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New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Meet the unhinged killer cowboys who made Texas legendary and the Old West ‘wild'
As much as the 'Gunfighter Era' of the Old West was characterized by shoot-outs in the streets, so too was it known for tall tales and quick quips. Consider the case of Pink Higgins. Higgins stumbled upon a cattle rustler who had just killed and butchered one of his herd, so he shot the man dead and stuffed him inside the steer. As Bryan Burroughs recounts in 'The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild' (Penguin Press, June 3), 'then [Higgins] rode into town to tell the sheriff he should come see a miracle, a cow giving birth to a man.' 5 Wild Bill Hickok was one of the first and most infamous Texan cowboys, given mass attention in an 1867 article in Harper's, and claimed he had killed hundreds. Wikipedia/ Public Domain The first nationally known gunfighter was 'Wild Bill' Hickok, whose fame was cemented by a Harper's Weekly profile in 1867 that claimed he'd killed 'hundreds' of men. While that number was laughably exaggerated, Wild Bill killed plenty. The first was at a Nebraska stagecoach station in 1861, when Hickok was told to butt out of a loud dispute because it was none of his business. 'Perhaps 'tis,' he was said to nonchalantly reply, 'Or 'tain't.' Then he drew his pistol, killing one man and wounding two others. But to live by the 'Gunfighter's Code' of the Old West was to die by it, too. As a Kansas marshal in 1871, Hickok shot dead a cowboy who'd unexpectedly fired on him, but then when his own deputy came racing around a corner with guns drawn 'Wild Bill' accidentally killed him, too. Then in 1875 in Deadwood, SD, a man Hickok had beaten at poker executed America's most famous gunfighter with a cowardly shot to the back of his head. When gunfighters weren't killing or being killed though, a lot of time they were cracking wise. 5 Legendary cowboy Wyatt Earp and his brothers cut a murderous path through 19th century Texas. Wikipedia/ Public Domain Clay Allison was a fearsome 'shootist' likely suffering from Civil War PTSD, who once rode his horse through a frontier town wearing only a gun-belt. Before shooting one of his victims, Allison first invited him to dinner — the two eventually exchanging bullets right at the table. Asked why he would invite his victim to share a meal before killing him, Burroughs writes that Allison just shrugged. 'Because I didn't want to send a man to hell on an empty stomach.' 5 A scene from the barely developed streets of Deadwood in 1876. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration There's Mysterious Dave, who announced, 'You have lived long enough,' to a cowboy he then shot dead. And professional gambler Ben Thompson, who was told by a threatening gunfighter to avoid a certain city because men were waiting for him there. But the card shark was hardly scared, Burroughs writes. 'I'm Ben Thompson,' he purred. 'If I should go up there, I would serve the boys just so.' Ditto Doc Holliday at the O.K. Corral, who replied to an opponent's threat that he would shoot him down with a laconic 'you're a daisy if you do.' And at the end of that gunfight, it was the infamous Wyatt Earp who had the last word. Looking down at the dead men Earp and his brothers had just defeated in a dispute over carrying their weapons in town, Wyatt joked they no longer 'have to disarm that party.' Even local newspapers could kid about gunplay in the streets, with an 1872 story in Kansas noting the lack of shootings that summer with a headline announcing 'No One Killed Yet.' Another notable characteristic of the Old West's 'Gunfighter Era' was its exaggerated exploits. William 'Wild Bill' Longley claimed to have killed more than 30 men, but the more likely number was four or five. 5 'The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild' is written by Bryan Burrough. 5 Author Bryan Burroughs. And though Johnny Ringo was once considered the most fearsome gunfighter in the country, it was only confirmed that he'd fired his pistol twice. Once he wounded a man in a bar room argument, Burrough writes, with the other incident even less impressive. 'The only other time we're certain Ringo fired… he shot himself in the foot.' There were plenty of real gunfights in those days, though, over slights big and small, whether rustling a man's cattle or cutting in on his dance. One siege at a homestead went on so long that the farm's hogs eventually began devouring the bodies of dead combatants. Maybe the most incredible gunfight of them all occurred in New Mexico in 1884, when a sole, 19-year-old wannabe lawman named Elfego Baca took on 80 angry Texas cowboys. Wearing an unofficial, mail-order badge, Baca arrested and jailed one Texan for misbehaving in the town's streets. When a handful of the captive's friends demanded his release, Baca squared off with them and told them he would begin to shoot. The Texans laughed, but Baca began to fire. He killed one as the others fled, at least until they returned 80 strong. All alone, Baca then engaged the Texans in a gun battle, ultimately being chased into an abandoned home. The Texans unloaded so many bullets that eventually the house collapsed onto itself. Four hundred bullet holes were later counted in its front door alone, but when law enforcement eventually intervened, Baca had killed four and walked away unscathed. Writes Burroughs: 'Covered with dust, Baca emerged in his underwear, a revolver in each hand.'
