Derek Redmond: "I wasn't going to be beaten by the Olympics"

“That was the worst day of my career,” said Redmond about the vital day of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The day that saw Redmond etched into Olympic folk law, after the injury that ruined his career on track during the 400m semi-final.

It was a day that should have seen the Englishman smash all records and take Olympic Gold, after the disappointment four years prior at Seoul, where Redmond didn’t even make it to the start line: “I was in the best shape of my life, when it came to the heats I knew I was going to win.”

Redmond lined up for the Olympic 400 metre semi-final with those thoughts ringing in his ears, as he just made it out of the first turn, his hamstring snapped and he fell in sheer pain. After staying down on the track for a few seconds, Redmond rose to his feet: “What made me get up was the thought that I could still catch them. This time, I wasn’t going to be beaten by the Olympics.” 

After many stewards and officials asked Redmond to stop and move off the track to let the medics help, he just kept on going. As he turned into the home straight, he was joined by his father: “I could sense this person coming to grab me, then I realised it was my old man. He told me I didn’t have to do this, but I just wanted to finish, he said we’d finish it together.”

“It wasn’t a special moment at the time, I just wanted to finish. But when I crossed the line, all the emotion came out. That day was the worst of my career.”

Redmond then set his sights on running for his country again, but after many operations on his damaged hamstring, and being told he would never compete for his country again, he decided to call it a day to his career on track.

But Redmond did compete for his country again in very much different sport, that of Basketball. “After Barcelona I tried to make a comeback in athletics, but it was clear my hamstring wasn’t going to hold up to the level training needed. My attitude was, you don’t know me, don’t tell me I can’t compete for my country again.”

Redmond worked his way through the basketball ladder and after the England trails, he wore the Great British jersey once more.

Four years before the 1992 Olympics, Redmond and the Great British 400m relay team of Roger Black, John Regis and Kriss Akabusi, enjoyed their best success at World Championship’s, the first time America had been beaten since the 1950’s.

“We were expected to finish behind the American’s in those games, we ended up changing the order to Roger, to me, to John and then Kriss, and the plan just worked. We wanted to give Kriss the best chance going into the final leg, as long as he was 5 metres behind the Americans on the last leg, we knew we were going to win. That was most definitely the high of my career.”

The former runner has now turned his hand to a different form of racing, motorcycling racing. Redmond has set up his own team, RG Moto and competes in the No Limits Endurance series running around the British Isles every month at different circuits.

 The first race of the season was last weekend at the Snetterton race circuit in Norfolk, the team finished a respectable 10^th place in the overall standings, and second place in their class. It’s now becoming clear that Redmond has not lost his speed on the track, whichever type that is.

Welfare 3 - Barton Town Old Boys 2

A brace from young midfielder Kieran Benson and a Darren Manasram close range finish saw Welfare stop the run of no win in eight games, and moves Welly up to 16^th in the NCEL Premiership.

Following Tuesday night stalemate at Nostell, manager Brian Johnston had a selection headache ahead of today’s tough tie with Barton Town.

Welfare were without key players, John Tunney, Danny Taylor, Jay Rollins and Jonathan Mirfin today, so Johnston gave a debut to 16 year old Luke Ferguson and welcomed back into the side Darren Mansaram after missing Tuesday’s 0-0 draw.

The weather took a turn for the worst just before kick off, with a downpour of rain softening the pitch and straight from the off Welfare were on the back foot.

Early pressure from Barton forced keeper William Biggs into an early save, after a neat piece of play by the travelling side on six minutes.

Chances started to come for both sides after the tie started to settle down after a nervy start from Welfare, midfielder James Walker saw his shot stopped well after a perfect cross field ball played by Kieran Benson.

Biggs, once again was called upon in the Welfare goal to tip a curling shot onto the post, just after the half hour mark.

Today’s contest had the feel of Tuesday’s point against Nostell and Welfare went into the half time break on level terms with Barton Town, who up and till today hadn’t lost in the league since the 19^th of October, a 21 game unbeaten run.

