The Observer from London, Greater London, England • 43

Parry and Sir John Quinton, who have hardly behaved like custodians of popular culture, but thus far there is no reason to believe the football public have been short-changed. The politics of television matter less than quality of presentation and BSkyB have a good record, though it remains to be seen if, having joined the establishment and formed an ominous-sounding 'joint board' with the Premier League to oversee the projection of the game (a classic example, you might anticipate, of lunatics helping to run an asylum), they can maintain standards. If we assume that the deal is to go ahead, some fans who pursue the quaint old habit of watching in person will suffer, especially those who follow their teams from a distance and cannot travel on Mondays. How many, now the feast is deemed so moveable at television's whim, will be persuaded to buy season tickets? But for every frustrated would-be traveller one can imagine, say, a football-mad widower, able to afford but THE MOST serious charge against the Premier League's deal with BSkyB television that it will discriminate between sections of society is plausible to the extent that members of the middle class, from whose homes a satellite dish seldom sprouts, will see less of Manchester United and Liverpool next season. The opposition contains a degree of froth, not least in the case of ITV, who, having delivered their offer at the eleventh hour, were outraged to discover BSkyB turning up with more at the twelfth.

It was an odd way to do a deal, and possibly an unethical one, but football enthusiasts' memories are not so short that they have forgotten a time when the mainstream channels said the game was much too expensive at a fraction of the price ITV are now pleading to be allowed to pay. ITV's attempt to obtain an injunction, and their appeal to the Office of Fair Trading, may shed light on aspects of the affair hitherto privy to the Premier League executives Rick a single luxury, who can buy a dish for 3 a week and spend endless hours happily monitoring the deterioration of the national game. Pay-as-you-view, when it comes, will restrict his choice, and this is at the heart of objections from those who seem to believe televised football should be free, as if it were health care, at the point of delivery. Why? Football matches themselves are not. Indeed the strongest moral (and business) argument for the BSkyB deal, with its promise of further riches from pay-as-you-view, is that the income can keep down prices at the turnstiles, through which the only indispensable members of the game's public pass.

There will still be plenty of football on the mainstream channels. Of one thing, though, we can be sure: over-exposure has arrived. We are getting farther and farther away from the Italian ideal of a single weekend round of matches to which everyone can look forward. The addition of a Monday night match to the now familiar pro- warm in their reaction. One would have expected general rejoicing over the revival of Match of the Day through BSkyB's link with the BBC, the original pay-as-you-view organisation.

Highlights, in my opinion, are what routine televised football should be about. Last season I enjoyed nothing more consistently than Anglia's short, sharp Sunday-lunchtime package of everything from Ipswich to Southend, culminating in a national goal orgy (often the saving grace of ITV's 'live' presentations). But will Match of the Day ever return to the heights of the mid-Seventies, when Jimmy Hill used to pillory players for their transgressions? He gave the game a conscience. It was great broadcasting. Perhaps the most irritating aspect of televised football more recently has been a tendency towards perpu-tual self-advertisement, which fools no one, but I doubt if any of the game's ardent suitors would have the courage to do us a favour and wipe the fixed smile off its face.

ble with that they take from paying customers, they cannot have the former without the latter, who must be shown this is appreciated. It should be a Premier League rule that no club appear on a Monday more than once, or on a Sunday more than twice, in each half of a season; now that the former Big Five, reduced to Four by Tottenham's satellite-friendliness, appear to have lost power, this should be quite easy to arrange. A lot easier, anyway, than the task of the 'joint board' in deciding how best to project Wimbledon versus Coventry. One gathers that David Plowright, late of Granada, enormously respected in the television world, is to be involved. He may discover that nothing tarnishes a reputation like association with football.

The advantage of BSkyB's coverage to date has been that it dwells upon the subject. A 'live' match needs analysis, even if some of those to come will hardly bear it. It is nevertheless surprising that the supporters' organisations have been luke complicated. It will tend to erode the game's allure as live entertainment, and perhaps as television too, for sparsely inhabited terracing makes a grim backcloth. But it was always inevitable that the game would sell out to television, a process hastened by the medium's international element.

