Jacques Villeneuve completes Daytona 500 test for Team Hezeberg

Jacques Villeneuve successfully completed this week’s two-day Next Gen NASCAR test for Team Hezeberg at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the team’s plan to compete in the 64th running of the Daytona 500 next month.

The European team invited Villeneuve to compete in the iconic event following his race winning performances in the 2021 European NASCAR Whelen Championship. He will drive the #27 Team Hezeberg Ford Mustang.

Villeneuve is no stranger to the world of NASCAR racing having competed in selected events following his retirement from Formula One in 2006. He is looking forward to returning to racing in the United States and to working with Team Hezeberg in developing the car’s performance.

An initial test with the team took place in Charlotte last October. Villeneuve’s participation in the Daytona 500 on February 20th will depend on the outcome of the qualifying race three days earlier. The French-Canadian is relishing the challenge.

“There are a few races in the world that stand out for me – the Indy 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Daytona 500,” said Villeneuve. “It’s part of that very small group of special races that if you get the chance, try it out.”

“It was great to be back behind the wheel of a Next Gen NASCAR at Daytona this week. It really is impressive to drive. It was a good test with the new team and although we have some work to do with the qualifying set up we were comfortable and quick when running in the pack. The team is at the start of its journey over here but we are working well and making progress.”

–

Jacques Villeneuve won the 1995 PPG Indycar World Series for Team Green with four outright wins including that season’s Indianapolis 500. He finished 2nd in the FIA Formula One World Championship in 1996 before winning the World Championship with the Williams team in 1997. During his Formula One career he scored 11 Grand Prix victories, 13 pole positions and 23 podium finishes. He competed in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours for Peugeot making his debut in 2007 and finishing 2nd in 2008.

Munster Rugby Transfer News – RG Snyman extends contract

Munster Rugby Transfer News – Lock RG Snyman, props Stephen Archer, Roman Salanoa, Liam O’Connor, and hooker Scott Buckley have all committed their futures to the province.

World Cup-winning Springbok RG Snyman has signed a two-year deal that will see him remain with the province until at least June 2024. Despite enduring a difficult time with injuries since arriving at the province in the summer of 2020, the 26-year-old is well settled at his Limerick base.

An out-and-out leader, he is highly regarded across the squad and already in four short appearances he has managed to display his athleticism and skill set, including a first try scored against the Stormers in Thomond Park.

The province’s most-capped prop Stephen Archer has penned a one-year contract extension. The 33-year-old is the most recent player to reach 200 caps in 2019, joining an illustrious group of 11 players to reach the milestone.

The tighthead prop has now featured in 235 games and has been a vital member of the squad since his debut against Edinburgh at Murrayfield in October 2009. His name is rarely omitted from a team sheet showing great durability, strength, consistency of form and technique in a specialist position.

Loosehead prop Liam O’Connor has signed a one-year contract extension having made 32 Munster appearances since his 2016 debut in a Champions Cup clash against Stade Francais.

A product of Dolphin and CBC, the former Ireland U20s international plays his AIL rugby with Cork Constitution and graduated from the Academy to the senior squad in 2018.

Tighthead prop Roman Salanoa has signed on for three more years at Munster after one try in eight appearances for the province to date.

A former USA U20 international, the Hawaiian is a Shannon RFC clubman and joined the Leinster Academy in 2018 before making the move to Munster in the summer of 2020.

Hooker Scott Buckley follows Alex Kendellen in becoming the second Greencore Munster Rugby Academy player to be promoted to the senior squad ahead of next season, signing a two-year deal.

A product of Kinsale RFC and CBC, Buckley plays his AIL rugby with UCC and was a try-scoring Player of the Match on his Munster debut in the Champions Cup win over Wasps last month.

Superbike Championship announces full schedule for 2022

The Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship has announced its schedule for 2022 as it returns to a full calendar for the first time since 2019. With continuing support from Dunlop, a seven weekend championship will begin with the official test days in March and continue with a race event every month between April and September.

The six race events will all take place at Mondello Park, County Kildare, with three on the venues’ National Track and three on the International Track. For the first time the test weekend will also utilise both circuits over its two days. The championship will also feature some new initiatives along with an increase in the Superbike prize-fund.

