Latest news with #Mulligan
The Courier
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: The making of Josh Mulligan at Dundee – in his own words
Josh Mulligan's time as a Dundee player could be coming to an end this summer. If it does, his 14-year association with his boyhood club will come to a close. Six years after making his first-team debut for the club, Mulligan has seen over 100 players signed at Dens Park. The majority of those have come and gone in that time. This summer it could be the 22-year-old who goes as his contract expires and clubs line up with offers. But how did Josh Mulligan become the player he is today? This the making of Mulligan, in his own words. Josh Mulligan was born on 12 November 2002 on the same day in the same hospital as future Dundee team-mate Fin Robertson. Born into a family mixed with Dundee and Celtic supporters, Mulligan has been a dark blue all his life. He joined Douglas Lads around five-years-old 'just down the road from my house' before joining another future Dens team-mate Lyall Cameron at Logie Harp. Cameron and Mulligan would join forces again down the road at Dens Park but initially went their separate ways with the former heading to Dundee United. There was only one club for Mulligan, however. 'It was amazing being scouted by Dundee,' Mulligan exclusively told Courier Sport. 'You never really expect to get this far when you're that age. 'You're just thinking about the next game of football or even the next training session. 'The football we played was good stuff and Fin [Robertson] was in the team. 'Not really anyone else has made it to the first team but we had a really good side and it was really enjoyable. 'You always took the game seriously. It's like now – if you had a bad game on a Sunday, it would ruin your whole week.' The season finale at St Johnstone on May 18 was Mulligan's 123rd first-team appearance for Dundee. His first came way back in 2019 as then-interim manager James McPake ditched the loan players that had failed to keep Dundee in the Premiership in favour of the gems he knew were waiting in the academy. McPake had been the Dark Blues youth chief and wasted little time in blooding Fin Robertson and Josh Mulligan in an end-of-season match against St Mirren. 'When I was younger coaches like Tony Murray and Sandy Buchan were really good for me,' Mulligan recalled of his academy days. 'Then as you get a bit older, you got to Jazz [James McPake] and Darren O'Dea. They were brilliant. They really understood the game because they've been players. 'I think that's when I started developing a bit more when I got to the U/18s. The coaching was really good and I think that set us up. 'Obviously Jazz got the manager job. That helped as well because he put us straight in. 'All the boys that were there – me, Lyall, Fin, Max Anderson and a few others as well. 'It helped make that step up from youth to first team a bit easier.' The early days as a youth-team player stepping up to first-team training showed a young Mulligan what was required to make it in the game. Early on he saw first-hand how 'sharp' Glen Kamara was. The Finn was the star player in Neil McCann's team back in 2018 when Mulligan signed his first pro deal and would go on to success with Rangers, play at Euro 2020 and has since featured for Leeds United, Rennes and finished the recent season on loan at Saudi side Al-Shabab. Mulligan was older when Charlie Adam arrived at boyhood club Dundee following a stellar Premier League career. 'Charlie Adam was really, really good in training,' Mulligan recalled. 'You could see the positional awareness he had. 'He knew exactly where players were around him. 'I play midfield. I'm still learning but that's the part that separates the good players from the top players. That awareness on the pitch. He had that. 'Obviously his left foot helped as well. 'But his brain was always a couple of steps ahead. I'm always learning every day. 'I think that's what it takes to get to that high level. It's good to have the talent and attributes. 'But it's in the brain where you need to be sharp.' Mulligan credits loan spells at Cove Rangers and Peterhead as crucial points in his development. The drop into part-time football gave the youngster a dose of the reality of football below the top level. Joining former Dundee manager Paul Hartley at Cove Rangers in League Two began the first team journey proper in January 2020. Mulligan played eight times as the Aberdeen outfit won the division amid the Covid shutdown. He'd then join another with a Dens Park link, Jim McInally, at Peterhead. There he was compared to Gareth Bale by Simon Ferry, then a player-coach with the Blue Toon. 