What I cannot quite grasp is the iniquity of it all. ITV's demand for a reopening of negotiations suggests that they want to put more money where the table used to be. It also raises the question of why Parry and Quinton did not simply auction the Premier League. But whatever the outcome clubs are to be a good deal richer, and better able to modernise their grounds, so long as they remember the lessons of past infusions, which tended merely to inflate the transfer and wage markets. On this occasion the spectators must, demonstrably, be the main beneficiaries.

Though next season, for the first time, 22 leading clubs will receive from television a sum compara All-action spirit of water skiing the languid surface of the European Masters Sit down and pay attention FOOTBALL fans were last week presented with a view of the future which will at least provide a timely distraction while their past is being dismantled. The Premier League's controversial 304 million television deal with BBCBSkyB will unleash upon the eye a hitherto unmatched torrent of live or laundered soccer and will receive the considerable addition of whatever saturation coverage the disgruntled ITV companies can negotiate with the Football League. Ample compensation, you may think, for the amount of Kop-crunching now under way at grounds all over the country as clubs implement the all-seat directive. This destruction means the end of the historical vantage points upon which have stood the faithful on whose uncomplaining loyalty football's power as our national game has been built. Strenuous efforts are still being made to preserve at least part of these sacred slopes.

Sitting may be safer and more comfortable, but there is a perpendicular backlash from those who believe there is a basic human right at stake. With famous terracings like the Stretford End at Old Trafford already gone, however, football supporters are fighting to keep their feet, and I wonder how much we should be dismayed at this. Sir Stanley Matthews shocked me a couple of years ago when he said he was totally in favour of all-seater grounds. Was this a betrayal of those whose adulation created the legend he became? Few other players shared his place in the hearts of the packed and swaying banks of fans who stood on tip-toe and peered around the necks and under the cap-brims for a glimpse of him. Their restricted view may even have helped his magic.

But he was right. There were crowd disasters in his day, but none caused by the lack of control that brought us the horrors of Heysel and Hillsborough. And, apart from safety, why should we not aspire to comfort in soccer-watching, as we have in every other aspect of our lives? They say that the game will lose its atmosphere. There is little evidence for this. In rugby, the removal of most of the traditional standing areas of the Cardiff Arms Park may have spoilt the balance of the singing, but it Horizontal hold: Britain's Jodi Fisher keeps a tight grip as she strives for victory at Kirtons Farm.

Photograph by Dan Smith LbLrS Goainras on SLrD pwi? Patrick Barclay discusses how fans may benefit from football's new TV deal gramme of Saturdays and Sundays means, given the existing fixture congestion, that we are likely to have Thursday night matches as well. Once the Football League have finalised their own TV deal, the English game could be on view throughout the week, or at least seem to be. This will, if nothing else, ensure fairness between those who play and those who watch. Each will now have too much football. Of course it is dangerous.

Of course it will upset the training routines of the players, and make managers' lives more that lies below Mick Cleary during a Moscow winter. Certainly not water ski. Olga Gubarenko, who finished second in the European slalom last year, failed even to qualify. 'I have never known a colder she said. 'We used to have the use of a swimming pool for training.

This year we had to take ice picks to the lake and then warm up afterwards in a Her male compatriot made better of the strictures, however. Alexander Minenok won the tricks with a score of 7,980 points. Despite the glitzy, invigorating appearance of the sport, money is also something of a problem in this country. Why, 4.45 (2m) 1, BUCKRA MELLISUGA (C.Grant) 13-8; 2, Pandessa 5-2. 3 ran (W.A.Stephenson) 2l, 61.

