow yet continue to receive levelling up funding. We asked the government for money to fix our buses. Whilst we got nothing, Broxbourne is getting a new skate park and Canterbury Castle is getting a facelift.

In its 12 ‘Levelling Up Missions’ the government promised us a ‘Londonstyle transport network’ by 2030. That’s just over 360 weeks away and yet, here we are, losing out on ‘Levelling Up’ transport funding for a third time. Government need to devolve budgets and powers if we’re truly going to see levelling up happen. We know what works best for South Yorkshire better than anyone and with the right tools and resources we could transform our broken public transport network. Instead, we have to go through the ridiculous process of government pitting regions against each other, all competing for pots of money from Westminster. You can’t level up through competition.

It’s not fair and it’s not working. I’m not surprised the Tories want to stop using the phrase Levelling Up – because they know that since the last election, regional inequality has actually got worse.”

waNT TO QUIT sMOkING?

As we have all officially rang in the New Year, many of us are now well on our way to completing our New Year’s Resolutions. A survey by Northerner found that 11% of Brits want to stop smoking or smoke less this year, so how does one actually complete the task that one in 10 of us admit we aim to achieve? Here, we have collated some of the top tips we have received regarding how we can make use of tobacco alternatives and stick to those January goals.

Little lifestyle changes Changing your lifestyle is a popular piece of advice given for smokers looking to quit. For a lot of people, tobacco intake is heavily focused on routine. Whether that’s a work break, before bed or on a night out, changing your lifestyle can help to prevent that thought in your brain that will trigger you to reach for the cigs. Quitters suggest mixing up your routine as much as possible to see if you begin to forget about that part of your day.

Take 10

Another key tip suggested by successful quitters is to ‘take 10’. Every time you go to reach for that tobacco product, just wait 10 minutes. This is thought to be one of the easiest ways to decrease your tobacco intake. If you can push past that initial craving you’ll find that your intake will be a lot less and as each day passes it should continue to decrease.

Let’s get physical Exercise is believed to be one of the best ways to reduce your tobacco intake according to consumer advice. Not only

can this distract you from your cravings, but it can also spring a new lease of health and fitness into your routine. Try short bursts of physical exercise to begin with to almost replace your tobacco intake patterns. For example, if you’re at home and suddenly get a quick craving try running up and down the stairs a couple of times.

Look for tobacco-free alternatives

Quitting tobacco is never easy, but opting for nicotine alternatives is something consumers feel really helps during the process. They found that nicotine pouches or gums were a great way to start the weaning process and reduce tobacco intake, as these alternatives actually provided a similar experience to tobacco products. Over time they were then able to reduce the strength of the product and become completely nicotine free!

Set goals

Our final piece of advice from consumers who’ve managed to successfully reduce their tobacco intake is to keep yourself accountable for your own actions. Write down your goals and set some individual targets. Work to your own preferences if you prefer to set specific dates, do that, if you’d rather just tick them all off before the end of the year, then that’s fine too. Just make sure you are committed to this lifestyle change and track your progress to keep you motivated.

Hopefully these few tips we’ve pulled together will help you on your journey!

CO-Op waRM spaCEs fUNd

As a number of severe weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across the UK and temperatures continue to fall, Co-op is increasing the flow of funds to community groups through its £1 million ‘Warm Spaces’ funding boost, to provide further urgent support to local community organisations across the UK, as they help communities navigate rising energy costs during the cold winter months.

All community groups with live fundraising campaigns as part of the fund have been given £500 from Co-op to help them reach their fundraising goal and all new groups who sign up will also receive a £500 payment to kick start fundraising. Eligible groups who already provide a warm space and want to increase opening times or extend existing services or activities this winter can apply for match funding – up to £5,000 per group is available by applying at coop.uk/warmspaces by 28th February 2023 (fundraising to be completed by 31st March 2023).