Following one of the most competitive Superbike seasons for many years the championship promoters are looking to continue to grow the quality and quantity of bikes and riders involved in the feature classes. For 2022 the Superbike and Supersport categories will have longer qualifying sessions and Superbike competitors will also race for an increased prize fund. The value of the prize fund will increase by 30% with the Superbike awards increasing by more than €1,200 per event. Changes to the championship points scoring system are currently being finalised in an effort to keep more riders fighting for the championship right up until the final event.

A new award is being planned which will allow Junior riders across all categories compete against each other for the title of young racer of the year. The series will use a radical points scoring system which will see riders scoring more points the more competitors they finish ahead of, thereby rewarding performances in the more competitive classes.

Mondello Park will also continue its policy of trying to encourage young racers into the sport next season by supporting the FIM MiniGP Ireland Series. The FIM MiniGP racers will join the Masters for two events, with the championship for ten to fourteen year old’s incorporated into the timetable at the May and August rounds. In addition, Mondello Park and Motorcycling Ireland are offering a scholarship to one lucky rider who will be given the use of a MiniGP Ohvale for the full 2022 season. Applications for the scholarship are currently being taken and details can be found on fimminigpireland.com.

Further details of the new Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship season will be announced over the coming weeks as the championship gets ready for its thirteenth year. Preparations for the new season can be followed on the championship web site, masterssuperbike.ie and its social media pages.

2022 Championship dates

March 25/27 – Pre-season Testing – National & International Track
April 23/24 – Rounds 1-3 – National Track
May 21/22 – Rounds 4-6 – International Track
June 25/26 – Rounds 7-9 – National Track
July 23/24 – Rounds 10-12 – International Track
August 27/28 – Rounds 13-15 – National Track
September 24/25 – Rounds 16-18 – International Track

Injury News – Leinster Rugby’s Dan Leavy out until end of March

Dan Leavy, the flanker underwent a procedure to stabilise a fracture in his wrist last week and will be unavailable for at least two months.

The Leinster Rugby coaching team have provided an update on the squad ahead of this weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup clash with Montpellier.

That game at the RDS Arena kicks off at 1pm on Sunday and is live on BT Sport and beIN Sports.

There are currently two players in isolation due to Covid-19 – one as a close contact – and this follows the latest round of PCR testing carried out at Leinster Rugby yesterday.

There was disappointing news on Dan Leavy, the flanker underwent a procedure to stabilise a fracture in his wrist last week and will be unavailable for at least two months.

There are no further updates on the following:

Conor O’Brien (hamstring), Dave Kearney (back), Michael Milne (calf).

Postponed Champions Cup rugby fixtures set to be 0-0 draws

Following a series of meetings of the Board of EPCR, it has been regrettably decided to cancel the postponed fixtures in Round 2 of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

The Board has also authorised the EPCR Executive to determine the outcome of the fixtures as provided for in the rules of the tournaments and the EPCR Executive has decided that the appropriate solution is to record the results in each of the five Heineken Champions Cup and the two EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures in question as 0-0 draws with two match points awarded to each club (see below).

The Board and the Executive have been guided by input from the deliberations of the EPCR Sporting and Tournaments Committee which like the EPCR Board is made up of representatives of the URC, PRL and TOP 14 leagues.

The Round 2 matches were initially postponed following the unforeseen introduction of new travel measures between the UK and France which resulted in EPCR being unable to obtain assurances that existing cross-border travel exemptions for players, club staff and match officials would remain in place.

The options of modifying the tournament formats and/or rescheduling the matches were deliberated in great detail by all parties, however, in an increasingly complex fixture calendar due to Covid-19, it was regrettably decided that the only choice in the circumstances was to cancel the matches.

The Board then considered how the seven matches should be accounted for in the standings of the tournaments and it was satisfied that the correct approach was for the EPCR Executive to apply the Match Result Resolution Matrix as set out in the 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Participation Agreement.

On the basis that none of the clubs involved were in a position to play once the EPCR Board had postponed the seven matches due to the new restrictive travel measures, the only option open to the EPCR Executive under the provisions of the Match Result Resolution Matrix was to record the results as 0-0 draws and to award two match points to each club.

