Bronson

By Marco Abonandi

This biopic into the life of Britain's most famous prisoner lives up to high standards.
The films gives a raw incite into the mind of Charles Bronson, It shows you in the ins, outs and the in-betweens of prison life, from how he finds himself as a bare knuckle fighter to a disturbingly adverse artiste.
The storyline isn't really great; its plot is a little two dimensional. You leave the cinema expecting that little bit more. But Tom Hardy's performance of Britain's most infamous hard man is worryingly exceptional. There aren't many actors who can play this role, but Mr. Hardy pulls this one off hands down. He is simply brilliant, oozing superfluous charisma on screen.
This in mind, one may go with the notion that his performance is a little over the top and overly theatrical, but that’s the point of the film. It gives that belief of how Bronson's mind of works. Everything was a performance to him and this is what the film does so well. It's accentuates his theatrical temperament with Hardy's performance and cut scenes of him performing in front of an audience. It amplifies how he performed to be remembered by us.
It isn't for the faint hearted. It's heavily doused scenes of a violent nature; but some of these scenes are hilarious at the same time. In some parts you shouldn't laugh at his thuggish violent behaviour but you just can't help yourself from how funny and lovable Bronson's character is in his charm and wit.

Marathon places going fast

Sheffield runners intending to take part in this year’s half marathon who have not already signed up have been advised to decide quickly as places are going fast.

The event, held at Don Valley Stadium each year, has got over 1200 people more signed up this year compared to this time last year. In total, over 4000 have signed up for the half marathon which is to be held on Sunday 26th April at 9:30 am leaving just 1500 places remaining. For the first time ever the marathon could be full before the day of the event.

The marathon first started as the full 26 miles in 1982 with a half marathon run together but in 2004 it was decided to cut the race down to just a half marathon.

Ian Thomas, entries co-ordinator, said: “We are delighted with the amount of entries we have had so far. Everyone is welcome to take part, but don’t leave your entry too late!

“We can’t be sure what has caused the spur in entrants. Perhaps people in Sheffield have an increased interest in keeping fit and want to do their bit for charity, despite the economic downturn.

“The race gets bigger and better every year and to think that places might be full before the big day is a huge deal. This reinforces the race’s place as one of – if not the – biggest participation event to take part every year in Sheffield.”

The 10 chosen charities for the 2009 event are Sheffield Teenage Cancer Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association South Yorkshire, Macmillan Cancer Support, Myasthenia Gravis Association, RSPCA Sheffield, Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre South Yorkshire, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Anyone interested in taking part in the half marathon is advised to visit http://www.sheffieldmarathon.com/content.php?nPageID=195

Gavin Patterson

Have You Considered Teaching?

Jack Phillips

A teaching fair is being held at Sheffield Hallam University tomorrow encouraging students to look at teaching as a future career.

The routes into teaching fair hopes to provide information to students from both Sheffield Hallam University and University of Sheffield about using their skills gained from University and transfering them into the teaching profession.

Stalls will be providing information on PGCE courses after students have completed their degrees, TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) courses and graduate teaching programmes.

The fair will be taking place from 11am – 3:30pm in the City Campus of Sheffield Hallam University where the TDA (Training and Development Agency for Schools) will also be holding talks about the different routes into teaching.

A spokesperson from Sheffield Careers fair said “If you are just thinking of a career in teaching, the fair will help you find out more about going into teaching. With the current economic climate and people struggling to find jobs, a job in teaching is one of the most secure in the country at the moment.”

Gran Torino Review

Gran Torino is exactly what you would expect from a Clint Eastwood film. Moody, evocative, able to challenge stereotypes and pleasing on the eye.

The film starts with its main character Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) attending the funeral of his late wife. Walt is a brooding and ill-tempered old man. An unfamiliar role for Eastwood after his previous incarnations as the wacky ‘The Man With No Name’ and the camp ‘Dirty Harry’.

Walt has just lost the love of his life and it seems unlikely that he is about to share his grief with either his sons, with whom he has a poor relationship, or Father Janovich (Christopher Carley), a young priest who tries to bond with him throughout the film.

Living next-door to Walt are Thao (Bee Vang) and his older sister Sue Vang Lor (Ahney Her) who are both Hmong. Walt is a veteran of the United States Army and is seemingly displeased that his neighbourhood is now full of immigrants. This animosity is heightened when Thao, as part of a gang initiation, is caught by Walt trying to steal his treasured Gran Torino.

