Lancashire's lad

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LANCASHIRE’S LADS Lancashire’s Forest Gump MEN’S EGOS WE DISCOVER WHY MEN NEED A CHALLENGE ULTRA MARATHONS, TOUGH MUDDERS, IRONMANS THE LIFE OF THE MODERN DAY UNSIGNED MUSIC ARTIST WI N TER FITNESS TO R EA L LY W O R K THE A B S NON LEAGUE VS PREMIER LEAGUE IS THE TOP FLIGHT WORTH THE MONEY? THE WORLDS FASTEST RISING SPORT COMES TO LANCASHIRE October/November 2014 NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER WHY LANCASHIRE IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR MEN THIS WINTER £1.50

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Transcript of Lancashire's lad

Page 1: Lancashire's lad

LANCASHIRE’S

LADS

Lancashire’s Forest Gump

MEN’S EGOS

WE DISCOVER WHY MEN NEED A CHALLENGE

ULTRA MARATHONS, TOUGH MUDDERS, IRONMANS

THE LIFE OF THEMODERN DAYUNSIGNED MUSICARTIST

WINTERFITNESSTO REALLY WORKTHE ABS

NON LEAGUEVS

PREMIER LEAGUEIS THE TOP FLIGHT WORTH THE MONEY?

THE WORLDS FASTESTRISING SPORTCOMES TO LANCASHIRE

October/November 2014 NOVEMBER TOREMEMBERWHY LANCASHIRE IS THE PLACE TO BEFOR MEN THIS WINTER

£1.50

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A NOVEMBERTO REMEMBER

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15�������16�������17�������18��������19�������20�������21

Its�that�time�of�year�again.�This�is�the�month�where�winter�is�in�it’s�full�swing.Bonfire�night�becomes�more�of�an�inconvinience�than�fun,�and�people�are�alreadymentioning�Christmas.�But�do�not�fear�young�men�of�Lancashire.�There�is�no�needto�bury�your�head�in�the�sand�just�yet...

LancashiresBiggestfirework�showhits�Lancaster.Be�sure�not�tomiss�it

NationalUnfriend�Day

Sick�of�the�troutpout�selfies,�orstatuses�abouthow�cruel�boysare?�Now�is�yourtime�son.

22�����������������������Coca�ColaXmas�Truck

The�worldfamousChristmas�trucklands�inPreston.

29Local�RivalsBlackpoolvs�Bolton

Two�sidesstruggling�at�thebottom�of�theChampionshipgo�toe�to�toe

Chorley�FC�inaction

Chorley�hostStockport�County�asthey�push�forpromotion�to�theConference�Premier

7Open�TillMidnight

The�BlackpoolPleasurebeachBig�One�rollercoaster�open�inthe�dark�untilmidnight

InternationalMens�Day

We�dont�haveanything�else�tosay�but...�have�agreat�day�men�ofLancashire

Internationalday�oftolerance

Smile�and�benice.�We�know�itshard

RemembranceDayLest�We�Forget

Lancashire�DayCelebrate�living�in�our�county�by�visiting�theTourism�pub�award�winnwer�theFreemasons�Country�Inn�on�Lancashire�day

27

ZeroTasking�Day

Today�isdedicated�torelaxation.�Likeyou�need�anexcuse�for�thaton�a�sunday

Dont�Missout�on�somelaughs

Tickets�for�theFrog�and�Bucketcomedy�showfor�the�7th�Novare�available

HalloweenParty

The�BiggestHalloween�Ballin�Burnley�atGys�and�Dolls

free�before10pm

UK�GrimesElite�comingto�North�West.MC�Ghetts�will�bebringing�The�RebelTour�to�Manches-ter’s�Death�Institute

Tickets�on�Sale

WorldTelevisionDay

And�you�thoughtyou�had�it�badthis�November

Eye�Jacker

A�comedyhypnotist�show.�

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CONTENTSFEATURES

8 COVER STORY EGO DRIVENAs�the�interest�in�exreme�sports�rises�we�breakdown�the�reasons�why.�How�does�the�mind�andthe�ego�of�a�man�work?

6 THE ONLINE GRIND The�internet�changed�the�way�we�liive.�But�is�thatnecissarily�a�good�thing�for�hopeful�music�artistsof�today?