A distinction should be drawn between the decisions in respect of the seven Round 2 matches in question and other tournament fixtures which were previously cancelled due to Covid-19 outbreaks or forced isolations affecting player availability.

Those previously cancelled fixtures could not have been played as scheduled under any circumstances, whereas the clubs involved in the Round 2 matches in question were all cleared and available to contest the matches.

Therefore, the determined outcomes of the three previously cancelled or forfeited Heineken Champions Cup fixtures, and the one EPCR Challenge Cup fixture, will stand.

EPCR would also like to thank all its participating clubs for their patience and understanding in what are extremely difficult times and wishes everyone well for the matches in Rounds 3 and 4.

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP
The results of the following Round 2 fixtures are recorded as 0-0 draws with two match points awarded to each club:

Bath Rugby v Stade Rochelais
Sale Sharks v ASM Clermont Auvergne
Scarlets v Union Bordeaux-Bègles
Stade Toulousain v Wasps
Stade Francais Paris v Bristol Bears

The businesses that are booming thanks to the GAA’s popularity

Thanks to the GAA and its continued rise in popularity, other businesses are experiencing their own booms. Despite the game’s unaltered amateur status, players of all grades are making the changes necessary to improve their own performances. As a result, the demand for physios, dieticians, analysts, strength coaches, and recovery facilities is at an all-time high.

GAA businesses – New Age

Gone are the days of club players arriving at a game half an hour before throw-in. Now you will see players entering dressing rooms with foam rollers under their arms, tape holding every joint in place, and the day’s most popular protein bar bouncing on the gear bag. This isn’t a complaint by any means. In fact, there is an undeniable correlation between the rise of such careful preparation and the growing attention club games have received.

At inter-county level, each team has a physio, a strength and conditioning coach or coaches, and a dietician. Not to mention whatever facilities they need for recovery on hand. This has allowed many large companies to enter the game.

Club teams do not have the same resources to employ such a giant of the industry. Instead, most clubs make do with their own version of an analyst who will film games and forward footage on to coaches. Many college students of the Sports Science variety spend their work placements doing such jobs for club teams and even for underage county teams. With club teams inherently dismissed when compared to their inter-county compatriots, there is an open market for analysts willing to grind their teeth.

Across the Board

Analysis is just one example of a business directly profiting thanks to the GAA. The most obvious is perhaps the world of strength and conditioning. In the last decade, the emphasis on training has shifted. Previously, ball skills were trained without competition and gym work was considered more of a hobby for players. Now, these ball skills are almost taken as a given and a player is expected to adhere to twelve week gym programmes.

Consequently, the demand for sports scientists has reached new heights. However, with so much training, an emphasis also has to be placed on recovery. Enter the emerging studios where players can do it all in one go. Compression boots, ice baths, saunas and massage guns. All of these things were exclusive to the elite teams of the game but now they are accessible for the average club player.

Furthermore, the role of dieticians has been given new prominence among the amateur game. This profession is perhaps the most recent to experience a spike. Partly due to the success of Dublin nutritionist, Daniel Davey.

Look the Part

Those not so interested in the physical side of things can also find success thanks to the GAA. Anyone willing to give live scores and constant updates on social media can build a following. For example, Ah Ref is Mayo’s version of this and such is their success that they have extended to Sligo and Galway.

Any follower of the GAA will also have noticed the abundance of new brands on display. O’Neill’s is still the name you will find on most inter-county gear. Although club gear is being made by new companies across the country. Small startups, often by local players, have big markets for football gloves, socks, and gear as a whole. Much of this GAA gear will look the same but in keeping with the spirit of the game, clubs look after local businesses.

As the game continues to flirt with the threshold of amateurism, those with a love for the game can find ample opportunities to benefit from. When many industries are struggling, many more are finding success thanks to the GAA.

Tune in to @MayoGAATV for this weekends Mayo Club Championship games!

