Sports Notes - Allardyce Joltin BOLTON - ENGLAND NEXT? - February 2006

James Loving NR Bolton midfielder Kevin Nolan and manager Sam Allardyce

James Loving - National Radio Text Service - Wednesday February 1, 2006

SUPER BOWL - Steelers Dynasty, Get On the Bus - Give Kobe His Due - NBA All-star Game - - The Family Hill Grant & Calvin - MLB Players Help Children - NR Top 10 According To Google - FIFA Top 10

ALLARDYCE JOLTIN BOLTON

When you think about what SAM ALLARDYCE has done for the Bolton Wanderers over the past few years from a club that was promoted up to the English Premiere League not too long ago into having been one of the top six teams in the league it makes one wonder is he the man for the job as being the England national team's next boss.

Of those being mentioned Allardyce is my choice. He's done miracles developing a competitive side by choosing the right players that would jell as a team while having very little money to do so.

An English reporter that covers the club said he doesn't pay any player over 2 million pounds. He's basically made a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

If he can get that kind of result just think what kind of production this no nonsense manager could get from the England national squad. He might be able to squeeze blood out of a stone.

SUPER BOWL - GET ON THE BUS

Sunday (Monday morning in Asia) is the time to get on the BUS for the American football's Super Bowl game. The bus is Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis' name for himself. It's his way of stating that he can carry the load in helping his team to victory.

The game will be played in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. A win would be a perfect birthday present for the 13 year NFL running back who turns 34 February 16.

At 5'11" - 255 lb he is built like a bowling ball but… did you know??? Other than football the sport Bettis enjoys the most is bowling. He's good at it and bowling 200 games have been achieved.

The Steelers are known for their no nonsense hit them hard smash mouth type of game. They are the blue collar, hard-hat and lunch pale type team. If you want to compare them to an International football club to me they are the Bolton Wanderers of the NFL (National Football League).

The main difference being is the Steelers are one of the most successful NFL teams to participate in the big championship game. Bolton is still working at it.

In the 70's the Steelers dominated the NFL. They won all four of the Super Bowls they appeared in during the decade. The squad was packed with superstars, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris and Lynn Swan among them. All were Super Bowl MVP's.

Their biggest competitor was the Dallas Cowboys whom they faced twice. They defeated the Cowboys 21-17 on January 18, 1976 at Miami, Florida's Orange Bowl. Swann was the game MVP.

They met again January 21, 1979 again at the Orange Bowl winning one of the most exciting games in Super Bowl history 35-31. Bradshaw was the games MVP.

Can they do it again? Get on the bus Sunday (USA) - Monday (Asia) and see.

HOK SOCHETRA DEALS

Hok Sochetra perhaps Cambodia's best ever player is now a coach solving problems. His team/employer sponsor Samart was sold to a Malaysian company forcing Sochetra to find another sponsor for his team. He remains employed with Samart. Stay tuned…

NBA ALL-STAR GAME

Make note the NBA All-Star game will take place Sunday February 19 at 8:00pm Eastern time in the USA. In Asia the game will be televised LIVE Monday morning February 20. Yes Asia's date &/time is AHEAD (comes prior) of the USA. It is already Monday in Asia when it is still Sunday in the US.

GIVE KOBE HIS DUE

What can you say about the LA Lakers Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors in LA? Does he receive respect??? Full story....

ALL IN THE FAMILY HILL

The Orlando Magic's Grant Hill is recognized as one of the top players in the NBA. His father Calvin Hill was a great football player for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and also played in the Super Bowl.

With my interest on how parents influence their children I asked Grant if he had played football. "I HATE FOOTBALL," he responded in a joking way but serious.

Both father and son have brains. Each attended top schools in the US; Calvin went to Yale and Grant, Duke University.

STRANGE THING - WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

The saying goes What goes around comes around and it did this week after I was reviewing a story I wrote almost eight years ago about the Major League Baseball's (MLB) California Angels 'Angels With Dirty Faces.' It was a story that I haven't read since I wrote it.

Strange enough that same day we received a press release about one of the players in that story Seattle Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer.

The following release is about Moyer who remains in the league throwing a benefit with teammate Ichero Suzuki. We will post 'Angels With Dirty Faces' at a later date.

Ichiro Serves up His Favorite Meal to Benefit the Moyer Foundation's Dream Catchers Event

The Moyer Foundation, founded by Seattle Mariner's All-Star pitcher Jamie Moyer and wife Karen, announced one of the feature "dreams" to be auctioned off at the inaugural Dream Catchers event is the extremely rare opportunity to enjoy a special dining experience with internationally-recognized sports icon, Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners.

Known for his privacy, Ichiro is sharing not only his time, but also one of his favorite world-class chefs, Hiro Yoshida, who will be flown in from Toronto, Canada. Fourteen guests will enjoy a specially prepared meal with Ichiro and his wife, along with Karen and Jamie Moyer.

The dinner will be served in a sukiya, an authentic Japanese house, on the Norcliffe estate in Seattle.

"It is my pleasure to help The Moyer Foundation and their mission to help children," said Ichiro. "My wife and I look forward to hosting this with the Moyers, and to enjoying the delicious meal prepared by Chef Hiro."

This opportunity is just one of the numerous once-in-a-lifetimes "dreams" to be auctioned at Dream Catchers. A first-of-its-kind event, Dream Catchers will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2006, and simulcast from three cities - Seattle, Wash., Palm Springs, Calif. and Sun Valley, Idaho.

The program will l feature a live auction including the following "dreams": a trip to India to meet the Dalai Lama; VIP treatment at one of NASCAR's hottest races with young legend Kasey Kahne; and a VIP Manhattan experience for kids including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and VIP passes to two Broadway shows and Rockefeller Center's Tree Lighting.

"The Moyer Foundation is dedicated to helping children in distress," said Jamie Moyer. "Dream Catchers is an exciting new event full of amazing dream experiences to be auctioned. We are very fortunate to have Ichiro's contribution, which will help us to help more kids." Proceeds from Dream Catchers will enable the Moyer Foundation to expand their Camp Erin bereavement camps, as well as help fund programs for children in adversity.

Dream Catchers auction will be a Sotheby's-style event with hors d'oeuvres, fine wine, and famous comedic entertainment. Space will be limited to 200 people per venue, and tickets are $500 per person.

For more information about becoming a Dream Catchers sponsor or to purchase tickets, call (206) 298-1217 or visit www.dreamcatchersinfo.org.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on February 15, 2006.

FIFA TOP TEN

Rank/Team/Points

1. Brazil - 839

2. Czech Republic - 796

3. Netherlands - 790

4. Argentina - 772

5. Spain - 768

5. France - 768

7. Mexico - 767

7. USA - 767

9. England - 757

10. Portugal - 753

(FIFA)

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