The second half whistle blew and just as Johnston’s asks of his side, the men in blue came out with fire in their stomachs.

Five minutes into the half Welfare scored their first of the afternoon, through tireless midfielder Benson.

Benson made a galloping run down the right hand flank and picked the ball up with space to run into, with an advancing keeper Benson coolly stroked the ball home to give Welfare the lead.

The match officials took some criticism today from the on looking public, and he then enraged the home fans after awarding Barton a penalty, from what was seen as a push from midfielder Brad Johnston on 60 minutes. 

Up stepped midfielder Ashley Lattimore and placed his kick well into the bottom right corner, just past the finger tips of a diving Biggs.

But four minutes later Welfare got their revenge through Benson once again. The home side hit Barton on the break and Benson once again coolly chipped the ball over the on rushing keeper.

Barton did look weak when defending counter attacks, and Welfare took full advantage of their naivety and hit on the break once again through full back, David Buck.

Buck advanced down the left hand flank, got to the by line and crossed the ball low into striker Darren Mansaram who easily slotted home to double Welfare’s advantage on 68 minutes.

Barton did try for a point and were close on clawing the deficit back as a freekick rattle the cross bar, signs for Welfare that if wanted to win, they must stay switched on.  

Barton did manage to grab one goal back through Tim Taylor on 88 minutes, but it was a case of too little too late.

So Welfare have today shown they are certainly no pushovers in the league and have broke an unbeaten run that dates back to 2013, and moves the men in blue above local rivals Glasshoughton Welfare in the league.

Welfare will now move onto Wednesday, where they welcome Athersley Recreation for a South Yorkshire derby under the lights, and have the chance to join Maltby Main on 41 points.

Welfare XI: Biggs (GK), Gibbons, Smith, Garner (C), Benson, Ferguson (White, 45), Johnston, Aspinall, Buck, Walker (Lee, 85), Mansaram.

Subs unused: Ryan.

Nostell Miners Welfare 0 - Armthorpe Welfare 0

A scrappy, but battling performance saw Armthorpe Welfare keep their eighth clean sheet of the season but slump to their eighth game without a win in the NCEL Premiership.

Welfare travelled to Nostell on a dry patch in front of goal, only scoring three in the last seven games, conceding nine goals in the process.

On the other hand our opponents for tonight’s fixture have had an up turn in form, after being bottom of the table since day one, only winning one league game until February, where their form dramatically improved.

Picking up 13 points in the last eight games Nostell have climbed out of the relegation zone, and now find themselves climbing up the table.

Welfare made three changes to the starting line up following the weekends draw to Staveley, in came Richard Smith, David Buck and Anthony Ryan for the missing Jay Rollins, Darren Manasaram and John Tunney for the trip to Nostell tonight.

The first real chance for Welfare came on 16 minutes through James Walker. Walker picked up the ball on the right wing and jinked inside, he then fizzed the ball into the box which only just missed an on coming David Buck, cantering in from left wing.

The first 20 minutes saw Welfare have most of the possession and created most of the chances, but the final ball lacked quality.

Nostell then started to come back and look the more potent side in front of goal, catching Armthorpe on the break and just shooting wide from 18 yards.

One worry for manager Brian Johnston was Anthony Ryan who replaced by Bhekisipho Sibanda after complaining of a hamstring injury just before the half time whistle.

As soon as the second half whistle blew Welfare came out of the blocks firing, and much the brighter side.

Kieran Benson came the closest for Welfare on 58 minutes, after a game of pinball in the box the ball fell to Benson who struck it well but found it cleared off the line by a yellow shirt.

Two minutes later, tireless midfielder Craig Aspinall struck a half volley from a James Walker corner, but was saved well down to his right from the Nostell shot stopper.

