NEW RULES APPROVED FOR CITY CENTRE SAFETY
New rules cracking down on street drinking, begging and drug use in Sheffield city centre have been approved. The introduction of a public spaces protection order (PSPO) to tackle anti-social behaviour has been backed by councillors this week.
Anyone flouting the rules could receive a £100 on-the-spot fine, rising to £1,000 if the matter goes to court.
Kurtis Crossland, chair of the council’s communities, parks and leisure policy committee, said enforcement would
include a “holistic assessment” of people’s circumstances to ensure support was available for those who were vulnerable.
At a committee meeting ahead of the vote, members were told more than 1,200 individuals and 77 organisations took part in a public consultation before a decision was made on the issue.
The “vast majority” of respondents said they had witnessed or experienced anti-social behaviour in the last 12 months, councillors heard.
But a member of staff from Sheffield charity
Ben’s Centre, which supports people with drug or alcohol problems, told the meeting that many of the centre’s users were “victims and perpetrators of antisocial behaviour in the city centre”.
“It seems clear that the proposed PSPO is designed to target this cohort,” he said.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said there was “a small and identifiable” number of Sheffield residents who used alcohol in public spaces, begged on the high street and slept rough without access
to toilet facilities.
The charity worker said: “Within this group, it’s not an exaggeration to say the vast majority have a mental and/or physical disability.”
He asked members why there was not an impact report based on disability, and whether the thoughts of people and organisations working in that field were sought.
Crossland said the PSPO would allow officers to intervene earlier to “tackle specific activities that cause or are likely to cause anti-social behaviour”.
This would allow officers to focus on prevention, advice and guidance, he added, insisting that the PSPO would apply “to everyone equally - and it’s about behaviour, not about the person”. Crossland said that to breach the PSPO, two legal thresholds must be met and a written notice would be issued before any further escalation.
At the end of the meeting, members approved the proposal of introducing a PSPO in Sheffield city centre, with only one member of the committee voting against it.
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Applications - in writing: FAO Club Secretary, 195 Main Street, Grenoside, Sheffield S35 8PP, or
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MICkEY AND FRIENDS Sk ATE IN TO ShEFFIElD FOR A ROAD TRIP ADvENTURE
Grab your mouse ears and get ready as Disney on Ice presents road Trip adventures skates back into the UK, whisking families away on an immersive getaway full of magical participatory moments.
Featuring new and classic tales, get ready to enter the enchanting Disney Kingdom as this multigenerational experience skates into an arena near you, with worldclass skating, high-flying acrobatics and up-close character interactions. The production arrives at the Arena between 18-22 December 2024 for nine
amazing shows! Hit the road with Mickey Mouse and his pals for a high-octane ride in Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures, experiencing the fantastic Disney and Pixar adventures of Mary Poppins Returns, Toy Story 4, Incredibles 2, The Lion King, Aladdin, Moana, and Frozen all in one ice show. Behind the scenes, supporting the cast of Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures is a team of choreographers and set and costume designers who create 103 props and 275 different costumes, which is all transported in
17 trucks from city to city, taking approximately 14 hours to set up. Exciting twists and turns await as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and guests of all ages embark on an interactive and memoryrich adventure to iconic Disney destinations. See the world from the rooftops of London with Mary Poppins and Jack and his band of dancing lamplighters. Travel to the sun-soaked Motunui and help Moana restore the heart of Te Fiti. Set off on a safari and snap unforgettable photos of wild cheetahs and monkeys when guests
traverse through the Pride Lands with Simba, Timon and Pumbaa. Discover a whole new world and be swept up in Aladdin’s princely parade filled with spectacular stunts, magical moments with Genie, and a brand-new song from Jasmine that will render the audience “Speechless.” Mosey on over to a larger-than-life comedic carnival and team up with Woody and Bo Peep as they search for their new friend Forky. Fans will hit a high note with Mickey and pals while singing along to beloved Disney tunes as they welcome Merida,
11/12/1972 - Apollo 17 becomes the sixth and last Apollo mission to land on the Moon.
