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Dan Goldstraw is within eight victims of becoming only the fourth bowler in Southern League history to take 50 wickets in a season

Mike Vimpany08-Aug-2002Dan Goldstraw is within eight victims of becoming only the fourth bowler in Southern League history to take 50 wickets in a season.Since the competition began 34 years ago, only Bob Laishley, Andy Hooper and South African Angus Small have ever claimed a half-century of wickets in a summer session.Laishley did it for Winchester way back in 1980, taking a record 58 wickets at a time when there were no restrictions on bowlers.Andy Hooper took 56 scalps with his left-arm spin for Andover in 1989, while Small, who played provincial cricket for Eastern Province and Natal, took 50 wickets to help South Wilts to their only SL title success a year later.Now Goldstraw is homing in on a place in the Premier League’s order of merit.The 6-54 return in last week’s abandoned match against Portsmouth lifted Goldie’s tally for the season to 42 wickets."Dan’s bowling better and better as the season goes on," praised BAT skipper Dave Banks."We’ve been able to let him off his leash in the nine-week session of all-day games, where there are no restrictions."But now we’ve resumed 50-over cricket, he’ll have to get his wickets inside the only ten overs he’s allowed to bowl, which will doubtless concentrate the mind."Goldstraw looks a near certainty to lift the Premier Division 1 bowling award for the second consecutive season.Team-mate Damian Shirazi went into today’s match with South Wilts with a 63-run deficit to make up on Bashley’s Western Australian star Luke Ronchi.Latest individual statistics:Premier 1
Batting: Luke Ronchi (Bashley Rydal) 617, Damian Shirazi (BAT Sports) 554, Russell Rowe (South Wilts) 508, Paul Draper (South Wilts) 494, Matt Swarbrick (Bournemouth) 492, Neil Thurgood (Bashley Rydal) 483, Roger Miller (Andover) 468, Alistair Gray (Liphook & Ripsley) 457, James Hibberd (Calmore Sports) 420, David Banks (BAT Sports) 359, Richard Hindley (Havant) 340.Bowling: Dan Goldstraw (BAT Sports) 42, Malcolm Hobson (Havant) 29, Paul Draper (South Wilts) 29, Richard Dibden (BAT Sports) 26, James Hibberd (Calmore Sports) 26, John Whiting (Bashley Rydal) 25, Kevin Nash (Bashley Rydal) 25, Shaun Adam (South Wilts) 24, Kirk Stewart (BAT Sports) 23, Richard Hindley (Havant) 22, Richard Taylor (Andover) 22, Christof Bothma (Calmore Sports) 22, Terry Rawlins (BAT Sports) 21.Premier 2
Batting: Charles Forward (OT & Romsey) 582, Aaron Heal (Lymington) 453, Danny Peacock (Lymington) 447, Iain Brunnschweiler (Hampshire Academy) 435, Tim Richings (Sparsholt) 416, Owen Dawkins (Hungerford) 413, Jason Laney (Hungerford) 406, Jeff Anning (Rowledge) 406.Bowling: Nick Wood (OT & Romsey) 30, Damien Carson (United Services) 27, Steve Green (Easton & Martyr Worthy) 25, Aaron Heal (Lymington) 24, Danny Peacock (Lymington), David Wheeler (Hampshire Academy) 22, Jason Williams (Hungerford) 22, Raj Naik (Winchester KS) 21, Owen Dawkins (Hungerford) 21, Jeff Anning (Rowledge) 20.Premier 3
Batting: Will Prozesky (Purbrook) 717, Mark Parker (St Cross Symondians) 612, Chris Baumann (Waterlooville) 605, Matt Digweed (Hartley Wintney) 539, Michael Heffernan (Alton) 456, Jimmy Castrisos (Hartley Wintney) 452, Michael Howard (Leckford) 429, Simon Greenfield (Havant II) 428, Colin James (Paultons) 411, Steve Watts (New Milton) 385, Ian Hunter (Purbrook) 381.Bowling: Nathan Collins (Gosport Borough) 35, Neil Dodds (Ventnor) 26, Julian Ballinger (Alton) 25, Bob Paul (Bashley Rydal II) 23, Andy Cattle (Leckford) 23, Andy Snellgrove (New Milton) 22, Ben Neal (New Milton) 22, John Barrett (Hambledon) 22, Nick McMurray (Flamingo) 21, Mark Stanley (Purbrook) 21, Stuart Charman (St Cross Symondians) 21, Peter Anderson (New Milton) 21, Darren Bartlett (Hook & Newnham Basics) 21, Matt Truckle (Redlynch & Hale) 20.Wicketkeeping: Dave Coles (Lymington) 19, Martin Miller (Bournemouth) 19, Dave Banks (BAT Sports) 18, Warren Gilmour (United Services) 17, John Burton (Redlynch & Hale) 16.