'Even at Cove, I always say even though I didn't play as much as I wanted, just going out and experiencing the men's game was brilliant,' Mulligan said. 'Obviously I didn't play as much but I think that learning really helped me. My second loan was a bit more successful. 'I was playing every weekend. Jim McInally was brilliant. I still message him now. 'I think he was probably the first manager that put that trust in me to go and play every week. He obviously put me at wing-back, which is a position I still play now. I still enjoy it. 'I think he was really good for me. Si Ferry was obviously one of the coaches as well. They were really good. 'Those loans were an eye-opener. You are playing with boys desperate to win just to get that extra bit of money. You really see what the game was all about. 'You had that extra bit of pressure as well. You had to perform. 'I think I took to that well. It helped having [former Dundee youngster] Danny Strachan and Lyall [Cameron] there. 'I really enjoyed Peterhead. It was good times.' The best time in his young career, though, came under the lights at Stenhousemuir. The date was May 5, 2023. On the line was the Championship title. A final day shootout between Dundee and Queen's Park. The winner won the league and would be a Premiership club the following season while the loser would drop into the play-offs. A crazy game ended 5-3 to the Dee with Mulligan playing 90 minutes. 'That final game was unbelievable,' he adds. 'A really good moment in my career. 'Some people go full careers without winning a trophy. I'm hugely grateful for that season and that team as well. 'The players on that team, I still speak to most of them now. It was unbelievable. 'The core of that team were Dundee boys. That helped as well. 'That was a good season. [Manager] Gary Bowyer was brilliant with me. He was another one that really took me under his wing. 'He was a bit old school, a top manager. 'You see what he's done now with Burton. He kept them up obviously. I still message him now. 'He was brilliant with me. 'That season in general was really good.' By the end of the past season, Mulligan moved beyond the likes of Julian Speroni, Matt Lockwood, Juan Sara and Gordon Strachan in the all-time appearance list. So how does it feel for a lifelong Dundee fan to play more than a century of games for the Dark Blues? 'I'm really proud,' he said. 'Not just for myself but my family. I'm really proud of what I've achieved here. 'Over 100 games. It just flies in. I remember the first game I played against St Mirren. 'If you'd said that to me then, I would never have believed you. 'It's something I'm really proud of.'
Metro
a day ago
- Business
- Metro
Peak District visitors could face £1 entry fee to 'access incredible landscape'
A new way to fund one of Britain's most beloved national parks is being suggested by its chief executive, and it could involve charging visitors a small fee. The Peak District, which stretches across parts of Derbyshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and Yorkshire, became the UK's first national park in 1951. Its rugged moorlands, rolling hills and walking routes like the Pennine Way attract around 20 million visitors each year. But over the past decade, the Peak District National Authority says it has seen a 50% cut in its core funding. Just this year, its revenue grant has been slashed by 9%, all while it faces growing pressures, including wildfires, dangerous parking, rising operational costs and visitor demand. Chief executive Phil Mulligan believes a small visitor charge may be part of the solution. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. 'If we had 10p from each visitor, that would more than makeup for the cuts governments are making to our core grant,' he said in a statement to Metro. 'If we were to make it £1 per person, then we would not need any core government grant.' Unlike UK cities, which can introduce a tourism levy, national parks currently have no powers to charge those who visit. Mulligan says introducing a fee would require legislative change and government support, and even then, implementing it would bring its own set of challenges. 