Latest news with #ChrisPhillips
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Southend United fans' heartache after Oldham Athletic defeat
Southend United fans were devastated after their dream of returning to the English Football League ended in heartbreaking goals in quick succession by Oldham Athletic sunk the Blues in front of a record-breaking National League crowd of more than 52,000 at Wembley Shrimpers supporters insisted there was cause for optimism after a turbulent few years, where financial issues almost saw their side go Glenn Pennyfather said he was proud of how close the Essex side came, but admitted: "Football's such a cruel game at times." Southend led twice before James Norwood's extra time leveller was followed by a Kian Harratt cross drifting beyond everyone and into the net at the far post. 'Painful' Chris Phillips, who has reported on Southend United for the Echo newspaper since 2003, said it was "hard to put into words" how he felt."You can say painful, heartbreaking, all of those descriptions, but it doesn't even come close to how I feel right now," Phillips said."This is probably up there with the worst I've ever felt as a Southend fan." The showpiece match, which saw Oldham promoted to League 2, attracted 52,115 fans - beating the 47,029 people who watched the 2015 came despite a row over ticket allocations when organisers limited the attendance due to safety concerns, before later granting more fans had been desperate to watch from inside Wembley after a bleak spell that led to players and staff going unpaid and HMRC winding-up insisted there was cause for optimism despite the turnaround in extra time being a "bitter pill to swallow". "Around 30,000 Southend fans go home disappointed, but I imagine immensely proud too," he said."The football club has picked itself off the canvas after such adversity and this all bodes well for the future." Owen Leworthy, 29, said Southend had "exceeded expectations" all season, after narrowly making the play-offs by finishing seventh."It's sad to fall at the final hurdle, but it's nice to see a good bit of progress from our football team," he Bligh, 29, added: "It's tragic. I'm absolutely gutted... But we should always hold our heads high. We will be back."It was a feeling echoed by 40-year-old David Bonnett, who said: "Next year we'll come back, we'll be stronger, we'll be up there and I think we'll be promoted. "We're all gutted today but who knows what could happen next?" Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Residents still without power days after microburst
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Days after severe weather hit the Austin metro area, many residents still find themselves without power. As of Saturday night, Austin Energy's outage map shows over a thousand Austin Energy customers without power. Chris Phillips is one of residents without power living in Northwest Austin. 'We're hopeful. We keep getting reports that Austin Energy is making a lot of progress,' Phillips said. READ MORE: NWS survey team confirms long-track microburst hit Austin metro One of Phillips' concerns with the power outages was staying cool, as the Austin metro has seen temperatures in the 80s and 90s since the storm. Phillips said he was mowing his lawn's grass as a result of the heat. 'I just figured, if I'm going to be sweaty inside, I might as well be productive and sweaty outside,' Phillips said. Matt Schocket is another resident in northwest Austin, and he wished there was more communication from the city on how long the outages would last. 'It's pretty miserable,' Schocket said. 'Had they told me three days ago when this happened—hey it's going to be four or five days—I would have handled this a lot differently. You don't like fire up a generator and kind of do these things for four or five days. I would have gone to a hotel.' Austin Energy said on social media they plan to move into 'Phase 3' of restoration on Sunday, which means crews will focus 'on even more complex and time-consuming restoration efforts.' They said such efforts could take hours to repair and restore power for residents at a slower pace. Austin Energy also announced on social media they will be hosting a community event on Sunday provide 'helpful resources and information' regarding storm restoration. The event will occur at Austin Energy's headquarters from 12-4 PM on Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Echo reporter stages popular pre-Wembley livestream ahead of Blues' final
In good spirits - Chris Phillips (right) with Mitchell and Mike Drew (Image: NICKY HAYES) SOUTHEND Echo reporter Chris Phillips staged a successful pre-Wembley live-stream at the Railway Pub tonight. Chris - who has covered the Shrimpers for the Echo since 2003 - was joined by a number of key names from the club and community ahead of Sunday's play-off final with Oldham Athletic. Advertisement And he was keen to thank those who helped him raise funds for the Mind of the Student charity. Chris said: "These things are always hard to put together and run but it was great to have so many great guests. "It was nice to speak to those who played such a key part during the club's struggles and to really sit back and reflect on how far we've come before we kept caught up in the madness of Wembley. "A big thanks also goes to Data Migrator for sponsoring the livestream and the Railway for hosting. "We had more than 6,000 people tuned in for most of it and we raised a good amount of money for a cause so close to my heart too." Advertisement Among those to join Chris for interviews were Darryl Flahavan, Justin Rees, Steve Tilson, Tom Lawrence, Daniel Cowan, Barry Corr, Duncan Jupp and Jason Demetriou. Chris also spoke with Mitchell Drew - the young fan he memorably photographed cleaning the never give up sign at Roots Hall - plus several supporters who have flown in from all around the world to be at Wembley. National League expert Sam Collyer also gave his views on Sunday's game. Chris added: "The stream can still be watched via my Twitter channel and on Facebook for anyone who might be interested. "People can still donate too."