Football Insider pundit Dany Mills believes Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks could join Aston Villa this summer.

The Lowdown: Winks set for Spurs exit?

Winks has been with Spurs since 2016 and is under contract until 2024, however, it appears he could be on the move from north London in the current window.

According to Football Insider, who were informed by a source, incoming Tottenham recruitment chief Fabio Paratici will tell the central midfielder that the club will listen to offers for his services this summer.

The 25-year-old has made 173 appearances for Spurs, but it appears as if he may not add to that tally.

The Latest: Mills’ claim

Mills, 44, was talking to Football Insider and admitted he saw the England international playing golf at The Belfry, hinting at a possible house hunting trip to the Midlands.

“I don’t see him getting into that Spurs side.

“It depends who comes and goes this summer but he’s down the pecking order. He has been for some time now.

“He needs to get playing. I see him going to Wolves and Aston Villa. He was seen playing golf at The Belfry.

“Let’s assume he was house hunting. I can confirm he was there.”

The Verdict: Do Villa need him?

Should Villa be in for Winks this summer, it could prove to be a smart signing by Dean Smith.

Winks is capable of playing as a defensive or central midfielder and could end up bolstering Villa’s options in the middle of the park, should he seal a move.

Conor Hourihane is unsure where his future lies, whereas Manchester City are considering exercising their buy-back clause for Douglas Luiz. Should those two depart, a move for Winks may be good business.

In other news: Jack Grealish transfer update emerges, find out more here. 

The transfer saga that is agonising for Newcastle United fans before serious talk has even started is Joe Willock, and everyone who watched him during his loan spell on Tyneside knows the Magpies have to sign him permanently – former defender Steve Howey hopes talks have already started.

Willock managed to change the way the Magpies attacked games as his ability and willingness to arrive late into the box allowed Allan Saint-Maximin to release the ball earlier and not have to dribble past as many defenders as he could to cut the ball back.

It has been widely reported that Newcastle are very much interested in bringing Willock back to St James’ Park and a fresh twist has emerged that Steve Bruce could look to offer Freddie Woodman as part of any potential deal for the midfielder.

It would be a huge blow for Bruce if he wasn’t able to bring back Willock who he clearly had a great relationship with, and if there is any chance of a deal getting done before pre-season friendlies begin, talks must already be underway and Howey certainly hopes this is the case – as he exclusively told Football FanCast:

“You would have thought that there’s already been a conversation between the clubs, Arteta and Bruce, to say this is what the fee will be as we want to offload him.”

Willock was reportedly available for £20 million this summer but with seven goals in his last seven appearances for the Magpies, it would be widely expected and acceptable if that fee had increased slightly.

At the end of the season, Mikel Arteta was asked about the future of Willock and he claimed that his future was being sorted and organised to remain at Arsenal but there remains hope on Tyneside that a deal can be done.

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club held it’s annual “End of Season AwardsDinner” on Thursday 26 September at The Holiday Inn Filton when the following awards were presented