The yellow shirts of Nostell started to feel three points were theirs, and after a shot cannoned off the crossbar on 66 minutes, it slowly started to wake Welfare up and made them feel that an upset could be caused.

The contest slowly started to peter out into a draw until the 88^th minute when keeper William Biggs was forced into an acrobatic save to keep his side level and earn a point on the road.

Manager Brian Johnston could have a selection headache up top for Saturday’s game with three strikers in the shape of Jay Rollins, Anthony Ryan and Lewis Truman all out injured.

Welfare will now turn their heads to Saturday and a home tie against highflying Barton Town, who had success against Welfare earlier in the season defeating 4-0, so Armthorpe are out for revenge and to spoil Barton’s promotion push. 

Staveley Miners Welfare 1 - Armthorpe Welfare 1

A well placed Kieran Benson header wasn’t enough for Welfare to take all three points on the road this afternoon at Inkersall Road.

Welfare made the short trip down the M1 this afternoon, still cleaning their wounds after conceding a late equalizer last weekend against Glasshoughton Welfare.

Manager Brian Johnston struggled to make up the numbers today, only naming three subs on the bench.

Welfare stated the brighter of the two teams, causing trouble down the left hand side through Jay Rollins. Rollins’s pace was slowly becoming an issue for Staveley’s James Caulbeck who struggled to cope all game.

But the first action of the half took 24 minutes to come through Rollins, the striker picked the ball up out wide on the left and jinked inside the full back, but unfortunately his shot was seen wide by Ben Townsend in the home side’s goal.

Staveley then started to get a foot in the game and after some dangerous play in the box, a deflection off defender Josh Gibbons saw Welfare’s keeper, Will Biggs, forced into a fantastic reflex save to keep the tie level.

Welfare started force the young Staveley side into mistakes and James Walker capitalized on some free space, firing a venomous shot just over the bar, the goal you felt was coming.  

Then 9 minutes before the half time whistle, Welfare broke the deadlock through winger Kieran Benson.

A 20 yard curling shot from Rollins rattled the post, striker Darren Mansaram picked up the rebound and chipped the ball into the middle and there was Benson to head home from 7 yards.

But then, from the restart Welfare switched off. A foul committed on midfielder Brad Johnston wasn’t given and the home capitalized through top scorer, Josh Scully, who struck a thunderbolt of a right footed shot into the top right hand corner of Biggs goal.

There were chances for the home side before the half time break but failed to take their chances.

The second half wasn’t as eventful as the first, as Welfare struggled to find their feet from the whistle.

Once again keeper Biggs was on hand to keep his side level on 59 minutes, after clawing away a shot that looked destined to hit the netting.

Welfare were creating chances but struggled to put the ball away after subbing off top scorer Jay Rollins early in the second half.

But nevertheless, Armthorpe dug in and ground out a hard working point away from Church Street, their second draw on the road this season.

Its now no win in seven games for Welfare who have a busy run in of fixtures in the next two weeks, with two mid week rearranged fixtures against Nostell Welfare and Athersley Recreation.

Armthorpe Welfare XI: Biggs (GK), Tunney, Gibbons, Garner (C), Taylor, Benson, Walker, Johnston, Aspinall, Rollins (Ryan, 63 mins), Mansaram.

Staveley Miners Welfare XI: Townsend (GK), Caulbeck, Finlaw, Jukes, Hill, Dickson, Hague, Scully (Meachin, 51 mins), Flint (Goodwin, 74 mins), Smith (C) (Wafula, 68 mins), Trench.

Referee: Jason Tyas

Assistant: Steven Holroyd

Assistant: Aaron Bannister  

Brighouse Town 4 - Welfare 1

Welfare came into this League contest on the back of heavy defeat at local rival’s, Maltby Main, on Saturday and looked to bounce back with three points and chalk up another away win.

Brian Johnston made four changes to the side that shipped six against Maltby on Saturday, in came goal keeper Liam Copley, Jonathan Mirfin, Henry Sibenge and Bhekisipho Sibanda. Midfielder Brad Johnston was recalled after serving his lengthy suspension to take a place on the bench, as did Stuart Preston.