Tole: 2.30. DF: 2.00. CSF: 4.87. Placepot: Not won. Cartmel 2.15 (2m 61)1, HARRY LIME (Lorna Vincent) 10-1; 2, Deilgn Wise 16-1; 3, Random Warrior 16-1.

14 ran, 5-2 fav Grey Record (M.C.Pipe) 41, hd. Tote: 13.70. 3.80, 3.60, 9.00. DF: 230.20, CSF: 162.00. 2.50 (2m 11) 1, SOUTHERN MINSTREL (A.Larnach) 10-1; 2, Rlngmore 9-1.

5 ran. Only two finished, 4-5 fav Chain Shot (W.A.Stephenson) 21. Tote: 10.80, 3.30, 2.30, DF: 26.10, CSF: 70.50. 3.25 (2m 61) 1, BREAK THE CHAIN (J.Supple) 4-1; 2, Volcanic Dancer 4-1. 5 ran (W.A.Stephenson) 1)1.

81. Tote: 6.90, 2.20. 1.60, DF: 14.50. CSF: 19.46. 4.00 (3m 11)1.

PALMAHALM (Mr K.Anderson) 6-4 tav; 2, Tumble Time 20-1; 3, First Trick 10-1. 13 ran (K.Anderson) 2JI. dls. Tote: 3.70, 1.80. 5.60.

2.40, DF: 109.10, CSF: 36.94. Nr: Course-I-Can. Crossfire. 4.35 (3m 11)1, TRIBAL RULER (G.McCourt) 7-2; 2, Cllffalda 4-6 fav. 4 ran.

Only two finished (D. McCain) dis. Tote: 4.00, DF: 2.00. CSF: 6.03. S.10(2m II) 1, TAKE TWO (R.Guest) 3-1; 2, Tapatch 2-1 fav; 3, Balaat 5-2.

1 1 ran (J.Whlte) 2JI, 21. Tote: 4.60. 1.40, 1.60. 1.10, DF: 5.60, CSF: 10.36. Placepot: 3.564.80 CF to Monday 1,4445.20.

Lingfleld 6.00 (61) 1, MORSUN (E.Benlley) evens lav; 2, Mansber 25-1. 6 ran, Elra linished 1st but was disqualilied and placed last (D.Morley) 1jl. 61. Tole: 1.90, 1.30. 2.40.

DF: 8.90, CSF: 17.91. Nr: MMA International. 6.30(61)1, NURYANDRA (F.Norton) 1-2 tav; 2, Anonymous 4-1; 3, Walsh Pet 12-1. 9 ran. Brief Habit 14-1 at withdrawal deduct 5p from all bets (G.Wragg) 1J, 81.

Tote: 1.50. 1.10, 1.40. 1.80. DF: 1.70. CSF: 2.78.

Nr: Brief Habit. Polly Leach, Simply Sooty. 7.00(51)1, TAUBER (S.OGorman) 11-4 lav; 2, Walking Possession 4-1: 3, Fair Enchantress 33-1. 9 ran (Pat Mitchell) II. nk.

Tote: 3,90, 1.40. 1.70. 4.50. DF. 8.30.

CSF: 13 44. Tricast: 264.18. 7.30(71)1, TEA DUST (T.OuInn) 8-1; 2, Sugemar Aln'tlllellkelhat 9-2 fav; 4. Jokist 14-1. 19 ran (P.J.Makin) Hi, nk.

Tote. 8.90, 2.50, 2.50, 1.60. 4.60. "DF: 72.00. CSF; 92.58.

Tricasl: 387.29. Nr. Kaths Choice. 8.00(51)1, LOVE RETURNED (M.Tebbutt) 11-8; 2, Walk In Tho Park 5-4 lav: 3, Naglda 33-1 9 ran (W Jarvis) shd. II.

Tole: 2.B0. 1 20. 1 20. 4 20. DF: 1 80," CSF.

3.39. 8.30 (1m 21)1, SPECTACULAR DAWN (W Carson) evena fav; 2, Nectar Collector 3-1. 5 ran (J Dunlop) jl. jl. Tole: 2.00.