Gloucestershire CCC Media Release27-Sep-2002Gloucestershire County Cricket Club held it’s annual “End of Season AwardsDinner” on Thursday 26 September at The Holiday Inn Filton when the following awards were presented.Merchant Investors Players Player of the Year was presented by Mike Newnham,Managing Director of Merchant Investors to Craig SpearmanCraig has scored 1444 1st-class runs this year including 5 centuriesat an average of over 48He scored the most centuries for Gloucestershire since Monty Lynchwho hit 5 in 1995He has scored the most runs in a season for Gloucestershire sinceTony Wright & Bill Athey back in 1991 (when 25 Championship matches wereplayed in a season)He has also scored 833 runs, including 2 centuries in one-daymatchesCoors Brewers Special Award was presented by Paul Doubler, MarketingDirector of Coors Brewers to Jack RussellHe has scored 991 1st-class runs this season at an average of over45, this included 3 centuriesHe equalled Jack Board’s Gloucestershire record set in 1914 of 1016victims, 916 catches and 100 stumpingsHe is now the leading run scorer of all Gloucestershire wicketkeepersHe holds the World Record for the most number of runs being scoredwithout a single bye being concededHazlewoods Most Improved Player was presented by David Williams ofHazlewoods to Ian FisherHe scored 568 runs this year at an average of just under 25,including his first century in 1st-class cricket as well as four 50sHe took 32 wickets including 5 -87 against Middlesex at SouthgateTL Visuals Most Outstanding Individual Performance was presented by TomRichardson (Gloucestershire Chief Executive) on behalf of TL Visuals toCraig SpearmanHe scored 180 off 293 balls at Cheltenham Festival against GlamorganGloucestershire Academy Young Player of the Season was presented by TonyWright, Gloucestershire Academy Director to Alex GidmanIn his debut 1st-class season he scored 67 v Derbyshire at DerbyHe finished the season with 558 runs at an average of nearly 35including a century against Northamptonshire at Bristol as well as fourother 50sOther awards presented on the evening were to :-Ian Fisher
Maiden 1st-class century for Gloucestershire 103 not out v Essex atGloucester in JuneAlex Gidman
Maiden 1st-class century for Gloucestershire 117 v Northamptonshire atBristol in AugustMark Hardinges
Maiden 1st-class century for Gloucestershire 172 v Oxford University atOxford in MayRoger Sillence
Maiden 1st-class century for Gloucestershire 101 v Derbyshire at Bristol inSeptemberCraig Spearman
Maiden 1st-class century for Gloucestershire 111 v Worcestershire in AprilIan Fisher
5 wickets for 87 Gloucestershire v Middlesex at Southgate in JulyJack Russell
746 scored in an innings, no byes Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire atBristol in AugustThis season the players have been supporting the “Hit MS for Six” campaign by hitting as many sixes as possible and raising money for each six hit to go towards a Research & Treatment Centre for MS at Frenchay Hospital. Ex Gloucestershire player Alistair Hignell, who is a sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis and President of the Appeal was also at the Dinner where he was presented with two cheques, one by Paul Doubler from Coors Brewers and theother from Martin Goodliffe, Roger Williams and Dave McLaughlin on behalf ofThe Artichoke (sponsors of Ian Harvey’s sixes).

After finally touching down in Glasgow on Wednesday afternoon, Ange Postecoglou has got straight to work on Celtic’s recruitment.

Prior reports led us to believe that the new Hoops boss was already active in the window, with Celtic’s defence a key priority of his.

What’s the word?

Celtic have reportedly begun talks over a move for Valentin Rosier and Riccieli but they have also started negotiations with a left-back in Italy.

That happens to be one of their former employers, Aaron Hickey.

According to the Daily Mail (via The Sun), the Bhoys are plotting a £3m bid in order to prise him away from Bologna.

Hickey only joined the Serie A side last summer but could make a swift return to Scotland after initially departing Hearts.

Celtic have been interested in securing his services for a number of months and it looks as though a move may be starting to materialise.

Perfect for Postecoglou

With the new Celtic head coach preferring an attack-minded style of play in his previous jobs, Hickey would be an ideal signing.

He might be a defender but he often plays at breakneck speed, darting down the left-hand side in much the same way Kieran Tierney did for the Bhoys.

Hickey left Celtic as a 16-year-old but has progressed immensely in recent seasons, now possessing a set of attacking traits to frighten the life out of defenders. In a scout report on the player, The Footie Analyst wrote: “One of Hickey’s key strengths is his ability to run with the ball at speed, utilising the space available to drive his team forward.”

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-transfer-news-posetcoglou-ryan-delap-wyke” title= “Read the latest Celtic transfer news!”]

Of players to feature for 90 minutes on more than one occasion last term, Hickey ranked as Bologna’s seventh-best player for ball carries with 38.3 per 90.

The teenager also ranked as the Italian club’s fourth-best player from their regular starters in terms of progressive carries of the ball per 90 minutes, advancing possession 229.9 yards.

What should really delight Postecoglou is Hickey’s ability to press. In Japan, the Australian built his system around a high-intense press, squeezing the opposition high up the pitch and winning the ball back quickly.

In this department, the £16k-per-week earner was successful with 35.1% of his pressures last season. That was the fourth-best tally at Bologna for those to manage more than four 90 minutes during the course of the campaign.