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Mammoths vs. Elephants: A detailed comparison on the basis of characteristics, habitat and more
Source: Wikipedia Mammoths and elephants are two of the most fascinating and iconic members of the elephant family and they even share many similarities yet exhibit distinct differences. While elephants roam the Earth today, mammoths lived thousands of years ago during the Ice Age and are now extinct. Comparing these prehistoric giants with their modern relatives helps us understand how they adapted to different environments, their physical traits, behavior and their place in natural history. This comparison sheds light on the characteristics, habitat,survival and challenges faced by these remarkable creatures. How mammoths and elephants are different Aspect Mammoths Elephants Physical Characteristics Thick, shaggy fur; long, spiraled tusks; stocky body with fat hump; smaller ears; built for cold Sparse hair; straighter tusks; larger ears (especially African elephants); adapted to warm climates Species & Classification Genus Mammuthus; extinct; famous species: woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) Genus Elephas (Asian elephants) and Loxodonta (African elephants); three living species; endangered Habitat & Distribution Lived in Ice Age tundras & grasslands of North America, Europe, northern Asia; cold, icy climates Found in sub-Saharan Africa (savannas, forests, deserts) and South/Southeast Asia (tropical forests) Diet & Behavior Herbivores; grazed cold-tolerant plants; lived in matriarchal herds; used trunks for feeding & social interaction Herbivores; varied diet including fruits and bark; matriarchal herds; behaviors include dust bathing and mud wallowing Extinction & Conservation Extinct ~4,000 years ago due to climate change and hunting; cold adaptations lost value Still alive; threatened by habitat loss, poaching, human conflict; conservation efforts ongoing Evolutionary Relationship Shared common ancestor with elephants; diverged millions of years ago; closely related genetically Closest living relatives to mammoths; evolutionary adaptations to warm climates Cultural & Historical Significance Featured in Ice Age art; used for tools and food by early humans Symbolize strength, wisdom, royalty; important in religion, folklore, warfare, and labor historically Adaptations Thick fur, fat layer, curved tusks for snow digging, smaller ears to reduce heat loss Large ears for heat dissipation, sparse hair, versatile trunks, strong legs and tusks adapted to warm environments Mammoths vs elephants: Key differences Physical characteristics Mammoths and elephants share similar body structures but have notable differences. Mammoths were generally covered in thick, shaggy fur to survive Ice Age cold, while elephants have sparse hair suited for warmer climates. Mammoths had long, curved tusks that spiraled more dramatically than elephants' straighter tusks. Their bodies were stockier with a hump of fat on their backs for insulation. In contrast, elephants have larger ears, especially African elephants, which help regulate body temperature. Both species have trunks and large, sturdy legs but mammoths were built to endure freezing conditions, whereas elephants are adapted to tropical and savanna environments. Species and classification Mammoths and elephants both belong to the family Elephantidae, making them close relatives. Mammoths fall under the genus Mammuthus, with the most famous species being the woolly mammoth, which lived during the Ice Age. In contrast, modern elephants belong to the genus Elephas which are Asian elephants and Loxodonta which are African elephants. There are three main living species: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant,and the Asian elephant. While mammoths are extinct, elephants continue to survive but many species face threats and are considered vulnerable or endangered. Habitat and distribution Mammoths primarily lived in cold and icy environments during the Ice Age, such as the vast tundras and grasslands of North America, Europe and northern Asia. Their thick fur and fat helped them survive harsh, freezing climates. In contrast, modern elephants inhabit warmer regions. African elephants are found across sub-Saharan Africa in savannas, forests, and deserts while Asian elephants live in tropical forests and grasslands across South and Southeast Asia. Unlike mammoths, which are extinct, elephants still roam diverse habitats but face challenges due to habitat loss and human activity. Diet and behavior Both mammoths and elephants were herbivores, primarily feeding on grasses, leaves, shrubs, and bark. Mammoths grazed on tough and cold-tolerant plants and were found in Ice Age tundras while elephants consume a wide variety of vegetation depending on their habitat, including fruits and tree bark. Socially, both animals lived in herds led by a matriarch, showing strong family bonds and complex communication. They used their trunks for feeding, drinking and social interaction. While mammoths adapted to harsh and cold environments, elephants display behaviors suited to warmer climates, such as dust bathing and mud wallowing to regulate body temperature. Extinction and conservation Mammoths went extinct around 4,000 years ago, primarily due to climate change at the end of the Ice Age and hunting by early humans. Their cold-adapted traits became less useful as temperatures rose, leading to habitat loss. In contrast, elephants are still alive today but face serious threats from habitat destruction, poaching for ivory and human-wildlife conflict. Conservation efforts focus on protecting elephant habitats, enforcing anti-poaching laws and supporting breeding programs to prevent their decline. While mammoths are gone, the survival of elephants depends heavily on global conservation actions to ensure these majestic creatures do not face the same fate. Evolutionary relationship Mammoths and elephants share a common ancestor and belong to the same family that is Elephantidae. Their evolutionary paths diverged millions of years ago, with mammoths adapting to cold Ice Age environments while elephants evolved to thrive in warmer climates. Despite differences in appearance and habitat, their genetic makeup remains closely related. Modern elephants are considered the closest living relatives of mammoths. Advances in DNA analysis have even allowed scientists to study mammoth genes, offering insights into how these species evolved and adapted to their environments over time. Cultural and historical significance Mammoths have fascinated humans for thousands of years, appearing in prehistoric cave paintings and ancient tools made from their bones