Missing out were Will Biggs, Kieran Benson who dropped to the bench, strikers Darren Mansaram and Richard Smith.

Welfare started the match brightly creating many chances, the best of which through Sibanda who headed straight into the keepers hands from a Sibenge cross.

A wake up call for the Welfare defence then rung out as an Ernest Boafo shot stung the post on 11 minutes.

Welfare were coping very well after making a fantastic start to the match, then on 25 minutes Wellie took the lead through a well worked move.

Full back David Buck picked up a loose ball and advanced down the line, he whipped in a cross, which deflected off a defender and fell neatly into the path of Sibanda, who slotted home into an empty net.

Six minutes later Welfare were pegged back after a neat piece of play from the home side.

Ernst Boafo picked up a pass, turned on captain Craig Morley and unleashed a bullet of a shot into the bottom left hand corner.

Welfare then looked to take the lead again but lost the ball in the final third and Town went on the break, and slotted home past Copley to take the lead.

Two goals within the space of four minutes killed Welfare’s mood after a strong first half an hour, where three points looked in their hands.

Welfare started the second half nice and lively, forcing the Brighouse defence to think about what they were doing.

Captain Morley urged on his troops to try and grab the equaliser that looked to be coming the South Yorkshire side’s way.

But then on 74 minutes, substitute Kieran Benson lost the ball in the midfield, and Town’s Boafo hit a curling shot past keeper Copley to give Town a two goal advantage, heartbreak for a hard working Welfare side.

Questionable referring decisions then came into question after a two footed lung on defender John Tunney went unpunished by the referee, much to the disgust of Captain Craig Morley who received a booking for his protests.

12 minutes later, Brighouse smashed in the final nail in Welfare’s coffin after a great turn and finish sent the homeside on their way to three points. 

Walking away from the Dual Seal Stadium with nothing hit Welfare hard, after a battling performance left Wellie disheartened.

Brian Johnston’s men have now currently lost two on the road, and entertain mid table Athersley Recreation at Church Street on Saturday.

Maltby Main 6 - Welfare 0

A feisty and heated contest at Muglet Lane for the second Yorkshire derby within a week saw Welfare struggle on a heavy pitch and conceed six.

Welfare travelled to Muglet Lane making only one change to the side that beat Main last weekend at Church Street, Luke Atkinson came in to replace a missing John Tunney.

Maltby were still without influential striker, Brian Cusworth, due to a back injury. A lifeline for Welfare, with him scoring 17 in the season so far.

Welfare started the brighter of the two sides, and had a chance through striker Darren Mansaram on eight minutes.

Manasaram found himself with time and space after an inch perfect cross from Danny Taylor, put under pressure from Main’s keeper, Mansaram could only scoop his shot over the bar.

Four minutes later, Welfare conceded their first of the afternoon, after poor piece of defending.

Captain Craig Morley failed to produce a back pass to keeper Will Biggs, as the ball fired around the box, it fell to the feet of a Maltby forward who curled a shot past Biggs.

A heavy pitch at Muglet Lane didn’t allow the ball to be played on the deck, and Welfare struggled to get a foot in the match, with the tackles flying in from the men in red, Welfare stood up to the task.

Half time came and Welfare battled to keep the score line at just one and trudged off the muddy pitch with three points within their grasp.

A major slope at Muglet Lane gave Welfare a chance during the second 45, running down the hill.

But straight from the kick off Main doubled their lead, a shot from distance forced Biggs into a save, but the rebound fell into the path of a red shirt who powered home on 47 minutes.

Three minutes later Main gave the fans what they wanted and powered home another rebound from a Biggs save.

Welfare looked rattled, and started to loose their heads. Maltby like to play an aggressive form of football, bullying their opponents out of the game, and Welfare seemed to back down.