12/12/1911 - Delhi replaces Calcutta as the capital of India.
13/12/1577 - Sir Francis Drake sets out from Plymouth, England, on his round-the-world voyage.
14/12/557 - Constantinople is severely
Belle, Ariel, Mulan and Tiana to the ice. Families should be prepared for a getaway jam-packed with unexpected hijinks, surprises and up-close
character interaction as Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures skates into the UK!
Tickets to all shows are available via www. utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk
Crossword Clues
across 1) Footwear (5)
4) Reposing (7)
8) Calendar / diary (7)
9) New Zealander (5)
10) Incise in metal (4)
11) Sugar (8)
13) Head cook (4)
14) Gratis (4)
16) Pre-wedding `do` (3, 5)
17) Mist (4)
20) Embellish (5)
21) World`s hot line (7)
22) Hell (7)
23) Prime (5)
DoWN
1) Latest design (5, 2, 3, 3)
2) Funny (5)
3) Mentally balanced (4)
4) Dodgy business (6)
5) Equal balance (8)
6) Quarantine (7)
7) Endure (4, 3, 4, 2)
12) Prisoner (8)
13) Frankness (7)
15) Road (6)
18) Holy table (5)
19) Useless (4)
Last Week’s Solution
across: 7) Work, 8) Illusion, 9) Sharp end, 10) Bite, 11) Sting, 13) Bedroom, 15) Dancers, 17) Helps, 20) User, 21) Vouch for, 23) Live wire, 24) Cute DoWN: 1) Posh, 2) Ski run, 3) Vibes, 4) Plodder, 5) Isobar, 6) Soft soap, 12) Transmit, 14) Prevail, 16) Career, 18) Ethics, 19) Duvet, 22) Oath
damaged by an earthquake.
15/12/1890 - The first Sheffield Derby was played at Olive Grove
16/12/1431 - Henry VI of England is crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris. 17/12/1718 - Great Britain declares war on Spain.
I asked my wife to act like a “naughty school girl”. She forged a note from her mother saying she didn’t have to participate.
A bunch of scumbags stole 20 crates of Red Bull from my local supermarket yesterday. I don’t know how they sleep at night.
Me to mate, “My wife keeps pestering me to dress up as an Alice in Wonderland character!” Mate “Are you mad at her?” “Don’t you start!”
Just tried changing my password to “14Days” but it was two week.
My mother used to beat me as a child with a camera. I keep having flashbacks.
My mum always used to say “40 is the new 30”. Lovely woman, banned from driving.
My girlfriend asked me, “Did you eat my chocolate in the cupboard last night?” “No, don’t be silly” I replied, “I ate it on the sofa.”
Went to an Indian restaurant last night and had a pelican curry. Food was ok, but the bill was enormous!
My wife dragged me round the shops yesterday for 3 hours, eventually she got tired and said ‘please get out of that sledge’
2. Which US star because the highest-paid actress in the world following her performance in Passengers?
3. Which Irish jockey is the eldest son of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh?
4. What is the occupation of Otto Man in the animated series The Simpsons?
5. Tom Bombadil
the lower half of the Welsh flag?
9. What is the name for a container, often made of papier-mache which is decorated, filled with sweets and then beaten with sticks to reveal its contents?
Which English football club play at Gigg Lane?
News, Information and Advice
the christmas plant!
Decorative poinsettias have played an integral role in Christmas traditions for hundreds of years. With their star-shaped bracts, these magnificent plants (also known as the Christmas Star) are as much a part of this festive time of year as Christmas trees, Advent calendars, gifts and cards. The poinsettia originally comes from Mexico, where it grows as a shrub up to 5m high. The Aztecs cultivated the beautiful plant, decorated temples with it and used it to produce a dye for colouring clothes and as a medicine to reduce fever. Following the Spanish conquest of Mexico, the poinsettia became favoured as a Christmas plant and was given the name ‘Estrella de Navidad’ (Christmas star). After appearing in a procession of Franciscan monks in the 17th century it was given the name ‘Flor de Nochebuena’ (Holy Night Flower), and increasingly became a Christian symbol.