Having failed to steal the car, Thao is visited at his house by the gang. They try to drag him away, causing a commotion which is only ended when Walt interrupts it brandishing a rifle and warns the “gooks” to stay off his property. This, and another incident in which Walt saves Sue from three black teenagers by brandishing a pistol, brings the three characters together and Walt’s hostility towards the immigrants starts to diminish.

From this point on we see the relationship between Walt and his neighbours develop to the extent that you would consider them friends. However, the inevitable twist is to come as the gang seeks retribution against Thao and Sue and Walt is forced to retaliate. The result is a dramatic and surprising conclusion to the film which, although it is frustrating, is befitting of Walt’s character.

As with several of his previous works, Eastwood has produced, directed and starred in this film so it is no wonder that the four-time Academy Award winner has seen it achieve critical and box-office success thus far. It is a moving portrait of a man who carries the burdens of his past upon his shoulders and who is forced to confront these issues as he deals with his grief. A thought provoking and well made film.

Stephen McShane

Clean or Consequence.

By Marco Abonandi.

A Sheffield City council tenant could face jail unless she cleans up her garden.
Angela Bishop, 51, of Ash Street, Mosborough, Sheffield magaistrates court was told that she had household items strewn across the garden, littering the premises.
A court has told her; unless she cleans up her garden she could face some a fine or a possible prison sentence.
Miss Bishop must remove all rubbish and household items by April 14 this year and must keep her garden tidy after that. The order is to remain in force as long as she remains a tenant of the property.
The state of the garden first came to Sheffield Councils attention in November 2007.
Since then, numerous letters have been sent and contact made in order to persuade Bishop to tidy the garden.
She did make some attempt, prior to the hearing, however, there were still various household items on the garden, and there is the concern that if an order was not in place, Bishop would allow the garden to become overgrown once again.
A neighbour said: “No one should have to live next door to such an unpleasant sight like this.
Bishop was also ordered to pay the Council’s costs of having to bring the application to court.
After the court hearing Cllr Bob McCann, said: “I hope she heeds this warning and cleans up her act.”

Picture This.

By Marco Abonandi

AN award-winning photographer who has inspired Sheffield’s young people has set up a display of their work in Sheffield's Winter Garden.
Photographer Anwar Suliman is holding a free special exhibition to celebrate the success of ‘Aiming -High’ Positive Activities for young people in Sheffield.
The exhibition is made up of more than 70 photographs and aims to take young people out into the countryside and to local and regional events to take digital photos and digital video footage. Its aim is to encourage young people to write about their experience and put all that they have done onto a web site.
It will demonstrate how local people in their own communities have supported and worked with Sheffield young people to increase their involvement in local activity programmes.
Mr Suliman Said:"It shows how local adults can inspire and work with young people to make a real difference in their lives and their community."
The exhibition will be on display from the 16th to the 24th of March.

Finally good news at last

Hundreds of jobs could be created in Sheffield after supermarket giant ASDA were confirmed as the preferred bidder for a multi million pound regeneration scheme for Southey and Owlerton.
The supermarket is hoping to become part of the area that wants to transform the surrounding areas. The plans also include a new medical centre, a library learning centre several shops and a new public square.
Sheffield city council is to discuss the plans at next week’s cabinet meeting which could create hundreds of jobs in both the construction side of the area and jobs in the retail sector. The plans want to develop the area between Chaucer business and enterprise college and Buchanan Road shops in Parson Cross.
The scheme would buck a national trend amid a global economic crisis where thousands of people have been made redundant in tough times for businesses.
Councillor Bob McCann, Sheffield City Councils’ cabinet member for housing and sustainable, safer communities said: “This move is great news for the area and is something local people are supportive of and want to see happen.
“It should mean jobs for local people, which, in the current economic climate, is good news indeed.”
Jonathan Refoy, Head of Communications and Planning, ASDA, added: "ASDA is delighted to have been selected as the preferred bidder to deliver the regeneration of this part of Sheffield.
“We are looking forward to making progress in partnership with the Council and the community. ASDA is the UK’s best value supermarket and this scheme will create hundreds of new job opportunities."

