Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

IT'S not very often that I praise the Football Association but they definitely deserve a pat on the back for their bid to halt the decline of men playing the 11 a side game.

A £200m investment scheme in grass roots football includes improving access and quality of pitches.

Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

NEXT time you think times are a bit tough, spare a thought for Gary Parkinson.

The former Middlesbrough footballer was head of youth development at Blackpool when he suffered a severe stroke last year. The 43 year old has locked-in syndrome which means he is fully aware of what's going on around him but is totally paralysed apart from being able to use his eyes.