Stepney Green reunion 'lunch' - Message from Mr Mattingly

Hi this is Mr. Mattingly from the school. I am arranging an ALUMNI group for the school.On wednesday 19th March I am organising with the School Governors a reunion meeting.

It will start at 6.45 and end at 8.30. The evening will include a walkabout, speeches, 'free lunch' and lots of happy memories including past teachers.

If you are interested please contact me on my email jamesmattingly@aol.com or
jamesmattingly@stepneygreen.towerhamlets.sch.uk by 6th March.

I will reply with details.

Everybody who wishes to come will be made most welcome and have an opportunity to see old friends.

It would help if you would reply with a few details of what you doing at the moment, and what year you left the school.

The School is now called a college. The full name is Stepney Green Mathematics and Computing College.

Escape to victory

Emdad Rahman

In the UK, sport is one of the most popular tools used to encourage and promote activity. The city of London boasts some of the poorest and disadvantaged areas in the UK.

London is a city with some of the most deprived areas in the country, where a third of the youngsters come from a ethnic background. Child poverty rates are the highest in the country.

Omnibus Kids Gloves boasts World WBO champ, Colin McMillan, Olympic gold medalist, Audley Harrison, Miriam batten, BOA secretary and former Olympic gold rowing champion. The initiative provides opportunities for young people to gain a greater feeling of self esteem and better social skills. So they can gain educational ambitions.

The object of the scheme is to attract people in the 8 -19 year age range to take up elements of sport and a healthier life style, in doing so, providing them with a thorough grounding in fundamental skills.
 Awards are offered in five stages with incentives at every stage thus giving a sense of achievement at interim periods. By this method interest is more easily maintained through a higher level of motivation.

Boxing training schemes for young people are run over 10 week periods and involve a minimum of 20 sessions before final assessment. Each practice session lasts 1 1/4 hours in duration.

One of the attractions of these sessions is that there is no sparring involved, which does away with the needs for the M.E.3 Medical Card. Practice is provided by the adoption of skill challenging situations as shadow Boxing, partner Work, pack work and a variety of hitting apparatus such as punchbags and shields.
The ethos of the club is to use sport as a common experience platform to unite communities. The focus here is in the Eton Road community centre in Ilford, where Cesay and Md Khurram, two highly charismatic boxing trainers are working with young people, to enhance their lives and to provide direction.

Tony Cesay is an ex international boxer and captain of the world famous Repton boxing club in Bethnal Green, east London. The ABA national champion runs Omnibus operations in various areas of east London, including, Canning Town, Newham and Redbridge. Tony, a social entrepreneur has been working with the community for a number of years. Tony is a great believer in prevention; “it’s all about life discipline. We are more than just a boxing club. Here we school our young people in discipline, fitness, we counsel them and encourage good citizenship.

“In essence, we try to enhance the lives of our participants whilst working with them to better themselves in diverse areas.”

Ayesha Patel, age 6 is a new member of the club and the only girl in an all boy crew. Ayesha is a pupil of Farnham Green school in Ilford; “I enjoy the boxing and skipping – my Dad brings me and he watches me when I box.”

Brothers Ismael and Talha Rahman of Apex school in Barking attend every week; “ I really enjoy boxing and I really look forward to coming here” said Talha. Big brother Ismael was also very enthusiastic; “Tony and Khurram teach us so well that when I go home I’m so tired that I wash and sleep like a log.”

Ruslanas, aged 11, came to the UK 2 years ago from Lithuania. He is aiming much higher; “I’m hoping to one day compete at a national level or even higher.”
Trainer Khurram runs simultaneous sessions for the older boys; “We focus on developing young people for their adult life and work towards preventing problems before they become too big – The spirit here is wonderful and it is a pleasure to teach all these enthusiastic young people. Were not demanding too much too soon and that sport is for them and not for us, it can all become a reality.”

Umm Sharif whose son attends Tuesday sessions was very complimentary; “this is proof of increased self esteem in children. The trainers are very professional and committed and the enthusiasm of the kids is a joy to see. These sessions are making the community come togther. Kids can interact, whilst not caring about their backgrounds, race or religion – it’s a brilliant project.”