It was in 1825 that a devoted amateur botanist called Joel Roberts Poinsett, who also happened to be America’s first ambassador to Mexico, became fascinated by the Holy Night Flower and began sending them home to South Carolina.
A friend of Poinsett, Robert Buist, became similarly enamoured, calling the plants ‘Euphorbia pulcherrima’ (beautiful) and started to sell them. By 1909 the German-born emigrant, Albert Ecke, saw how the bracts of wild poinsettias around his farm turned red in December and decided he was onto a winner. He had the idea of cultivating poinsettias to sell as cut flowers from his street stand in the run-up to Christmas.
After his death in 1919, his son Paul I took over the family business and established the poinsettia as a festive symbol under the name Christmas Star. As early as 1920 he tried to grow poinsettias in pots but early varieties weren’t suitable for this type of cultivation. It wasn’t until the 1950s that it became possible to breed varieties and from the 1960s onwards, cultivated potted varieties increasingly replaced cut flowers.
dementia strategy launch
keeping families together
At the same time as growing poinsettias, the Ecke family ran their own shops in Hollywood and invested a lot of time and energy into marketing activities. This helped the poinsettia achieve huge popularity within a few years and it soon became an integral part of American Christmas culture. The poinsettia also established itself as a houseplant and Christmas flower in Europe from the 1950s onwards.
Today, there are hundreds of poinsettia varieties in many colours, shapes and sizes. As pot plants and cut flowers, they are an enduring symbol of Christmas, helping to blend ancient and modern traditions, beautify homes and serve as thoughtful gifts. As Stars for Europe has shown over the years, they can also be used in all sorts of festive DIY ideas, with cut and mini poinsettias proving to be ideal for creative craft projects.
Tip: Decorations and fabrics with a vintage feel are currently on-trend and work perfectly with poinsettias, the classic Christmas plant!
Christmas trees decorated with poinsettias
A decked-out Christmas tree is the quintessential festive symbol and is hugely popular, not just with children. Poinsettias make the perfect living tree decorations. When it comes to festive Christmas decor, poinsettias not only sparkle as tree decorations, but also as decorations on presents and as a sea of flowers in this vintage box used as a Christmas tree stand. This is real forestcore style! With their bright colours, they conjure up an unforgettable atmosphere and make other decorations all but redundant.
Tip: Either place the cut poinsettias on the presents in a flower tube filled with water or wrap them with green floral tape. To seal the cut ends, immediately after cutting, dip the stems into hot water (around 60°C) for a few seconds and then plunge them straight into cold water.
200 people attended the city’s Citywide Dementia Strategy launch event. The collaborative event included people across the city living with dementia, unpaid carers, Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, care organisations, day activities organisations, public health, adult health and social care and health colleagues, including NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Commissioning Board. Nine commitments make up the plan and at the event the speakers explored each one, asking for audience questions and discussing the next practical steps to make the right things happen and to do this in collaboration.
These are:
• Sheffield will become a Dementia friendly city
• More will be done to prevent, reduce, and delay, the risk of developing dementia
• Improved access to dementia diagnosis at the earliest possible stage for the people of Sheffield
• Support will be personalised, local and accessible, to help people with dementia to remain independent for as long as possible
• High quality support to families and carers of people living with dementia in Sheffield will be provided
• People living with dementia and their carers will receive care and support that recognises and works with them as individuals
• Families and staff will be supported to plan ahead to reduce the likelihood of dementia related crisis
• Improved care for people with dementia attending hospital
• Personalised, good quality palliative and end of life care when needed
The event raised awareness of the nine commitments, emphasising the quality and range of the support, advice and guidance that is available across the city now and what working together will bring. Sheffield will become more dementia friendly and training staff in a wide range of organisations will be an important part of this. Accessibility to services will get better and better, which will include the connecting of services together.