Gavin Patterson

Tenants hope for price cut

Plans to increase council house rent by 6.2% may be halved after the government revealed they are going to cover costs by making extra funds available.
Sheffield Council had agreed to increase rent on average by £3.39 a week, the minimum increase rate that the government allowed under new proposals.
The change of heart by the government has been welcomed by councillors who had originally expressed concerns at the rate of increase especially as it was above national inflation.
The government however has not explained to the council where the money that would have come from the rent increase will now be coming from. If the council had chosen not to increase the rent this time then prices would have had to have gone up in the future or there would be insufficient funds for council services.
Councillor Bob McCann, Sheffield City Council’s cabinet member for housing and sustainable, Safer Communities said: “Obviously we are pleased with any cut in rent increases for our tenants, as the last thing we want is for them to have to pay such a huge increase, especially in the current economic climate.
“But we made it quite clear back in January that we did not want to set the increase so high but we were forced to put the rents up way above inflation or our services would have to be cut.”

Gavin Patterson

Tevez affair resolved

Sheffield United and West Ham United have today announced that they have agreed an out of court settlement regarding the Carlos Tevez affair.

The agreement comes just before the independent tribunal scheduled for the 16th March which was to determine exactly how much compensation the Blades would receive after the legal victory last autumn.

Early figures as to how much United will receive have varied between £15m to £25m but the figure is expected to remain undisclosed and is expected to be paid in instalments over 5 seasons. The settlement is comes because West Ham breached Premier League third party ownership rights by playing Tevez , a player they only partly owned, and he played an instrumental role in keeping the Hammers up at United’s expense.

In a joint statement, Sheffield United Chairman Kevin McCabe and West Ham United's Chief Executive Officer Scott Duxbury said: "Both clubs are pleased to announce that a satisfactory settlement for compensation has been reached which brings the dispute between Sheffield United and West Ham to an end. The tribunal will not be resuming."

Mr McCabe said: "We are two clubs with a fantastic footballing history who now want to move on and focus on the business of playing football – hopefully for us against the Hammers in the Premier League next season. We look forward to a positive ongoing relationship with West Ham at all levels."

Mr Duxbury said: "For everyone concerned, the time was right to draw a line under this whole episode. We have had very positive discussions over a number of days with Sheffield United and acknowledge their willingness to resolve this in the best interests of both clubs.

“We wish Sheffield United well in their bid to secure promotion from the Championship."

Gavin Patterson

Owls to woo with new kit

Sheffield Wednesday has announced a deal that will see German sportswear giants PUMA provide the Owls kits for the next six years.
The club has renewed its links with PUMA after previously providing Wednesday’s kits in the Premier League during the 90’s. Having established a link with a leading brand around the world Wednesday will be hoping it will in turn help to enhance the clubs brand.
The figure for the deal has remained undisclosed but rumoured figures have estimated the deal to be worth up to a million pounds a year.
The deal comes after Wednesday sacrificed a commercial sponsorship deal and decided to link up with the Children’s Hospital in Sheffield. The two have decided to fund raise together and are seeking possible corporate backing.
Sheffield Wednesday chairman Lee Strafford said: “Having one of the biggest and best manufacturers in the world on board with Sheffield Wednesday again marks a partnership of real magnitude and PUMA is a brand we are proud to be associated with.
“PUMA are keen to provide our supporters with the high quality products they deserve. We have listened to the fans’ feedback and we know the priority is to give supporters the quality of product they demand.”
Richard Callaway, PUMA UK Head of Sport said: "We are thrilled to be working with the club. This will give PUMA great exposure within South Yorkshire; and with great kit and good service we will be an excellent partner for the club."

Gavin Patterson

Student sporting event to be shown on TV

Thousands of students have descended on Sheffield this week to take part in the British Universities and Colleges Sport championships.
This year’s competition, running from 11-15 March, has seen increased interest as Channel 4 will be featuring several of the events in its 4Sport: Destination 2012 magazine programme.
Unsurprisingly given the title of the program, Channel 4 will be focusing on the Olympic featured sports but the championships will see over 5,500 students take part in 24 sports at 14 different venues.
The championships are expected to showcase many potential future stars including Britain’s fastest woman Montell Douglas, of Middlesex University. Karen Rothery, Chief Executive of BUCS said: “We hope to take the best of university sport to a much wider audience than ever before, showing that our student athletes really are the sporting stars of the future.”
Channel 4’s Martin Henlan added, “A number of our Olympians have come through the university system so there is every chance that our coverage of the Championships will capture some of the future faces of London 2012.”
4Music: Destination 2012 is aired on Channel 4 at 8am on Sundays. The BUCS championships will feature on 29 March.

