Blame the topsoil, Roy

THE FA are blaming the poor state of their Wembley pitch on too much topsoil being applied in the summer — rather than the American football games which have upset England manager Roy Hodgson.

It’s seen by the FA as a technical problem that can be resolved, with the surface back in pristine condition before two Rugby World Cup games and three NFL matches next autumn provide another big test. Meanwhile, it has caused considerable surprise within the NFL that Hodgson should be so negative about American football at Wembley when FA general secretary Alex Horne had so recently described bringing an NFL franchise to the national stadium as a priority. THERE can be no complaints for a change about England teams failing to utilise their £100million St George’s Park training facility during the upcoming international week. Seven England sides — seniors, Under 21, U20, U19, women, cerebral palsy and blind — will be in residence and all will be respecting the 11am two-minute Armistice Day silence on Tuesday. A PANEL including Bruce Buck, David Sheepshanks and Kevin Keegan decided in their wisdom that the wholly unnecessary football business awards’ ‘outstanding contribution’ should go to former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon, who is now running football funds involved in thirdparty ownership outlawed in English football. JUNIOR rugby outfit Bracknell hold more Twickenham debenture seats than any club apart from Harlequins and Richmond. Bracknell’s savvy move was helped by club member and RFU grandee Jonathan Dance having devised the terms and conditions of Twickenham ticketing policy during his years on the ticketing committee, when he did everything by the book. Dance now occupies the best seat in the house as president of the RFU.