Best of British is the way to go

Les Chapman

MANCHESTER City kit manager Les Chapman is a larger than life character in the Eastlands dressing room.

The former Athletic star — who lives in Delph — now writes a weekly football in the Oldham Evening Chronicle.


I WOULD like to see a British manager run the national team when Fabio Capello leaves.

It makes complete sense and I was staggered the FA didn’t appoint one after Steve McClaren.

It is a massive job and I know you have to be a diplomat as well as a coach these days. But Sir Alf Ramsey ticked both of those boxes and it can be done again.

Martin O’Neil, Sam Allardyce and Roy Hodgson are all capable of doing the job. I have worked with Sam and I know he would relish the prospect.

But I’m not on the board of the FA and don’t know what they are thinking. They’re all about 107-years-old aren’t they?



APART from our own Joe Hart, who kept us in the game at Tottenham Hotspur, it wasn’t a great couple of days for goalkeepers.



Pepe Reina and Chris Kirkland made uncharacteristic mistakes for Liverpool and Wigan respectively, but that is the Premier League for you.

For pure drama, surprises and action, it is the best league in the world.

How different is this entertaining league to the World Cup we just witnessed?

To me, England players looked mentally tired.

If you count the training leading up to the tournament, they were away for six or seven weeks, which is a long time in that sort of environment. Maybe they needed a bit more of a break in their routine.

AS for City’s 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane, like I said Joe prevented us going in several goals down at half-time but we were better after the break.

Hopefully we can take positives into the Europa League game in Romania against Timisoara on Thursday and then at home to Liverpool on Monday.

The visit of Hodgson’s men will be tough and even though Joe Cole is suspended, they have a strong squad which I fully expect to challenge for a top four place this season.

ALL eyes were on Ian Holloway’s Blackpool at the weekend and I was delighted to see them do so well.

It is a long, hard season but their 4-0 win at Wigan Athletic proved what team spirit and the right attitude can achieve.

They showed desire and commitment throughout the match.

Football needs personalities like Ian and I wish him and his team all the best for the rest of the campaign.



FINALLY, I’m am absolutely delighted to see my old friend Paul Dickov making such a good start at Athletic.

He is as genuine and honest as they come and I am rooting for him. I hope it continues and they earn promotion from npower League One.