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Latest: MPs elect new Speaker as Ottawa welcomes King and Queen
OTTAWA — King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in Ottawa today to begin their first visit to Canada since the King's coronation two years ago. Parliament also opened today and MPs voted to select the next Speaker of the House of Commons. Here's the latest. All times Eastern. — 2 p.m. The King and Queen take part in a community gathering at Lansdowne Park which draws a large crowd. A small group of people chant, "God Save the King! God Save the King!" The pair meet with local vendors and artisans and enjoy cultural performances. The King drops a puck to start a street hockey game. — 1:58 p.m. The King and Queen arrive at Lansdowne Park. — 1:30 p.m. Ballet Aztlan performs at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa ahead of the King's arrival. Aztlan is the Aztec word for 'lands of the gods.' Several groups are performing to showcase Canada's unique mosaic of cultures. Children from the African Hockey Association and l'Association de hockey féminin Vallée de Gatineau are set to play a street hockey game, with the King dropping the puck. Honorary coaches are introduced before the game starts. They include former Senators defenceman Chris Phillips and Olympic soccer gold medalist Desiree Scott. The receiving line for the King includes Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. — 1:30 p.m. The King and Queen shake hands with people in the crowd before getting into a vehicle. They drive away with a motorcade. This afternoon, they're expected to take part in a community gathering at Lansdowne Park and a ceremonial tree planting at Rideau Hall. — 1:15 p.m. The plane carrying the King and Queen lands in Ottawa. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon are on hand to greet the King and Queen at the airport. — 12:50 p.m. Carney arrives at the Canada Reception Centre. Carney's motorcade is followed closely by Simon's. Both go directly inside to await the King and Queen. A RCAF band plays some warm-up tunes, including "Teddy Bear's Picnic." — 12:30 p.m. Dozens of First Nations leaders from across the country gather in front of Parliament Hill with a message for the King: respect your treaty partners. The leaders say they also want the Liberals to take action on reforming the child welfare system, protecting traditional lands and building infrastructure desperately needed in Indigenous communities. Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief David Pratt says King Charles, and in turn Canada, should uphold and respect the treaty relationship they began with his ancestors. He says the relationship between First Nations and the Crown was not intended to be one-sided and that the Crown should not be dictating to them on how to live their lives. — 12:20 p.m. MPs hold a moment of silence in the House of Commons for the victims of the April 26 car ramming in Vancouver, which killed 11 people and injured many others. — 12:15 p.m. A large crowd of journalists has arrived at the Ottawa airport to await the arrival of the King and Queen. Groups of schoolchildren have gathered inside the Canada Reception Centre about an hour before the plane is set to touch down. A military band has been warming up. — 11:59 a.m. Members of Parliament have chosen Quebec Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia to be their next Speaker of the House of Commons. His election follows an unusually dramatic race that saw the only Conservative contenders drop out of the running at the last minute. In his speech to the House making his pitch for the job, Scarpaleggia compared adjudicating parliamentary proceedings to hockey. There's nothing wrong with a 'board-rattling, polemical bodycheck in the corners,' he said, but the 'problem is when sticks go high.' — 10:35 a.m. Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a statement welcoming the King and Queen to Canada. "The Royal Visit is a reminder of the bond between Canada and the Crown — one forged over generations, shaped by shared histories and grounded in common values. A bond that, over time, has evolved, just as Canada has, to reflect the strength, diversity and confidence of our people," Carney said in the statement. The prime minister said that tomorrow's throne speech will describe the government's plan "to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States, to build the strongest economy in the G7, to bring down the cost of living, and to keep communities safe." _ 9:31 a.m. The candidates for Speaker each have been allotted five minutes to address the House before members vote by preferential secret ballot. The vote is being presided over by Louis Plamondon, currently the longest-serving MP. Liberal MP Greg Fergus, the last Speaker, is seeking to win the role back — although critics accused him in the last Parliament of being overly partisan. He has presented himself as an experienced hand who has learned and grown into the role. _ 9:02 a.m. Newly elected MPs have gathered in the House of Commons to vote for their next Speaker and two candidates have already withdrawn from the running. Conservative MPs Chris d'Entremont — a former deputy Speaker — and John Nater had put their names forward but withdrew at the last minute. _ 8:51 a.m. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says the presence of the King and Queen "at this pivotal moment in our history holds profound significance." She says their role in Canada is more than symbolic, and serves as a "cornerstone of the democratic freedoms and rights we cherish." _ 8 a.m. Newly elected MPs will vote by secret ballot when Parliament returns today to decide who will become the next Speaker of the House of Commons. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025. Canadian Press Staff, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Echo launches petition for more tickets for National League play-off final
THE ECHO has tonight launched a petition urging Southend United and Oldham Athletic fans to be given more tickets for their Wembley final. The two teams will meet in the National League play-off final at the world famous home of English football on Sunday June 1. SIGN OUR PETITION HERE TO GIVE FANS MORE TICKETS But, as things stands, both sides have seen their allocation limited to 17,500 tickets due to planned engineering works on the trainline. However, the decision has quite rightly angered supporters of both sides and the Echo's chief sports reporter Chris Phillips has now set up a petition to show the strength of feeling among the supporters. He said: "Southend United and Oldham Athletic both have incredible supporters and as many of them as possible deserve to go to Wembley to watch their side. "Both clubs have gone through an awful lot on and off to get here and this is could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to see our sides play at such an iconic stadium. "This is proper football and proper clubs who form a huge part of their community. "I hope as many people as possible sign the petition to show how much this means to the fans."