Keep an eye out for our video throughout their coverage 👊🏻🏐 #beready #grgsports #mayogaa @MayoGAA @TomParsons_8 @Akram_S7 @cian_hanley11 @mayogaaclubs pic.twitter.com/8Ix1DIBYqy

— GRG (@GrgSportswear) August 22, 2020

More niches that are finding success thanks to the GAA:
– Taking sports photographs like a pro

– The latest in sports massage therapy technology

– Football focused wearables for fitness

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

We’ve ranked the ten best defenders in Premier League history, the best midfielders in Premier League history and most recently, the best strikers in Premier League history, but now it is time to find out who are the biggest clubs in English football history?

What makes a big club? Well, many things can be looked at, for instance, how many trophies have been won by the respective club, time spent at the top of English football, how iconic the stadium is, the fanbase, financial importance and global notoriety.

With that being said, here are the ten biggest clubs in England, ranked.

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

10. Nottingham Forest

11 Major Honours

League Titles (1978), European Cup (2 times), FA Cup (2 times), League Cup (4 times), Uefa Super Cup (1980), Community Shield (1978)

During the Brian Clough era starting in 1975, Nottingham Forest saw a massive overhaul of success. From 1977 to 1990 the club won a single league title, four League cups and most impressively, two European Cups during that timeframe.

With context, those achievements sound even better as the club won all those trophies within three years of getting promoted from the Second Division. Fairytale stuff to say the least.

That being said, the past few decades for the club has seen them relegated twice to the Championship, both in 1997 and in 1999, where they have stayed ever since.

9. Aston Villa

22 Major Honours

League Titles (7 times), FA Cup (7 times), League Cup (5 times), European Cup (1982), Uefa Super Cup (1982), Community Shield (1981)

The most successful club in the Midlands, with more European Cups, than Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham combined, Aston Villa were once a behemoth in English football, with seven league titles, seven FA Cups and five League Cups, Villa are often forgotten by many modern-day football fans as being a ”big club”.

Having experienced six relegations during their history, their last being the 2015/2016 Premier League season, finishing 20th, they were soon back up playing top-flight football and are now a part of the core clubs to represent English football.

8. Leeds United

Manchester City have spent over £700 million in an attempt to win the Uefa Champions League and they're still to go any further than Leeds United did in 2001. #lufc pic.twitter.com/A4RZXzPdNu

— YBI (@YeboahBelieveIt) August 15, 2020

9 Major Honours

League Titles (3 times), FA Cup (1972), League Cup (1968), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Winner (2 times), Community Shield (2 times)

Talking about a club like Leeds can go either one of two ways, you call them a ”small club” because of their long absence from the Premier League or to go with the norm and refer to them as a ”huge club” in the history of English football, the latter would be the obvious choice for many.

While they spent over 16-years out of the top flight, Leeds has recently made a resurgence, currently in their second season in the Premier League, where they rightfully belong.

A one-club city, Leeds United have won a decent amount of league and domestic cups while making it to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001, an iconic club in England, Leeds will forever be listed as a top tier club.

7. Everton

Can Ronald Koeman bring back Everton's 1980s glory days? https://t.co/hXL4bWVlFe pic.twitter.com/siPj12J2w4

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 8, 2016

24 Major Honours

League Titles (9 times), FA Cup (5 times), Cup Winners Cup (1985), Community Shield (9 times)

In terms of English titles, Everton is only beaten out by three clubs (Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal), and more than Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham, the Merseyside club are very much a massive club in English football.

Founded before Liverpool, Everton were once a much bigger and more well-renowned club than their rivals for quite some time, making 13 FA Cup final appearances and winning five since they were founded all the back in 1878.

Their trophy cabinet cannot be doubted, with numerous FA Cups and league titles to their name while boasting a tremendous fanbase and being only one of six clubs to never be relegated during the Premier League era, Everton are simply massive.

6. Tottenham Hotspurs

After winning the 1961 FA Cup Final, Tottenham Hotspur became the first team to win the double in the 20th century. 🏆

Spurs beat Leicester City 2-0 in front of 100,000 fans at Wembley. 🏟 [1/3] pic.twitter.com/ZEYfGI84Zp

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) November 29, 2021

24 Major Honours

League Titles (2 times), FA Cup (8 times), League Cup (4 times), Uefa Cups (2 times), Cup Winners Cup (1963), Community Shield (7 times)

It is hard not to malign Spurs as a mere nearly club, always in the shadow of London rivals Chelsea and especially Arsenal, Tottenham may not be successful, but they are consistent in terms of cementing their place in the higher echelon of English football.