Presented within the Fair play Guidelines the whole purpose of the scheme is to use fun to increase participation and develop skill.











www.islamonline.net

Contact Omnibus Kids Gloves


Contact Name: Tony Cesay

Telephone 020 7511 6735, 07932 006 929
Email: tcesay@aol.com
Fax 020 7511 8166
Address YMCA St Marks Church, Tollgate Road, London, E6 5YA


To find a scheme near you or if you want to speak about getting the project involved at your School, College, Sports Centre then Please ring the number above.

Comments from young people

Ali, 12 of Beal High School; “I have been attending here for a month – I like the feel of the heavy boxing gloves.”

Sohail Qureishi,12; “I like running and warming up.”

Shahbaz,8, “I don’t like football or other sports. Boxing is much more fun.”

Umar,7, “We get T shirts and goodies. I like meeting friends I have met here.”

Ibrahim, 8, “One day I would like to be a real boxer. That’s why I come here.”

Alex,8, “I have become strong and healthy since I started to come here, I always look forward to coming.”

Sahel, 9, “I have made a lot of friends here.”

Adnan, pupil of Woodlands Infant school; “ I like the feel of the punchbag.”

Hackney horror on the fourth floor

Doing a routine visit today I was confronted by this horror of a spectacle. It shocked me so much I had to take a load of pics. Yes, this is as you see it! Firstly, the landing is on the 4th floor, the railing does not go round as illustrated in the pics and there is a very small spiral staircase, which even a lithe athletic figure like me struggled to walk down.

Secondly, the first step onto the landing is so steep that you have to stoop down. The pics don't depicts this very well but you also have to stopp down to grab the railing and the spiral itself is (honestly) half the size in width of a regular fire escape. Actually, it's little more than ladder space.

Where I visited, which happened to be the house on the end, there was one hell of a manic kid! Apart from kids and young people, what if someone loses their balance? If someone like the postie takes an unlucky stumble then for sure they're going over.

AND the best bit is to come - I rekon if there WAS an emergency, the last route the residents would use is that deathtrap.

Come on Hackney council, sort it out!

Work of art? Own up Banksy!

I came across this - can't say where though. It has to be Banksy? He's such a big fan that he decided to pay his respects to yours truly, in the only way he knows. I'm chuffed buddy!

Is Spurs' Juande Ramos the new Special One?

Who ate all the pies

The Spurs faithful weren’t too pleased when the club decided to replace Martin Jol with Juande Ramos this season – although it was more to do with the club’s handling of the situation than the new manager himself.

But, with Spurs claiming their first silverware for nearly a decade, memories of Martin Jol are quickly being forgotten. Ramos has done everything right in a short space of time and Spurs now look well placed to compete for a Champions League position next season – even if it is a year later than chairman Daniel Levy expected.

It reminds us of another Iberian manager who came, saw and conquered the English game in his first season...

Since arriving Ramos has transformed Spurs from unfocussed individuals into the most improved team of the season. He brought with him a winning mentality supported by trophies, experience and a clear vision for the club. His revolutionary dietary changes have seen the club slim down and become more competitive while his tactical knowledge has taken Spurs to the next level.

Ramos managed to retain the services of Dimitar Berbatov and bought well in the January transfer window – especially with Jonathan Woodgate who has not only helped shore up a leaky defence but scored the winning goal in the Carling Cup Final.

With the Carling Cup securing a place in Spurs' trophy cabinet, Ramos will now set his sights on the UEFA Cup. Spurs have reached the last 16 with some impressive performances in Europe – and with successive UEFA Cup victories with former club Sevilla, a personal treble is still on the cards.

No other club manager has made such an impact in his first season since a certain Jose Mourinho, who also claimed the Carling Cup as his first domestic trophy in England.

Is Juande Ramos the new Special One?