NEWS

4 FOOTGOLF worlds�fastest�rising�sporttouches�down�in�Lancashire.

REVIEWS

11 NON LEAGUE VS PREMIs�it�worth�ditching�the�overpriced�leagues?

5 ON COURSELancashire’s�Lad�tries�Footgolf�

FITNESS

10 WHAT A PLANK Is�the�olank�the�best�way�to�getripped�abs?

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“It�just�needs�somebody�who�can�swingtheir�foot�at�a�football,�and�get�it�going.�Itcan�be�for�family,�it�can�be�for�kids,�it�canbe�for�adults.�So�to�be�fair�there�isn’treally�anybody�who�can’t�come�down.”

Whilst�typically�used�as�a�bit�of�fun�withsome�mates�on�a�Sunday�afternoon,�FootGolf�are�conjuring�some�big�opportunity’sfor�the�series�elite,�with�the�opportunity�tocompete�in�America�for�the�winners.

For�those�who�think�they�have�got�what�ittakes,�free�registration�is�available�atwww.ukfootgolf.com,�as�well�as�a�£10payment�on�the�day.

By�Luke�Betts

UK Footgolf Champs KickOff In Lancashire

Branded�as�the�world’s�fastestrising�sport�UK�FootGolf�will�betouching�down�on�the�26th

October�in�Euxton�Lancashire,�as�oneof�the�many�fixtures�in�the�UK�FootGolfChampionships.

Originating�from�Holland,�FootGolf�isnow�a�sport�played�all�over�the�world.The�sport�incorporates�a�game�of�golfingrules�but�with�a�football�twist,�and�willattract�people�from�around�the�countryto�the�tournament.

As�opposed�to�hitting�a�golf�ball�with�aclub�participants�have�to�kick�a�footballinto�a�larger�hole�on�a�full�sized�golfcourse.�Over�12�holes�the�traditional�golfrules�also�apply.�Penalties�are�handedfor�a�shot�which�goes�in�a�bunker�orpond.

With�fixtures�dotted�all�around�thecountry�any�one�can�enter�and�takepart.�Competitors�are�placed�on�a�

UK�ranking�system�based�on�theirbest�six�performances�throughout�theyear.

Manager�of�the�course�Jamie�Wilsoninsisted�that�it’s�not�as�easy�as�it�looksthough;

“People�need�to�remember�that,�if�theyare�going�to�curl�it,�they�need�to�curl�itmore,�because�it�will�just�carry�on�going.So�the�idea�is�to�kick�it�straight,�but�it’snot�as�easy�as�it�sounds.�There�are

Bunkers,�and�hazards,�and�stuff�to�getaround�so�it’s�pretty�difficult.”

The�Euxton�FootGolf�course�is�one�ofthree�courses�in�Lancashire,�and�has�hadsome�brilliant�success�since�its�openingto�the�public.

“We�had�a�half�price�opening�offer,�it�wasonly�£3�each,�and�220�people�came�eachlast�weekend�which�was�pretty�cool.“We�had�two�stag�dos,�two�footballteams,�a�cricket�team,�and�people�who�

play�in�Sunday�league�teams.�Lads�who�think�they�are�really�good�at�football,rocking�up�and�not�doing�very�well,putting�it�in�the�pond,�and�losing�thefootball.”

The�beauty�of�thissport�is�that�almostanybody�can�playalong,�encouragingmates�and�familiesalike�to�enjoy�thegame�in�a�non-pressureenvironment.

“It’s�more�comeand�have�a�go,have�a�try,�if�youcan�kick�a�footballyou�can�play.�Itdoesn’t�need�anysort�of�technique,no�particularstrengths�orweaknesses�oranything.

Lads�who�think�they�are�really�good�atfootball,�rock�up�and�don’t�do�very�well,putting�it�in�the�pond,�and�losing�the�ball.”

Lancashires�Llad���������4

photo�courtousy�of�UK�FOOTGOLF

photo�courtousy�of�UK�FOOTGOLF

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FOOTGOLFFACTS

Footgolf was discovered in 2006

First invented by Dutch footballerWillem Kortsen who played for Tottenham.

He would end training sessions bykicking the ball from the pitch backto the changing rooms in as short atime as possible.

The game has risen since thedecline of popularity in traditionalgolf. in 2006 to 2014 643 coursesclosed in the USA alone.