Another benefit for the new coach could be his versatility. Speaking previously about the defender’s game, former Hearts man Austin MacPhee remarked: “He’s so young he could play a lot of positions. He could end up being like Busquets.”

That’s a viewpoint that Craig Levein agrees with: “He could be a fantastic holding midfielder with his great awareness of danger and his ability to get out of tight situations with the ball at his feet,” he said.

Whether or not Hickey transitions into midfield remains to be seen but what is for sure, is that he’s as confident in possession as the great Spaniard.

He completed 91.1% of his short passes last term and over 85% of his medium passes.

For a further glimpse at his potential, he’s also been compared to one of the greatest German full-backs to play the game: “Aaron as a player is like Philipp Lahm,” ex-Hearts boss Daniel Stendel once commented.

“For me at Hearts, he played as a full-back. He not only runs up and down the line, but looks for attacking moves like Lahm once did. And Aaron can also play in the central midfield. Trust me, he will have a great career,” Stendel concluded.

The young Scot may have slipped through the Celtic net when he was younger but he is now swimming towards their waters again. Dominic McKay must set the bait and lure him to Paradise for a second stint.

AND in other news, Celtic eye swoop for 56-goal gem who is “among the best”, he’d be a great Edouard heir…

The Somerset Cricket Board has been asked by the ECB to pilot the emerging Club Accreditation Scheme, known as `Clubmark’

SOMERSET06-Nov-2002The Somerset Cricket Board has been asked by the ECB to pilot the emerging Club Accreditation Scheme, known as `Clubmark’.Sport England is promoting this scheme in partnership with the ECB to recognise and accredit clubs that are committed to providing a safe, effective and child friendly environment for children and young people.To gain the `Clubmark’ the core criteria that has to be met covers the duty of care and child protection, coaching and competition , sports equity and ethics and club management.Once clubs have gained the `Clubmark’ there will be some clubs in the county who will want to go onto the next level of the scheme and these will then strive to meet the criteria laid down for the `Community Mark’.Beyond the `Community Mark’ there will be a few clubs who may aspire to the `Performance Mark’ with the ultimate level being the `Excellence Mark’ that is likely to be attained by a very small number of clubs in the county.Somerset Cricket Development Officer Andrew Moulding told me: "Gaining accreditation will be challenging for many clubs. Some will already operate to standards set by the ECB, but others will need to undergo a considerable amount of development work."Mr Moulding continued: "In order to pilot the scheme, Somerset has selected a team of SCB officials to act as club assessors who will assist clubs to gain accreditation. The team members have already received training from the ECB and have made a start on the process."The Development Officer continued: "Bath Cricket Club, Taunton Cricket Club and Weston super Mare have all been selected to pilot the scheme, along with village club Broadway and Horton from South Somerset, to demonstrate that it is not just the big clubs who can gain accreditation."He concluded: "We feel that this is an excellent scheme and will give all clubs the probability of demonstrating their commitment to good practice whilst providing opportunities for young people."

The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath has revealed that Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is attracting transfer interest from elsewhere.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent months had initially suggested that Premier League champions Manchester City were contemplating exercising their buy-back clause on the Brazilian, but that has not been the case.

However, now, McGrath has claimed that Serie A giants AS Roma have entered the fray, with former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho keen to lure him to Italy this summer.

Worrying news for Villa fans

Speaking last summer, The Athletic journalist Gregg Evans, said of him: “He’s an absolute joy to watch now and I never thought I would be saying that. Villa have got a fantastic player in Douglas Luiz now, he looks like an absolute star, he could have played in that Man United team.

“He was better than (Paul) Pogba, I thought. I thought he was brilliant, hardly did anything wrong, hardly put a foot wrong. He won so many interceptions and made so many important blocks. When he gets the ball, he passes it nicely. He’s the best player in that Villa team at the moment because it’s just not working for John McGinn.”

The 23-year-old has been a virtual ever-present for Villa since his arrival, making 76 appearances for the first-team and playing 33 out of the 38 Premier League games just last season.

His form even earned him international honours, picking up his first couple of senior caps for Brazil, and so it’s been no surprise that his market value has now risen to £31.5m according to Transfermarkt.

And, in a recent poll done by FFC, 73% of Villa fans who answered said that they would not sell Luiz this summer (179 votes to 66) – an indication of just how concerning it would be were the Brazilian to make the move to Roma.

McGrath’s update may have Villa fans worried at the prospect of him leaving.

