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Chambers' book was a bad idea
CONTROVERSIAL sprinter Dwain Chambers says he just wants to get on with his running and he was very impressive in winning European Championships indoor gold in Turin at the weekend.
But how much was the medal win about personal glory and how much about selling his autobiography which, coincidentally, was published this week?
Extracts from the book were published in a national newspaper and they included criticism of Lord Sebastian Coe, questions over Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu's drug testing conduct and claims that Chambers' agent John Regis had always known his client had taken drugs.
Chambers has served his two-year ban for taking the banned steroid THG and will never be allowed to compete at the Olympics.
Many, and I would be among them, would consider that he has done the time and should be allowed to get on with his career and I have no problem with athletes writing books about their careers.
The fact that he has punished his book while still competing is the problem. Obviously it has come out at a time when the publishers, who have presumably paid a good deal of money, believe they can get the best return on their investment.
But if Chambers really did just want to run - for personal and national glory as he has claimed - he would have waited until he retired to drag it all up again.
THERE was precious little FA Cup magic in evidence in the weekend's fifth and sixth round ties.
Manchester United thrashed Fulham, Chelsea overwhelmed Coventry, Arsenal walloped Burnley and no one was interested in Everton against Middlesbrough.
Three of the big four are still in it with only Everton, who have done remarkably well with no strikers this season, and Hull City, who face the Gunners for a place in the final four, remaining from the rest.
I have said it before - and will say it again - Phil Brown has done a remarkable job at the KC Stadium.
And the former Halifax Town skipper did well to hold his nerve when, after a blistering start to the campaign, the Tigers suffered a horrendous slump.
But can he mastermind a repeat of his team's win at the Emigrates earlier in the season when the sides meet for a place in the semi-finals?
Sadly, I don't think so and with winnable league games coming up against Wigan, Newcastle and Portsmouth, I imagine the cup will have little magic for Phil in any case.
SPEAKING of cup magic, Siddal provided what little there was in the Challenge Cup and bolstered the argument that only the leading amateur sides should be involved.
Swinton were given an almighty fright before eventually progressing at the Shay on Saturday.
But when team like the Army, Loughborough Students, Lokomotiv Moscow and Saddleworth concede 344 points between them to professional opposition, it becomes a bit of a farce.
Once it was the leading amateur sides in the country who got into the Challenge Cup and it was a day to remember for the clubs taking part.
Those who want to project the image of rugby league as a sport played at a high level throughout the country - and the world - have done the game a great disservice by expanding the competition.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
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