and tusks. They played a key role in Ice Age cultures as a source of food, materials, and inspiration. Elephants have held cultural importance across many civilizations- symbolizing strength, wisdom and royalty in cultures from Africa to Asia. They feature prominently in religious ceremonies, folklore and art. Historically, elephants were also used in warfare and labor. Both animals continue to influence human culture, reminding us of the deep connections between wildlife and human history. Adaptations Mammoths were well adapted to cold Ice Age environments with thick, shaggy fur and a dense layer of fat to keep warm. Their long and curved tusks helped them dig through snow to reach vegetation. They also had smaller ears compared to elephants, reducing heat loss. Elephants, on the other hand, are adapted to warmer climates. They have large ears that help dissipate heat and sparse hair to keep cool. Their trunks are highly versatile for feeding, drinking, and social interaction. Both species developed strong legs and tusks suited to their environments, showing how evolution shaped them for survival in different conditions. Also read: King Cobra vs Eastern Indigo Snake: Who will win a fight between these two venomous creatures
The Herald Scotland
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Mandron on St Mirren snobbery, Scotland, Di Canio and Bale
'It's the cliché, but all I can do is focus on me, work hard, try to do my best for St Mirren, and then if it comes, it comes.' If you missed the mini-clamour for the in-form striker to be included in Steve Clarke's squad for the friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein, you may be wondering just why I and born-and-bred Frenchman Mandron are chewing the fat about his prospects of representing Scotland. But he almost did already, way back when he was a youngster who had just barely set foot in the UK for the first time, never mind ventured north of Hadrian's Wall. A call up for an under-20 tournament in 2013, courtesy of a promising start to his professional career at Sunderland and an Aberdonian granny, ultimately came to nothing though. 'I remember my coach and the academy manager telling me that I've got a call up, but I think at the time I didn't have my papers in order, so I never went,' he said. (Image: SNS Group) 'When I had first come over to the UK when I was very young, I still had aspirations to play for France, because obviously coming from France and growing up in France I've always supported France. 'It's only later in my career when you realise that hold on, there's actually a possibility there, I could play for Scotland. Then throughout playing in Scotland you get closer to your roots and closer to your background and then you realise, you know what? I would love to. It would be great. 'I wouldn't say it's been something that's been on my mind for my whole career, but it's been way more dominant in my mind since I've been in Scotland. 'Hopefully I can do that one day.' If he does, it would represent quite the capping of a 'have boots, will travel' career in the game. Mandron was a highly rated prospect in his youth, though an entry in his extensive Wikipedia page about him attending the prestigious Clairefontaine Academy, that of Thierry Henry and countless other world-class French talents, is wide of the mark. 'That's a bit of a common misconception,' he said. 'I never actually went there. There are trials that go on when you're around 13 in Paris, and there's thousands and thousands of kids trying to get in. 'I think I'd done maybe five rounds, maybe more, and I went to the very last trials when you go through to the place at Clairefontaine. But I never actually got selected to go to the academy. I wish I did! 'There's so many players that come from there and I'm sure all the players in there, they get such a great football education.' Not that his own was too shabby either. Picked up by the renowned amateur outfit Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt, he was suddenly in the shop window, and there were plenty of suitors. 'The way the football world works for us is different from the way it is in the UK,' he explained. 'I played for my local club, however I was very lucky that my local club is probably the best amateur club in Paris. 'Here, if your first team is in the first division, that means all your youth teams will be in the first division. It doesn't work like that there. 'The club I was at, every age group played at the highest level. Growing up, I always played against all the academies - PSG, Rennes, Lille, all the big French academies. 'All the scouts used to come to see us. A lot of my mates got scouted by French teams or English teams. I got scouted by Sunderland. (Image: Getty Images) 'I got lucky with one game, I'm sure I scored a couple of goals. I think it might have been against Rennes. The scout spoke to my mum who came to watch the game. We had a conversation, they invited me over for a trial for a week. I went over to Sunderland, and I loved it, it was amazing. 'The week after, I went on trial for Newcastle as well, then I went back to Sunderland for a second week. I got offered contracts from both clubs. I was so grateful. 'I chose Sunderland.' Before too long, he would be catching the eye of his manager, former Celtic hero Paolo Di Canio. And when an injury crisis afflicted his forward line, including one then Scotland star, Mandron was handed a Premier League debut at Villa Park. It may have ended in a thumping defeat, but for the young substitute, it was the stuff of dreams. 'At that time, at 18, I was doing well for the reserves and there were a few injuries to guys like Steven Fletcher,' he said. Read more: 'I got a chance to go up in the first team. I was on the bench for a few games before my debut. The last one towards the end of the season it was Villa away. Villa Park was amazing, an incredible stadium, and I got my chance. 'We ended up losing 6-1. We had a red card as well, but it was an amazing experience.' As too was the experience of working under Di Canio, which as you might expect, was quite the eye opener for a young player. 'It was definitely special!' Mandron laughed. 'But he was an amazing coach. You can tell he was a top player. When it comes to the details, how he sets up the teams, the information he gives in the training. Especially for me as a striker, when it came to finishing and movement, how his timing was, his finishing was top class. He absolutely still had it. 'But then when it comes to his management, he had his own ways. I feel like a lot of players wouldn't really enjoy how strict he was. He wouldn't allow certain drinks at lunch, no sauces. He was really quite strict. I think it's kind of close to what a lot of teams do back in Italy than the English way of doing things. 