Always in and around the top 6, Spurs were the first London club to win a league and cup double, but that was all the way back in 1961.

Known for their philosophy of attacking and free-flowing football, they were so close to capturing their first Premier League title under Mauricio Pochetinno and even managed to make their first Champions League final in 2019, losing to Liverpool.

They do, however, have the best stadium in England. Make of that what you will.

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

5. Manchester City

Manchester City remain the only team in English football history to get 100 points in a season for another year.

The best to ever do it 💙 pic.twitter.com/UaRqEU74Aq

— Ryan.🇩🇿🇳🇬 (@FavelaFIair) December 31, 2020

28 Major Honours

League Titles (7 times), FA Cup (6 times), League Cup (8 times), Cup Winners Cup (1970), Community Shield (6 times)

Like Chelsea, Manchester City became a footballing powerhouse with outside foreign investment. Bought in 2008 by a Saudi Arabian group led by Sheikh Mansour, City have become the best team in England over the past decade with shrewd signings and beautiful football to match.

Winning five league titles during that timeframe, with the majority of them being record-breaking seasons and being the first club to reach 100 points in the Premier League, a couple of FA Cups and a plethora of League Cups, it is hard to argue that City is not a massive club in today’s footballing landscape, despite much ridicule.

4. Arsenal

Happy Birthday Kevin Richardson 🥳 who played a big part in the 1989 #Arsenal league winning campaign #Champions 🏆 #Anfield89

There was football before the #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/UFocmAaQHY

— Arsenal History From Highbury To The Emirates (@4949Undefeted) December 4, 2021

47 Major Honours

League Titles (13 times), FA Cup (14 times), League Cup (2 times), Cup Winners Cup (1994), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Winner (1970), Community Shield (4 times)

London’s most decorative club based on trophy overhaul since the club’s inception in 1886, Arsenal have the most FA Cup titles with a record of 14 and with the third most league titles in English football with 13, their last being in 2003/04.

During the 1930s, they won five league titles in eight years and four FA Cups, making them at the time, certainly the biggest club in London and perhaps the biggest club in England.

They’ve also been the only side in Premier League history to go a whole season unbeaten, winning the league title in the process. Since then, they have fallen off a cliff, steadily moving down the league table, and without a league title in 17 years. With no European success to their name, they sit fourth.

3. Chelsea

🗓 30.04.2005
🏆 Our first @premierleague title! pic.twitter.com/u1XIbKXJc4

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 30, 2020

31 Major Honours

League Titles (6 times), European Cup (2 times), FA Cup (8 times), League Cup (5 times), Europa League (2 times), Cup Winners Cup (2 times), Uefa Super Cup (2 times), Community Shield (4 times)

Founded in 1905, Chelsea has always been deemed a good footballing club prior to foreign investment in 2003, winning six trophies in seven years before Roman Abramovich’s purchase, it is very hard to call them a small club.

Chelsea has become an English and European powerhouse over the last 20 years. Winning a slew of league titles, FA Cups and League Cups and are the first London club to win the European Cup.

With their recent success in Europe once again, the tide has turned in London between themselves and Arsenal for the biggest team in the capital. Depending on one’s criteria, either club can top the other but with the massive gap in European honours, Chelsea edge it.

2. Liverpool

OTD in 1977, Liverpool won their first Champions League ever! 🔥#LFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/kVkHu6Ghvl

— The Anfield Clan (@TheAnfieldClan) May 25, 2021

63 Major Honours

League Titles (19 times), European Cup (6 times), FA Cup (7 times), League Cup (8 times), FIFA Club World Cup (2019), Europa League (3 times), UEFA Super Cup (4 times), Community Shield (15 times)

When you think of consistent success over the past three to four decades, Liverpool will almost certainly come to mind.

The fact that Liverpool only recently won their first league title in over 30 years a year and a half ago and are only one league title behind rivals Manchester United shows how dominant and successful they were during that time.