And such the fourth goal proved, Maltby won a dubious freekick about 30 yards out, the freekick was whipped in and avoided everyone in the box, and beat Biggs at his near post.

Two minutes later, Welfare conceded their fifth after a curling effort was placed over the head of keeper Biggs and sent the home fans into raptures.

One worry for manager Brian Johnston, striker Richard Smith came off complaining of a groin injury and puts him as a doubt for the midweek trip to Brighouse Town.  

Welfare did start to create some chances, Craig Aspinall rounded a neat piece of play by chipping the ball just over the bar.

Danny Taylor then headed wide from a Kieran Benson cross but that was all Welfare could muster on a poor day all round.

Welfare were then caught again on the break, and conceded their sixth of the afternoon, a poor day all round for Brian Johnston’s men.

Johnston must know pick his team up for Tuesday’s trip to highflying Brighouse Town, in search of three points to push them into 15^th in the league.

Welfare 2 - Maltby Main 0

Vice Captain Richard Smith described Welfare’s second win of 2014 as a “great result” after a 2-0 win over South Yorkshire rivals, Maltby Main.

Brian Johnston’s men have now won four in their last five league games, and this upturn in form has now seen them climb the table, avoiding the fight for relegation.

Johnston made just one change to the side that beat Garforth Town last Saturday, with striker Jay Rollins ruled out with a hamstring injury, vice captain Smith came in as his replacement up top.

Maltby have recently had a poor down turn in form, only winning two of their last 10 league games, and missed influential striker and top scorer, Brian Cusworth for their trip to Church Street today.

Welfare got the action underway and the first ten minutes saw neither side create any chances for their strikers to put away.

But on 11 minutes Welfare broke the deadlock through young midfielder, Kieran Benson.

A long goal kick from keeper William Biggs, allowed Darren Mansaram to lay the ball off for Benson who beat the on rushing Maltby keeper to score his fifth of the season.

Then straight away Main came back at the home side, and forced a fantastic reflex save from keeper Biggs, diving to his left hand side.

The pitch at Church Street, due to poor weather conditions, didn’t help either side but saw Welfare take their lead into the half time break.

The second half whistle blew, and once again, just like the whole season, Welfare came out firing.

And on 55 minutes Welfare scored their second, through midfielder Danny Taylor after an excellent piece of pressing play.

Maltby were caught in possession on the edge of the 18 yard area and Taylor put the full back under pressure, he won the ball and cheekily chipped the on rushing keeper to net his eighth goal of the season.

Main then started to play and put Wellie under some considerable pressure by pushing men forward, looking for a goal to put them back into the contest.

Welfare started to sit back and take their two goal lead, but once again they had Biggs to thank after another brilliant save, to keep his run of clean sheets going.

With 10 minutes left of the South Yorkshire derby, Maltby continued their pressure and headed over from a corner, which woke Welfare up, but that was the last of the action.

The full time whistle blew, and gave Welfare a fourth win in five games in the league.

Welfare have now also kept two clean sheets in a row, and Smith believes this will give the squad a lift: “Bucko has come in at left back, and Garner has now moved into the centre, they haven’t put a foot wrong but it’s a team effort.”

“Things are picking up, we’re working hard in training, and we’re getting lads back and we’re gelling and working hard for each other and its certainly showing on the pitch.”

Welfare now travel to Maltby Main next weekend in search of another three points and a third win in a row, ‘Smigger’ as he’s known had this to say on next weeks away tie: “Next week is going to be a slog again, their pitch is small and tight and poor condition wise, they’re a physical team and we’ve got to be committed to the cause like we were and win those three points.”

Welfare have moved onto 32 points, only two points off 15^th place in the league, which can be took next week with a win over Maltby, and extra incentive for the team.

Welfare: Biggs, Tuney, Morley, Garner, Bucko, Taylor, Aspinall, Walker, Benson (Mirfin 77’), Mansaram (Ryan 87’), Smith (Gibbons 90’)