Since launching the match funding platform with Crowdfunder six weeks ago in December 2022 over £240,000 has been paid out by Co-op to help 300 groups provide warm spaces in communities across the UK – with groups from Thurso in

far north of Scotland to Newlyn in the South of Cornwall, all successfully receiving funding. This funding comes as a welcome boost, with insight from more than 3,000 local community causes across the UK showing that nearly twothirds (59%) of projects have experienced a shortfall in funding over the past 12 months. Over three- quarters (84%) of local causes have seen an increase in demand, particularly those providing support for people through the costof-living crisis. Projects that can apply might include, a community cafe that needs funding to continue offering their building as a warm space; a local village support group wanting to extend existing activities to support more people in their community; a community fridge, wanting to promote their services more widely to meet increasing need or a youth group whose energy costs have increased.

Rebecca Birkbeck of the Co-op commented: “As the mercury drops and conditions turn icy this week, with more in the forecast, it’s important to remember the vital work that community groups and organisations are providing to people across the UK at a time when it’s most needed.”

The Sheffield NHS Vaccination Centre at Longley Lane will officially close at 7pm on Saturday 28th January 2023 and will no longer be open for vaccinations. However, it is not too late for anyone who still needs to get their COVID vaccination and they can do so at a number of pharmacies and GP locations across the city.

People can book their COVID vaccine through the NHS website at www.nhs.uk. There are also plenty of walk-in locations still available across the city that people do not need to book an appointment for which can also be located via the NHS website.

Kirsten Major, Chief Executive at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I would like to thank all of the staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly across our vaccination sites over the pandemic and would like to commend the monumental role they have played in protecting people in our community against COVID. We have played a major role since the vaccine was released for use by providing a range of vaccination services and administering over half a million COVID vaccines, this was in addition to hundreds of thousands that were provided at locations across the city. The vaccine has and continues to play a central role in protecting people from the harm that COVID can do and what we saw in our hospitals at the start of the pandemic. The Moor Market Covid Vaccination Service will also close from Thursday 26th January, with the last session taking place on Wednesday 25th January between 10.00am – 15.00pm.”

For latest vaccine eligibility please visit www.nhs.uk

Two Sheffield NHS Vaccination Centres to close later this month after delivering thousands of COVID jabs

SOUTH YORKSHIRE LEADERS BACK BOOST TO FIX PUBLIC TRANSPORT

SOUTH YORKSHIRE leaders have backed a £1.1 million boost to fix local public transport pressures. The 2% annual budget increase for transport from local councils in the region comes despite continued pressures on local government finance, and is the first uplift of its kind since the start of austerity over twelve years ago.

Mayor Oliver Coppard called the move a ‘real signal of intent’ in support of his plans to fix South Yorkshire’s public transport system; but warned it won’t go far enough to prevent further cuts without intervention from Government.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “My vision is for a greener, smarter, integrated transport network that our communities can rely on.

“Bit by bit we’re trying to make things better for the travelling public and this is a real signal of intent - we are taking the important first steps on our journey to fix public transport in South Yorkshire. “But while the levy increase will help us to act now

to secure longer-term financial sustainability for our buses, trams and trains, it does not make the crisis facing public transport go away – we still can’t afford to protect all South Yorkshire services from cuts when our emergency budget expires. We will face hard trade-offs across the board.

“That’s why I’ll continue to fight for the funding and the powers to build a better transport network for South Yorkshire; to continue to call on Government to maintain existing national support. Because our community deserves a proper rescue plan, not a series of sticking plasters that patch-up a broken public transport system. We’re doing our bit, now Government need to do theirs.”

The move follows a £12.3m emergency rescue package from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to protect bus routes and school services from cuts by operators, in addition to incentivization and cost-of-living packages including the 18-21 concession and the Mayor’s £2 fare-cap.

MAKINGS OF A MURDERER AT THE CITY HALL

producers entertainers! A chilling, thrilling, night with The Scottish Detective, David Swindle.

Get the detective’s perspective on what makes a serial killer tick, the warning signs and clues behind The Makings of a Murderer, live at Sheffield City Hall 23 June 2023, tickets on sale now via www.

sheffieldcityhall.co.uk.