Holding the title for most European trophies with 14 and with a record of 6 European Cups along with numerous domestic honours, Liverpool is truly a class above the majority of every English club bar one.

Known for their iconic fans, the historically relevant Anfield and club legends, Liverpool is a truly iconic club.

1. Manchester United

"But they never give in – and that’s what won it.” – Sir Alex Ferguson.

Today marks the anniversary of that magical night in 1999 – Ole's injury-time goal won us the #UCL to complete the Treble.

History was made. ✨🏆🏆🏆✨ pic.twitter.com/nMlXqtDJyw

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 26, 2020

66 Major Honours

League Titles (20 times), European Cup (3 times), FA Cup (12 times), League Cup (5 times), FIFA Club World Cup (2008), Europa League (2017), Intercontinental Cup (1999), Cup Winners Cup (1991), Uefa Super Cup (1991), Community Shield (21 times)

It’s hard to argue that when it comes to the biggest and most well-known club in England and perhaps, the world, Manchester United take the crown and by a fair distance.

United have won the most league titles, second-most for FA Cup triumphs and a plethora of European success, including three historic European Cup victories, with their last being in 2008 in Moscow. With a larger than life fanbase all over the world, United top the list with relative ease.

Besides England, United are on par with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, with massive success, numerous legends, a historic stadium, the money and the profile to match, United will be hoping they can get back to the level of success under Sir Alex Ferguson that made them the club they are today.

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

For more News and Stories on all things Football, click here.

Show Jumping – Allegations raised of unauthorised training methods

The FEI is aware of the allegations made in the documentary broadcast on RTL in Germany on 11 January 2022 and is making enquiries regarding the matter. We are already in touch with the German National Federation and will continue to liaise closely with them in order to assess the appropriate course of action.

Ludger Beerbaum

German broadcaster RTL sent videos into the world showing Ludger Beerbaum poling his horses during training. RTL itself collaborated with investigative journalist Günter Wallraff for this report.

Together they worked for two years on an investigation into unauthorized training methods in equestrian sports and violations of animal protection laws.

The welfare of the horse is central to everything that the FEI stands for and we strongly condemn all training methods and practices that are contrary to horse welfare. The FEI has stringent rules in place to protect horse welfare which allow action to be taken both at FEI Events and elsewhere. The FEI absolutely condemns any form of horse abuse and the training methods shown in RTL’s video footage are totally unacceptable from a horse welfare perspective and against FEI Regulations.

The FEI General Regulations (GRs) Article 142 state: No person may abuse a Horse during an Event or at any other time. “Abuse” means an action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a Horse, including, but not limited to:
(vi) To “rap” a Horse.

Article 243.1 of the FEI Jumping rules states: All forms of cruel, inhumane or abusive treatment of Horses, which include, but are not limited to various forms of rapping, are strictly forbidden. Article 243.2.1 goes on to give a non-exhaustive description of what the FEI considers as “rapping”.

The FEI will provide an update as soon as further information is available.

Entries list of possible runners in 2022 Queen Mother Champion Chase

Entries list of possible runners in 2022 Queen Mother Champion Chase. There are 22 entries with 11 of them Irish.

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 199y – Wednesday 16^th March

Allaho (FR) 8 Cheveley Park Stud Willie Mullins IRE

Allmankind 6 The Gredley Family Dan Skelton

Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Captain Guinness (IRE) 7 Declan Landy Henry de Bromhead IRE

Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 10 Mrs S. Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

Dunvegan (FR) 9 G. Turner/Clipper Logistics Group Ltd Pat Fahy Ireland IRE

Editeur du Gite (FR) 8 The Preston Family, Friends & T Jacobs Gary Moore

Energumene (FR) 8 Tony Bloom Willie Mullins IRE

Envoi Allen (FR) 8 Cheveley Park Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

First Flow (IRE) 10 Mr A. N. Solomons Kim Bailey

Funambule Sivola (FR) 7 My Racing Manager Friends Venetia Williams

Greaneteen (FR) 8 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

Hardline (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Hitman (FR) 6 Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done Paul Nicholls

Notebook (GER) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

Nube Negra (SPA) 8 Mr T. Spraggett Dan Skelton

Politologue (FR) 11 Mr J. Hales Paul Nicholls

Put The Kettle On (IRE) 8 One For Luck Racing Syndicate Henry de Bromhead IRE

Rouge Vif (FR) 8 Kate & Andrew Brooks Paul Nicholls

Samcro (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Sceau Royal (FR) 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Alan King

Shishkin (IRE) 8 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson

22 entries

11 Irish-trained

Schedule for Release of Entries for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival

The excitement is building for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival and we have the release dates for the entries of the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, and all other races.

