What's with these chairmen?

So perhaps it should come as no surprise that domestic football's great and good met last week to contemplate even abandoning drawn matches in favour of penalty shoot-outs.

Sensationalist rubbish, possibly, all emanating from the other side of the Atlantic because, as we all know, the Americans don't know about the concept of a draw.

Vietnam and Iraq are two examples that spring immediately to mind.

Draws are part and parcel of football, whether it's an Under-9 game at the Manor Ground on Sunday or the two European Cup winners, Villa and Liverpool, sharing the points in the Premiership.

Take the Albion, for example; the last two away games at Crewe and Blackpool have ended in a draw.

Both times they were thrilling games, the one at Crewe end-to-end while at Blackpool the Albion were possibly lucky to hold on.

But at the end of it all, the Albion not only have two points but all three sets of supporters can debate over what might have been.

Don't get me wrong. Penalty shoot-outs in cup games do create excitement.

But to do it every week for every game would just be too much and, to my mind, would change the development of the game for the worse.

But what do you think?

Would you like to see it in all football '” youth, park and professional?

E-mail me at the address below.

Couldn't let Worthing Rugby Club's emphatic win against Guildford go unmentioned.

Regardless of whether it turns out to be enough in their quest for promotion this season, it still highlights what a great outfit the club is, both on and off the field.

Right from the youngest mini player on a Sunday to the 1st XV, the club is superbly run and is certainly moving in the right direction.

Congratulations to the Worthing High Year 10 football team who have reached the Sussex Schools County Cup Final for the first time in their history.

Seeing as the media is full of reports of badly behaved kids, perhaps it would be nice if these youngsters were invited down to the Town Hall by the mayor to mark their achievement.

Perhaps a candidate for the greatest comeback since Lazarus award was Alan Herbert's Worthing United Under 15s.

They found themselves 2-0 down to Horsham in their Arun & Chichester League Cup semi-final with less than two minutes to go, only to win 3-2 in extra-time.

Alan Herbert's long-time nickname has been "Hooley". Should it now be "Houdini"?

Three more featured local runners for the London Marathon this week.

First up it's Steve Neal, who is running in aid of St Barnabas House and in memory of his Uncle Reg who, sadly, passed away there.

Paddy O'Reilly is also in training for the big day with his chosen charity St John Ambulance.

Hazel Waller is embarking on her first 26-miler at 61 years young, and all the money she raises will go to the Huntingdon's Disease Association.

All three are very worthy causes and if anyone would like to sponsor any of the runners please contact me and I will forward your details.

More local people next week and if anyone else is running in the capital and you'd like to mention your charities in these jottings, please e-mail me with your details.

[email protected] (this will open your email program)