1 10. 1 90. DF: 2 00. CSF: 4 44. Placepot: 9 20 ttakes Frank McGhee at Wembley Scunthorpe United 1 Daws 52 Blackpool 1 Bamber 40 Alt: 22.741 After extra time: Blackpool won 4-3 on penalties IT WAS fated to go to a penalty shoot-out, if only because the ordeal by exhaustion of extra time had reduced yesterday's Fourth Division play-off finals to the stage where a mistake was more likely to achieve a result than any spark of inspiration.

Neither side made such a mistake, so for the second successive season Blackpool, who lost last year to Torquay in the same desperately unsatisfactory fashion, had to go through it all again. To call it heartbreaking may seem a bit strong to anyone who has suffered a real tragedy, but those who played and their supporters will find it no exaggeration because neither deserved to lose. In the end it was ironic that Scunthorpe lost, because the two youngsters they had brought on in extra time to add fresh impetus both missed with spot-kicks that the more experienced men they replaced might well have converted. Graham Alexander had his soft shot saved by Blackpool keeper Mcllhargey and Jason White, totally unnerved, put his chance over the bar. Anyone who feels that a professional footballer should not miss from such a distance should reflect on the attitude of Blackpool's veteran centre forward Dave Bamber.

His aver- Bamber: Opener sion to penalty-kick deciders he missed the one that cost his team promotion in last year's final has been much publicised. He refused to even consider taking part in this year's final drama. Instead, he grabbed the opening goal in the 40th minute. But that is racing ahead of the story. For most of the first half both sets of defenders pushed forward, squeezing the play into midfield and making what should have been a feast into an inedible sandwich.

After missing with a comparatively easy chance in the 30th minute laid on by Blackpool's outstanding player, their right wmger Rodwell, Bamber did very much better in more difficult circumstances with a ball from the same source. He was standing almost on the byline when it reached him, yet somehow squeezed his scoring header past Samways. Ironically, moments earlier Scunthorpe's Humphries had missed a far easier opportunity, hitting a Hill cross over the bar. The second half was much more open and exciting, with Scunthorpe launching the anticipated second-half assaults that brought the reward of an equaliser in the 52nd minute, when Daws latched on to a Buckley through ball and smashed a lovely scoring volley. However, neither side had the finesse or accuracy to bring it to a proper conclusion, with tired legs providing the reason for the lack of both in extra time.

Scunthorpe: Samways. Joyce. Longden. Hill. Elliott Humphries.

Martin. Hamilton. Daws (White 106). Buckley (Alexander 106) Mclhjvell Blackpool: Mcllhargey. Burgess.

Cook. Groves Davies (Murphy 68) Gore. Rodwell. 'O'-er (Sinclair 90). Bamber.

Garner. Eyres Referee: Hackett (Sheffield) who has taken six months off from her medical duties, cruised through the ladies' slalom final, winning with the relatively modest score of two-and-a-half buoys at 12 metres. The shorter the rope, the faster the pull on the boat and the more difficult the slalom becomes. Philippa's closest rival was shipwrecked on the 13-metre rope. The win puts her on course to claim the overall title today.

A month spent fine-tuning her skills in Florida no doubt aided her performance. There was no such opportunity for the three Russian girls, who struggled into Heathrow on Thursday. The political ravages back home have, as with so many, left their sport in turmoil. Apart from drinking vodka, it's not easy to do much IT'S AS if you chanced upon someone else's beach party. The water laps gently against the feet, towels flap in the drying wind and couples drape themselves around each other.

And these are just the competitors. There's a very languid air about water skiing championships. But the sleepy atmosphere is rather deceptive. For once the action started at the Carlsberg European Masters, at Kirtons Farm Country Club, near Reading, there was little time to catch the breath as the skiers sliced through the waters, no one more impressively than Philippa Roberts. As a double European champion, 32-year-old Roberts is well known to water skiing followers.

