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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Dunphy's BBC debate a nostalgic reminder of English crisis never being far away
Nostalgia for the 1990s remains heavy. Just look at all those stadiums and parks the Gallaghers are filling. Football from the late 20th century has a similar cachet. No video assistant referees, no sportswashing; just good, hard, honest, simple fare, when men were men and pressing was what you did to your Burton suit. If the past is a foreign country then a recent BBC Archive release is a primary source of a time when the continental import remained exotic and not the dominant division of labour. 'Is English Football In Crisis?' asks an edition of On The Line in October 1993, broadcast the night before Graham Taylor's England played a key World Cup qualifier in Rotterdam. You know the match: Brian Moore correctly reading Ronald Koeman's free-kick – 'he's gonna flick one' – and the pathos of Taylor's hectoring of the linesman as England's hopes of qualifying for USA '94 sink into the briny. Such is the soap opera of the English game – its warring factions, its unrelenting thirst for cash – that a crisis is often close, though now further down the food chain than the England team and the Premier League. A televised meeting of 2025's key actors is near unimaginable considering the secrecy many owners maintain, the global span from whence they come and many battles already being in camera through lawyers. The number of talking heads and influencers willing to step into the gaps is almost too grotesque to countenance. Snapshot to 1993 however, 14 months into the life of the Premier League, an entity barely mentioned over 40 minutes, and a room of football men are vehemently defending their corners. Just one woman is visible; the future sports minister Kate Hoey, and just one black face; that of Brendon Batson, deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association. He remains wordless. Read More Hallgrímsson facing Brady blow after calf injury rules veteran out of World Cup qualifiers A raven-haired John Inverdale operates as a Robert Kilroy-Silk/Jerry Springer figure as various blokes in baggy suits – 'some of the most influential and thoughtful people in football' is Inverdale's billing – fight their corners. Here is a time before gym-buff execs, when male-pattern baldness is still legally allowed in boardrooms and exec boxes, when a moustache is anything but ironic. 'The whole game is directed towards winning rather than learning,' complains John Cartwright, recently resigned coach at the Lilleshall national academy, a less than gentle loosener. England's Football Association is swiftly under attack from Hoey over being 'out of touch'. Enter Jimmy Hill, a Zelig of football as player, manager, chair, the revolutionary behind the 1961 removal of the maximum wage, major figure – on and off screen – behind football's growth as a television sport. Few have filled the role of English football man so completely and his responses to Hoey are dismissive, truculent. 'You can only attack one question at a time and I find the attacks are so ignorant,' he rails, defending English coaching. Hill's stance has not travelled well. Within three years, Arsène Wenger, among others, would be upending the sanctity of English coaching exceptionalism. A short film from the ever gloomy Graham Kelly follows. The then-Football Association chief executive dolefully advertises his body's youth development plan before David Pleat's description of English youngsters as merely 'reasonable' rather blows Kelly's cover. Former Manchester City manager Malcolm Allison, by 1993 a long-lost 1960s revolutionary, declares England's kids were behind Ajax's as early as the late-1950s. 'Big Mal', demeanour far more On The Buses than On The Line, cuts the dash of ageing rebel, an Arthur Seaton still restless in his dotage, cast to the fringes as Cassandra. Next the programme's wild card; Eamon Dunphy, footballer turned bestselling writer. The irascible face of Irish punditry for many decades seizes the stage with typical barbed lyricism, hunting down the stuffed shirts who run the game, full j'accuse mode adopted from his opening words. 'English football has historically drawn its talent from the streets but unfortunately it has left its inspiration in the gutter,' he begins his own short film. Dunphy then lashes the 'merchant class' that 'have always wielded power', kicks against the 'subservient', celebrating football's 'free spirited' outsiders. Read More Adam Idah needs competition to thrive, says Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers 'Football's greatest men have usually been its saddest – ignored, betrayed or patronised,' says Dunphy, soon enough labelling English football media coverage as 'banal'. 'Where is football's Neville Cardus?' he asks, referencing the Guardian's legendary cricket writer, setting a slew of fellow journalists, including the late David Lacey, also of this parish, on defensive footings. Cast in 1993 as rabble-rousing agent of chaos from across the water, Dunphy would declare himself an Anglophile in his 2013 autobiography, appreciative of the freedom found in 1960s Manchester compared to the illiberal Ireland he came from. Here he despairs for what made English football once so magical, bemoaning Allison's estrangement and that Hill's experience was also confined to the sidelines. Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, a prime Premier League's architect, is next for a Dunphy dagger. 'You seem exceedingly smug about the idea of kids having to pay more for their identity' is a laser-guided attack on replica shirts being replaced each summer. It proves a tinderbox moment. Hill and Professional Footballers' Association chair Gordon Taylor soon fly at each other. 'Get yer facts right, Jim,' hisses Taylor as the subject of player wages ignites a bonfire fanned further by agent Eric Hall's 'monster monster' smirks. Inverdale calls for order and concludes with a round-robin from which Pleat's 'you need an impossible man, a democratic dictator right at the top of football' sounds positively frightening. Somewhere in Pleat's logic may lie the UK government's imminent imposition of an independent football regulator, a process that led today's power brokers into a sustained, bloody battle against such interference. Fast-forward 32 years, through Premier League and Champions League dominance, international failures and successes, foreign talent and investment, profit and sustainability, splintering media landscapes, women's football embodying national pride, much has changed and yet self-interest remains the darkest heart of English football.
Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Celeb Pawrents: Actor-singer Glenn Yong's pomeranian Rio brings the family closer
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – Glenn Yong may be one of the most-followed Singaporean celebrities on social media, but the actor-singer is not planning to create an account for his fur kid. The 28-year-old, who has over 530,000 Instagram fans and more than 420,000 TikTok followers, is the proud owner of Rio, a six-month-old male merle pomeranian that he handpicked from a local pet store in April. 'A lot of people have suggested the idea, but I don't even have the time to handle my own accounts,' he says. He did, however, post some photos and videos on Instagram when he first got Rio. He has always wanted a pomeranian and one with a unique appearance. He chose Rio for his merle colouring, with black-and-white patches that make him look like he 'comes from outer space'. Yong describes Rio as intelligent, confident, affectionate and sociable. 'He's so cute and the smart puppy knows he's adorable too,' says the proud pawrent, laughing. 'He's always happy and loves to be around people,' adds Yong, a fixture in local director Jack Neo's films, such as I Not Stupid 3 (2024) and The King Of Musang King (2023). The actor can currently be seen in microdrama On The Line. The 10-episode series follows Ruth (Seow Sin Nee), a rookie immigration officer learning the ropes of protecting Singapore's borders from her disciplined group leader Zachery, played by Yong. On The Line is streaming on Mediacorp TikTok, Mediacorp Drama YouTube Channel and mewatch. However, Yong worries that his puppy is too friendly with strangers. He says: 'What if someone just takes him away?' As much as Rio is playful and energetic, the puppy loves snuggling up to Yong and his family, which includes his parents and his elder brother. 'He'll run to you when you get home. You simply cannot resist cuddling him when you see his face,' says Yong. Glenn Yong chose Rio for his unique merle colouring, with black-and-white patches that make the dog look like he 'comes from outer space'. PHOTO: GLENN YONG The actor says Rio never fails to follow him around the home. But when he was away for two months in Malaysia for work recently, the pup quickly switched allegiance to Yong's mother. 'My mum became the main caregiver and took over the feeding and looking after of Rio, so he naturally started following her more,' says Yong. 'She tends to spoil him by giving him treats all the time. I have to remind her that he needs to earn his treats by following basic commands – such as sit, high-five and roll – or he'll become a spoiled brat.' As Rio is still young and just received his final vaccination, Yong plans to keep him indoors for now. 'He's still at the stage where he wants to bite and nibble on everything, so I think it's not very safe to take him out at this point,' Yong says. The home-grown celebrity made his acting debut in Channel 8 drama series The Good Fight (2019) before landing his breakout role in idol drama Live Your Dreams (2021). He was recently in the French capital for Paris Fashion Week to attend the Louis Vuitton and Kenzo shows. He was also involved in the publicity events for his new Malaysian romcom Step Dave. He plays a carefree 24-year-old bartender whose life is turned upside down when he falls for a sexy 39-year-old mother of three. Having Rio at home brings the whole family together, says Yong. 'My parents have retired, and my brother and I are working, so it's good to have someone in the house to keep my parents company,' says the bachelor. The family used to have a shih tzu named Prinze, who died in his old age more than a decade ago. Yong says his mother was affected by the loss and it took her a long time to get over it. 'Dogs are companions. They feel your emotions and become part of the family,' he adds . 'Having a dog is a commitment, but it brings so much joy. 'We spend more time together in the living room and everyone looks forward to coming home to play with him.'