Capital Ram raid – League cup final 2007/08

Ramos had declared war
“eleven v eleven”
"It's a game of 90 minutes”
To separate the boys from the men

Psychology on the keeper had worked a treat
I for one was never in doubt
Had Banksy returned, many asked
As Robbo staged a one man block out

And what foolish ploy would lead
To leaving Cole on the bench
It was a case of too little to late
Juande’s grin masked by a clench

Jenas a picture for offensive football
Dumi, Barmby, Klinsmann, Sheri, Anderton,
Ardiles and his diamonds all over
Read Keane, Berba, Malbranque, Lennon

Sanchez Pizjuan became Wembley
As the gaffer continued his hot streak
Breathtaking play carving chance after chance
Left Avram’s boys feeling rather meek

Chimbo’s sub strop was comical at best
Tainio tightening up the wing
Hud as always was a picture of calm
Long live the (Ledley) king

A thought for Dawson and O’ Hara
Vital cogs in a well oiled machine
Hurrah to Hutton and Woody
Despite newly arrived to the scene

So bragging rights go to Kaboul and Zokora
North London connoisseurs
The Ramos factor cannot be ignored
Glory, glory Tottenham Hotspurs

© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Pic - Sky Sports

The one armed bandit - 29 Nov 1904 - 15 Sep 1960

Hector may have lost his arm, aged thirteen
A chainsmoking gambler, his womanising was obscene

Nicknamed El Manco, the sweetheart of Nacional
Twenty two in twenty five rattled by the little rascal

Fabled charmer with three championships as player
Topped with five as Parque Central’s managing purveyor

A stubborn on pitch streak, with the fans a bond
Struck gold in the inaugural Coupe Du Monde

His country’s first goal, a splendid distinction
A phenonomenon with much gravitational attraction

Unlike Yashin, the ball with Manc would surely be spilt
Nor would he ever rise to palm the ball past Shilts

Cas was a master poacher in the opposition den
Proved in his pinnacle, amongst 80,000 countrymen

In an electric final game and with a minute to go
In the blistering cauldron heat of Montevideo

It’s the Alamo as the Argientines press onward again
The home side counter, vipers striking sudden

Slender lead not worth a penn’orth
As 'El Manco' strikes the killer fourth

The country and Penarol, shrieked for the one armed fella
And Uruguay united under one large umbrella

Enter forever the realm of dark glasses
Forever an assured darling to the sky blue masses

© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

The mother of all title deciders – Anfield 89

This one would be for the Hillsborough dead
As all of football stood united with the Red

Close em down versus pass and move
A match that would unquestionably raise the roof

A heaving Anfield glowing in victory neon
In anticipation of Stroller’s red and white battalion

For Graham’s starlets would be calling home to mum
There was no doubt as to what would be the outcome

Not the slightest trepidation as Smudger draws first blood
Kenny’s legion would render the Gunners season a dud
As the young pretenders would be bought down with a thud

There’s still no fluster as Rocky begins to sway
Lukic, Davis and Rico wished they could always play away

So too do O’Leary, Bould, Winters and Dixon
It’s a little too early though to do the Merson

As the double looms, “tighten up” the Kop demand
Due to Adams routinely patrolling the bank of England

One minute growls Macca as Aldo becomes lone attacker
For North London, the seasons been one hell of a cracker

As Brian Moore utters those never forgotten words
“It’s up for grabs now” the Gunners are spurred

“And Arsenal come streaming forward” the ball is launched back
“in what will surely be their last attack”

“A good ball by Dixon, finding Smith,”
“To Thomas, charging through the midfield,” he must act forthwith

“It's up for grabs now!”
The deranged Mooro takes a bow

Thommo cocks as a despairing Houghton lunges, to whom belongs glory?
The most furious finale, the rest as they say is history

© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

In my recurring dream he fluffs it!

