Trescothick is not a Twit

There is hope for print journalism, exemplified in the choice of one of England's leading batsmen to break his news in his local paper and not by pushing buttons on his mobile.

Ex-Spurs striker Darren Bent and Aussie opener Phillip Hughes vented their frustrations via Twitter.

But Marcus Trescothick chose to rely on his column in the Bristol Evening Post to relay to the world the news he would not be returning for the Ashes finale at the Oval.

The 32-year-old retired from Test cricket after suffering from stress and has since scooped the William Hill prize for Sports Book of the Year with 'Coming back to me' which explores his battle with the condition.

Bristol keeper gearing up for England debut

CITY and Rovers have let a jewel slip through their fingers but teenage Bristol goalkeeper Jack Butland has his grip on a greater prize – his first England cap.

The towering 15-year-old from Clevedon has been called up to the England Under-16s squad for their Victory Shield opener against Northern Ireland, which is being shown live by Sky Sports on Friday (7.40pm).

Butland, who still attends Clevedon Community school, signed for Birmingham City’ s academy at the age of 14 following a whirlwind six-month spell which saw him progress from his local Clevedon United side to the then Premier League outfit thanks in part to a stint with the Jamie Shore Football Academy in Bristol.

England were nearly denied his talents though as his dad, Matt, revealed. “We are a rugby family,” he said. “My dad and I both played for Somerset. I was a No 8 and my dad (Jack’s grandad) was a centre.”

Jack began his sporting career as a No 8 in the mould of his father. But his talents as a shot-stopper quickly came to the fore, helped by his love of Manchester United and his idol Edwin Van der Sar.

Butland is now just one inch in height and one football division below the 6ft 5in United keeper and his dream, along with a full England cap, is to appear for the Blues at the Theatre of Dreams.

Jack will turn 16 in March when he will hear if he has earned a two-year modern apprenticeship with Birmingham and the England call-up has helped to prove that he is on-track to achieve it.

He said: “I have not been at this level of football for very long. The England call-up will take a while to sink in. Two years ago I was playing against my friends on a Sunday afternoon.”

Butland now trains with the Blues’ first team and revealed striker Marcus Bent comes closest in the tricks stakes to his favourite outfield player, Cristiano Ronaldo.

A highlight for the youngster are the regular penalty shoot-outs after training and he has even upset one of the big names with his ability.

“Gary McSheffery likes to think he’s the best penalty taker,” said Butland of Brum’s £4 million acquisition from Coventry.

“I saved one and someone told me it’s the first time a youth team keeper saved one of his penalties for two years.

“It’s a privilege to train with the first team keepers at Birmingham. (Alex) McLeish and (Steve) Bruce before him always talk to us.

“You just have to take your chances, I just have to stick with it and work hard. But it’s started brilliantly.”

Former Aston Villa keeper Nigel Spink was key in Birmingham’s recruitment of Butland. Spink was working as a coach at the club under former manager Bruce when Jack went for a trial, and his manner and enthusiasm made an immediate impression.

“Birmingham were very down to earth,” added his dad, Matt. “We heard some horror stories about clubs academies. We trialled with Birmingham first and I liked the way they conducted themselves. It just seemed right for Jack. We didn’t have any contact from the Bristol clubs so we didn’t try out with them. He slipped under their radar.”

Sex and the City

Sex and the City captured the imagination of millions of women across the globe with a giddy cocktail of fancy shoes, designer labels, fancier bars and flexible relationships and now they can feast their eyes on the movie.

What they didn't know is that it is remarkably like watching England at football.

Without giving away what happens, there's the introduction, a refamiliarisation with the teams and the star players as the opening credits role. Then the opening bout of punditry (in the film's case the ponderous thoughts of Miss Carrie Bradshaw) as the present situation is weighed up in advance of the real business.

Early decisions are made (tactics, formation and gameplan) and in the first half there are some fine moments in which Carrie goes 1-0 up and celebrates in some style.

But soon enough the main characters sit back, take their eye off the ball, and it all goes wrong.

Miranda scores a spectaular own goal from which she struggles to recover and soon the opposition have the upper hand resulting in a bout of in fighting and self doubt.

On a bigger scale it's comparable to England's Euro 2008 campaign. There's a lot of wallowing and recrimination, but it can only last so long.

The final 20 minutes is tense as form is re-established but the result isn't certain and for the final score you'll have to read elsewhere as we don't have the rights to reveal the remainder.

What can be guaranteed though are close-ups of the footwear, tears and plenty of fake tan.

England enter a cold spell

English football may have entered a long winter of discontent, but elsewhere the cold is less figurative and is causing tangible excitement.

The scottish winter climbing season is kicking off and despite climate change concerns there is still a fair amount of snow to be had in Scotland this winter.