Meanwhile, Matt Maher has dropped a major Aston Villa transfer update…

The Standard Bank Cup produced more surprises as the smaller unions came out on top after the completion of the matches played on Sunday 10 November

Keith Lane10-Nov-2002The Standard Bank Cup produced more surprises as the smaller unions came out on top after the completion of the matches played on Sunday 10 November.In Kimberley, a depleted Northerns Titans team got off to a fast start with a first wicket, 13 over, partnership of 82 runs between Jacques Rudolph (33) and Johan Myburg (67). Once the two openers departed Johann Louw (4/25) and Alan Kruger (3/22) had a field day reducing Northerns to 174 in 43.2 overs.Apart from Gerald Dros, scoring 29, no other batsmen could get into double figures. Extras being the next highest with 17.Pieter Koortzen with an undefeated 82 and Martyn Gidley scoring 34, took Griqualand West to an unexpected but well deserved win with nine balls to spare.St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth saw Boland come back from 20/4 to win and take a bonus point off Eastern Province.A 87 run, fifth wicket, partnership between Vinod Kambli (39) and man of the match Con de Lange (66) saved Boland from embarrassment but not out of deep trouble, ending the 45 overs on 166/8.Eastern Province, with what appeared to be an easy target, were in trouble from the start and never recovered from 30/5 after 16 overs, being bowled out for 122 in 39.3. The Eastern Province wickets being shared amongst the Boland bowlers.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a move for Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, as their search for a goalkeeper intensifies [Calcio Mercato via The Boot Room].

The Lowdown: Tottenham get busy ahead of 2021/22

Moving towards 2021/22, many onlookers up and down the country will be excited to see how newly appointed boss Nuno Espirito Santo intends to bring success to North London.

In terms of recruitment, things are looking promising after Spurs agreed personal terms with Bologna’s Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Could they be set to delve deep into negotiations with a familiar face within English football following recent developments?

The Latest: Spurs eye up move for ex-Villa keeper

Tottenham are said to be eyeing up a move for ex-Aston Villa goalkeeper Gollini [The Boot Room].

In need of reinforcements between the sticks, the Lilywhites are looking to secure some positional clarity this summer, with Hugo Lloris reaching the twilight years of his career.

Everton, Inter Milan, Lazio, AC Milan and Roma are all also rumoured to be monitoring the Italian’s situation [The Boot Room].

The Verdict: Gollini would be a solid signing

Any move for the 6 foot 4 in colossus would be an astute one by the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy.

In 2020/21, he enjoyed a successful season at the heart of the Atalanta backline, registering 13 clean sheets in 32 appearances for the Serie A outfit [Transfermarkt], on route to securing Champions League qualification.

His age would also come as a positive, as at 26 years of age he could be number one for some time to come at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, due to the shelf-life of the modern goalkeeper.

Looking ahead, Spurs should look to tie up a deal for the Italy cap as soon as possible if he is indeed the man Nuno wants to challenge Lloris.

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks with a 6ft 6in defender.

Young left-arm spinner Anderson Sealy staked an early claim for selection on the Barbados team for next year’s first-class championship with an impressive five-wicket haul to bowl the West to first innings honours over the East

Ezra Stuart26-Nov-2002Young left-arm spinner Anderson Sealy staked an early claim for selection on the Barbados team for next year’s first-class championship with an impressive five-wicket haul to bowl the West to first innings honours over the East.Sealy bagged five for 53 off 18 probing overs as the West, shrewdly captained by Sherwin Campbell, admirably defended their relatively modest total by gaining a 26-run first-innings lead.After off-spinner Ryan Wiggins removed Martin Nurse and Ahmed Proverbs, Sealy made inroads into the middle order by deceiving the attractive Randy Thomas and Kenroy Williams with flighted deliveries.Sealy induced the free-scoring Sean Armstrong to edge a drive into wicket-keeper Corey Glasgow’s gloves to tilt the battle for first innings lead in his team’s favour.Both Thomas, who survived two chances, and Armstrong got into the 30s but failed to carry on, while captain Stanton Proverbs, batting at No. 7, fell cheaply to pacer Dayne Maynard as the East team slumped to 137 for seven at tea.On resumption, spinners Derick Bishop and Ryan Austin temporarily halted the slide with a 27-run eighth-wicket stand but Sealy and the fiery Tino Best, who bowled pretty quickly on the docile pitch, combined to wrap up the East team innings.