Aspiring Premier League referee Leo Martin paid tribute to veteran Mike Dean, who is retiring at the end of the season. Dean will end his 22 year career as a referee at the end of the current Premier League campaign, but is likely to continue as a full-time VAR official. The 53-year-old has refereed 553 Premier League matches since his introduction to the top division back in 2000. Wolverhampton referee Leo Martin reflected on Dean’s retirement. He said: “Mike Dean has had a long successful career as a referee and he deserves all the praise he is currently getting. I…
Author: Rajan Sangha
Walsall Wood manager Harry Harris believes his side won’t suffer from complacency as they prepare to face relegation-threatened Haughmond in the Midland League Premier Division. In the reverse fixture, the Wood travelled to Sundorne Sports Village and came out victorious in a 4-2 win. Harris’ side currently sit 12th in the league, 16 points clear of 17th placed Haughmond. While Harris wants his players to approach the game in a relaxed manner, he is aware of the threats that the visitors pose. He said: “Haughmond are fighting in a relegation battle, so they’re obviously going to be working hard and…
Ex-Wolverhampton Goldthorn man James Richards is aiming for more success after making a strong start to the season for Keele University Football Club. Keele University lost their first game of the season 4-2 to Silverdale in the Staffordshire County Senior League. Silverdale are now top of the league while Keele remain in fifth. Richards left Wolverhampton to join the Staffordshire side and has started every game this season. The 19-year-old participated in two sets of trials before being selected for the university side. Richards reflected on his side’s promising start to the season. He said: “We’re a young squad, who…
Former AFC Wulfrunians academy player Oscar Blackman is striving for more success ahead of the NJCAA Division III soccer tournament. Academy side Genesee beat Onondaga 1-0 in the Region 3 District A final and have now progressed to the national tournament. Blackman left Wolverhampton Castlecroft to join American side Genesee this summer and has made five appearances this season. The 20-year-old has also played for Smestow football academy. Blackman reflected on his side’s latest victory. He said: “Preparation for the regional championships was intense. We worked on attacking phases of play and studied how the team would set-up to counter…
A Birmingham boxer believes Tyson Fury has raised the bar for amateur fighters, following his recent win over Deontay Wilder. Fury knocked out the American in Las Vegas to retain his WBC heavyweight title and put an end to the trilogy of fights. The Gypsy King put the Bronze Bomber on the canvass three times with the knockout blow coming in the 11th round. Boxer Arjun Sekhon reflected on Fury’s latest triumph. Sekhon said: “Tyson has shown time after time that he can prove himself in that ring against Wilder. He understands the art well and performs above everybody’s expectations.…