Students campaign against Bursary Cuts

Proposals to cut the ‘Ones to Watch’ scholarship have caused a stir in UCLan’s Student Union this week.

Students at the University of Central Lancashire’s have set up a campaign in an attempt to change the universities decision to cut the ‘Ones to Watch’ scholarship.

The decision appears to have been made without any consultation; none of the UCLan staff, or liaison officers, knew about this.

Education officer Peta Carter said, “I don’t know when this came in, we just stumbled on it”.

Communications Officer at the University, Ed Walker, describes UCLan’s previous scheme as one of the best bursary schemes around. At the moment each student is offered £1000 a year if less than £60,000 is coming into his or her household. The cuts the university is suggesting are £1000 for first years then £300 for each additional year.

“Second and third years are when all that work counts and you don’t want to be going out and doing part time work, but if your losing £700 out of your pocket during a year your going to a have to make up those hours, you have to still find that money to cover the cost of being at university”.

The campaign is still in the information gathering stage, a facebook group has been set up so that students can write their opinions on the discussion board. Many of the students believe that they would not be able to cope without the extra £700 a year.

Mature student Jamie Weston wrote: “Personally, I have no idea how I'm going to make it through next year if these changes go ahead.”

Many of the students rated the idea as ridiculous and one student from Ireland, Colm Dodd, wrote: “As an international student I only get a grant to pay for my course, I can't get maintenance. The One's To Watch made things a small bit easier. I'm lucky that I am finished soon. I couldn't afford to stay another year”.

Another UCLan student believes that the bursary is a valuable resource for any student. Cheryl Pennant-Jones writes, “Without the ‘Ones to Watch’ scholarship in my first year, I might have managed fine, but this year, it's important for my rent and I'd struggle without it.

“As others have said, if anything, the money's needed in later years more than in the first. If UCLan really have to limit these bursaries to one year, it should be the last”.

The University's executive officers have held meetings this week with students and colleagues of Vice Chancellor Malcolm McVicar, in a bid to arrange an interview with the Vice chancellor and hopefully change his mind.

Financial Problems cause University Drop Outs

Studies show that students are more likely to drop out of University due to financial problems.

Research for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation showed that money problems and the fear of running into debt are the main reasons that young people, from disadvantaged families, are more likely to drop out of university.

The researchers found that better financial help, especially non-repayable bursaries, enables more students to complete their degrees.


The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) report found that students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who received a scholarship or bursary, are 40 per cent less likely to drop out of university.

In 2005 the public account committee found that five years after their last report on university drop out rates, just over a fifth of students still quit their original course.

Education officer, Peta Carter, at the University of Central Lancashire, claims that the university is very keen in preventing students from dropping out. Most universities often experience ‘drop-outs’ after the first year.

“We also appreciate that there is a drop out between second and third years”.

Universities offer a ‘Ones to Watch’ scholarship for students who qualify for the maximum maintenance grant. Students will receive a 300-pound bursary each year, however some universities may pay out more.

For the last two years the University of Central Lancashire has offered one of the best bursaries around, 1000 pounds a year, non-repayable scholarships of 1000 pounds or more are usually offered to high achievers by top ranking institutions such as Newcastle University, Royal Holloway and the University of London.

However it has been suggested than UCLan may be changing its policy so that students receive the government minimum.

Bursaries offered by universitys could help decrease the amount of debt that students will find themselves in once they have graduated. With the introduction of top up fees students must take out larger loans to cover the costs, which leaves them in more debt.

Peta Carter claims that the University offers the full 1000 pound bursary in an attempt to ease their students debt once they have left.

"No University wants to be seen as a cheap university, we charge the highest rate, however we are giving one thousand pounds back to the students each year".

Bursaries also help to encourage students to attend all their lectures and workshops, which helps to increase performance.



Above: Studnets at Staffordshire find out how top up fees and loans affects student life.

Concern for Manchester United's performance

Rio Ferdinand caused concern for Sir Alex Ferguson after leaving with his foot in a protective case in Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

BBC Sport quoted Ferguson in saying; "Hopefully it's not serious with Rio but he was limping for too long, the danger was to keep him on when he was limping and not at his full level."

With Vidic sidelined and crucial games against Arsenal, Blackburn and Chelsea coming up, Ferguson can not afford to be without his other first-choice central defender.

Bristol City star bags PFA award

Bristol City goalkeeper Adriano Basso has been named the PFA Championship player of the month for March.

The Brazilian's efforts have helped to keep City in the title hunt, including a penalty save against Watford, which he said was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

"We work very hard, we give our best, so it's something to be proud of," Basso told BBC Radio Bristol.

"The team get more confidence in me when I help by saves or by talking and organising the defence."

Are Derby County the worst Premier League team ever?

