Get On Your Boots is the first single from U2’s new album No Line On The Horizon, and it’s completely first-class and is definitely worth the wait. The track opens with a twisting, down tuned guitar riff while percussion plays a traditional rock beat
SHREWSBURY TOWN 1 DARLINGTON 0 Unlucky Darlington suffered their first defeat in six games thanks to an early goal at Shrewsbury, but the match ended in controversial circumstances. Quakers finished with only ten men following a late
Wolves 1 Middlesbrough 2 • Read match analysis in the blog section here Middlesbrough returned to the Black Country with a vengeance after substitute Marvin Emnes scored a late goal to give Gareth Southgate's Premier League strugglers
• Read match analysis in the blog section here Sunderland 0 Blackburn Rovers 0 Sunderland and Blackburn must incorporate an FA Cup fourth-round replay into their battle for Premier League survival after a scrappy encounter ended goalless
THE magic of the FA Cup eh? A dour goalless draw at a half-empty Stadium of Light, with both sides fielding a smattering of first-team regulars combined with a selection of fringe players. And to make matters worse, the thought of it all happening again
WITH the English game supposedly falling out of love with the FA Cup, it has been left to foreign players to re-ignite the magic of the competition. Afonso Alves and Marvin Emnes certainly seem like players with half an eye on Wembley. While the
TWO goals in as many minutes on the stroke of half-time ended Hartlepool United's FA Cup hopes against West Ham. Pools went in at the break deflated after two mad minutes, after an enthralling 45 minutes of the fourth round tie at Victoria Park.
SUNDERLAND boss Ricky Sbragia has rested a number of his key performers for this afternoon's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Blackburn Rovers. David Healy and Michael Chopra start up front, with neither Kenwyne Jones nor Djibril Cisse featuring in the Black
GARETH Southgate has handed reserve keeeper Brad Jones a start in goal as Boro face Championship leaders Wolves in the FA Cup 4th round. Emanuel Pogatetz has been rested with David Wheater playing alongside Chris Riggott. Matthew Bates makes
On 23 January, 34 Hutton Magna residents and guests sat down to a tradional celebration of the birth of Robbie Burns. The haggis was borne by James Lynn and piped in by Cameron Dunstan. Billy Brophy addressed the haggis, John Chadwick read its
JOEL Porter, as expected, starts for Pools against West Ham in the FA Cup. But Jamie McCunnie is on the bench with Antony Sweeney recalled in the only change from last week's win over Northampton. HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Lee-Barrett; Sweeney, Nelson
Chris Brayshay embarks on a gastronomic pilgrimage but discovers that, in cruising, size really does matter. GLUTTONY is the second of the seven deadly sins, yet almost unavoidable on the cruise ship Black Prince. Multi-choice breakfasts and
ANDY Murray progressed to the fourth round of the Australian Open in emphatic fashion with a 7-5 6-0 6-3 victory over Jurgen Melzer today. When the British number one takes to the court against Fernando Verdasco on Monday it will be just the second time
Two tours and the launch of a Fame Academy are planned by Jennifer Ellison for 2009. JENNIFER Ellison has recovered from a bout of pleurisy and a battle to complete her starring role of Cinderella in home city Liverpool’s pantomime at Christmas.
Holby City (BBC1 Tuesday 8pm); A Victorian Celebration is at Harrogate Theatre on January 31. For tickets, call 01423-502116. IF you’d told Robert Powell when he joined BBC1’s hospital series Holby City that four years later he’d still be there
THE quality of photographs in The Northern Echo is always of a high standard and quality and each one tells its own story. Last Tuesday’s picture on Page 14 was no exception. It clearly showed two ex-policemen who are setting up as private investigators
MY husband and I smiled sympathetically at John Phelan’s experiences with BT (HAS, Jan 17). We lost our telephone line, through no fault of our own, at the beginning of November. We were reconnected six weeks later. During that time we must have
It wasn’t quite as big a crowd as Barack Obama attracted, but in Sunderland, Methodists still thronged to greet their very own president. IT may not be supposed, as the hymnist does, that there is anything of the steep and rugged pathway about this
AFTER all the recent coverage of job losses in the car industry, I was surprised to read in an advert in your Weekend Motors supplement (Echo, Jan 16) that all Vauxhall cars and vans will increase in price on February 3 by as much as £1,075. It
IF the contents of Michael Baldasera’s letter (HAS, Jan 20) about the Swiss organisation Dignitas are true, then there is even more reason to legalise assisted suicide/euthanasia in this country. I cannot begin to imagine the suffering a person
After finding fame as one of Alan Bennett’s History Boys, North-East actor Jamie Parker shadows Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise in a new film about the plot to kill Hitler. He talks to Steve Pratt about how a survival course almost cost him the role
EARLIER this week, Lloyds-TSB received billions more – courtesy of the UK taxpayer. The latest bail-out means the Government is now the bank’s largest shareholder, with a 43.3 per cent stake. Chancellor Alistair Darling told MPs that the bank
PLEASE note that in my letter on the subject of HAS contributors (HAS, Jan 15) I wrote that our country has been run “unsustainably”, not “unsuitably” as printed. However, regarding suitability, what about a memorial for Margaret Thatcher? I am
CHRIS LLOYD’S article, “Osama’s unlikely victims” (Echo, Jan 10), was a curious mix of innocuous trainspotting and serious politics – national security. But to claim Osama bin Laden “has destroyed much of the fabric of British life” is an expression
HERE’S a challenging question for Ian Robson, Eric Gendle (HAS, both Jan 17) and fellow non-believer correspondents. What explanation is there for why the bodies of some saints – who died hundreds of years ago and were buried in conditions accelerating
THESE are times that try men’s souls. I lie on my sofa, my left leg on a machine that lifts it up, bends the knee, and then lowers it back down. This is to be repeated eight hours a day. For the next three weeks. This is my fourth knee operation.