Investigating The UK’s Most Notorious Serial Killers. Hosted by the Detective Who Brought Serial Killer PETER TOBIN to Justice.

Join The Scottish Detective, David Swindle, for a chilling, thrilling, night at the theatre. True crime fans, and those with a curious mind, can explore the cases, the

circumstances and the detective’s perspective on what really went on, the early warning signs and the clues behind The Makings of a Murderer!

What makes a serial killer tick? What are the tell-tale signs? What really goes on behind the scenes?

Learn about the biggest British serial killers of all time - including Jack the Ripper, Peter Tobin, Harold Shipman, Peter Sutcliffe and ‘Killer Couples’ – Fred and Rose West and The Moors Murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. With more than 34 years as a senior detective, David shares his unique insight into the minds of the murderers, the famous cases that were never solved, and how the murderer got away with it. . . from someone on the inside.

David – whose ground-breaking

Operation Anagram uncovered the activities of Tobin – paints an often-dark picture of how these monsters come to be in this gripping, fully-interactive, audio-visual first. “Serial Killers are cunning, conniving, controlling, careful and – I hate to say it –clever,” says David. “They live apparently normal lives and get away with their crimes for years. . . until eventually detected.”

David also looks at the connections to the local area of the most famous murder cases.

The Makings of a Murderer! – a chilling, thrilling, night at the theatre not to be missed.

The Makings of a Murderer, live at Sheffield City Hall 23 June 2023, tickets on sale now via www. sheffieldcityhall.co.uk.

Check out all your favourite sounds as Crystal Peaks hosts a special CD and Record Fair. Presented by AA Record Fairs, the free event will be held at the award-winning Sheffield shopping centre from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, January 28.

“We are very pleased to once again be bringing this exciting musical market back to Crystal Peaks,” said centre manager Lee

Greenwood. “This is the latest in series of special events for for our visitors and one which which has been proven to appeal to vinyl collectors and people who love their classic albums.”

For more information about Crystal Peaks and all forthcoming events simply visit crystalpeakscentre.com

Brand new from hit show

Coronation Street:

Evelyn is suspicious as Tyrone meets a mystery woman - but has she got hold of the wrong end of the stick? Blake targets Maria as she welcomes refugees in Speed Daal. A furious Stephen is humiliated when confronted by a former business associate while helping out in packing. Gemma is disappointed as her lack of qualifications threatens to hold her new business back. But Michael suggests she can still look after Glory informally, and also recommends her to Daniel. Christina is shocked as Daisy makes it clear she doesn’t want her at the wedding. Hope is devastated as Cilla the Chinchilla is found dead, while Peanut looks on.

Emmerdale:

Bernice discovers why Cathy has been skipping school, and urges her to talk to Manpreet. David is devastated to learn Priya has accepted a job in London and will be taking Amba - and Rishi reels when he realises she has no plans to include him in the move. Taking matters into his own hands, David runs off with Amba - and ends up kidnapping Leyla as well! Gabby is frustrated by Nicky’s refusal to cross a line. There’s a hullabaloo at Home Farm as Kim accuses Sam of stealing from Will. Marlon steps up as Mary is in need of reassurance.

Eastenders:

Lola suffers a relapse on the day of the wedding, and goes to hospital to get checked out. Meanwhile Billy has tracked down her mum, Emma, and tries to convince her to attend the wedding. Lola finally arrives , very late, for the wedding but Jay is concerned when she wants to talk to him first. Sam is surprised by Ricky’s unexpected proposal, particularly as she has just seen Ricky Jnr. taken to the police station for questioning. Sonia is fearful she will have to sell Dot’s house to pay the inheritance tax bill. But will reins be able to help? And how will he react when Sonia makes a move on him? Kim manages to get Bernie a trial shift at the cafe.

Daniel Jebbison’s first senior goal at Bramall Lane proved decisive for the Blades, as Hull City were the latest team to be seen off at S2 last Friday night.