Councillor Angela Argenzio and Steven Thomas from South Yorkshire Integrated
Commissioning Board speak about the Dementia Strategy’s journey so far:
The emphasis from a public health point of view was that for many dementia isn’t inevitable; more people are living longer, and more people are getting dementia. There are several ways to decrease the chance of getting dementia – what’s good for your heart is good for your brain.
Public health stressed the importance of that what happens to a person in their early years, from 0-19, has a huge impact on their life. The need for lobbying to ensure that funding for ‘lifestyle’ services is adequate was emphasised.
Dementia facts
• There are over 6,000 and up to around 7,300 people aged over 65 currently living with dementia in Sheffieldbetween 6.7% and 7.7% of the 94,840 people aged 65 years and over in the city.
• Approximately 140 people under 65 in Sheffield live with young onset dementia.
Dementia support and awareness in Sheffield has increased over the last 5 years, however, the growing impact of an ageing population on dementia prevalence means the number of people living with dementia is predicted to keep increasing.
Support that is ‘personalised, local and accessible’
Early local support through memory cafes will grow, providing support for people that takes them from ‘feeling adrift’ to ‘having a lifeline’. One of the key actions that came out of the survey work which informed the strategy was to make sure that Sheffield is consistent in its approach to supporting a person with dementia. It’s the single most important thing that keeps them feeling well and calm.
The importance of personalised care was emphasised, of living as well as you can. This included recognising that when someone has dementia, their presentation, personal care, what smells they like, what tastes they like and what is their choice in music, should all stay in place. They remain who they are as long as possible.
The festive season should be a time of joy and celebration. Yet, for many families, it will be overshadowed by the worry and uncertainty of having a seriously ill child in hospital. None of us want to imagine a child being seriously ill and needing treatment in a hospital many miles from home, especially at Christmas. The families we support travel an average of 86 minutes to be by their sick child’s hospital bedside. Without us they would sleep in uncomfortable hospital chairs, expensive hotels that they cannot afford, or even their cars. This Christmas we expect all ten of our ‘Homes from Home’ to be full. These homes ensure that families with a seriously sick child in hospital can be together, but we can only continue this vital work with your support. As a charity that relies entirely on voluntary donations we’re feeling the effects of the costof-living crisis, the same as the public, as the cost of keeping our ‘Homes from Home’ open has dramatically increased. No matter how big or small your contribution, your support will help keep families together when they need it most. Last Christmas, we supported Joe and Charlotte at Eckersley House, our ‘Home from Home’, while their son, Billy, was recovering from the first of two open heart surgeries. Charlotte said: “Billy was in recovery throughout
the festive period, meaning he spent his first Christmas at the hospital. Obviously, it was nothing like how we imagined his first Christmas being. I was dreading Christmas Day. It is supposed to be a big family celebration, not spent alone in hospital. When we arrived on the ward on Christmas Day the medical staff had covered Billy’s bed with presents. We had even more gifts at Eckersley House, which was so lovely. All I wanted for Christmas was the three of us to be together, and because of The Sick Children’s Trust, we could be. At Eckersley House, we had everything we needed to take care of ourselves while staying just a short walk from Billy’s incubator. It was absolutely fantastic. Since his second surgery, Billy has been doing well and we’re looking forward to a big family Christmas this year. Throughout the day, our thoughts will also be with families whose children are still in hospital and the wonderful supporters of The Sick Children’s Trust who make it possible for them to stay together.” All families deserve to be together at this precious time of year. While we never charge the families we support, it costs The Sick Children’s Trust £40 to keep a family together for one night. This Christmas, help us ensure families like Billy’s can be together by donating whatever you can.
mayor’s christmas card
A student from Rotherham College has won a competition to design the official Christmas card for South Yorkshire’s Mayor.
The winning entry features a famous food item from the region – a Yorkshire pudding. The colourful and cheeky design captures another enduring and important part of South Yorkshire – humour.
It was designed by 17 year old graphic design student, Isabelle Taylor.
The Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “I’m really pleased to share with you the design for my official Christmas card this year, created by the wonderfully talented Isabelle. Thanks to her and all the other students who submitted their work.
Isabelle’s design will now feature on the Christmas cards I send this year and I’m very proud to send her South Yorkshire design far and wide.”
Isabelle, who lives in Waverley, Rotherham, chose to take part in the Mayor’s Christmas card competition because she enjoys the process of design. However, she never normally enters competitions as she never thinks her designs will win. Isabelle described how she came up with the concept
for her winning design: “I wanted to include something that everyone would easily recognise. Yorkshire puddings are really popular, not just in South Yorkshire but all across the UK. I like to be creative, to follow a brief and then figure out how I can interpret that creatively. I’m quite shocked that I’ve won, you never enter into something expecting to win, but I’m so happy that my design is going to be seen by so many people.”
Her prize for winning the competition is £250 worth of vouchers to spend on art supplies.
Isabelle added: “I’m going to use these vouchers to buy supplies so I can explore and try out different painting techniques.”
Operating
This year’s Tramlines Music Festival and The Fringe at Tramlines provided a combined £7.3 million boost to the city’s economy. Tramlines is one of the UK’s longest running, city-based music festivals and a highlight in Sheffield’s year-round calendar of events and festivals.
Whilst Tramlines in Hillsborough Park is a ticketed event, 2024 also saw the return of the Fringe at Tramlines – in Association with Sheffield BID – a free, city centre event taking place in Sheffield’s outdoor spaces, pubs, bars and music venues. A report, to be discussed at an Economic Development and Skills Committee meeting next week (Thursday 12th December), has now revealed
some of the major benefits of the festival to both the city and its residents.
Following a review, the main Tramlines event in Hillsborough Park, which took place earlier this year in July, has been estimated to have generated around £5.45M for the economy, with over 108,000 people attending the event over the course of the weekend.
In addition, The Fringe at Tramlines is estimated to have generated approximately £1.86M of economic benefit, with approximately 45,000 attendees.
Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skill Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Events like Tramlines are hugely beneficial to the city.
“They bring visitors from across the country and beyond, and this in turn brings a boost for Sheffield based businesses. Whether it’s seats in restaurants, cups of coffee, beds in hotel rooms or even people ordering taxis, it is all for the benefit of the Sheffield economy and the people of Sheffield.
“On top of that, the festival helps to raise much needed funds for Sheffield-based charities, and organisers offer work placements to local people and students, donate tickets to local communities and offer a paid opportunities to local and emerging artists.”
The Tramlines Trust – the festival’s official charity and fundraiser – also raised over £62,000 at the 2024 event. £32,000 will be granted to
Sheffield and Hillsborough charities, with over 50% to go directly to Hillsborough.
Some of the organisations to benefit, include, A Mind Apart, which provides inclusive theatre education, and Kids Plant Trees, a group dedicated to enhancing local green spaces through youth-led tree planting.
Holme Lane Community Garden received funding to expand its urban garden, while Hillsborough Pumas Under 12s, Hillsborough Arena Sports Association and Hillsborough Hornets Disability FC will use grants to boost facilities and opportunities for youth in sports. Full list can be found in the report to committee. This year, the festival also continued to shine a spotlight
on Hillsborough’s businesses through the ‘Hillsborough Hotspots’ guide, showcasing where to visit before heading to the main event.
In addition to promoting these local businesses online and at the festival, Tramlines provided heavily subsidised stalls for local traders in their ‘Little Hillsborough’ area, with all infrastructure provided by the festival.
In total, they worked with 125 local businesses with over 1200 local staff working the event.
The Fringe also did its bit to support local businesses, bringing business to 40 venues across the city.
Both events also support local, upcoming talent. Local groups were offered the opportunities at this year festival through the
dancing in the aisles. Hits spanning from the late 70s onwards including; Turn It On Again, Sledgehammer, In The Air Tonight, Over My Shoulder, Against All Odds, That’s All, Solsbury Hill, You Can’t Hurry Love, The Living Years and many more. The frontman, Pete Bultitude, is not only an incredibly versatile vocalist, he is also a truly gifted drummer just like Phil Collins, So expect the show to include the iconic “double drums” element as featured on every Genesis and Phil Collins tour.