Tuesday 4^th January

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase, Cheltenham Gold Cup

Scratchings: Tuesday 8^th February

Tuesday 11^th January

Unibet Champion Hurdle, Close Brothers’ Mares’ Hurdle, Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

Scratchings: Tuesday 8^th February

Tuesday 18^th January

Sporting Life Arkle Novices’ Chase, National Hunt Chase, Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, Turners Novices’ Chase

Scratchings: Tuesday 15^th February

Tuesday 25^th January

Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, JCB Triumph Hurdle, Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Scratchings: Tuesday 15^th February

Tuesday 15^th February

Parnell Properties Novices’ Mares’ Hurdle, Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase

Tuesday 22^nd February

Ultima Handicap Chase, Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase, Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, Paddy Power Plate Handicap, Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase, McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle, Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Weights: Tuesday 1^st March

Tuesday 1^st March

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, Weatherbys Champion Bumper, St. James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase

2022 Championship dates

GAA businesses – New Age

Across the Board

Look the Part

We’ve ranked the ten best defenders in Premier League history, the best midfielders in Premier League history and most recently, the best strikers in Premier League history, but now it is time to find out who are the biggest clubs in English football history?

What makes a big club? Well, many things can be looked at, for instance, how many trophies have been won by the respective club, time spent at the top of English football, how iconic the stadium is, the fanbase, financial importance and global notoriety.

With that being said, here are the ten biggest clubs in England, ranked.

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

10. Nottingham Forest

11 Major Honours

League Titles (1978), European Cup (2 times), FA Cup (2 times), League Cup (4 times), Uefa Super Cup (1980), Community Shield (1978)

During the Brian Clough era starting in 1975, Nottingham Forest saw a massive overhaul of success. From 1977 to 1990 the club won a single league title, four League cups and most impressively, two European Cups during that timeframe.

With context, those achievements sound even better as the club won all those trophies within three years of getting promoted from the Second Division. Fairytale stuff to say the least.

That being said, the past few decades for the club has seen them relegated twice to the Championship, both in 1997 and in 1999, where they have stayed ever since.

9. Aston Villa

22 Major Honours

League Titles (7 times), FA Cup (7 times), League Cup (5 times), European Cup (1982), Uefa Super Cup (1982), Community Shield (1981)

Having experienced six relegations during their history, their last being the 2015/2016 Premier League season, finishing 20th, they were soon back up playing top-flight football and are now a part of the core clubs to represent English football.

8. Leeds United

9 Major Honours

League Titles (3 times), FA Cup (1972), League Cup (1968), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Winner (2 times), Community Shield (2 times)

Talking about a club like Leeds can go either one of two ways, you call them a ”small club” because of their long absence from the Premier League or to go with the norm and refer to them as a ”huge club” in the history of English football, the latter would be the obvious choice for many.

While they spent over 16-years out of the top flight, Leeds has recently made a resurgence, currently in their second season in the Premier League, where they rightfully belong.

A one-club city, Leeds United have won a decent amount of league and domestic cups while making it to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001, an iconic club in England, Leeds will forever be listed as a top tier club.

7. Everton

24 Major Honours

League Titles (9 times), FA Cup (5 times), Cup Winners Cup (1985), Community Shield (9 times)

In terms of English titles, Everton is only beaten out by three clubs (Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal), and more than Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham, the Merseyside club are very much a massive club in English football.

Founded before Liverpool, Everton were once a much bigger and more well-renowned club than their rivals for quite some time, making 13 FA Cup final appearances and winning five since they were founded all the back in 1878.