Stephen McShane

Sheffield seeks 'sister city' partnership in China

Sheffield hopes to improve its links with China by developing a ‘sister city’ partnership with Chengdu.
The city, capital of Sichuan province in south-west China, is an important economic centre and is supposedly where paper money first originated.
Chinese Consul General Mr Jian Ni visited the city to discuss the proposed strengthening of links. He said: “Sheffield is a beautiful and modern city. Its regeneration proposals are really impressive. I am sure this link will bring mutual benefits to Sheffield and Chengdu.”
Links between the two cities are already in place as Sheffield United Football Club owns Chengdu’s team, the Chengdu Blades and Sheffield is home to two high profile Chinese stars in Sun Jihai (footballer) and Ding Junhui (snooker player).
Council Leader Paul Scriven who invited the Consul General said: “We are determined to showcase our expertise, skills, products, services and people to the world market and China is a nation that wants to encourage enterprise, ambition and partnership – so it is no surprise that Sheffield, in my view, is a perfect match.”
Chengdu has 11 sister cities globally including Winnipeg in Canada, Montpellier in France and Palermo in Italy. It does not have a British sister city yet so it is hoped that with Mr. Ni’s support the ‘sister city’ proposal can be approved.

Stephen McShane

A Night In the Cells.

By Marco Abonandi

"You're arrested under section 91 of the 1967 criminal justice act, for being drunk and disorderly in a public place." Those fatal words will haunt me forever.
A heavy night involving alcohol brought the hooligan out in me. I was throwing road work barriers across Eccelsall Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.
My surroundings were suddenly alight with flashing lights. My heart jumped. I knew what was coming. I held my hands up for cuffing before the police even got out the car.
I didn't resist. I co-operated and went quietly into the car and off I went to my eventual fate.
Arriving at the station wasn't exactly a welcoming reception when concerning the interior, but the prison officers were surprisingly chatty and full of banter towards me during the rigmarole of questions, paperwork and my routine frisk.
Then after handing in my belongings including my belt, in case prison life was too much for life to handle, I made my way towards my cell.
As I was guided down the corridor, I couldn't help but notice the amount of shoes outside cells. It seemed I wasn't the only one in trouble tonight; the police must have had a busy evening.
My attentions were soon diverted as I was made aware that I had arrived to my abode for the evening. I went in and the door slammed shut. It was horrible. My bed was a concrete block with a wooden mattress and my toilet was seat-less and fashioned in a past tenant's vomit.
I lay down on the bed; I stared at the ceiling, thinking how hilarious this was, but only for a little while. Time went slowly. What seemed like an hour was only 10 minutes. My mood changed. I was drunk, cold and in deep need of my own bed now. I wasn't finding this experience funny anymore.
And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, it did. My stomach suddenly started to churn.So I hastily made my way to the toilet and projectile vomited the kebab that I had hours ago into the pan.
Luckily, A prison officer from down the corridor heard me and was able to hand me tissue to clean myself. My bed seemed a little more comfortable when I lay back down and before I knew it I was out for the count.
When I next opened my eyes it was morning. An officer opened to my door to set me free. But there was one more thing. My fingerprints had to be taken, which, by the way, is now done through a touch sensitive computer. Each of my fingers had to be pressed onto the screen.This took forever. But after been given back my belongings and receiving an £80 fine, I was a free man again. Regret though, hung heavily over me and the hang over didn't help.
One night in a prison cell is more than enough. The boredom, depressing nature of the place and the fact I had the worst night's sleep ever was something I couldn't get used to. I shan't be committing any crimes any time soon, that's for sure.

Friendly Fires: Friendly Fires

By Marco Abonandi
Yet another indie dance group to come out the works from the suburbs of southern England to join the bandwagon of electro, dance indie blah blah. But I thoroughly enjoyed this record. A wonderful depth of sound is created no thanks to it its funky French house-esque beats, high tempo drumming and melodic catchy riffs.
That said they do sound like a couple of bands already out there. The Foals especially spring to mind. The riffs are a little too similar. So much so, one could mistake them for the same band, if fresh un-nurtured ears were to grace upon them at any given time.
But all is forgiven, even though there's nothing new here; there is that funkier, imaginative yet catchy element about them. "Paris" and "Love sick" being the prime examples of their talents. They're more commercial compared to other the bands in their elite and why not. Listening to the album got me dancing in my room and around my kitchen, which hasn't happened in a while.
I think they'll do well over time and won't be one of those who fail under the lime light when the time comes to close the chapter on this scene. If they do it'll only be because other bands have already beaten them to it and got there first. Let's hope their magic, imagination and talent doesn't go to waste.