The London doctor, JOHN REID scored a 133-1 treble at Haydock on Romany Rye, Prince Ferdinand and Sharpitor. Haydock 2.00 (2m) 1. ROMANY RYE (J.Reid) 9-4; 2, Clare Height! 2-1 lav: 3, Le Corsalre 3-1. 8 ran. After stewards Inquiry result stands (G.Wragg) II, H.

Tote: 3.10. 1.10. 1.20. 1.40. DF: 3.80.

CSF: 7.04. Nr: Uluru. 2.30(61)1. PRINCE FERDINAND (J.Reid) 9- 2, Central City 7-2. 7 ran, 8-13 lav Garah (M.McCormack) 21.

31 1. Tote: 5.40. 2 30 C2.40. DF: 9.10, 20.01. 3.00 (1m) 1, SHARPITOR (J.Reid) 13-2; 2, Big Blue Modernise 8-1.

11 ran. After stewards inquiry result stands, 5-2 fav Marabella Star (W. Jarvis) 1U, shd Tote 6.10, 2.40, 3.50, 2.40. DF: 39.50. CSF 92.84, Trlcast: 771.26.

Nr: Killy. 3.30(61)1, CASTLEREA LAD (W Ryan) 10- 2, Petlle-D-Argent 7-2 jt-tav: 3, Debsy Do 11-2. 9 ran. 7-2 jt-(av Pageboy (R.Hollinshead) nk. HI.

Tote: 15 50. C2.40, 1.50. 1 60. DF: 21.00. CSF: 44 98.

Tricasl: 200 69 Nr: She's Special. 4.00 (71) 1, BATTLE COLOURS (G.Dullield) evens lav; 2, Devon Dancer 6-1 4 ran (Sir Mark Prescott) fl. 51. Tote: 1 90. OF.

3 60. CSF: 6 23. 4.30(51)1, JERVIA (L Piggott) 7-1; 2, Manor Adventure 7-1, 3. Salz 2-1 tav 9 ran (J Watts) jl. 111 Tole: 5 70.

CI 70. 2 00. 130. DF: 17 CSF: 49 73. 5.00 (lm 61)1, SEA GODDESS (S Cauthen) 2-1 lav; 2, I Perceive 5-1: 3.

Seldom In 5-1. 13 ran (W.Jarvis) II. 21. Tote. 3 50.

1 60. 2.30. 2 00. DF: 8 70. CSF.

C14 77. Tricast: 45 95 Nr. Janiski. Jackpot: not won. 3,242 00 carried over.

Placepot: 47 40 Kempton 2.10(61)1, NEW CAPRICORN (R Cochrane) 10-1; 2, Green's Bid 13-8 tav: 3, Twice The Groom 14-1 11 ran. Alter stewards inquiry lirst two places reversed (M. A. Jarvis) shd. hd Tote 10 00.

2 40 130. 2 40. DF. 12 40. CSF 25 43 2.40(1m)1, MAHASIN (W Carson) 5-1; 2, Queen Warrior 7-1.

3, Cachou 12-1 14 ran. 6-5 lav Charolles (J Duntop) 311. 1 II Tote 4 80. 170. 2 00.

3 20. DF 1170 CSF 41 46 3.10 (2m) 1, AUDE LA BELLE (F Norton) 8-1; 2, Satin Lover 11-2 3, Slar Player 12-1 12 ran. 5-1 jt-lav Gondolier. Holy Zeal (Mrs A Knight) hd. 61 Tote 8 40.

1 90. 190 2 80. DF 17 50. CSF C47 30. Tricast 4 79 ro 3.4C(1m)1.

TORREY CANYON (R Cochrane) 6-1: 2. Pursuit of Love 8-13 tav 6 ran (RCharllonl 211 21 Tole C6 80. CI 70. 1 DF 3 10. CSF C9 75 4.10 I6f) 1.