PUNCHESTOWNS can further consolidate his World Hurdle claims by recording a no-fuss victory in the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham. Nicky Henderson’s sixyear- old turned what looked a competitive renewal of the Long Walk Hurdle into a
HOWARD Johnson was left dreaming of future glories with Quwetwo after the gelding initiated a near 115-1 treble for the trainer at Doncaster. The son of Karinga Bay had won a bumper at Newcastle for Sue Smith when last seen in racecourse action
MARAT Safin insists it is too early to pick a winner for this year’s Australian Open, but he has been hugely impressed by what he has seen from Andy Murray. Safin, the champion in 2005, lost to the world No 2 Roger Federer in straight sets yeterday
BLAYDON have handed Charlie Rayner a second chance to nail down their problematic fly half spot at home to Birmingham and Solihull today. He was one of several fringe players who did themselves no harm when selected for last week’s cup tie at
NEWCASTLE Falcons are aiming to cement their quarter- final place in the European Challenge Cup when they face Spanish side Cetransa El Salvador in Valladolid tomorrow. With league action considered a priority, Falcons lock Tim Swinson insists
OLYMPIC champion Christine Ohuruogu has backed Gateshead’s Vicky Barr to play a major part in helping Great Britain topple the United States at this year’s World Championships. The former Gateshead Harrier was controversially omitted from the
ROGER Federer hopes yesterday’s third round tie at the Australian Open will not be the last time he gets to play Marat Safin. The world No 2 took one hour 51 minutes to oust the big Russian 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-5) and set up a clash with Czech Tomas
ENGLAND internationals Mark Hood and Alyson Dixon are in top form going into today’s Northern Cross Country Championships at St Helens. The Wearsiders both posted the fastest times helping their clubs, Sunderland and Chester-le-Street, regain
CRICKET South Africa have released the itinerary for England’s winter tour of the country. The sides will contest four Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches between November 7 and the tourists’ return to England on January
ENGLAND hope Mushtaq Ahmed can revitalise Monty Panesar’s international career after beginning his role as spin-bowling coach. Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq was a controversial appointment given his naming in the Qayyum commission into
The last time Hartlepool United beat a Premier League team to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup, things soon went pear-shaped. Ahead of today’s game with West Ham, Sports Editor Nick Loughlin spoke to then assistant manager Eddie Kyle to find out
GIANFRANCO Zola hopes he can help recreate his own piece of FA Cup magic this season and get the West Ham fans lining the streets around Upton Park for a victory parade. The Italian, 42, won the famous old trophy twice during his time as a player
SPENNYMOOR manager Jason Ainsley says that Moors’ passage to the fifth round of the FA Vase is by no means guaranteed when they face Coalville in their fourth round replay at the Brewery Field. Moors drew 1-1 against the Midland Alliance club
skilltrainingltd Northern League LEADERS Consett have a tough game at home to Shildon, and will be missing defenders Mark Gaffney and David Johnson. Shildon, who haven’t lost in the league since they played Consett in October, have a doubt about
PETER Lovenkrands has signed for Newcastle until the end of the season. If Joe Kinnear hands the Denmark international a debut at Machester City next Wednesday, it will be the 28- year-old’s first league action in over seven months. Lovenkrands
HULL have completed the signing of midfielder Jimmy Bullard for a club record £5m fee from Fulham. The 30-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract at the KC Stadium after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms. Bullard is likely
DARLINGTON today embark on a testing five-game fortnight by aiming to make it three wins in a row – four days later than anticipated. Having trounced Luton 5-1 last weekend on the back of beating Bournemouth, Quakers were full of confidence ahead
LIVERPOOL’S co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have attempted to start an auction for the Anfield club. While it emerged yesterday that one of the world’s richest dynasties are in talks over a possible £500m takeover, it is also clear that
ASTON Villa last night completed the signing of England striker Emile Heskey from Wigan in a £3.5m deal. Heskey has been reunited with his former Leicester boss Martin O’Neill after signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. The 31-year-old put
TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp has back-tracked on plans to field his ‘weakest’ side against Manchester United this weekend. But an injury crisis means fringe players will still get to fight for their futures. Redknapp may have up to 11 players
MENTION the FA Cup in front of Danny Collins, and his eyes light up. Tellingly, though, his enthusiasm has little to do with Sunderland. Since joining the Black Cats in October 2004, Collins has never progressed beyond the fourth round of the
IN AN attempt to avoid a repeat of the “nightmare” he has endured during his first transfer window, Ricky Sbragia is exploring ways of bringing in someone to ease the strains of being Sunderland manager. While attempting to avoid calling any