'I don't think anyone would mind paying that to access the incredible landscapes, natural environment and rich cultural heritage we have on offer, it is more a challenge of how you would collect it,' he explains. Most visitors to the Peak District only come for a few hours, meaning charging a bed tax or overnight accommodation would miss the majority. Adding road cameras, like those used for clean air zones or congestion charges, would be 'too expensive' and have a 'visual impact' on the landscape, according to Mulligan. He adds: 'There would also need to be a mechanism for excluding residents, business travel into the National Park, and those just travelling through the National Park to get somewhere else.' Despite these hurdles, Mulligan argues that the current funding model is no longer sustainable. He argues that National Parks are being asked to do more than ever – from boosting mental health and wellbeing to restoring nature and tackling climate change – but they don't have the resources to match. More Trending Mulligan says: 'The future sustainability and sufficiency of the current funding model is in question so we need to be asking the bigger question of how does the nation want to pay for National Parks to remain here for everyone, forever.' The idea of a tourist tax isn't new. Cities and protected areas across Europe already charge visitors small daily or overnight fees to help fund maintenance and conservation. In Venice, tourists are charged a day tax to enter the city during its peak season. In Switzerland and Portugal, hikers pay fees to access certain hiking trails, while Spanish national parks ask for contributions to maintain protected areas. UK cities have started to introduce similar charges. Edinburgh confirmed it would introduce a 'first of its kind' tourist tax on hotel stays, charging visitors £2 per night. While other local councils across the country have been exploring similar options. Chatsworth House – a grand stately home in the heart of Derbyshire on the banks of the river Derwent. Monsal Trail – a walking and cycling path along a former railway line, with stunning views of the Derybshire countryside. Mam Tor – known as the 'Shivering Mountain', this seven-mile loop hike is a favourite among hikers. Ladybower Reservoir – a scenic reservoir encircled by hiking trails. Peak Cavern – also known as 'The Devil's Arse', this is one of the UK's largest natural cave entrances, located in Castleton. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Baby in hospital after vicious dog attack in Manchester MORE: Map shows average savings in different UK regions — how does yours compare? MORE: Here's where two new reservoirs could be built in the UK
Scoop
2 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Resident Has To Travel To Cemetery For Safe Drinking Water
Lal Mulligan wants water she can drink from her tap. At the moment she travels from her home on Keenans Road in north-east Ashburton to the cemetery with plastic containers to source water from the treated town supply. Mulligan, who is concerned around high nitrates and E coli in her private bore supply, has been calling on the Ashburton District Council to extend drinking and wastewater pipes to the north-east - home to about 100 households - for years. Mulligan accused the council of turning their backs on the North-East community, asking "where's our water" when she presented her submission on the 2024-34 long-term plan submission. Now the council has come knocking. Council infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said the detailed design for a drinking water network in the whole of the northeast area had been done. Extensions will be carried out in increments, and only if there is landowner support, he said. The council would start with consulting the landowners in the Keenans Road-Company Road-Seafield Road block on connecting to the town supply. The letter to residents showed the cost to get the water piped to the property boundary is $12,518 - it is then up to each property to pay to connect from the boundary to their house. It is a price Mulligan is willing to pay, and she hopes it gets enough support to convince the council to proceed with the extension. Her only criticism was the council's consultation letter fails to explain the reason for the extension which is to "give residents safe potable water". "The water quality is so bad that we need to connect." The north-east of Ashburton has historic water quality issues, being high in nitrates and E coli, Mulligan said. "It's been contaminated from a long way back." Her water is tested monthly, paid for by AMP, and the results "are appalling", she said. The nitrate levels fluctuate from around 8 to 10.8mg/L and have been as high as 15mg/L - the maximum acceptable value for nitrate in drinking water is 11.3mg/L. E coli is a constant presence as well, she said. "You can boil the water to get rid of E coli but then you concentrate the nitrates. "Five years ago, I put in a deeper bore thinking my water would improve - nope. "I don't drink it ever." Up the road from Mulligan is probably one of the biggest landholders in the