Nulty
Since moving to Hillsborough Park in 2018, Tramlines has offered 296 slots to local artists and since 2022, they have welcomed 47 young artists through their development programmes, providing a platform to connect the artists with their aspirations of performing on a major stage in front of thousands of people.
On top of this, The Fringe at Tramlines provided opportunities for almost 400 local and emerging artists and groups to take to the main stage at Devonshire Green.
You can read the full report on the council website at sheffnews.com
Sarah
Power of Music Trust.
GOOdS VeHICLe OPeRatOR’S LICenCe
Abdul NAsser NAbizAdeh t/A logistics4u ltd of 25 lifford street, sheffield, s9 1sP is applying for a licence to use AsPhAlt grid systems butterthwAite lANe, ecclesfield, sheffield, s35 9wA as an Operating Centre for 2 goods vehicles ANd 2 trAilers
Owners or Occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE, stating their reasons, within 21 Days of this Notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice.
A Guide to making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s Office.
GOOdS VeHICLe OPeRatOR’S LICenCe
tt PlANt ANd hAulAge ltd of uNit 4 orgreAve drive
dore house iNdustriAl estAte sheffield s13 9Nr is applying to change an existing Licence as follows:
To keep an extra
2 goods vehicle ANd 0 trAilers at the Operating Centre at coNstructioN house, broAd oAks, sheffield s9 3hh
ANd to keep an extra
2 goods vehicle ANd 0 trAilers at the Operating Centre at comPouNds 7 & 8, coleford roAd, sheffield s9 5Ph
Owners or Occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE, stating their reasons, within 21 Days of this Notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice.
A Guide to making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s Office.
SUNDAY
TUESDAY
Coronation Street: When Kit overhears Craig checking CCTV on the stolen car, he kills the call - what is he hiding? Gail & Jesse have a big announcement for the Platt family. Sarah urges Bethany to make a decisioneither forgive Daniel or leave him! Evelyn admits the solicitor’s letter was a fake - after Steve paid her £325! Max takes Gus and Anthea back to No.8, leaving them alone while he pops upstairs but is shocked to find them gone when he returns. Later, Lauren learns of bruising on Frankie’s body and finds out he’s been admitted to hospital and they need to run some tests. What has happened to Frankie? Daisy persuades Kit to join her for a drink in the back room and the chemistry between them is evident. Gail, Audrey, Sarah, Bethany and Shona gather in the Rovers in an attempt to bury the hatchet and Gail insists Eileen must join them.
Emmerdale:
Cain attempts to ease his guilty conscience by hitting the booze. Overwhelmed with the guilt of having betrayed Moira by hooking-up with Ruby at the village garage, will Cain finally come clean about what he has done? But as Christmas approaches, Ruby wants to focus on repairing her relationship with her previously estranged daughter, Steph. Jimmy is convinced to visit his nephew, Tom , behind bars after being emotionally blackmailed by his teenage daughter, Angelica. Tom is pleading not guilty to the charges against him, and sticks to his story that his estranged wife, Belle, is to blame for what has happened to him. Will is out for payback on his wife, Kim, after she secretly hired bad boy Ross to “remove” him from the village. But Will starts to feel guilty when Kim puts extra effort into their Christmas preparations.
Eastenders:
Sharon is furious when she finds out about something that Nicola has done. Just as Nicola is ready to celebrate the launch of her new bar, Harry’s Barn, Sharon, Phil and Teddy storm in to confront her. And very soon, SHOCK accusations fly! Linda’s boozy behaviour continues to worry her friends and family. Things are looking-up when fellow addicts, Phil and Lauren offer to attend an AA meeting with Linda. Will Linda agree to go with them? Cindy is tempted by an enticing offer from her secret lover, Junior. Will cheating Cindy sneakoff to hook-up with Junior again? Peter remains worried about girlfriend Lauren, unaware of her secret painkiller addiction.