'But he was amazing for me. I'm forever grateful for him. He gave me my chance, he gave me my debut. Then he played me again later on that season against Tottenham away. (Image: SNS Group) 'I think he did like me. He had me around the first team all the time. He was trying to coach me and improve me. He was great for me.' The Tottenham game that Mandron references didn't quite go to plan for the Mackems either, with the striker's second big chance soon taking a twist, and his new duties not exactly affording him the greatest opportunity to shine on the big stage. 'I come on and literally five minutes later, we get a red card again,' he said. 'I was playing up front, but I ended up having to go on the left. So, I ended up having to go play against Aaron Lennon, and then Gareth Bale. 'I managed to get the ball back from Aaron Lennon once actually. You know what's crazy? When you're young, you watch these players on TV all the time, so you kind of know what they're going to do. I remember I knew he was going to go on his right foot, and I got the ball off him. 'But then Gareth Bale came over and he was way too fast! I ended up getting a yellow card for a challenge on him. It was quite a bad tackle in fairness! 'It was an amazing experience for me though. Bale was unreal. He scored an amazing goal against us. They had Lennon, other guys like Moussa Dembélé. I mean, they had top players.' If that was an education in what it took to make it at the top level, Mandron would soon also be dealt a harsh lesson in the realities of football, and how difficult it would be to carve out a career in the Premier League. 'At the time, you're obviously hoping that you're going to stay around the first team and keep playing more games,' he said. 'And I did stay around for a while. 'It was difficult at Sunderland to break through though. There was no consistency because the first team was never doing great. You were always in the relegation battle. What comes with that is that managers come and go, they get sacked. 'Paolo only ended up staying for another six months or so after my debut. Then another manager comes in. 'When teams are in a difficult position and a manager comes in, they don't really have time for young players to give them their chance. And the standards were pretty high. There were about three strikers ahead of me, so it's going to be difficult. 'Even just in training with these sorts of teams, you've got top players. We had Lee Cattermole, Steven Fletcher, Stéphane Sessegnon, John O'Shea, Wes Brown. You know, you've got really top players. 'You see that their level is so high. It opens up your eyes and it shows you the levels you have to reach. 'It wasn't to be. But while I was there, I truly enjoyed it. I was green, you know? But I loved it.' Having rubbed shoulders with such storied names at such a young age, and been used to the comforts of life with a Premier League outfit, many players may have turned their noses up at dropping down the divisions. Not Mandron. Loan spells at Fleetwood Town, Shrewsbury Town and Hartlepool United would lay the groundwork for the path his career would follow, before a permanent switch to non-league Eastleigh Town. 'I'd been playing under-21s or reserves for a while,' he said. 'It comes to a stage where you realise that playing reserves is not really going to get you anywhere. 'I had to do something. I remember actually I demanded to go on loan, and I went to Fleetwood. 'It's a different type of football. It's really men's football. When you're used to playing under-21s and you're playing for a Premier League club, it's not as physical. It's more technical, more tactical. You've got more time on the ball. 'And when you go there, you realise that every game matters. These guys, they're playing for careers. They're playing for their lives. And it was really good for me. (Image: SNS Group) 'It really helped me in my career because it gave me experience. It gave me an idea of what it was like to make it as a professional football player. 'If you're not going to make it at a very high level, then you're still required to make it at a lower level, and it's slightly different, you know? 'Going to the National League eventually was a bit of a surprise, because leaving Sunderland, and after I had been playing in League Two, I was hoping to get a club at least in League One. 'I had opportunities which didn't materialise, so I ended up at Eastleigh and honestly, I had the best time ever. 'I loved it because it was a great club, great teammates, and I was playing every week. And having had the experience of going on loan before, I knew exactly what to expect, how to prepare, how to play in that type of football, that type of environment. And it worked so well for me. I scored goals. Honestly, it was so good for me.' So much so, that within six months, he would get the jump up the divisions he craved, all the way to The Championship in fact, as Wigan shelled out hard cash to bring him north. 'It was a great experience, but Wigan didn't really go as I would have liked because the manager, Warren Joyce, lost his job very soon after I signed,' he said. 'And then when Paul Cook arrived, he said to me, look, I've got three strikers ahead of you, you're not going to play all that much, so I left. 'I felt like I was definitely ready for that level. I played a few games, I did well. And I feel like it's unfortunate because if the manager had stayed then I would have had more opportunities, I would have played at that level. 'And that is football. You can't control it. Sometimes you need a bit of luck. Sometimes luck goes against you. And it is what it is.' Mandron's irrepressibility shines through in the conversation, and he didn't allow that setback to get him down. As he has done countless times in his career, he upped sticks and simply got on with it. Spells at Colchester United, Gillingham (under Scotsman Steve Evans), Crewe and Gillingham again would follow, before he set his sights further north. During that period, there were plenty of highs, like scoring in an FA Cup giant-killing of Premier League Brentford and netting against the club that released him, Sunderland, in the Stadium of Light, as well as plenty of lows, such as long-term injuries and the frequent need to pack up his belongings and make a new place home. 'I'm not really one to get down,' he said. 'I was never down on myself. It's just a sense of like, 'ah, well, there's an opportunity here, I'll go to the next club.' 