United’s fourth successive home victory extended the unbeaten run to eight league matches, with the Blades now having only lost once in 14 in all competitions.

Boss Heckingbottom made two changes to face the Tigers, with Doyle replacing McAtee and Jebbison handed a first league start since the opening night of the campaign, with Sharp dropping to the bench.

United’s start was a quick one and a goal came within four minutes, Ahmedhodžić and Bogle were involved in the build-up, before Ndiaye got the better of Seri and teed up JEBBISON, who produced an excellent two touch finish to notch his first Championship goal.

City looked for an instant response though and

having sprung the offside trap, Connolly will have been disappointed to be denied by an advancing Foderingham. Ahmedhodžić was booked for a tug on Docherty, minutes prior to Bogle almost latching on to a punt forward, only for Jones to produce a crucial block.

Jebbison’s pace and power was causing the visitors problems and from Berge’s pass, Ingram had to stand tall to beat away a right-footed effort, as Doyle and then Norwood went into referee Bond’s notebook in quick succession, both for fouls on Connolly.

The opening 45 minutes could have ended how it had began, but Doyle was denied from distance and Berge couldn’t direct a header at full-stretch on target.

The second half would prove to be 45 minutes of few chances, although after Ahmedhodžić had advanced into the area, Doyle saw a long-range effort deflected over, but

the next action to note was a double change from the Blades on 70 minutes, as Osborn and Sharp were introduced to the fray.

Hull began to mount periods of sustained pressure as the clock ticked down, but the introduction of McBurnie and Basham killed off the momentum that was building. Bookings were being dished out to both teams, rather than chances being created, but City substitute Tetteh was given a straight

red for a headbutt on McBurnie as his temper got the better of him.

Five minutes of added time were signalled and with the numerical advantage it was the Blades doing the attacking, with Bogle stinging the palms of Ingram at his near post after Osborn’s deep cross had evaded Sharp, but despite a late booking for Bogle, United rarely looked like surrendering the early lead to further strengthen their position in the table.

As Wednesday maintain the promotion charge, Darren Moore continues to take one game at a time following a workmanlike win over Fleetwood at Hillsborough.

Marvin Johnson’s only goal of the game cemented our automatic promotion slot and with Ipswich dropping points at Oxford, the gap to third extends to seven points. But Moore is far from getting carried away and now swiftly turns his attention to Cheltenham on Tuesday. He said: “You know me,

Millers boss Matt Taylor was proud of his side’s display as high-flying Watford found the Millers a tough nut to crack at Vicarage Road. “I’m proud of the performance. It was a good game of football. I can’t stand here and say I’m disappointed

we play the game and then turn the page. That game was not the best, it was scrappy, there wasn’t a lot of incident but the important thing is we got the points, so we take the points and we move on.

“We go down to Cheltenham on Tuesday, we will assess the squad in the morning and hopefully there’s a clean bill of health.

“I can only control what’s happening internally, yes we are in a great position but there’s a long way to go and we have to keep our focus, keep our mentality and

(we haven’t won) but I thought it was just something we deserved, in terms of the way we created chances and with Tariqe’s chance near the end.

“Their goal is avoidable but the effort in the last two weeks has been the start and end point and

momentum.

“After Marvin scored –and I thought he took his goal really well – I thought maybe we were going to get more goals but Fleetwood are a tough nut to crack.

“We showed a lot of mental strength today. I am privileged enough to be in the technical area by the pitch and I could hear what the players were saying and the message was ‘relax, play your game, and do not lose’.

Moore had sympathy for Lee Gregory, who missed a penalty with the last

we showed a little quality as well. We are all in and the players are giving absolutely everything.

“We are still incredibly short in certain areas but that group is connected.

There is simplicity to our game but we’ve also added quality.

Confidence is back within

kick of the contest after earning the spot-kick himself.

He added: “I really felt for Lee, he wanted the penalty, he was confident and obviously he’s missed but these things happen in football.