area - the Celtic Rugby Club. President Pete Gowans said the club had received the council letter offering the opportunity to connect to the town supply. "We'd be silly not to," he said. "We have systems in place for drinking water, so we don't have any issues." He said the club had a filtration system on the pump from its private bore supply, while most visiting teams brought their own filled water bottles. If the club has to stump up the cash to connect to the town supply it would be worth it, he said. "It will be to the benefit of everyone out there. "The area is growing with a lot of lifestyle blocks all subdivided up so there are a lot more people out here than there were 15 years ago." The council consulted on a reticulated water scheme for the North East area in late 2000, with the cost of the scheme estimated at that time at $1.7 million. The was insufficient support, around 12 percent, to justify proceeding with the project. As part of that consultation, the council had also asked about investigating a reticulated wastewater service. It faired better with 28 percent support, but still too low to justify progressing. In 2022/23, the council budgeted for an investigation into extending wastewater service to Residential D zoned land around Ashburton and to carry out detailed design for water supply in the north east. That work has been completed up to the design phase. Now the first tranche of north east landowners have the opportunity to convince the council to proceed with the extension. If the extension goes ahead and a property owner does not wish to connect, those properties may still incur a water supply charge through their rates (set at $409 in 2025/26). After paying the estimated $12,518 to connect, and the additional cost of connecting it from the boundary, the properties will receive the targeted water rate for a connected property ($817 in 2025/26). McCann said the council was also looking into a wastewater servicing project for the north-east area but "is only in its initial concept stage and council has made no commitment at this point to providing the service". At the council's Three Waters Services Committee meeting last month, the two projects were discussed and assets manager Andy Guthrie said the wastewater extension would "certainly open up opportunity for development that doesn't currently exist". McCann said ECan's position on new discharge consents in the area has "likely stalled some development".
The Spinoff
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Bloody crocs, vomit socks: The best moments from the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards
Alex Casey recaps the highlights of the 60th Aotearoa Music Awards. Last night the Viaduct Event Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau hosted the 60th Aotearoa Music Awards, a celebration of our best and brightest musicians and an annual opportunity to see just how many outfit changes Jesse Mulligan and Kara Rickard can pack into one awards night (I counted just four this year, but we are in tough times). Here are my observations from watching the RNZ livestream from my couch (you can now watch it on TVNZ+ if you missed out) with bonus commentary from awards attendee Toby Manhire, who sent me an email with the subject line 'Unsolicited radnom opinions' at 1.26am this morning. Category is: charcoal This is humiliating to admit, but I did have a tab open the other day to watch the red carpet of the American Music Awards, convinced like all the other idiot clowns around the world that Taylor Swift was going to slither out in a snake outfit and announce Reputation TV. That didn't happen, but what struck me was how boring everybody looked in their same-y sequins, deep plunge dresses and really bad wigs (she says in her trackpants). Dare I say that New Zealand turned it out comparatively, nailing a thrilling brief that can only be described as 'Charcoal! At the Disco' Dangerous day to be a pair of crutches Poor DARTZ drummer Rollyz, aka Hakopa Kuka-Larsen, who had to take the stage not once but twice on a pair of crutches to accept the Tui for best rock artist and best video content. 'What happened?' asked Mulligan. 'Carrying the band has its downsides,' joked Kuka-larsen. Poli-poli-poli, politicians It isn't a music awards night without some politicians in the house, including minister for arts, culture and heritage Paul Goldsmith wearing what our insider described as 'a t-shirt with a lion in sequins'. He was also spotted introducing his daughter to Lorde in the crowd, before announcing 'I could use some chips.' Later in the proceedings, Mulligan gave the esteemed guests a shout out. 