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Possibly the best result of the season so far
Chris Wilder was happy to take a point back to South Yorkshire after an entertaining encounter against West Bromwich Albion ended in a 2-2 draw.
After going behind to a Torbjørn Heggem header, two goals in two minutes from Callum O’Hare and Tyrese Campbell saw the game
swing towards United.
After the break, United looked on top but a deflected Tom Fellows strike levelled matters, and despite both sides having further chances, the game finished all square.
After the game, Wilder described the result as possibly the best so far considering the players
missing from his side.
He said: “It’s a fantastic result for us. Possibly the best result of the season so far. We have some big players out, we understood that, so it’s not an excuse. At one period we had six players under the age of 22 - we’re learning at the top of the division. Talked to them before
the game, quite easily we could come here today and swallowed a defeat and everybody say we’ve not won, but we still had a fantastic start to the season. I said that doesn’t sit well with me. They were the better team for the first 15-20 minutes, they are really aggressive in the press, and we played
backward and square and invited the press on. Deservedly they went 1-0 up. I am looking to see what we’re all about, and I think we answered it incredibly well.
“We changed the way we played a little, played a bit more forward into the pockets to break the press, were braver and all of a sudden turned
McCann: ‘one of the worst this season’ We have to be better
Danny Röhl was scathing of the Owls’ performance following the 1-1 draw with Preston.
Michael Smith’s second half goal cancelled out Emil Riis’ early opener but Röhl was far from satisfied with the bigger picture on a windswept afternoon at Hillsborough.
He said: “We deserved nothing today, for me this was a defeat. Preston were the better team for me from the start, they had more chances and should have won the game.
“The only positive for me was James Beadle, he made some great saves to keep us in the game and in particular one save when they could have been 2-0 ahead
and then it would have been a long way back.
“I will take the point but I have said to my players that we have to better than that. It is hard for me to take because I know we have a lot more quality than we have shown today.
“It is easy to look at the table to say we are doing well, we have 26 points, but if we play like this we will not make a lot of progress.
“I am ambitious, I want only good things and to get better. I love my players, I love my team, but we have to be better.
“We have another big game on Tuesday against a good team in Blackburn and I want to see a big improvement, it is as simple as that.”
the nature of the late postponement of today’s Sky Bet League One fixture against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
“I am really disappointed for our supporters,” Evans told www. themillers.co.uk.
Rotherham United
Manager Steve Evans has expressed his extreme disappointment on
“We are very fortunate as players and staff that we are paid to do a job in this game but our supporters have to work their respective jobs to raise the funds to come and support their team.
Grant McCann labelled Rovers’ performance against Cheltenham Town as one of the worst of the season with the manager admitting he was relieved to escape with a draw. Rovers were decidedly under-par against Cheltenham and twice came from behind to rescue a point.
And McCann was angered and disappointed by the showing from his side at the Eco-Power Stadium.
“It was probably one of the worst performances of the season, and I’ve told that to the players,” he said. “I knew this was going to be tough because it was the third game in a tough week and a long week of travelling but I didn’t expect that type of performance.
“I don’t think anyone expected it. We were way off - we didn’t win enough duels, we didn’t
“This decision, through no fault of Blackpool Football Club or our own, should, in our opinion, have been made yesterday, given the extreme weather warnings served across the UK.
compete enough in the first half, we were lacklustre, we didn’t really string any decent moves together and Cheltenham controlled the whole of the first half, which is really disappointing.
“The response was good in the second half. It was a really good goal from George [Broadbent], a tremendous strike.
“But to concede again two minutes after that probably summed up what we were all about. The lack of concentration and we always speak about keeping players on the outside of you.
“We let Archer inside and it opened up the whole goal.
“I’m relieved, frustrated, disappointed, angry - all the words you can think of. But we’ve not lost the game, and there were a few moments when that could have happened.”