Sports website Sportingo reports that Derby County became the first Premier League team to be relegated.

It has been ten months since Stephen Pearson's victory at Wembley put Derby County into the Premier League, however the Rams are back where they started.

They have achieved just one win all season and have scored a pitiful 16 goals, which averages out at just one goal for every two games!

The BBC Sports Page describes Derby's time in the league as "A campaign that started dismally and got progressively worse" which ended on Saturday with the quickest relegation in the history of the Premier League.

Sportingo asks the question; Are Derby actually the worst team ever, or at least the worst team ever to play in the top division since the formation of the Premiership/Premier League in 1992?

The facts speak for themselves, the Rams have certainly failed to prove themselves this time round, they have been an embarrasment. Relegation appeared to be a sure thing for Derby after suffering defeats to Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal in the opening weeks.

Team manager Paul Jewell certainly agrees! The Times Online quoted him in saying:

“We’re a million miles away from being a Premier League team, that is the worst performance I’ve ever seen”.

Sunderland became the worst team in Premier League history two years ago with 15 points from 38 games. Derby look set to shatter that record with points to spare!

Put a new man in charge

If Liverpool want to make their mark in the Premier League, or at all for that matter, then it's time they put a new man in charge.

At least that's what sports news site Sportingo believes, and their wont be too many people who disagree.

Gerald Mclaughlin states that:

Benitez sometimes reminds me of a desperate man on Christmas Eve, attempting to buy all of his presents in a rush and not stopping to think whether his purchases will actually be any good- just look at Andriy Voronin, Jermaine Pennant, Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt for starters.

Rafa Benitez could certainly do with getting rid of his weaker players this summer, but lets not forget that it was he who put them there!

As Ive said before Benitez's decisions during the Premier League were somewhat 'dodgy' and now with George Gillett claiming his relationship with co-owner Tom Hicks is now "unworkable" i have to ask "What is going on at Anfield?"

Manchester United and Chelsea are looking to be the only two teams in the country who are capable of competing for both major trophies. Liverpool may never fall into that category as long as Benitez is in charge.

Liverpool Split

Footy 24/7 revealed this afternoon that George Gillett, co-owner of Liverpool FC, stated that his relationship with partner Tom Hicks has become "unworkable".

The website's source for this piece of information comes from the BBC Sport page, who reports that Gillett and his family have received threatening phone calls in the middle of the night and that his relationship with Hicks has not been working for quite some time.

Supposedly Hicks aims to take sole control over the team and investment group Dubai International Capital are also interested in investing.

Gillett spoke to Canadian radio station Fan590 and described the decision to sell his share of the club to Hicks as "an untenable alternative".

He said:

"We were very fair. We gave our partner a long period of time to try to make arrangements to buy us out.

"We didn't put pressure on him but he ultimately did not get to the finish line.

"In the meantime, because of the things he said, the fans' reaction has been so negative towards him - and towards us if we sold to him - that has now made that an untenable alternative for us.

"When your public persona is more important than the facts, it's tough to have a rational relationship."

To read the full interview click here

Triple Gold for Britain

Buzzle.com reports that Great Britain has won three gold medals on the opening of the World Track Cycling Championships in Manchester.

The BBC sports page reports that the Individual Pursuit champion, Bradley Wiggins, won gold again as the British quartet beat Denmark in world record time. Former Olympic rowing silver medalist took home a second gold medal for Britain in the individual pursuit. BMX specialist Shanaze Reade and her partner Victoria Pendleton won the third gold medal by defending their sprint title.

Captain Ferdinand

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been named England captain for tomorrows game against France.

According to the FA website England manager Capillo has named 29-year-old Ferdinand Captain as part of his rotation technique.

The BBC quoted Ferdinand in saying

"It is a fantastic honour and an achievement in itself.As a kid you grow up wanting to play for England and lead your country out and I've been given that honour of being able to fulfil those dreams."

The Hearld Sun Online states that Capello overlooked John Terry's requests to be restored as captain after Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard was named captain last month match against Switzerland. For which England secured a 2-1 win.

But the Italian has stated that he will not name a long-term captain until just before the start of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, which will begin in September with an away fixture in Andorra.


Click her to watch Ferdinands speach

England V France

We have yet to find out if Michael Owen will win back his starting place for England in the friendly against France.

Owen, who has scored 40 goals for England, was left on the bench for the game against Switzerland and has expressed fears about being dropped from the suad due to Newcastles poor performance in the Premier League.

England coach Fabio Capello was quoted on the BBC website in saying:

"At the moment I'm experimenting and I'm trying to see how I can make the team play and what choices I can make."

Owen, who has scored 40 goals for England, has gained the status of an unused substitute and has expressed fears that he could be dropped from the squad due to Newcastle's poor Premier League form.