“But that shouldn’t define his game today because he led the line really well, he almost scored in the first half and he’s done ever so well to win the penalty in the first place.

“I have no doubt he will want the ball if he’s on the pitch the next time we get a penalty.”

the group and we’ve added some bodies.

“I’m excited about what is to come. I’m already looking forward to the Sheffield United game. I want the players to look forward to it as well because both Blackburn and Watford, are very good teams.”

current unbeaten league run of 14 games.

The winger was victorious in the public vote, claiming the prestigious prize following an impressive run of form for Wednesday.

Johnson has been a regular figure for Darren Moore’s side throughout the campaign, contributing to our

The 32-year-old’s successful December was highlighted most during our 2-1 away win over Fleetwood on Boxing Day, with Johnson providing the assist for George Byers’ equaliser before netting the winner for Wednesday.

Johnson was presented his award by former Owl and PFA representative Ritchie Humphreys.

Professional development phase coach Frank Sinclair felt his side reacted well to changes in the secondhalf as Rovers U18s shared the spoils with Harrogate Town. Jack Goodman scored his eighth goal in seven games to give the youth team a late lead but the visitors capitalised on mistakes at the back to snatch a point at the death on the 3G at the Eco-Power Stadium. Despite coming so close to a victory on home soil, Sinclair admitted that upon reflection of the whole game, the result did justice to both sides. He said: “I thought it was a difficult first half for us, Harrogate came with a

game plan, they showed us a bit of respect in our possession and build up play and they set up some really good traps to put us under pressure early on.

“It was difficult in the opening half to get a foothold and play our game in the opposition’s half but we spoke to the players at half-time and gave them a bit of advice on how to stretch them a bit more in the secondhalf.

“The boys reacted well to the substitutions as we tried to get as many creative players and goal scorers on to the pitch to get the goal back and we did that.

“Jack Goodman, again, gets a couple of goals and

With the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III taking place on Saturday 6 May, the EFL have confirmed the schedule for the final round of 2022/23 League One fixtures. All games to conclude the regular season will now take place on Sunday 7

May, with midday kickoffs around the country. The Owls’ season finale is against Derby at Hillsborough.

The Blades, Millers and Doncaster Rovers final games are all taking placing on Bank Holiday Monday 8th May.

that was from us been quite aggressive with our attacking play towards the end to get us ahead.

“When you look back at the game, I think Harrogate would agree that they deserved something out of the game but we did as well because of our secondhalf performance.”

With games continuing to come in Rovers’ direction thick and fast, Sinclair insisted his side needs to stick to what they know to give themselves the best possible chance of achieving success.

He added: “We don’t change what we’ve been doing and we just try and get better at what we do tactically and technically every week.

“We’ve got a style of play and we’re trying to get better at it, but I have told the players that we need to be better than we were today, especially when teams come and show us a bit of respect.

“We’ve grown a reputation that we move the ball quite well and our style of play is quite attractive so we’ll go into next week, prepare for the opposition and work on what we do well.

“We’ve got the big cup game against Peterborough coming up the week after, so we want to go and put on a good performance against Mansfield so that we can go into that game with our tails up.”

Marvin Johnson has won the PFA Virtu Motors League One Fans’ Player of the Month award for December.

JERSEY

A PERFECT ISLAND BREAK

As part of the

from the French coast. Jersey has a unique feel about it, you can be eating a traditional cream tea one minute and smelling the tantalising aromas of French cuisine the next!

Jersey boasts some of the best beaches in the world to enjoy, there’s also lots of other things to do if you want to explore the island. There’s the WW11 bunkers and the not-to-be-missed underground war hospital, along with three castles to delve into.

Your hotel for 7-nights is the ideally located Hotel Normandie, in Jersey’s capital of St. Hellier. We include bed, breakfast, and evening meal. The hotel is in close walking distance of shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants and has an enviable position overlooking the bay of St. Clement with its sandy beach and promenade. The hotel has a sun terrace, bar, its own pub next door, plus an indoor pool and jacuzzi.