McCann admitted he may
“We felt that in the circumstances, with such warnings issued, the only correct decision would have been to postpone the game at the earliest possible opportunity.
“I’d like to apologise on behalf of the
have made a mistake in not further freshening his side after a tough week which saw trips to Kettering Town and Fleetwood Town.
The Rovers boss made one change from the midweek win at Fleetwood with Luke Molyneux replacing Tom Anderson but said with hindsight he perhaps should have shuffled the pack more.
“I’m thinking to myself should I have changed it more,” McCann said.
“Should I have changed more players and these are the questions you have as a manager.
“But we won the game 4-2 in midweek and you’re thinking ‘go again, get us another win.’
“We did it so many times last season when people thought we could change the team but we just kept going. I’m just disappointed.”
football club to our supporters and I hope that anyone who had begun their journey to Blackpool stays safe in these difficult weather conditions and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.”
the game on its head.
“They have a strong experienced Championship squad; we were always going to be up against it. We could have easily gone under, but they didn’t and really passed a big test today against a team who are undefeated in 11 and have got players of top quality right the
way through the group.
“I’m delighted for Cal and Tyrese. We’ve had a couple of opportunities, just needed that final bit second half, but we showed ambition to go and win the game, to go and get the third. We didn’t get it, you have to give them credit, they were fortunate with the goal but then it was
a game of basketball a little bit, we would have liked a little more control in the game. They blocked, stayed in it and tried to win it. That should not go unnoticed, six players under the age of 22 learning at the top end of the Championship, and a point takes us top, so I am delighted.”
Tickets for Good and Sheffield fC unite to offer budgetfriendly boxing Day football
Tickets for Good, the Sheffield-based company transforming how people access events, has joined forces with Sheffield FC, the world’s oldest football club, to offer free tickets to Sheffield FC’s Boxing Day fixture against Belper Town. NHS staff, charity workers, teachers and people affected by the Cost of Living crisis can enjoy a great day out at Sheffield FC’s home ground, The Coach & Horses in Dronfield, with only a small booking fee to pay (£2.95). This partnership reflects the shared goal of both organisations to make cultural and sporting events more accessible, particularly during Christmas when family budgets are stretched.
Sheffield FC, founded in 1857, has an unmatched legacy as the birthplace of the modern game. The club’s history is deeply rooted in Sheffield, from their first matches played on East Bank to their formative years at Bramall Lane, and their eventual journey to their current home in Dronfield. Despite
their nomadic past, the club has remained steadfast in its dedication to the community and the sport. Today, with plans underway to return to Sheffield at a new site, aptly named The Home of Football, Sheffield FC is looking forward to an exciting future.
Tickets for Good is proud to partner with a club whose heritage is as rich as Sheffield FC’s. Born in Sheffield and now operating nationally, in the USA and the Netherlands, Tickets for Good’s innovative model opens up opportunities for over 380,000 people to access events that might otherwise be out of reach.
The platform offers free and discounted tickets, encouraging inclusive participation in the arts, sports, and entertainment.
Richard Tims, Chairman of Sheffield FC, said: “Boxing Day football is iconic in England and often a day when families and friends get together to celebrate Christmas, but most importantly watch a game of football.
“With the prices of football tickets rising in the English
top leagues, we’re proud to have partnered with Tickets For Good and offer heavily discounted tickets to NHS staff, charity workers, teachers and people affected by the Cost of Living crisis.”
Steve Rimmer, CEO and founder of Tickets for Good, said: “This partnership with Sheffield FC is a perfect example of what Tickets for Good is all about – creating affordable, inclusive access to fantastic events for everyone. Boxing Day football is a tradition that brings people together, and Sheffield FC’s remarkable history makes this match extra special. We’re thrilled to be working with the world’s oldest football club to help more families enjoy a brilliant day out without breaking the bank.” Tickets are available now through Tickets for Good’s platform, and with only a small booking fee to pay, this initiative ensures that Boxing Day football remains accessible for all. For more information or to secure tickets, visit ticketsforgood. org today.
ECKINGTON SELF STORAGE
