Anniversay of Sir Tom Finney's final Preston North End game

Today marks the 50th anniversary of England winger, Sir Tom Finney's final game for Preston North End.

In March 2009, the legend was celebrated for his services with his own day, apatly named, Sir Tom Finney Day.

Before the day, I produced a 3 minute radio package for my third year University course speaking to PNE General Manager, Ben Rhodes, Finney's lifelong friend and team mate, Tommy Thompson and then Academy product, Lee O'Gornall.

I have made this package available for you to listen to again, just follow the link below and click download. You may have to copy and paste in your address bar.

I would appreciate your comments on the package and on the man himself. Thanks to the guys for letting me interview them last year.

http://bit.ly/dASZtZ

ps. check out pne.com for more info

City dial 999 and get goalkeeper: Manchester City sign Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop

Sunderland goalkeeper, Marton Fulop has joined fellow Premier League club, Manchester City on a 'Emergency Loan' deal until the end of the season.

It comes after Shay Given dislocated his shoulder at Arsenal last weekend, aparently leaving City with just one goalkeeper, a bloke called Gunnar Neilson, Faroe Island's third choice shot stopper.

OK, so he clearly isn't that good if he can't get a game for the Faroe's, but why sign him then? Manchester City claim they don't have any other 'keepers...so they play without one in the youth team do they? Of course not, they have seven goalkeepers on their books.

But of course, this is an emergency isn't it. An emergency just like a earthquake, or the Icelandic volcano. Yeah, an emergency. Manchester City have dialed 999 and got the Idiotic Premier League Decision Making department. It is a simple case of bad luck. Teams have squad's for a reason, for moments like this. This is an opportunity for other players to have a crack at the top level.

I wonder if Tottenham had lost Crouch, Defoe and Pavlyuchenko could they apply for a emergency striker? Why have Man City been allowed this. I'm not saying they have been given preferential treatment, because no one else has been denied. But why have the rules been relaxed. Why have rules and not inforce them (I'm referring to the transfer window).

I find it laughable to be honest.

Pompey will NOT play in Europe. Too right.

Portsmouth Football Club have had their hopes of playing European football next season dashed by the Football Association and the Premier League.

The South Coast team, who are in dire financial trouble, had hoped to appeal against the ruling which had forbidden them from entering next season's Europa League after failing to apply for a Uefa club licence.

Pompey would have qualified for European competition after reaching the FA Cup final against Chelsea, who are set to play in the Uefa Champions League next season.

Avram Grant's team have been told that an appeal would be rejected because of the clubs financial problems which see them carry a staggering £120m debt.

A joint statement from the FA and Premier League said, "The FA and Premier League have confirmed to the administrators of Portsmouth Football Club that they shall not consider any late application for granting of a Uefa Club Licence for the 2010-11 season."

What this means is that the team who finish seventh in the Premier League - currently Liverpool, will claim the last Europa League spot.

For me, this is absolutely spot on. Portsmouth are a prime example of how not to run a football club. The finances have been managed poorly. This is not an exaggeration, just look at the figures. Even St Johns Ambulance are owed more than £5000, an amount which is vital to an organisation such as theirs. They were given a restbite with a relaxation of the transfer rules. They have received a handout from Lens who are allowing striker, Aruna Dindane to play and scrap the £4m deal they had agreed if he played another game. Lets not forget all the controversy whilst Peter Storrie and Harry Redknapp were there. All damaging the image of Portsmouth Football Club. They have been managed poorly. How many owners have they had?

I don't buy that its the responsibility of the Premier League to make sure they are looked after. Other clubs don't get into this situation, and the ones who have don't get charity.

I hope Portsmouth FC turn their fortunes around, literally, but this decision is absolutely the right one. Lets not take our embarrasments around Europe eh.

Register to vote?? Rubbish.

I wanted to vote in the General Election on May 6th. I wanted to give the three main parties a chance. I wanted a proper look at their manifesto's, what they had planned and see whether I would benefit from any of their policies. And yes, before you start, only the three main parties. Lets face it, the rest are so far beyond standing a chance for either being a joke, a mess, or right wing. That's what I wanted this year. That, a paid job, a Volvo C30 and two front teeth. But of course, I was bound to fail, wasn't I.

The adverts are telling me to register so I don't get whiplash from a huge elastic band and some burly blokes, who by the way, have no right to chain me up to something so dangerous I could sue and get a step closer to my dream of being on TV in the shape of a mid-morning insurance claim commercial! "As for the plastic, well that's sorted".

Anyway, I go to register, which I believe to be a hurdle in the publics attempts to make changes in society. A hurdle which most people won't want to jump because the majority are apathetic and by putting things in the way just makes the whole thing a chore. I decided to suck it up and go to register. This is on deadline day by the way. I enter in all the needed information, including letting them know I have no intention of being included in the edited list. Why would anyone want to be included in a book which Marketers buy so they can receive irritating calls from a machine?! The form is completed only to find I need to print something off, sign and post! Outrageous! I don't have a printer and didn't have time to find somewhere to print it out.

Result: I can't vote. My opinion doesn't count. The people who decide on this system cannot seriously think this is OK...My opinion matters!!

Ash-tonishing

One of the best pictures I've seen from the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano is this one by Lucas Jackson from REUTERS.

'Tis a little bit shocking!

Lightning denotes anger, so does a volcano and lava. The merger of the two conjures up so much emotion and anger is just what you feel. This photograph brilliantly captures two of natures most destructive forces in one place. Great work.