'I never threw my toys out of the pram. It was never an issue for me. I feel like I truly understand the nature of the business. A manager comes in, he's got his ideas, then the next manager comes in, he's got his own ideas. And I've never taken it personally. That's just the nature of football. 'What has always been important to me was to play. It's not about being in a place that may look better, or you may be on more money or whatever. If you're not playing, you're wasting your time, and you're not going to be happy off the pitch. 'A lot of times, the life off the pitch and on the pitch, they really go hand in hand.' That balance is something Mandron has certainly found since making the move to his ancestral homeland, though his first stop north of the border was in Lanarkshire, where he hoped to lay down some roots at long last with Motherwell. (Image: SNS Group) 'I didn't know too much about Scottish football before going up,' he said. 'I remember when Motherwell were interested, I called up a few of my friends who play up here and asked them what it's like. And they all had great things to say about Scottish football, about the life up here and everything. 'You really play big games here. You play football, the stadiums are top. And I really enjoyed it from the start. 'I played at Arbroath away and I scored two goals in my first game. And I just really wanted to kick on. But unfortunately, I got injured the following week. 'But all in all, I really enjoyed my time at Motherwell. We had a good team. Kevin van Veen was on fire. We ended up finishing strong towards the end of that season, finishing seventh, winning loads of games. I came back fit for the last few games, and I really enjoyed it.' Alas, his stay at Fir Park was again a short one, but there is another common misconception that Mandron would like to clear up over the nature of his departure. 'I get a lot of Motherwell fans message me on social media and they call me a snake and stuff like that, but it's a little mad, because I didn't choose to leave Motherwell,' he said. 'I wanted to stay, and I had been told I was getting a contract there, and it ended up that I didn't get offered a contract. So, that's why I ended up leaving. 'It wasn't like I had a contract offer and chose to go to St Mirren instead, that's not what happened. I was told that I was going to get offered a contract when the season ended. I had that conversation you have with the manager [Stuart Kettlewell] at the end of the season, and he said, 'yeah, we want you, we're going to keep you, we're going to offer you a contract'. 'A few weeks later, it turned out that they were not offering me a contract, they said they couldn't. I thought I was going to be staying. It's not that I turned down a contract at Motherwell. 'I was keen to stay up here because of how much I enjoyed it, so if it was not going to be Motherwell, I was still thinking that I'd love to stay up here. And then, thankfully, St Mirren came along, and I have absolutely loved it.' Motherwell's loss then was ultimately St Mirren's gain. After a slow start, the big forward hit a hot streak of form in the second part of last season, and if his seven goals in 14 games wasn't ultimately enough to convince Steve Clarke to give him a call, that was more than enough for Stephen Robinson to give him a new contract, with Mandron delighted to be spending at least one more year at the SMiSA. That feeling of finding a home at long, long last has contributed to showing some of the best form of his career of late, and so too has the influence of his manager. 'He's great. I mean, really, credit to him,' he said. 'He's managed to build the club up to create a really great working environment. He's built a great culture here and with his recruitment, he has created a great core of players. 'He's intelligent, and everybody works. I truly enjoy that. Standards are high and everybody is working hard, but in a really enjoyable environment. (Image: SNS Group) 'We're all laughing around and we're all friends but when it comes to our training, we're all working hard and everybody's dedicated and that's the best environment you can be in. I remember when I came in, very quickly I realised that everybody's on it, and I understood why they were doing so well. 'The manager, the way he works, the way he sets up the team, the way he treats people, that's why he's been so successful.' So successful in fact that Mandron and his teammates have been taken aback that Robinson is still their manager. But he has a theory as to why that is so, and it is rooted in snobbery over his tactics and yet another common misconception over the team he has built. 'Every time someone loses their job, it's like, 'Oh, the gaffer will be in the frame for that!' But he hasn't ended up going,' he said. 'It's definitely great for us, but it's only a matter of time for him because he's been so successful. He's taken the club into the top six three years in a row, and we're the only team, apart from Celtic and Rangers, who's been in top six for three years running. If you look at the budget that we're working with, we're doing so great. 'But I feel like I've got an idea as to why he hasn't had the opportunity just yet. I think it's because from the outside looking in, it doesn't look like we're a football playing team. It doesn't look like the manager sets up his team to play football. 'But that's only because when we take goal kicks, we go long. And we put a lot of balls in the box. And we don't do 50 passes in our own box. But anyone who's watched us throughout the season, you cannot deny that we've played some amazing football. We just play high up the pitch. 'I think the way football is nowadays, everybody wants a manager that seems to have a certain philosophy, that has players dropping in their own box and playing 10 passes and stuff like that. 'We lick our lips when we see teams doing that. The way we set up defensively, we've got our triggers to press and get the ball back high up the pitch. So, that really works into our hands where a team want to do 50 passes in their own half before going forward. That's perfect for us, because we know exactly how to press and how to set up a situation. 'Because that's not what we do, though, from the outside looking in, it may look like we're not a football playing team. And I think that's wrong. It's only a matter of time until people realise that and the manager, I'm sure, will get an opportunity to coach higher. 'The Dundee United game away recently is a great illustration of how we can play and how the manager sets us up. 'It's been super exciting. We all know what it takes. We all know that we can improve and we're going to improve. 'There's no reason why we can't be up there pushing again next season.' And Mandron is hoping, Steve Clarke will be watching.