The first FootGolf world cup washosted in Hungary in 2012. BelaLengyel of Hungary is the firstWorld Cchampion.

SnapChatAward- danjb

Lancashire’sLad Gives Ita Go..As�the�rain�drizzled�down�the�windowpane,�and�the�tedious�role�of�chief�childminder�reached�its�50th�game�of�Fifa�15,something�needed�some�spice�on�amundane�Sunday�afternoon.

“Anyone�for�a�game�of�Footgolf?”�Iproposed�hopefully�over�the�mindnumbing�clicks�and�taps,�which�filled�theliving�room.�Before�I�knew�it�there�were�4�kids,�fourflying�footballs,�and�a�pond,�which�I�foundmyself�splaying�across,�after�an�attemptat�a�silky�chip�shot�on�hole�three.

This�wasn’t�quite�what�I�had�expected�asI�scratched�my�head�at�the�score�card.�Iwas�finding�it�hard�to�accept�how�I�wasalready�ten�over�par�after�hole�4,�andthree�shots�behind�a�ten�year�old.�

Call�me�out�of�touch�with�the�currentcrop�of�youngsters,�but�he�definitely�didn’tget�it�in�two�on�the�last�150�yard�hole.Two�avoidable�tree�interceptions,�anightmare�in�the�sand�bunker,�and�anumber�of�unforgivable�misses�from�ayard�out�later,�my�dreams�of�becoming�aprofessional�foot�golfer�had�quicklydrowned�in�the�pond�beside�me.

So�what�did�I�learn�from�this�experience?Firstly�I�can’t�kick�the�ball�as�far�as�Ithought�I�could.�Secondly�I�can’t�kick�theball�as�straight�as�I�thought�I�could.�Thisreality�check�resulted�in�a�frustratingafternoon�as�I�toyed�between�a�bend�itlike�Beckham�approach,�and�the�type�ofembarrassing�‘toe�bop’�kick�a�local�mayorwould�do�at�a�charity�fete.

One�thing�was�for�sure�though;�I�woulddefinitely�be�back�for�more�

TALKING TOTHE EXPERT

JAMIEWILSON

“You have to have areasonable level ofskill in both sports tobe succesful”

“Being able tokick a ballstraight is notas easy as itlooks”

“Balance is key.Especially in thesewinter tournaments”

Lancashires�Llad���������5

Photo�courtousy�of�Jamie�Wilson

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hoping�to�one�day�get�signed�said;“People�don’t�want�to�go�to�gigs�as�much�asthey�used�to�which�is�sad.�Ten�to�fifteen�yearsago�people�would�go�and�watch�unsignedbands,�but�now�they�can�listen�to�them�online.The�former�Runshaw�College�student�hasbecome�acceptant�of�his�duty�to�have�a�heavypresence�online.�As�the�opportunities�build�sodoes�the�pressure�to�have�an�original�imageand�sound.“If�you�are�going�to�get�anywhere�today�then�Ithink�you�quickly�find�out�that�you�have�got�tobe�really�unique�with�what�you�are�doing.To�narrow�it�down�Allen�whose�soundtrack‘Rich�and�Famous’�was�recently�played�onSoccer�AM,�believes�the�opportunities�forNorthern�artists�have�been�as�limited�as�theyhave�ever�been�in�the�non-virtual�world.

The�internet�has�had�its�influences�onstomping�grounds�for�growing�artists,�such�asbusking,�open�mics�and�gigs.�Whilst�they�arestill�used�as�locations�to�build�a�following,talent�spotters�are�beginning�to�see�less�rele-vance�in�them.In�the�60’s�Liverpool�was�the�city�with�thebiggest�music�attraction,�as�The�Beatles�wereone�of�the�first�to�bring�the�Rock�and�Roll�erato�Britain.�Even�more�recently�it�could�beargued�that�the�Manchester�scene�has�dieddown�a�lot�since�the�early�90’s.�With�NorthernSoul�clubs,�the�hacienda�and�factory�records�itcould�be�a�while�before�there�is�anotherlegendary�movement.“There’s�a�lot�of�good�bands�out�there�andthat’s�the�frightening�thing.�There�are�probablymore�good�bands�now�than�when�there�was�ascene�there.”Now�everything�seems�to�be�set�aroundLondon.�All�the�major�labels�are�based�in�thecapital�city,�and�therefore�an�importantmanager�would�more�likely�stumble�across�anartist�at�an�open�mic�down�south.

