Harty on England’s captain and local cricket

FABIO Capello used to be indecisive, now he’s not so sure . . .

The reappointment of John Terry as England football captain is viewed in certain quarters as yet another PR disaster, and all adds fuel to the fire to the large number of people who would like to see a change in the dugout at Wembley.

Given Terry’s former alleged exploits in the bedroom, he was removed from his post. I don’t doubt that he is back to being a loving husband, but his patchy form and injury problems for Chelsea this season probably indicate that his time playing at the top level is now approaching its last phase. Why go for such a potential short-term appointment?

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By the very nature of being at the level of playing for England, a large number of the squad could do the job, so why not get the squad together, find a suitable candidate and just do it on a match-to-match basis?

For all Terry’s qualities, and don’t get me wrong, he does have them, any hiccup by the team with him at the helm and all this baggage will be brought up, again. Is that really fair to all concerned, both team and supporters?

What next from Capello?

A new press and PR officer, Jimmy “Five Bellies” Gardner . . .

Great news on the local cricketing front, the Worthing Evening League, with four teams, will run the competition for the 60th year – once again testament to the hard work and dedication of Laurie Claydon and his committee.

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I don’t think Sir Laurie does “retirement”, thankfully for both our local football and cricket, but if the competition does stretch to a 61st year in 2012 perhaps a change in format might be the order of the day.

Chippingdale’s “10tyTenty” idea is certainly worth some thought, and is a competition that might attract entries from a number of our local clubs.

While on the subject of cricket, the recent sad passing of Tony Iago was a big loss to the sport locally.

Tony was the team manager for the very successful Findon side that made it to the Village Knockout final at Lord’s in 2007.

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Then Findon skipper Graham Waller recently told me that while it was him and the rest of team that received almost all of the plaudits, Tony was the driving force behind the whole adventure and, quite simply, without his management, the team might not necessarily have made it all the way to the final.

It’s hard to believe that Norman Cairns made his debut for Worthing Football Club back in 1965. Dick Tarrant was the manager, the Beatles were at No 1 and Sonny and Cher loved each other.

Norman then went on to carve an impressive footballing career locally, not as many clubs as Jack Nicklaus but a fair degree of success, before moving upstairs and ending up as chairman at Wick.

He’s well and truly changed sports now, taking up golf at the age of 40-something. In fact, he cannot remember the last time he watched a game of football and, on Sunday, started his tenure of captain of Hill Barn GC.

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I had the privilege of being one of his guests at his “driving off” dinner at the Ardington on Sunday, and he’s already started raising money for his chosen charity, which is called “Jumpers for Goalposts”, which will enable local youth sides, boys and girls, to apply for funding for equipment.

His events for the year will see a number of charity golf days, including, hopefully, in September, one where Albion and Worthing FC players, past and present, will take part.

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