The Barnsley phenomenon – FA Cup 5th round; 17th/18th feb 2008

Tyke militia enjoyed the treats at Everton’s training ground
The man of Steele thwarted the Reds with a catalogue of stops to confound

Natures balance was upset as the Bluebirds pounced on the Wolves
Such celebration at Ninian, a king it would behoove

Handsome Dowie clapped as extended was the Ricoh slump
87 winners left teetering from a brutal Mowbray thump

League two Rovers took the horns as they expressed no deference to the saints
Slick passing was stifled as Rovers dominated, surely they couldn’t have much complaint

Rooney’s bad finishing ensured the man of the match award
No mention of Fletch or Carrick but there was no chance of being bored

Gallas versus Nani was the most uneven match
On the pitch the seal tricks confirmed the Gunners were well out of scratch

With Scudamore and the suits reviewing foreign aid
The Boro were blunted by the steel city blades

An as the weekend faded Arry’s luck struck again
At the final death knell the lilywhites were slain.

© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

International Triumph for Local Giants Mohammedan SC

Mohammedan Sporting Club (London), a dominant force in the UK Asian football scene and prominent participants in international football conventions, have once again completed another fantastic ‘un-defeated’ tour of Bangladesh. With 3 wins and a draw, the Club fielded an entire youth team combined with local promising talent at all games.

Jewels in the Nile – Ghana 2008

Not so much a brilliant pitch
For Shehata’s latino passing style
To pit wits with the indomitable lions came
The boys from the land of the Nile

They lined up with much fanfare in Accra
Largely what is Marcel Desailly’s roots
But looming large was the lethal poacher Eto
The assassin with the deadly shooting boots

Spirited pedigree they may have held
Biyick, Milla, Mboma's finesse
An insight was gained into an achilles heel
With Royal Bikey's moment of madness

Though reigning champs the Pharoahs were unfancied
Would they again be first past the post?
Solid start against Zambia's Chipolopolo's
Then Sudan, Tunisia, the Ivory Coast

It was left for Al Ahly's shining son
Aboutrika with the killer touch
So applying twice the final winning stroke
Is there a better African schemer as such?

Recalling the last time he'd hit home the winning pen
Level to the ground, he arched his lumbar
As the squad from Misr united all for one
Praise be to God, "Allahu Akbar!"

Arab, Athenian or Andalusi
Doesn't matter if you're Appalachian
All brothers united, be they Egyptian, Muslim
or Amr Zaki, the Coptic Christian

The adventure had been more than just color and vigour
The play was a joy to behold
A superb spectacle blemished by small crowds
Empty stadia left the atmosphere cold

For a record time champions they became
A great nation stood tall and proud
The cup returned to the land of the Pharoah
Let's hear it out nice and loud

Al Hadari, Gomaa, Hani Said
Mohammed, Abd Rabou, Fathi, Zaki
Moteab, Hassan, Aboutrika
Moawad, Zidan, Said, Shawky

© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Well done Egypt – African Cup of Nations Champions - 2008

The Cap fits

The performance was solid with less flatter
And though there was the custom stutter
The Swiss didn’t stuff the Ciabatta
Though the purists will nag and natter
The wind of change will batter
And put paid to nonsense chatter
Ball possession is what will matter
Not gung ho, fire spirit and blood splatter
Guile and patience will replace the odd clatter
Discipline will halt Roo getting fatter
To lean, mean dancing feet, pitter patter
The press will try Turnip, Swede or mad hatter
With two gone it’s likely to be the latter
He’s always come up smelling of attar
As the myths he will gloriously shatter

© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

The Maestro – Raich Carter

Rejected by Filbert Street as a fledgling youth
A youngster amongst the most gifted of these isles
Inside right with a bullet left foot
Thirteen caps to amass it took awhile

A pure footballing noble Horatio was affirmed
Capped by his country aged twenty
Masterfully winning every honour in the game
Roker beheld such lustre a plenty

The Hendon boy who loved Charlie Buchan
Achieved every honour in the game
Leading the Rokerites to their last title win
A bridal FA Cup gift for his dame

The Great war shortened an exceptional career
Horatio might well have become an army chef
But such talent of Wearside’s greatest son
He instead served with the RAF

© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Horatio Stratton Carter – The greatest Sunderland player ever