“Unless�you�are�going�and�playing�gigs�downthere�obviously�you�won’t�have�a�fan�base,�soit�feels�like�you�are�starting�again�almost.

THE RISE OF THEONLINE GRINDThe�internet�is�constantly�changing�the

way�we�live,�and�this�idea�is�reinforcedto�us�almost�every�day.�The�internet

has�altered�the�role�requirements�of�manyoccupations,�and�if�you�don’t�adapt�quicklyyou�are�soon�lef��behind.�In�the�musicbusiness�especially�artists�have�been�forcedup�to�completely�re�strategize�their�approachto�making�it�to�the�top.�But�has�the�internetmade�it�an�easier�road�to�the�top?

For�better�or�worse�the�modern�day�artist�hasto�be�as�influential�online�as�they�do�in�the�realworld.�Therefore�this�has�changed�the�waymusical�talents�are�discovered.�Since�therelease�of�free�video�sharing�websites�manyviral�internet�sensations�have�been�discoveredand�signed.�Take�the�most�famous�example�ofyoung�busker�Justin�Bieber.�

Music�sharing�sites�such�as�Sound�Cloud�havereplaced�the�old�demo�tape.�Artists�now�sharetheir�content�for�free,�whilst�also�building�anonline�portfolio.�Modern�day�music�consumersare�interested�in�the�concept�of�discovery�byfinding�new�band’s�online,�as�opposed�toowning�a�CD.Managers�of�labels�are�always�on�the�lookoutfor�an�artist�making�the�loudest�noises�in�thevirtual�world.�Closer�to�home�Blackpool�bornartist�Rae�Morris�got�noticed�by�becomingSoundCloud�famous.�Social�media�sites�also�allow�artists�to�buildcontacts�and�relationships�with�fellowmembers�of�the�industry.But�in�spite�of�this�evolvement�has�this�reallyhelped�the�unsigned�artist?�Or�is�this�just�areplacement�for�the�different�ways�artists�havedistributed�their�material�over�the�years?Take�pirate�radio�as�an�example�in�the�1960’s.

When�the�BBC�refused�to�air�rock�and�popmusic�illegal�stations�broadcast�new�Britishbands�from�sea�boats.�From�there�new�artistswere�able�gain�exposureIt�could�be�argued�that�the�internet�has�alsobeen�a�hindrance.�Jordan�Allen�a�musician

has�the�internet�benefitted�the�unsigned�artist?

That’s�when�you�have�got�to�try�and�win�thelabels�over.�There�is�a�definite�advantage�forbands�that�are�down�south,�as�they�build�theircontacts�down�south.”

Due�to�a�decrease�in�gig�interest�however,artists�also�have�to�be�careful�not�to�give�toomuch�away�online.�Online�users�of�today�don’texpect�to�pay�for�music.�Sites�such�asYouTube�and�cheap�subscriptions�to�Spotifymake�that�expectation�feasible.�Therefore�itcan�be�very�difficult�to�hide�some�of�yourcontent�as�well�as�generating�consistent�inter-est.�In�an�interview�with�NME�Stevie�Nicks�ofFleetwood�Mac�believes�this�type�of�onlinepiracy�has�killed�the�chances�of�the�next�bigstar;“The�music�business�is�in�such�a�bad�place,and�it’s�very�hard�for�a�new�Fleetwood�Mac,Led�Zeplin,�or�The�Who�or�any�elite�bandsfrom�the�late�60’s�to�emerge�now.�Becausethere�is�no�money.�How�can�you�just�take�offand�play�gigs�that�you�are�not�getting�paid�for.You�can’t�do�what�we�did,�because�we�gota�little�help.“Talk�about�video�killed�the�radio�star.�Theinternet�killed�the�video�and�the�radiostar.”