The National
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Mandron on St Mirren snobbery, Scotland, Di Canio and Bale
'Every time I score a few goals the media talk about it, my teammates and the staff around me talk about it,' Mandron said. 'It's the cliché, but all I can do is focus on me, work hard, try to do my best for St Mirren, and then if it comes, it comes.' If you missed the mini-clamour for the in-form striker to be included in Steve Clarke's squad for the friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein, you may be wondering just why I and born-and-bred Frenchman Mandron are chewing the fat about his prospects of representing Scotland. But he almost did already, way back when he was a youngster who had just barely set foot in the UK for the first time, never mind ventured north of Hadrian's Wall. A call up for an under-20 tournament in 2013, courtesy of a promising start to his professional career at Sunderland and an Aberdonian granny, ultimately came to nothing though. 'I remember my coach and the academy manager telling me that I've got a call up, but I think at the time I didn't have my papers in order, so I never went,' he said. (Image: SNS Group) 'When I had first come over to the UK when I was very young, I still had aspirations to play for France, because obviously coming from France and growing up in France I've always supported France. 'It's only later in my career when you realise that hold on, there's actually a possibility there, I could play for Scotland. Then throughout playing in Scotland you get closer to your roots and closer to your background and then you realise, you know what? I would love to. It would be great. 'I wouldn't say it's been something that's been on my mind for my whole career, but it's been way more dominant in my mind since I've been in Scotland. 'Hopefully I can do that one day.' If he does, it would represent quite the capping of a 'have boots, will travel' career in the game. Mandron was a highly rated prospect in his youth, though an entry in his extensive Wikipedia page about him attending the prestigious Clairefontaine Academy, that of Thierry Henry and countless other world-class French talents, is wide of the mark. 'That's a bit of a common misconception,' he said. 'I never actually went there. There are trials that go on when you're around 13 in Paris, and there's thousands and thousands of kids trying to get in. 'I think I'd done maybe five rounds, maybe more, and I went to the very last trials when you go through to the place at Clairefontaine. But I never actually got selected to go to the academy. I wish I did! 'There's so many players that come from there and I'm sure all the players in there, they get such a great football education.' Not that his own was too shabby either. Picked up by the renowned amateur outfit Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt, he was suddenly in the shop window, and there were plenty of suitors. 'The way the football world works for us is different from the way it is in the UK,' he explained. 'I played for my local club, however I was very lucky that my local club is probably the best amateur club in Paris. 'Here, if your first team is in the first division, that means all your youth teams will be in the first division. It doesn't work like that there. 'The club I was at, every age group played at the highest level. Growing up, I always played against all the academies - PSG, Rennes, Lille, all the big French academies. 'All the scouts used to come to see us. A lot of my mates got scouted by French teams or English teams. I got scouted by Sunderland. (Image: Getty Images) 'I got lucky with one game, I'm sure I scored a couple of goals. I think it might have been against Rennes. The scout spoke to my mum who came to watch the game. We had a conversation, they invited me over for a trial for a week. I went over to Sunderland, and I loved it, it was amazing. 'The week after, I went on trial for Newcastle as well, then I went back to Sunderland for a second week. I got offered contracts from both clubs. I was so grateful. 'I chose Sunderland.' Before too long, he would be catching the eye of his manager, former Celtic hero Paolo Di Canio. And when an injury crisis afflicted his forward line, including one then Scotland star, Mandron was handed a Premier League debut at Villa Park. It may have ended in a thumping defeat, but for the young substitute, it was the stuff of dreams. 'At that time, at 18, I was doing well for the reserves and there were a few injuries to guys like Steven Fletcher,' he said. Read more: 'I got a chance to go up in the first team. I was on the bench for a few games before my debut. The last one towards the end of the season it was Villa away. Villa Park was amazing, an incredible stadium, and I got my chance. 'We ended up losing 6-1. We had a red card as well, but it was an amazing experience.' As too was the experience of working under Di Canio, which as you might expect, was quite the eye opener for a young player. 'It was definitely special!' Mandron laughed. 'But he was an amazing coach. You can tell he was a top player. When it comes to the details, how he sets up the teams, the information he gives in the training. Especially for me as a striker, when it came to finishing and movement, how his timing was, his finishing was top class. He absolutely still had it. 'But then when it comes to his management, he had his own ways. I feel like a lot of players wouldn't really enjoy how strict he was. He wouldn't allow certain drinks at lunch, no sauces. He was really quite strict. I think it's kind of close to what a lot of teams do back in Italy than the English way of doing things. 'But he was amazing for me. I'm forever grateful for him. He gave me my chance, he gave me my debut. Then he played me again later on that season against Tottenham away. (Image: SNS Group) 'I think he did like me. He had me around the first team all the time. He was trying to coach me and improve me. He was great for me.' The Tottenham game that Mandron references didn't quite go to plan for the Mackems either, with the striker's second big chance soon taking a twist, and his new duties not exactly affording him the greatest opportunity to shine on the big stage. 'I come on and literally five minutes later, we get a red card again,' he said. 'I was playing up front, but I ended up having to go on the left. So, I ended up having to go play against Aaron Lennon, and then Gareth Bale. 'I managed to get the ball back from Aaron Lennon once actually. You know what's crazy? When you're young, you watch these players on TV all the time, so you kind of know what they're going to do. I remember I knew he was going to go on his right foot, and I got the ball off him. 'But then Gareth Bale came over and he was way too fast! I ended up getting a yellow card for a challenge on him. It was quite a bad tackle in fairness! 'It was an amazing experience for me though. Bale was unreal. He scored an amazing goal against us. They had Lennon, other guys like Moussa Dembélé. I mean, they had top players.' If that was an education in what it took to make it at the top level, Mandron would soon also be dealt a harsh lesson in the realities of football, and how difficult it would be to carve out a career in the Premier League. 