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Wet Denim Release New Single ‘Lonely (For A While)'
Press Release – Wet Denim Fresh off the back of their acclaimed 2024 EP On The Line, Wet Denim return with their electrifying new single 'Lonely (For a While)' – a searing rock anthem that marks a bold new chapter for the band. To celebrate the release, Wet Denim have already played a ripping show at Auckland's Big Fan and will take the stage at their local stomping ground San Fran in Wellington on Saturday 26 April. Tickets are on sale now via Written during a session following the completion of their 2022 debut EP, 'Lonely (For a While)' has evolved alongside the band over the past two years. What began as a groovy, pop-leaning track has transformed through relentless live performances into an urgent rock banger. This release is Wet Denim's first song recorded entirely live in-studio, capturing the raw energy and chemistry of their dynamic sound. 'Lonely (For a While)' dives into themes of breaking free from unhealthy relationship cycles and learning to be content in solitude. The track pairs soaring vocal hooks and reflective lyrics with the lively guitar work that has become a Wet Denim signature – this time driven by bassist Joe Ledword's debut on bass synthesiser. Produced by Wet Denim and Dan Goodwin, mixed by Neil MacLeod, and mastered by Chris Chetland at KOG Studios, the single embodies the band's continued evolution and their commitment to pushing sonic boundaries. 'This track feels like a strong new direction for us, a song that captures the essence of our dynamic live sound. It's developed over the course of the past three years; from a track that was characterised by pop production, into a heated rock anthem,' the band shares. The song's release comes after a monumental year for Wet Denim. Alongside festival appearances and international support slots, recent highlights include completing an Australasian tour in support of On The Line, performing sold-out shows with Drax Project across Aotearoa, and making their arena debut supporting US heavyweights Highly Suspect. Fans can experience the band's explosive sound live at their Wellington release show on Saturday April 26th at San Fran. Tickets are available now.
Scoop
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Wet Denim Release New Single 'Lonely (For A While)'
Fresh off the back of their acclaimed 2024 EP On The Line, Wet Denim return with their electrifying new single 'Lonely (For a While)' – a searing rock anthem that marks a bold new chapter for the band. To celebrate the release, Wet Denim have already played a ripping show at Auckland's Big Fan and will take the stage at their local stomping ground San Fran in Wellington on Saturday 26 April. Tickets are on sale now via Written during a session following the completion of their 2022 debut EP, 'Lonely (For a While)' has evolved alongside the band over the past two years. What began as a groovy, pop-leaning track has transformed through relentless live performances into an urgent rock banger. This release is Wet Denim's first song recorded entirely live in-studio, capturing the raw energy and chemistry of their dynamic sound. 'Lonely (For a While)' dives into themes of breaking free from unhealthy relationship cycles and learning to be content in solitude. The track pairs soaring vocal hooks and reflective lyrics with the lively guitar work that has become a Wet Denim signature – this time driven by bassist Joe Ledword's debut on bass synthesiser. Produced by Wet Denim and Dan Goodwin, mixed by Neil MacLeod, and mastered by Chris Chetland at KOG Studios, the single embodies the band's continued evolution and their commitment to pushing sonic boundaries. "This track feels like a strong new direction for us, a song that captures the essence of our dynamic live sound. It's developed over the course of the past three years; from a track that was characterised by pop production, into a heated rock anthem," the band shares. The song's release comes after a monumental year for Wet Denim. Alongside festival appearances and international support slots, recent highlights include completing an Australasian tour in support of On The Line, performing sold-out shows with Drax Project across Aotearoa, and making their arena debut supporting US heavyweights Highly Suspect. Fans can experience the band's explosive sound live at their Wellington release show on Saturday April 26th at San Fran. Tickets are available now.
