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BBC News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Paralympian David Wetherill breaks marathon record on crutches
A former Team GB Paralympian has broken the record for running a marathon on crutches in the fastest Wetherill, who played table tennis at three Paralympic Games, has used crutches every day since he was 10 due to having a bone condition called multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED).Mr Wetherill, who lives in Plymouth but grew up in Torpoint, in Cornwall, completed the London Marathon on Sunday in 5:59:05, beating the previous record of 6:11:11. He said beating the record, combined with raising money for charity, made it "one of the most beautiful days of my life". 'A bit dazed' "It was unbelievable, honestly, probably the best achievement I've ever done", he told John Acres at Breakfast on BBC Radio Devon."That sense of achievement is unparalleled it was incredible."Mr Wetherill said the aim of completing the race in under six hours was motivating him towards the end of the marathon. "When I crossed the line I was a bit dazed," he said. "To beat it by 12 minutes in the end, obviously in the back of my mind that was driving me forward."The reason why we were doing this though was driving me much, much more."He added: "Yesterday was one of the most beautiful days of my life, if not the most beautiful." Mr Wetherill ran the marathon to raise money for type 1 diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D."I have unbelievable gratitude and thanks to everyone who has supported us," he said."We have raised about £15,000 and that's what it's all about really and that has just blown us away."The time and getting to the finish line is just beyond what we could have ever dreamt."
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'It's great to have Reece Cole back'
Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell has challenged Reece Cole to return to his very best after an injury-stricken 27-year-old scored seven times in 42 appearances last season after joining the Grecians on a free from non-league Hayes, having almost dropped out of the a series of injury absences has limited the midfielder to only 22 appearances and two goals this term."Reece will be the first to tell you it's been a really disappointing season," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon."He's had so many niggly injuries, but when he's on the park, when the ball drops, you want it to drop to Reece Cole because of the quality he has with his right foot and delivery from set-pieces."Cole showed glimpses of his previous form on Tuesday when he netted his first goal since August to earn his team a point against Wigan Athletic."These players have that quality," Caldwell added. "It's difficult for them to find it all the time, but Reece showed after his goal what a good player he can be. He's been a huge miss for us this year."It's great to have him back. He knows he needs to get fitter and the season will probably finish at the wrong time for him, but a good preseason and hopefully next season we'll see the very best of Reece Cole again."
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Caldwell blames red card on his Scottish accent
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell believes his Scottish accent is the reason he was sent off at Lincoln City last Grecians boss was sent from the dugout for his reaction to the fourth official after a late winning goal was disallowed for a handball in the 0-0 Caldwell says he did not use bad language or run towards the fourth official at Sincil Bank. The former Celtic captain and Scotland defender addressed the issue for the first time on Thursday as his red card meant he was not allowed to conduct post-match interviews after Saturday's game."I obviously went over to the fourth official, who is 20 yards away because that's where the fourth official is at that stadium," Caldwell explained to BBC Radio Devon."So there is no way to communicate with the fourth official unless you leave your technical area. I didn't run, he said I was aggressive, people who know me, I've got a Scottish accent."Jen (Caldwell's wife) complains all the time how aggressive I am to her, to the kids, to the dog - I think it's the Scottish accent."It comes across very aggressive, but I didn't swear, I didn't run, in my opinion I wasn't aggressive."My accent and my Scottishness is aggressive, but yeah, I got sent off for that." Caldwell has received a letter from the football authorities regarding his red card, which is his second this 42-year-old was given a two-match ban and fined £2,750 after being sent from the dugout in the 2-1 loss at Wycombe Wanderers in January. But Caldwell feels his passion is being mistaken for aggression."I think we're getting a reputation for being ill-disciplined when I just think we're passionate and want the very best for our football club," he added."I don't think we're getting that and ultimately I'm paying the price and I do have to probably look at it have to change, and probably try and change my accent and be a little bit more 'Englified'."I can't obviously speak in my own accent because it comes across very aggressive, so I'm going to need to look at it because I do accept that it can't keep happening."But this time I genuinely feel like it was very, very harsh - a yellow card would have been more than enough."