'At the time, you're obviously hoping that you're going to stay around the first team and keep playing more games,' he said. 'And I did stay around for a while. 'It was difficult at Sunderland to break through though. There was no consistency because the first team was never doing great. You were always in the relegation battle. What comes with that is that managers come and go, they get sacked. 'Paolo only ended up staying for another six months or so after my debut. Then another manager comes in. 'When teams are in a difficult position and a manager comes in, they don't really have time for young players to give them their chance. And the standards were pretty high. There were about three strikers ahead of me, so it's going to be difficult. 'Even just in training with these sorts of teams, you've got top players. We had Lee Cattermole, Steven Fletcher, Stéphane Sessegnon, John O'Shea, Wes Brown. You know, you've got really top players. 'You see that their level is so high. It opens up your eyes and it shows you the levels you have to reach. 'It wasn't to be. But while I was there, I truly enjoyed it. I was green, you know? But I loved it.' Having rubbed shoulders with such storied names at such a young age, and been used to the comforts of life with a Premier League outfit, many players may have turned their noses up at dropping down the divisions. Not Mandron. Loan spells at Fleetwood Town, Shrewsbury Town and Hartlepool United would lay the groundwork for the path his career would follow, before a permanent switch to non-league Eastleigh Town. 'I'd been playing under-21s or reserves for a while,' he said. 'It comes to a stage where you realise that playing reserves is not really going to get you anywhere. 'I had to do something. I remember actually I demanded to go on loan, and I went to Fleetwood. 'It's a different type of football. It's really men's football. When you're used to playing under-21s and you're playing for a Premier League club, it's not as physical. It's more technical, more tactical. You've got more time on the ball. 'And when you go there, you realise that every game matters. These guys, they're playing for careers. They're playing for their lives. And it was really good for me. (Image: SNS Group) 'It really helped me in my career because it gave me experience. It gave me an idea of what it was like to make it as a professional football player. 'If you're not going to make it at a very high level, then you're still required to make it at a lower level, and it's slightly different, you know? 'Going to the National League eventually was a bit of a surprise, because leaving Sunderland, and after I had been playing in League Two, I was hoping to get a club at least in League One. 'I had opportunities which didn't materialise, so I ended up at Eastleigh and honestly, I had the best time ever. 'I loved it because it was a great club, great teammates, and I was playing every week. And having had the experience of going on loan before, I knew exactly what to expect, how to prepare, how to play in that type of football, that type of environment. And it worked so well for me. I scored goals. Honestly, it was so good for me.' So much so, that within six months, he would get the jump up the divisions he craved, all the way to The Championship in fact, as Wigan shelled out hard cash to bring him north. 'It was a great experience, but Wigan didn't really go as I would have liked because the manager, Warren Joyce, lost his job very soon after I signed,' he said. 'And then when Paul Cook arrived, he said to me, look, I've got three strikers ahead of you, you're not going to play all that much, so I left. 'I felt like I was definitely ready for that level. I played a few games, I did well. And I feel like it's unfortunate because if the manager had stayed then I would have had more opportunities, I would have played at that level. 'And that is football. You can't control it. Sometimes you need a bit of luck. Sometimes luck goes against you. And it is what it is.' Mandron's irrepressibility shines through in the conversation, and he didn't allow that setback to get him down. As he has done countless times in his career, he upped sticks and simply got on with it. Spells at Colchester United, Gillingham (under Scotsman Steve Evans), Crewe and Gillingham again would follow, before he set his sights further north. During that period, there were plenty of highs, like scoring in an FA Cup giant-killing of Premier League Brentford and netting against the club that released him, Sunderland, in the Stadium of Light, as well as plenty of lows, such as long-term injuries and the frequent need to pack up his belongings and make a new place home. 'I'm not really one to get down,' he said. 'I was never down on myself. It's just a sense of like, 'ah, well, there's an opportunity here, I'll go to the next club.' 'I never threw my toys out of the pram. It was never an issue for me. I feel like I truly understand the nature of the business. A manager comes in, he's got his ideas, then the next manager comes in, he's got his own ideas. And I've never taken it personally. That's just the nature of football. 'What has always been important to me was to play. It's not about being in a place that may look better, or you may be on more money or whatever. If you're not playing, you're wasting your time, and you're not going to be happy off the pitch. 'A lot of times, the life off the pitch and on the pitch, they really go hand in hand.' That balance is something Mandron has certainly found since making the move to his ancestral homeland, though his first stop north of the border was in Lanarkshire, where he hoped to lay down some roots at long last with Motherwell. (Image: SNS Group) 'I didn't know too much about Scottish football before going up,' he said. 'I remember when Motherwell were interested, I called up a few of my friends who play up here and asked them what it's like. And they all had great things to say about Scottish football, about the life up here and everything. 'You really play big games here. You play football, the stadiums are top. And I really enjoyed it from the start. 'I played at Arbroath away and I scored two goals in my first game. And I just really wanted to kick on. But unfortunately, I got injured the following week. 'But all in all, I really enjoyed my time at Motherwell. We had a good team. Kevin van Veen was on fire. We ended up finishing strong towards the end of that season, finishing seventh, winning loads of games. I came back fit for the last few games, and I really enjoyed it.' Alas, his stay at Fir Park was again a short one, but there is another common misconception that Mandron would like to clear up over the nature of his departure. 'I get a lot of Motherwell fans message me on social media and they call me a snake and stuff like that, but it's a little mad, because I didn't choose to leave Motherwell,' he said. 'I wanted to stay, and I had been told I was getting a contract there, and it ended up that I didn't get offered a contract. So, that's why I ended up leaving. 