CEE-EN-CEE Quinri) 3-1 fav; Philippa Roberts into second place in the jump, recording a personal best leap of 37.5 metres. The shower of kisses, predominantly male in origin, which descended upon Nicola after her victory were, I'm sure, genuine, and had nothing to do with the high-cut fluorescent pink bikini she was wearing. Sporting a body beautiful seems to be de rigueur in these parts, n7hen your own is more like a Doris than Adonis, it's rather disheartening. The muscles are put to best use in the jump events when the skier is yanked over the six-foot ramp at speeds of up to 80mph. The men's jump and slalom finals, as well as the ladies' tricks, take place this afternoon.

It should be another fun day down at the Farm. Chepstow (2.00), Fontwell Park (2.00), San-down (2.00). Tuesday Redcar (2.00). Leicester (2.15), Ultoxeter (6 30). Sandown (6.30).

Wednesday Cartmel (2.15), Rlpon (6.45), Brighton (2.00). Thursday Carlisle (2.15). Brighton (2.00). Friday Hamilton (2.10), Newcastle (220), Nottingham (2.00), Slratford (6.35), Goodwood (6.30). Saturday Edinburgh (2 10), Market Rasen (6.30), Slrat-lord (2.45), Wolverhampton (6.15).

Linglield (2 00). Other Sport Today Athleticai Grand Prix meeting (New York). Cycling: Milk Race (prologue, Penzance, to 6 Jun); Tour of Italy (to 14 June). Equestrianism: Windsor Horse Trials Oolf: British PGA championship (Wen-tworth); Southwestern Bell Colonial Open (Ft Worth. Texas).

Corning Classic women's tournament (Corning. NY). Motor Cycling: Italian GP (Mugello). Motor Racing: Indy 500 (Indianapolis) Shooting: Pistol 92 (Bisley. to Mon) Swimming: British Olympic trials (Shel-lield).

Tennis: French Open (Paris, to 7 Jun); World Team Cup, men (Duesseldorf, Ger.j; women's tournament (Strasbourg). Wednesday Equestrianism: Nations Cup (Hickstead, to Sat) Squash: European championships (Roller-dam, to 31 May) Thursday Oolf: Dunhill British Maslers (Woburn, lo 31 May). Kemper Open (Potomac. Montana, to 31 May). Mitsubishi Galant tournament (Nishtne.

Japan, to 31 May). Otdsmobile Classic women's tournament (East Lansing. Michigan, to 31 May) Friday Boxing: European leatherweight title Fab-rice Benichou (Fr. holder) John Davison (GB) (Antibes). European lightweight title: Jean-Bapliste Mendy (Fr.

holder) Nigel Wenlon (GB) (Pans) Saturday Athletics: European Cup tor clubs, men (Birmingham, to Sun), women (Milan). GP meeting (San Jose. US) which skiers will compete head-to-head. 'It's a good said Jodi Fisher, one of the favourites, along with British colleague John Battleday, for the slalom. 'I'm all for anything which gives us more of a And more money.

The total prize money on offer here is 17,500, making it the richest of the four events on the European circuit. It's not, however, a crock of gold when most off-water expenses have to be met by the competitors themselves. But 'what the hell' seems to be the attitude, for the Brits are still among the best in the world. One of the crop of promising British youngsters had her first taste of glory yesterday. Nicola Huntridge, aged 17, beat Football (Kick-offs 7.30 unless stated) Today Barclays League Play-offa: Division Thraei Final: Stockport County Peterborough United (Wembley.

3.00) Toulon Under-31 Tournament: Group England Mexico (Six-Fours, 5.00) Monday Barclays League Play-offs. Division Twoi Final: Blackburn Rovers Leicester City (Wembley, 3.00) Under-21 International: Republic ol Ireland Albania (Tolka Park) Tuesday World Cup. Group Three. Republic ol Ireland Albania (Lansdowne Road. 5.00) Toulon Under-21 Tournament: Group England Czechoslovakia (La Seyne, 5 30) Thursday Toulon Under-21 Tournament: Group A France England (Aubagne, 5.30) Saturday Internationals: Holland Wales (Utrecht.