In�agreement�with�this�Allen�revisited�hisexperience�of�struggling�for�gigs;“For�a�northern�band�if�you�are�going�to�go�andplay�down�south�you�won’t�get�travel�money.�Itis�much�cheaper�for�them�to�book�an�act�downthere.�

“There�has�been�so�many�points�where�I’vethought�fuck�this�I’ve�had�enough.�But�staymotivated�and�don’t�give�up�because�if�youthink�you’re�good�enough�you�probably�are.”Upon�research�though�it�must�be�concludedthat�the�internet�has�helped�an�establishedartist�more�than�an�up�and�coming�one.�Whilstthe�internet�has�made�it�possible�to�go�‘global’,this�doesn’t�help�an�artist�who�isn’t�already

Lancashires�Lad���������6

PHOTO�CREDIT�TO�GARY�HAYWOOD

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“There have been so many pointswhere I’ve thought f*ck this I’vehad enough”

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WHYDO MENNEED ACHALLENGE?The�interest�in�extreme�sports�is�on�the�rise�in�men�and�women.with�the�help�of�Ultra�marathon�world�record�holder�DaveMoretta�and�Victoria�Mousley�we�find�out�why.

As�participation�levels�for�eventsdesigned�to�test�the�human�limits�areconstantly�rising,�in�both�men�andwomen,�it�poses�a�valuable�question.Why?

Without�always�noticing�this�obsessivedesire�is�all�around�us.�In�the�parks�on�aSunday�or�in�the�gyms�in�the�evenings,people�of�all�shapes�and�sizes�constructtheir�master�plans�in�order�to�take�onmarathons,�ultra-marathons�and�eventriathlons.�Each�extreme�challengeseems�to�be�belittled�by�the�next,�as�theoverweight�weekend�warrior�strives�formore.

Take�the�Tough�Mudder�for�example,�aglobal�franchise�which�prides�itself�onbeing�the�toughest�assault�course�in�theworld.�Since�it’s�opening�in�2010,�theevent�has�attracted�over�1.3�millionparticipants,�70%�of�those�being�males.

As�a�member�of�the�male�species�wehave�all�at�some�stage�in�life�decided�totake�up�some�sort�of�challenge�in�orderto�test�our�physical�and�mentalcapabilities.�This�epiphany�is�usuallyformulated�after�a�Sunday�afternoonre-running�a�Rambo�box�set,�andsuddenly�realising�you�are�less�of�a�manthan�Shirley�Bassey.�

This�sudden�mental�crisis�for�many�iseased�by�a�few�weeks�of�press�ups�at�thegym,�or�a�sign�up�to�a�local�10k�run.�Theresult�of�this�mad�adrenaline�surgeusually�ends�the�same�way.�By�the�end�ofweek�two�the�idea�of�a�“go�hard�or�gohome”�approach�means�an�evening�spenton�the�sofa�with�a�chilled�beer,�wonderingwhere�it�all�went�wrong.

Photo�Permission�from�‘P � �

Lancashires�Lad��������������7

“Typically males have theneed to win females, andso tend to exhibit risktaking behaviours”

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With�an�average�participation�age�of�29years�old�up�to�15,000�people�trudgetheir�way�through�a�12�mile�assaultcourse,�braving�mud,�water,�and�evenhigh�voltage�electric�shocks�to�reach�thefinish.

According�to�Psychologist�JoanneCrawford,�this�theory�is�nothing�new.�Asa�tutor�at�Runshaw�College,�Leylandshe�teaches�the�Evolutionary�Theory�tostudents,�when�explaining�reasonsmale’s�commit�crimes.Crawford�said;�“You�could�also�apply�theidea�of�taking�part�in�Tough�Mudder�to'win'�females.�Males�take�risks�to�try�andshow�how�good�of�a�mate�they�wouldbe,�to�produce�healthy�offspring.”

“In�2006,�1.42�million�offenders�weresentenced�in�England�and�Wales�ofwhich�80%�were�male.��More�males�endup�in�prison�than�females,�which�couldbe�due�to�the�fact�that�males�take�morerisks�than�females�on�a�day-to-daybasis,�as�they�have�a�shorter�life�ex-pectancy.�“Evolutionary�psychologists�suggest�thattypically�males�have�the�need�to�“win”

females,�and�so�tend�to�exhibitrisk-taking�behaviour�in�front�of�others.Behaving�in�that�way�would�help�themdemonstrate�to�their�potential�matesthat�they�are�the�best�person�availableto�produce�the�fittest�offspring�and�soensure�survival�of�their�genes.”��

But�imagine�taking�such�a�gru-elling�hobby�and�making�it�yourfull�time�profession.�Formallyknown�as�Lancashire’s�ForestGump�Ultra�Marathon�runnerDave�Moretta�has�made�whatbegan�as�a�one�off�challenge�acareer.�This�consists�of�apainstaking�training�scheduleday�in�day�out.�Ultra�marathon�running�whichis�any�race�over�the�26.2�milemarathon�distance,�is�a�fastgrowing�sport,�and�has�had�a10%�increase�in�competitorssince�2013.