'Tonight we have Paul Goldsmith, Tamatha Paul, Jenny Salesa, Chris Bishop, and Kahurangi Carter,' he said. 'Yes, I said them in a weird order so you wouldn't know when to boo.' There was an indiscernible hubbub in the crowd, soon revealed to be a cluster of people yelling 'Chloe! Chloe! Chloe!'. 'We love Chloe, our Tāmaki Makaurau MP,' said Rickard. 'Hey, we're not playing favourites here,' quipped Mulligan. One of the most heartwarming moments of the night came from best classical artist winner Jian Liu, who seemed totally chuffed to accept his award. 'Music, it doesn't matter what we do, it takes a lot of passion and dedication,' he said, gesturing out to the crowd of artists. 'Maybe we can jam together if you need a good pianist.' Later in the night, L.A.B. picked up that gauntlet after winning radio airplay record of the year: 'Maybe we have a jam with Jian Lu after this and come up with another one.' Stan Walker had a showstopper He won best Māori artist earlier in the night, describing the award as 'a win for all of us, as Māori we do everything collectively, I am them, they are me,' and dedicating it to 'all our tangata whenua here who make this possible.' That kaupapa was laid bare during Walker's live performance of 'Māori Ki Te Ao' in the second half, in which the stage swelled with Toitū Te Tiriti flags, kapa haka performers and supporters. 'I'd like to say another kia ora to our politicians still in attendance,' said Mulligan, flags still waving proudly in front of the camera. 'It's great to have you here.' As a sidenote, another cool Stan Walker tidbit came during one of the throwback packages, in which he reflected on the success of 'Little Black Box' and his initial resentment of it. 'That was a song that was given to me and it wasn't really my style,' he explained. 'For a little while I didn't even know what a black box was, and years later I found out the black box was actually orange.' Still, he acknowledged the role the song had in his career and that he has now come to embrace it. 'Felt like a microcosm for the night,' wrote our awards insider. 'The snobbery of NZ music is gone.' Hori Shaw had the speech of the night Accepting his award for best breakthrough artist in camouflage and Crocs, Ōpōtiki reggae artist Hori Shaw had the acceptance speech of the night (even if they were less speeches, more awkies Q&As). 'I came prepared but everything's just gone now,' he said into the microphone. 'What about thanking some people? Family?' suggested Mulligan. 'I'd like to thank my family,' said Shaw. 'I'm just a hori fulla from the East Coast, I feel more comfortable like this instead of wearing suits and all that. Still got a bit of blood on my Crocs from last night… chur cuz.' Mulligan summed it nicely: 'Fuck I love New Zealand.' And Callum Devlin had the scream of the night Accepting the best group award for Earth Tongue with a handicam and Ezra Simons' mum Pauline, Callum Devlin from Sportsteam and Hans Puckett unleashed an impressively long scream. Cat got your Earth Tongue, Mulligan? Jesse Mulligan… was in a metal band? Speaking of screams, when Devilskin took the stage to accept the people's choice award, Mulligan had a fan moment in front of guitarist Paul Martin. 'I used to love listening to you on the Axe Attack growing up,' he said, asking if Martin could have ever expected this success all these years later. 'Probably like you and Vomit Socks back in the day,' said Martin. Wait, what? 'Are are you saying Jesse Mulligan was in a metal band?' asked Rickard. 'That's all we've got time for,' said Mulligan. We need answers. It's a woman's world Sorry to sully this celebration of the best music of the year with a Katy Perry reference, but by god did the women of New Zealand music own the live performances last night. There was Aaradhna, winner of best soul/RnB artist, with the dreamy purple gold haze of 'Love 2 Love', CHAII commanding in a white taffeta cloud for 'We Be Killing It' and Fazerdaze bringing the house down with the shimmering ennui of 'Cherry Pie'. Special shout out to our faves Atomic, who performed a thrilling medley of iconic NZ tracks by women including Julia Deans and Vera Ellen dusting off 'Lydia'. 'My baaaaaaby' never sounded better. Flowers for Fazerdaze Taking out both best solo artist and best album of the year, Fazerdaze aka Amelia Murray finally got her flowers after one hell of a journey through the industry. She was visibly moved as the audience got to their feet in a standing ovation, including a very cute supportive Kris Jenner moment from her pal and stylist Rose Hope. 'I'm very overwhelmed in a really nice way, this feels like a dream,' Murray said. 