6 00); United Stales Republic ol Ireland (Washington. 2.30) Rugby League Today Tour Matchl Highland Zone GB (Goroka. Papua New Guinea). Wednesday Tour Matchi Island Zone GB (Rabaul. Papua New Guinea) Rugby Union Tuesday Tour Match: Poverty Bay Ireland XV (Gis-borne.

NZ) Thursday International: Russia France (Moscow) Tour Match: Northern Territory Scotland XV (Darwin, Australia) Saturday International! NZ Ireland (Dunedin) Racing Monday Cartmel (2 30). Doncaster (2 10), Hexham (6 00), Redcar (2 05), Wetherby (2 30), Fak-enham (2 301. Heretord (2 30). Huntingdon 12 001. Leicester (2 20).

Ultoxeter (2 15). in Reading it even makes young things think about their future. The Wimbledon schoolgirl Sarah Gatty-Saunt, aged 15, missed Friday's qualifiers in her strongest event, the slalom, just so that she could sit her maths GCSE. Whatever happened to reckless youth? You can't imagine Ian Botham cutting cricket nets so he could do his homework. More contentiously, one of Britain's leading males, Shawn Bronson, has hit out at what he considers to be the sport's lack of ambition.

'The water skiing scene hasn't changed in 20 he said. 'It's a He has set up his own mini-tour Splash For Cash in Warwick 6.15(51)1, HAUNTING RHAPSODY (K.Darley) 4-8 lav; 2, Swinging Tlch 20-1. 7 ran (J.Etherington) hd. 51. Tote: 1 50, 1.30.

2.80, DF: 10.30, CSF: 12.41. 6.45(61) 1, GRAND DANCER (R.Cochrane) 4-5 fav; 2, Ombre Oarme 12-1; 3, Madam Cyn'a Risk 5-1. 10 ran (R.J.R.WIIIiams) 2JI. 31. Tote: 2.00.

1.20. 2.80, 1 60, CSF: 11.61. Nr: Clare's Boy. 7.15 (1m 2f 169yds) 1, SCOTTISH BAMBI (R.Perham) 9-4 lav; 2, Premier Dance 5-1; 3, Phil-Blake B-1. 10 ran (R.

Hannon) 111. nk. Tote: 3.00, 2.00. 2.20, 1.40, DF: 7.50. CSF: 12.75.

Tricasl: 66.03. 7.4S (1m) 1, BRILLIANT (Lydla Pearce) 6- 2, Elaine Tully 11-8 lav; 3, Abingdon Flyer 11-4. 23 ran (J.Pearce) 311. shd. Tote: 10.30.

3.20, 1.50. 1.60. OF: 12.50, CSF: 14.03. Nr: Mbulwa. Tlnkosumtin.

8.15(7f)1. HAND ON HEART (J.Quinn) 2-1 lav; 2, Forgetful 7-2; 3, Aedean 3-1. 9 ran (W.J.Haggas) jl. 11. Tote: 3.10.

1.40, 1.50, 1.50, DF: 3.90. CSF: 9.86. Nr: Executive Spirit. 8.45 (lm 71) 1. YENOORA (J.Quinn) 3-1; 2.

Slmply-H 1-4 lav. 2 ran (P.F.I.Cole) 31. Tote: 2.50. Nr: Pica. Placepot: 19.90.

Southwell 8.30 5I) 1, FIGHTER SOUADRON (J.Fortune) 3-1 lav; 2, Educated Pet 4-1 3, Sara Anne 14-1. 8 ran (J.A.GIover) 21. 81. Tote: 3.40, 1.10. 1.50.