According�to�Moretta,�heblames�a�medical�condition�forhis�sporting�persistence;“I�have�a�lack�of�serotonin�inmy�body�(the�feel�good�factor),which�from�an�early�age�hasmade�things�really�hard�tocreate�a�buzz.�So�after�leavingthe�army�I�decided�to�committo�becoming�a�pro�enduranceathlete.”

Typically�serotonin�helpstransmit�messages�to�thebrain,�which�effect�mood,�sex-ual����desire,�appetite,�andmost�of�our�40�million�braincells.�A�lack�of�serotonin�inmost�cases�is���directly�linkedto�mental��������disorders�suchas�depression,�which�shock-ingly�affects�one�in�five�UKadults.

It�could�be�argued�that�theconstrictions�of�society�force�people�toseek�relief�from�this.Victoria�Mousley�a�BritishUltramarathon�runner�believes�thatthe�ego�of�a�woman�is�just�as�strong.

“I�am�ridiculously�competitive.�Even�in�myfirst�race�back�after�having�the�baby�Iknow�I�will�still�be�racing�as�I�can't�justjog�round!�Ego�is�part�of�it.�I�like�doingwell.

“We�live�in�a�world�of�longer�workinghours�and�jobs�which�people�have�towork�very�hard�at,�and�I�think�exerciseespecially�"extreme"�forms�have�becomemore�appealing.�The�idea�of�beastingyourself�round�an�obstacle�course�orenduring�10�hours�of�running�almost

makes�the�workingweek�morebearable.”

How�far�will�thisgrowingobsession�go?�By2020�there�couldbe�an�Olympicassault�courserace,�or�an�armyof�bionic�womenwith�kneereplacementsaiming�to�run

Top�Left:Competitorsbrave�their�waythrough�the�painand�sufferingassault�coursechallenge.

Far�Right:�DaveMoretta�on�hisway�tocompleting�anultra�marathonrun�from�UK�toBelgium�in�aid�ofA�SoldiersJourney.�PHOTO:�SeriousSupplements

Pho

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Photo�Permission�from�‘Pain�And�Suffering’

Lancashires�Lad��������������8

Page 10: Lancashire's lad

WHAT A PLANK

When people have the urge to build bad boy abs ‘the plank’ exercise is usually one of the firstpoints of call. Whilst this exercise is useful if done properly it usually isn’t. You only have to take alook at the image above to notice that when posture is poorly performed it actually does very littlefor your abs. Infact it puts increased pressure on your back. Here are some exercises that reallywork your abs.

KEEP ITNATURALChorley’s�David�Lloyd�personaltrainer�Rob�Darlington�insiststhat�keeping�your�diet�simpleand�natural�is�key.�Foods�thatare�grown�are�always�the�wayforward.�This�includes�all�fruitand�vegetables,�as�well�asmeats�such�as�fresh�chicken.Foods�with�artificial�sweeten-ers�and�saturates�can�beavoided�by�checking�the�pack-

ages�of�most�food�labels.

PHOTO:�John�Schilling�viaFlickr

CORE AND TRICEPS

bottom�left:�CORE WITH A TWIST

Techniqueby keeping the back straight,lower down like a press up, androtate the board. 10 reps 3 setsbottom�right:

CABLE CORETechnique

by using the cable keep yourback straight and move like apress up. 15 reps 3 sets

MEET THEFITNESSCOACHRob�Darlington�isa�personal�trainerat�David�Lloydgym�in�Chorley

Rob�is�anironman�aftercompleting�theextreme�swimbike�runchallenge,�whichtook�a�gruelling12�hours�tocomplete

Rob�takes�anumber�of�classesat�the�populargym.�Includingcore,�spinningand�even�yoga.