'I've been doing this for 10 years and tonight I've won my first music awards.' Our insider had this to say: 'Fazerdaze! Incredible. So much love for her tonight. Felt like being at the launch pad of a rocket.' Lorde (and now honorary NZer Charli xcx) won single of the year Fresh out of the YMCA toilets and having just released her bare-torsoed, dirt-laden music video for 'Man of the Year', Ella Yelich-O'Connor took the stage to accept the Tui for single of the year for the 'girl, so confusing' remix with Charli xcx. 'It happened incredibly quickly and it truly changed my life,' said Yelich O'Connor on the collaboration, before thanking all the women in the industry who paved the way for her: 'it's hard to have these hard conversations as women but its easier if you do it.' Although there was still no acknowledgement of the New Zealander who said she walked like a bitch, Lorde also gave a shout out to Stan Walker's powerful performance. 'I want to say thank you to Stan, that was so moving,' she said. 'Watching from overseas this year as te reo Māori is defended the way that it is is so inspiring for me, it's so beautiful.' Explicitly addressing the sequin lion t-shirt types in the room, she then went on to say this: 'are we going to honour that treaty or what?' Six60 are so popular they had to make up an award for them The lads took the stage to accept the inaugural and definitely real 'Charts Icon' award, as Rickard listed off some truly ridiculous numbers and milestones. Four number one albums. 586 weeks in the singles charts. 1232 weeks in the album charts. Their albums have been certified platinum 38 times over, and their singles 48 times. They also won highest selling artist of the year, a prize that was previously won by acts such as Six60, Six60, Six60 and Six60 for the last seven years. 'I don't know if hold music is part of the charts, but that's probably why we are standing here,' joked Chris Mac. 'And for that, I apologise.' There was an amazing closing medley It began with Don McGlashan picking his way slowly through fallen leaves, and it ended with Troy Kingi absolutely shredding his way through 'Slice of Heaven'. The all star supergroup anthem to close the show was celebrating 60 years of the local music awards and 50 years of local music charts (what happened in that first decade?) and it did not disappoint. I'm talking Savage coming out for 'Swing', soon joined by Aaradhna for 'They Don't Know'. I'm talking Hollie Smith belting 'Bathe in the River'. I'm talking How bloody Bizarre. In the words of Vomit Socks frontman Jesse Mulligan, I fucking love New Zealand.
Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Carey Mulligan and cast 'freeze' in Pembrokeshire film shoot
The British actress stars in the upcoming comedy drama, The Ballad Of Wallis Island, which was filmed in coastal Wales during the summer. Director James Griffiths said: "Tom especially was going blue through most of the takes. "I think there was a medic going in, and you too, right (Carey)? We had a medic sort of checking your temperature for the cold stuff. "It was freezing." When asked if it was filmed during the summer, Oscar-nominated actress Mulligan said "it's Wales". The film sees Mulligan, who is married to singer Marcus Mumford, play one half of a disbanded folk band opposite Plebs star Tom Basden as her ex-boyfriend. The movie sees a fan and lottery winner – portrayed by comedian Tim Key – pay for them to reunite and perform a gig on an island, called Wallis. Mr Basden said the rural location, believed to be in and around Pembrokeshire, was "beautiful and it was unpredictable, weather wise, and it was challenging". Mr Key added: "We shot the short film (version) 18 years ago, and we're kind of very eager to get back to Wales. "Feels like it's a big part of the film. Ms Mulligan, 40, also recalled that the filming over a few weeks felt like a "summer camp together". Ms Mulligan, whose mother is from Llandeilo, Wales, also said: "I had such a little baby when we were filming, it's just attached to all these, like, gorgeous memories of my baby being little. "And you guys were all around, and everyone was cuddling her, and we were all sort of together for a bit. "So it's very precious to me." The original short film, The One And Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island, was nominated for a 2008 Bafta short film prize, and saw Mr Key and Mr Basden in the main roles. Ms Mulligan has been nominated three times for a best actress Oscar, for projects including coming-of-age hit An Education, revenge thriller Promising Young Woman, and biopic Maestro. The Ballad Of Wallis Island will come to UK cinemas on Friday.