Their trophy cabinet cannot be doubted, with numerous FA Cups and league titles to their name while boasting a tremendous fanbase and being only one of six clubs to never be relegated during the Premier League era, Everton are simply massive.

6. Tottenham Hotspurs

24 Major Honours

League Titles (2 times), FA Cup (8 times), League Cup (4 times), Uefa Cups (2 times), Cup Winners Cup (1963), Community Shield (7 times)

It is hard not to malign Spurs as a mere nearly club, always in the shadow of London rivals Chelsea and especially Arsenal, Tottenham may not be successful, but they are consistent in terms of cementing their place in the higher echelon of English football.

Always in and around the top 6, Spurs were the first London club to win a league and cup double, but that was all the way back in 1961.

Known for their philosophy of attacking and free-flowing football, they were so close to capturing their first Premier League title under Mauricio Pochetinno and even managed to make their first Champions League final in 2019, losing to Liverpool.

They do, however, have the best stadium in England. Make of that what you will.

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

5. Manchester City

28 Major Honours

League Titles (7 times), FA Cup (6 times), League Cup (8 times), Cup Winners Cup (1970), Community Shield (6 times)

Like Chelsea, Manchester City became a footballing powerhouse with outside foreign investment. Bought in 2008 by a Saudi Arabian group led by Sheikh Mansour, City have become the best team in England over the past decade with shrewd signings and beautiful football to match.

4. Arsenal

47 Major Honours

League Titles (13 times), FA Cup (14 times), League Cup (2 times), Cup Winners Cup (1994), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Winner (1970), Community Shield (4 times)

London’s most decorative club based on trophy overhaul since the club’s inception in 1886, Arsenal have the most FA Cup titles with a record of 14 and with the third most league titles in English football with 13, their last being in 2003/04.

During the 1930s, they won five league titles in eight years and four FA Cups, making them at the time, certainly the biggest club in London and perhaps the biggest club in England.

3. Chelsea

31 Major Honours

League Titles (6 times), European Cup (2 times), FA Cup (8 times), League Cup (5 times), Europa League (2 times), Cup Winners Cup (2 times), Uefa Super Cup (2 times), Community Shield (4 times)

Founded in 1905, Chelsea has always been deemed a good footballing club prior to foreign investment in 2003, winning six trophies in seven years before Roman Abramovich’s purchase, it is very hard to call them a small club.

Chelsea has become an English and European powerhouse over the last 20 years. Winning a slew of league titles, FA Cups and League Cups and are the first London club to win the European Cup.

With their recent success in Europe once again, the tide has turned in London between themselves and Arsenal for the biggest team in the capital. Depending on one’s criteria, either club can top the other but with the massive gap in European honours, Chelsea edge it.

2. Liverpool

63 Major Honours

League Titles (19 times), European Cup (6 times), FA Cup (7 times), League Cup (8 times), FIFA Club World Cup (2019), Europa League (3 times), UEFA Super Cup (4 times), Community Shield (15 times)

When you think of consistent success over the past three to four decades, Liverpool will almost certainly come to mind.

The fact that Liverpool only recently won their first league title in over 30 years a year and a half ago and are only one league title behind rivals Manchester United shows how dominant and successful they were during that time.

Holding the title for most European trophies with 14 and with a record of 6 European Cups along with numerous domestic honours, Liverpool is truly a class above the majority of every English club bar one.

Known for their iconic fans, the historically relevant Anfield and club legends, Liverpool is a truly iconic club.

1. Manchester United

66 Major Honours

League Titles (20 times), European Cup (3 times), FA Cup (12 times), League Cup (5 times), FIFA Club World Cup (2008), Europa League (2017), Intercontinental Cup (1999), Cup Winners Cup (1991), Uefa Super Cup (1991), Community Shield (21 times)

It’s hard to argue that when it comes to the biggest and most well-known club in England and perhaps, the world, Manchester United take the crown and by a fair distance.

United have won the most league titles, second-most for FA Cup triumphs and a plethora of European success, including three historic European Cup victories, with their last being in 2008 in Moscow. With a larger than life fanbase all over the world, United top the list with relative ease.

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

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