Irish Festival Market in City Centre

The City Centre is to play host to an Irish Festival Market this weekend to encourage residents to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
The market is part of the larger Sheffield Irish Festival (14-22 March) which will see many events, which are designed to celebrate Irish heritage, happening in the City. These will include music and dance, a family fun day and a health promotion event.
It is hoped that the Market will have around 40 traders offering a variety of unusual products including crafts, foods and clothing and that the City Centre shops will also benefit from the extra people visiting them.
Cllr Sylvia Anginotti, Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet Member for Employment and Enterprise said: “The bustling atmosphere that markets bring to the city centre will compliment all the other Irish-themed celebrations going on in the city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Markets are a great way to animate the city centre, and to bring products to the city that wouldn’t normally be for sale.”
The Market will be situated on Fargate and will take place from 14-17 March.

Stephen McShane

Red Riding- REVIEW

By Jack Phillips

If someone offered me a job as an investigative journalist at the Yorkshire post right now I would snap their hands off. If it was 1974 then I would not be quite so hasty.

After watching Channel 4’s adaptations of Red Riding, a trilogy of novels by David Peace, it really did set an eerie tone for the life of journalist Eddie Dunford played by Andrew Garfield. The young Yorkshire Post reporter is set to investigate the story of young children going missing and presumed dead.

One of the young children’s bodies is found on the construction site of local businessman John Dawson, played by Sean Bean, who is discovered to be bribing police for planning permission for the site.

A complex plot ensues, involving one of the missing child’s mothers, Paula Garland, played by Rebecca Hall, resulting in many sexual encounters between Dunford and her. Dream sequences and plenty of graphic violence play the story along strongly and a twisted storyline involving Paula and Dawson adds more tension between him and Dunford.
The year of 1974 looks like an uber cool era to live and work in, if not also a dangerous one. Dunford and the rest of the cast are constantly smoking, even during sex, and the journalists flared trousers will be in next month’s FHM as must have fashion items, reminiscent of Life on Mars.
The violent scenes are intense to watch and don’t leave much to imagination but at almost two hours long it needs two sittings to watch the whole episode which makes it difficult to keep up to track with the intricate plot. The programme takes quite a long time to kick in but once it starts the corrupt police force shines through with shocking revelations and crooked businessman Dawson and his ‘mobsters’ highlight the power of the rich at the time.
A definite recommendation for young budding journalists who want an exciting story with love, crime and violence mixed into one, but one to catch on the internet rather than two hours in front of the TV.

Dildos and Absinthe. Yes Please.

By Jack Phillips

It might sound like something you would hear at the start of an embarrassing sex story from a mate, but it isn’t. It’s a Victorian dessert.

This dessert could only come from one chef in the country at the moment. The Harry Hill lookalike, Heston Blumenthal, has gathered some of the country’s best c-list celebrities for a Victorian feast, Heston style.
Many may know Heston for his attempted re-invention of Little Chef, or as he introduces his new show, the owner of one of the best restaurants in the world, The Fat Duck.
The scene is set for the ‘celebrities’ who are sat down in an Alice in Wonderland themed room where Heston plays the Mad Hatter creating a dinner party “they will never forget.”
The entree is a ‘drink me potion’ dragged straight out of the Lewis Carroll novel, which is drunk from a test tube with flavours of toast, turkey and toffee and other abnormal flavours. The starter of mock turtle soup is a cow head stock poured over what looks like chewy sweets.
The main is a Victorian garden that is entirely edible, crickets and worms injected with mayonnaise scattered around with a dessert of jelly and ice cream, with dildos representing the phallic minds of the Victorians placed around the jellies and balloons filled with absinthe at 85% alcohol and helium, the meal is polished off.
Heston doesn’t have as much of television presence as Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsey, but his enthusiasm and weird creations make it brilliant watching. Next week is a medieval feast and how he will top this week is beyond me.
Well I’m just waiting for this menu to appear in Nonna’s on Ecclesall road. I will be skipping straight to the dessert thanks.