'It wasn't like I had a contract offer and chose to go to St Mirren instead, that's not what happened. I was told that I was going to get offered a contract when the season ended. I had that conversation you have with the manager [Stuart Kettlewell] at the end of the season, and he said, 'yeah, we want you, we're going to keep you, we're going to offer you a contract'. 'A few weeks later, it turned out that they were not offering me a contract, they said they couldn't. I thought I was going to be staying. It's not that I turned down a contract at Motherwell. 'I was keen to stay up here because of how much I enjoyed it, so if it was not going to be Motherwell, I was still thinking that I'd love to stay up here. And then, thankfully, St Mirren came along, and I have absolutely loved it.' Motherwell's loss then was ultimately St Mirren's gain. After a slow start, the big forward hit a hot streak of form in the second part of last season, and if his seven goals in 14 games wasn't ultimately enough to convince Steve Clarke to give him a call, that was more than enough for Stephen Robinson to give him a new contract, with Mandron delighted to be spending at least one more year at the SMiSA. That feeling of finding a home at long, long last has contributed to showing some of the best form of his career of late, and so too has the influence of his manager. 'He's great. I mean, really, credit to him,' he said. 'He's managed to build the club up to create a really great working environment. He's built a great culture here and with his recruitment, he has created a great core of players. 'He's intelligent, and everybody works. I truly enjoy that. Standards are high and everybody is working hard, but in a really enjoyable environment. (Image: SNS Group) 'We're all laughing around and we're all friends but when it comes to our training, we're all working hard and everybody's dedicated and that's the best environment you can be in. I remember when I came in, very quickly I realised that everybody's on it, and I understood why they were doing so well. 'The manager, the way he works, the way he sets up the team, the way he treats people, that's why he's been so successful.' So successful in fact that Mandron and his teammates have been taken aback that Robinson is still their manager. But he has a theory as to why that is so, and it is rooted in snobbery over his tactics and yet another common misconception over the team he has built. 'Every time someone loses their job, it's like, 'Oh, the gaffer will be in the frame for that!' But he hasn't ended up going,' he said. 'It's definitely great for us, but it's only a matter of time for him because he's been so successful. He's taken the club into the top six three years in a row, and we're the only team, apart from Celtic and Rangers, who's been in top six for three years running. If you look at the budget that we're working with, we're doing so great. 'But I feel like I've got an idea as to why he hasn't had the opportunity just yet. I think it's because from the outside looking in, it doesn't look like we're a football playing team. It doesn't look like the manager sets up his team to play football. 'But that's only because when we take goal kicks, we go long. And we put a lot of balls in the box. And we don't do 50 passes in our own box. But anyone who's watched us throughout the season, you cannot deny that we've played some amazing football. We just play high up the pitch. 'I think the way football is nowadays, everybody wants a manager that seems to have a certain philosophy, that has players dropping in their own box and playing 10 passes and stuff like that. 'We lick our lips when we see teams doing that. The way we set up defensively, we've got our triggers to press and get the ball back high up the pitch. So, that really works into our hands where a team want to do 50 passes in their own half before going forward. That's perfect for us, because we know exactly how to press and how to set up a situation. 'Because that's not what we do, though, from the outside looking in, it may look like we're not a football playing team. And I think that's wrong. It's only a matter of time until people realise that and the manager, I'm sure, will get an opportunity to coach higher. 'The Dundee United game away recently is a great illustration of how we can play and how the manager sets us up. 'It's been super exciting. We all know what it takes. We all know that we can improve and we're going to improve. 'There's no reason why we can't be up there pushing again next season.' And Mandron is hoping, Steve Clarke will be watching.
The Age
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Age
The cheque is a dramatic (and dying) way to spend a dollar. We must keep it alive
Picture this. You're in a crowded restaurant, seated at the head of the table, surrounded by friends and family. A long lunch that has bled into dinner. Everywhere you look, there are half-empty bottles of wine, people are enjoying themselves, and there's talk of kicking on to another venue. Because you're in a double-breasted suit and everyone else is dressed normally, the waiter brings you the bill. 'Cash or card, sir?' Neither, you say, pulling a Montblanc pen from your inside pocket, followed by a personal chequebook. You write a cheque for the full amount plus a little something extra for the staff. You date it, sign it, fold it in half and discreetly slip it into the waiter's pocket. Two pats on the shoulder, a knowing wink. He begins, 'Sir, we no longer accept cheques as a form of payment ...' but his protest is drowned out by cheers. People have seen what you've done. They adore you. Life is good. Of all the things 1990s pop culture led me to believe would feature heavily in adult life – quicksand, hammerhead sharks, Mr Squiggle – the disappearance of the chequebook is easily the most devastating. Back then, cheques were everywhere: in films, on TV, and most memorably, tucked inside the birthday cards from my Greek grandparents. Every year, without fail, I'd open the card, skim the well-wishes, and then turn my attention to the real prize – a rectangular slip of paper, payable to me and me only. Superior to simply being gifted cash, the cheque's power lay in delayed gratification. Twenty bucks in a card is twenty bucks in a card, but a handwritten cheque for twenty dollars and zero cents offered something far more valuable – the promise of money. Loading Of course, because we are inherently impatient creatures with no appreciation for the fact that good things come to those who wait, we went and ruined it all. In 1980, cheques accounted for 85 per cent of non-cash payments, so if you wanted to buy a house in Sydney (something people could still do in the 1980s), then you'd likely be writing a cheque for $76,500. By the mid-1990s, cheques still represented 50 per cent of non-cash payments and were deeply ingrained in the culture. Tabloid newspapers began paying sources for stories about high-profile figures, giving rise to the term chequebook journalism. Meanwhile, in 1994, my favourite cheque-related movie, Blank Cheque, was released. The film follows a boy who inherits a blank cheque and uses it to buy a house under an alter ego, which he then fills with all his favourite gadgets and toys. The dream! According to Wikipedia, ' Blank Cheque received mostly negative reviews,' but you know what they haven't made a movie about? Contactless payments.