Rob�is�also�aStoke�City�fan

A PLANK ADAPTATIONTechnique

This plank excercise takes the oressure off the back. By beginning inthe plank position but rotating the legacross the body and back, this will alsowork the obleaks (the outer abs). Swaplegs to work both sides. 12 reps 3 sets

TOP TIP

keeping�your

back�straight�w

hen

doing�these�exc

ercises

will�work�the�co

re�the

most�efficeintly

OBLEAK ABDOMINAL

BALL SITUPSTechnique

As opposed tohunching in a normalsit up the ball enablesyou to keep a straightback. 20 reps 3 sets

FRONTAL ABSSHOULDERS

BALL SLAMTechnique

This one issimple. with amedicine ballslam the ball onthe floor and pickup. 18 reps 3 sets

Lancashires�Lad������������9

Page 11: Lancashire's lad

NON LEAGUEVSPREMIER LEAGUE

CHORLEY FC

FANSAll in al

l non league fa

ns made a brill

iant

account of the

mselves. On a b

one chilling

Tuesday evening

where a night

watching

England on the

TV would have

been the easier

option, over 16

00 home fans t

urned out.

Admittedly over

half of those l

ooked as thoug

h

they had spent

the day outside

Lidl selling the

big issue, but th

e commitment w

as there all the

same. For me t

he fans of a non

-league side be

at

the Premier Leag

ue fan’s hands d

own. A non-

league team re

ally represents

who you are, a

nd

where you com

e from, and not

just a team wh

o

has your favour

ite player.

more�and�more�football�fans�are�ditching�the�overpriced�leagues�full�of�egodriven�pre�Madonna’s�to�support�the�towns�that�mean�the�most�to�them.But�how�does�a�day�spent�watching�non-league�football,�a�game�raising�in

popularity�compare�to�the�big�leagues?�Not�very�well�you�may�think.THE MATCHFor a team who are only two divisions below

official league football, the quality of play was

surprising. Both sides adopted the ‘hoof and hope’

approach, traditionally celebrated in local parks

on a Sunday morning.The creation of chances were pretty minimal also,

and when a chance did come along many could be

accused of not being able to hit a very large barn

door. . Whilst the world’s best stars could be

criticised for their lack of work ethic, their basic

skill in this case compensates for the number of

slices and miss kicks witnessed, which must leave

non-league fans screeching in frustration.

THE MANAGERChorley FC have been gifted with a manager who has

been there and done it before. Gary Flitcroft had a

solid career in the top division playing for Manchester

City Blackburn and Sheffield United, and has since

dragged Chorley up two divisions since his

appointment in 2010.Other non-league clubs however haven’t been so

fortunate however. The away assistant manager took

me back to the days of Sunday league football as a

child, as he hurled abuse (all unproductive) at us from

a distance, beer and fag in hand.

THE FOOD

In all honesty m

y initial non-lea

gue snobbery

made it difficult

to expect anyth

ing but a

packet of quaver

s and an Irun Br

u but lo and

behold. The new

ly furbished kitc

hen was

bustling, as staf

f worked tireles

sly to serve a

large array of ta

sty recipes. Arg

uably there

was nothing to c

hange the lives

of a high

cholesterol suffe

rer’s, but who ca

res it’s a

football match!

We have all had

that heart in

mouth moment

in the que at a

Premier

League game, a

s you suddenly

realise it

would be cheap

er to adopt a do

lphin than it

would to buy a b

eer and a Mars

Bar. But just

look at the valu

e here

VerdictWould I honestly go and watch a non-leaguegame again? Probably not. But in spite ofthis a lot of credit can be handed clubs thataim to give fans the best experience possi-ble with the resources they have.

For me the quality of football just wasn’tgood enough. But it depends what you wantfrom the experience.

For now though the Premier League stillreigns supreme. But as the attraction con-tinues to grow predominantly amongstyounger supporters, it could be a matter oftime before non-league starts to rival theglitz and glamour of the Premier League.

Lancashires�Lad������������10

PHOTO�COURTESY�OF�RICHARD�SCOTTphoto�courtesy�of�Matthew

Wilkinson�VIA�FLICKR

photo�courtesy�of�MatthewWilkinson�VIA�FLICKR

Page 12: Lancashire's lad

NEXT MONTH

ARE FEMALE COACHESREADY FOR THE MENS

GAME?

ON SALE NOVEMBER 20TH

LANCASHIRE’S

LADS

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