Socialist Protest

By Jack Phillips

Socialist Protest

Petitions are circulating around Sheffield in protest against the pension given to ex Royal Bank of Scotland boss Fred Goodwin. Protesters across the region are encouraging members of the public to sign petitions to send to the government.
Protesters, Sheffield Socialist Workers party, have invited speakers on the Marxist theory of the economic crisis and how workers can fight back against the government, to be held on Sunday 22nd March at Old Sharrow School, South View Road.
Sheffield Socialist Workers party organiser Tim Nelson said “We want to show a way for society to be run differently because it is obvious the current system is not working. With the sessions we want to show workers how they can fight back against the hypocrisy of the government.
“Companies making people redundant with just 24 hours notice with no pensions or future plans are outrageous. How can a disgraced banker be given nearly £700,000 as a pension when he led the bank to the brink of collapse?”
Protesters are gathering around Sheffield Hallam University buildings to try and get their petitions signed. Matthew Vickery, a former student officer at Sheffield Hallam University, said “We are just trying to draw people’s attention to the current economic climate and what is happening in the government.
“We are trying to talk to people and inform them of our own views. We know the petitions will not make a huge difference but we hope to get as many people signing them as possible.”

For more information log onto http://www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk/ or contact Tim Nelson at tnelson86@gmail.com.

Protest march

Residents and politicians marched through the streets of Sheffield in protest against East Midlands Trains plans to install ticket barriers.
East Midlands Trains, which owns Sheffield station, wants to put ticket barriers up on the footbridge to prevent people travelling without tickets. The bridge, which links Sheaf square and the tram line at the end of the bridge, provides a safe well-lit walk way for residents of the Norfolk Park area.
The plans have caused public outcry from residents in Sheffield, politicians and rail users. The protest began at Sheffield City Hall where around 100 protestors marched with signs to vent their anger.
Central Sheffield Labour MP Richard Caborn made a speech and said the move was “economic madness” especially with the launch of Sheffield digital centre. Mr Caborn added it would restrict “social mobility” to some people, particularly wheel chair and push chair users.
Paul Scriven, Liberal Democrat council leader said: “So many people in the city are strongly opposed to these barriers and we must ensure that East Midlands Trains sits up and takes notice.
“If we can put a man on the moon we can come up with a solution to this problem. Sheffield says no to barriers at Sheffield station.”

By Gavin Patterson

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

By Marco Abonandi

Slum dog millionaire is a modern day fairytale. A lad from the slums of Mumbai, (Dev Patel), is given his lucky break, makes it big and finds his true love. A definite Hollywood touch about it, which is why it has probably been so accepted across the pond.
With all the publicity that surrounded this film I expected to be disappointed. When I came out of the cinema I was a little surprised. To a certain extent you can see what all the fuss was about, but I'm not sure I agree with it doing so well as it has with its award collection.
Credit where it's due, Danny Boyle does an excellent job with this film and duly deserves his best directors Oscar. The plot is a little far fetched, but saying that, it is clever and enticing. The passion, life and vibrancy of India really can be felt and is brought to life through the cinematography. I feel If the film was set in a another country, Slum dog wouldn't of worked so well. It's in it's location that makes this film. With this in mind, along with great performances by most of the cast, everything seems naturally fall into place.It is a great film, but then again it's one of those you only really want to watch once or twice. I don't think ill be rushing out to buy it when it comes out on DVD, but definitely worth the watch.

Comic Relief- Sheffield's View

Blades announce reductions

By Gavin Patterson

Sheffield United has announced that they are to slash the price of watching the Blades for next season.
United, currently fourth in the championship and in with a chance of promotion, have decided to cut prices by up to £30 from last season's renewal prices.
The move follows initiatives by other clubs and comes amid challenging financial times for supporters. Children who attend home matches with an adult season ticket holder who are under the age of 13 will be entitled to free admission to league matches at Bramall Lane.
Next season will be the clubs 120th anniversary and all fans that renew their season ticket will be given a replica strip commemorating the 120th year. The shirt has the name of every player who has played for the Blades woven into the fabric.
Chief Executive Jason Rockett said: "As a club we are continuing with our policy to make football affordable and accessible to all.
"More than ever it is necessary to be flexible in these economic times. We hope by reducing season ticket prices it will ease the financial burden on the club's supporters."