WITH only two league places separating Championship pace-setters Wolves from struggling Middlesbrough, Mick McCarthy’s side have an ideal opportunity to test their top-flight credentials. But having managed some of the Boro squad, the former
GARETH Southgate knows his position will be called into question if Middlesbrough fail to see off Championship opponents Wolves in the fourth round of the FA Cup this afternoon. But even if things do not go according to plan at Molineux, Southgate
WHEN Joel Porter’s attempts to make a living in English football had been knocked back by Sam Allardyce, Paul Jewell and Mick McCarthy, the Australian was ready to return Down Under and turn his back on football. Six years later, as he gears
BLACKBURN manager Sam Allardyce hopes Roque Santa Cruz is not suffering any hangover after failing to reunite with Mark Hughes this month. For the first time in six weeks, striker Santa Cruz returns to Rovers’ starting lineup for today’s FA Cup
THREE years after believing his first appearance in the FA Cup would lead to a successful career with Manchester United, Ritchie Jones will be looking to overcome Premier League opposition for the second time inside three weeks – with Hartlepool
MIDDLESBROUGH were trying to remain hopeful of landing Ben Watson last night, but after failing to agree personal terms at the Riverside Stadium the in-demand midfielder was on the verge of joining Wigan Athletic. After undergoing a medical at
ROBERT DINWIDDIE remains in contention at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters this morning, despite failing to repeat his opening round heroics yesterday. Dinwiddie, who has embarked on his second season on the European Tour, carded a one-over
THE FTSE 100 Index fought back from below the 4000 barrier yesterday in the wake of figures confirming the official start of the UK recession. The FTSE 100 recovered from a fall of nearly 100 points to close down nearly flat, off 0.2 at 4052.5
A JUDGE has postponed the sentencing of a man he described as a “bedroom Rambo” because he wants to understand how his mind works. David Riding, 20, has been behind bars since being convicted of making a pipe bomb at the school where his father
THE landmark Scotch Corner Hotel near Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been taken into administration. It was announced on Wednesday evening that the distinctive red brick hotel, which employs about 50 people, has been taken over by chartered accountants
The announcement that SeaDragon plans to cancel a £300m oil and gas platform on Teesside was met with fury yesterday, with Tees Alliance Group threatening legal action to preserve the investment and 1,000 jobs promised for the region, and Government
A CORONER will hold fresh inquests into the deaths of all three patients a doctor was cleared of murdering. Durham and Darlington coroner Andrew Tweddle had closed the book on the cases of Frank Moss, Harry Gittins and Stanley Weldon. All three
A COUNCIL has been fined £30,000 after a severely disabled man drowned in a bath at his home. Epilepsy sufferer John Wood, 50, who had learning difficulties, was found at his Durham County Council support bungalow, in Bishop Auckland, on November
A WAR hero who survived 34 bombing missions as a “Tailend Charlie” has died, aged 93. Rear gunner Elijah Welsh, who took part in major bombing campaigns on German cities in the latter part of the Second World War, was decorated with the Distinguished
A NEWSAGENT has been suspended from selling Lottery tickets in a row over the payment of winning tickets. Camelot, which operates the National Lottery, took the decision after conducting an investigation into payouts at Grange Estate sub post
TELEVISION presenter Alan Titchmarsh was in the region yesterday to mark the start of building work at a green learning centre. The former Gardeners’ World presenter marked the launch of the project at the Royal Horticultural Society garden at
A BOY who “always had a smile on his face” has died days after his sister was born. Celvin Tiplady has died of a rare genetic disorder he had been battling since birth. His parents were initially told by doctors that he was only likely to live
A CONVICTED drug dealer and money launderer has been stripped of all his assets. Andrew Lee Usher, formerly of Westerham Grove, Beechwood, Middlesbrough, was ordered by a court to hand over £71,000 of goods. Teesside Crown Court ruled that he
A DIGGER was left embedded in the side of a shop and a truck was driven into a pub by ram-raiders who made dramatic attempts to steal money from cashpoints. Detectives were still hunting the raiders today after they struck in the early hours of
A REFURBISHED police car has joined the fleet of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). The ground response vehicle is equipped to a similar standard as the helicopters, and will take doctors out into the field. It will be used when the
A RETIRED police officer and former soldier was last night starting a ten-year prison sentence for a catalogue of abuse against two children decades ago. Joseph Sample was told by a judge he had ruined the lives of the victims, who are still
A BANK that received billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money was last night criticised for refusing to continue to provide finance for a project that would bring more than 1,000 jobs to the region, The Northern Echo can reveal. It also emerged
A MAN escaped jail today despite torching his mother's house. John Paul Meads, 21, was sentenced to a two-year community supervision order at Durham Crown Court. The court heard he visited Doreen Meads' house in Lilac Court, Shildon,