According to the Guardian Newspaper United manager Kevin Keegan believes that Michael Owen will soon take back his place on England's first team.

Keegan said:

It wouldn't surprise me if Michael makes an England place his own again. New managers try new things, look at changing things and some big names get sacrificed. But cream always rises to the top and Michael is 28, not 33.

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Daily Mirror - “Win it or Kop it”

After an excruciating defeat, to a lower league opposition at Anfield, Liverpool FC’s chances in the league look pretty grim, not to mention subjecting Benitez and his team to constant sniggering and a great deal of jokes on Liverpool’s behalf.

As Ian Spragg quite rightly points, it is human nature to celebrate the misfortune of the great and mighty. The bigger they are the greater, and more entertaining, the fall.

However, Liverpool’s victory over Inter Milan last week will surely help Liverpool recover from the shame of their last game, wont it? Jamie Carragher doesn’t think so.

The Liverpool defender was quoted by the Daily Mirror, shortly before the Liverpool V Inter Milan game, in saying:

“I don’t think that beating Inter Milan would make up for losing the FA cup tie in the way we did. We’re devastated obviously. It is a major blow to go out of the competition to a lower league team at Anfield. We realise that’s not good enough. This clearly isn’t the best preparation for Tuesday, but we had the same situation last season, when we lost to Arsenal twice in the cups and people were saying we were finished before we even played Barcelona, and we got through”.

Some people could argue that Liverpool deserved to lose at Anfield for believing that Tuesday’s game against Inter Milan was more important.

Rafa didn’t play his strongest team that day, even Steven Gerrard was on the bench. It clearly backfired on him because now, as the papers indicate, unless Liverpool can do a repeat of their 2005 triumph, Benitez risks losing his job.

The Inter Milan victory may not have erased the shame of the Barnsley match, however their latest 3-2 win against Middlesbrough has put them well on the road to recovery.

Despite the dodgy line-ups and questionable transfers over the years the Liverpool squad truly believe that Rafa is right for them. The PremiershipLatest website quotes Torres in thanking Benitez after his hat-trick in the Middlesbrough match.

“You cannot score three goals in a game without the help of your manager and your team-mates so I would like to thank them. The manager signed me for Liverpool so I am really grateful for that, and he also works with me all the time trying to improve me and make me a better player.”

Rafael Benitez, along with the Liverpool fans, believe that Torres will only get better and lets hope, for Rafa’s sake, he does!

MacLeod Cleared of Positive Drug Test

According to the BBC website, Scotland rugby forward, Scott MacLeod, has been cleared after testing positive for Terbutaline in January.

Google News reports that Terbutaline is on the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited list. A therapeutic use exemption (TUE) must be obtained if it is prescribed through an inhaler.

As it turns out the Scotland lock has been suffering from asthma since he was a toddler and had been taking the drug in an inhaler.

Despite the positive result, he was was cleared and avoided a one year ban, under the grounds that he had “inadvertently taken a prohibited asthma medication". However he did receive a warning as he was taking the medication without the required permission

MacLeod said:

"I'm not a cheat and I'm pleased that the panel accepted that I'd used Terbutaline inadvertently and that there had been no intention to enhance sports performance. Hopefully other players will be a bit more savvy given what's happened to me. I want to put this behind me now and concentrate on the job in hand with the national team."

Asthmatic MacLeod did actually have a TUE, which was issued in April 2006, that noted he had been on Terbutaline in the past but it wasn’t available at the time.

Click here for Press Conference Video

Reds have no chance

According to the BBC website, former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp doesn’t believe that Anfield will see the premiership title as long as Rafael Benitez is in charge.

Redknapp said "I don't think Liverpool can win it (the league) under Rafa Benitez. I think they are further away than they have ever been before. They have got no chance.”

The reds are trailing behind our Merseyside rivals, Everton, and are a massive 19 points behing league leaders Arsenal!

Admittedly Rafa’s decisions often have Liverpool supporters questioning his management abilities, the team appears to be all over the place and, much to the disappointment of the supporters, the weakest players are usually on during important games, and the recent loss to Barnsley is no exception.

Redknapp thinks that there are too many changes and you don’t get “consistency and understanding”.

He added, “The best managers like Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson keep basically the same team and system. In their big games, they field their strongest team”.

Liverpool FC Internet forums show that a lot of red supporters agree with Redknapp, they believe that our poor performances in the league are down to disorganised rotation. When Crouch and Torres play up front it looks as if it could work, but then Benitez changes it. One fan commented that the players lack pace and there is little or no understanding between the players.

It is highly unlikely that Liverpool will recover in the premier league and red supporters are uncertain that Rafa’s latest statement that he is 100% dedicated to the team is a positive. Lets just hope that Liverpool’s dismal performance lately will force Benitez to step up his game!