4.90. DF- 5.10 CSF: 14.54, Tricast: 128.73. 7.00(71)1, GALLERY ARTIST (S.Eiffert) 14-1; 2, MCA Below The Line 9-4 lav 3, Crimson Consort 14-1. 16 ran (R.Guest) hd, 1jl. Tote: 32.70, 7.70.

1.50 3 70 CSF: 45.26. 7.30 (1m 61)1, TACTICAL MISSION (J.Weaver) 8-1; 2, Grey Commander 7-1; 3. Domain 11-1. 8 ran. 11-fo fav Whilechapel (J.Akehurst) 111.

31. Tote: 10.80. 2 50 1.40. 2 60. DF: 16.10, CSF: 57.53.

Tricast 564.20 8.00 (lm 1, NORTHERN KINGDOM (D.Nicholls) 9-4 lav; 2, Teddy's Play 3-1 5 ran (S G.Norton) 2JI. nk. Tote: 3 10 1 40 1.60, DF: 5.80, CSF: 8.56. 8.30 (71) 1, COASTAL EXPRESS (L Dettorl) 4-1 lav; 2, Invigilate 6-1; 3, Sle Amato 7-1 12 ran (E.Weymes) 31. 51.

Tole: 5.40 1 90 2.40. 2.30. DF: 14.90. CSF: 28.89, TricasL 156.70. Nr: Abigails Boy.

9.00 (1m) 1, SHIRLEY'S TRAIN (L Dettori) 7- 2, Turtle Beach 3-1; 3, iron Baron 7-1. 13 ran, 7-4 fav Up All Night (Lord Huntingdon) nk. 101. Tote: 4.50. 2 00 1 50 1.80.

DF: 4.70. CSF: E15 16. Placepot! 279 90. Curragh 3.55 (lm) 1, MARLING (W.R.SwInburn) 4-5 lav; 2, Market Booster 20-1; 3, Tarwlya 20-1 9 ran (G.Wragg) CSF: 16.12. Nr: Lambada hasn't diluted the passion.

Neither would what happened at Wembley on Wednesday have helped the cause of those battling to keep a foothold in the game. The supporters of Barcelona and Sampdoria had a seat each, and blessed the old stadium with a boisterous but benign atmosphere. In any case, the banks of cheerfully squashed fans that we of the longer memories recall fondly are so deep in the past we're yearning alter something already lost. Colleagues who attend matches regularly tell me that even famous mounds like the Kop and the Stretford End had not been living up to their reputations recently. The mindless repetition of a team's name can't be classed as atmosphere.

Whether all this change prepares us for a new role as coin-in-the-slot spectators remains to be seen, but Pay-TV is inevitable and, I suspect, will become a welcome part of a sports enthusiast's life. I am not convinced by the chest-beatings of the terrestrial TV moguls on behalf of the poor fans who will have to buy 200 satellite dishes in order see live football. I heard no cries of sympathy for the millions forced to buy 300 video recorders in order to supplement with films the declining quality of the average evening's output of the regular channels. Paying to watch football is merely an extension of that, and at least will free us from the sporting whims of the programme controllers and offer a much wider choice. Undoubtedly, this will bring more income to Premier League clubs, enabling them to build teams capable of matching the best in Europe and offering us games we'll be delighted to pay for in any way.

This, at least, is the theory. The game that we built on our feet, we can now sustain on our backsides. 2, Paddy Chalk 12-1: 3, Seneca Reel 7-1. 11 ran (M.McCourt) hd. 21.

Tote: 3.20, 1.50, 3.70, 2.10. DF: 30.60, CSF: 35.36, Tricast: 214.18. 4.40 (1m 31) 1, BARRISH (T.OuInn) 8-1; 2, Knock Knock 9-4 jt-lav: 3, Ambassador Royale 8-1. 8 ran, 9-4 jt-lav Tiger Shoot (R.Akehurst) jl. 21.

Tote: 10.00, 2.60, 1.10. 200. DF: 10.70. CSF: 24.70. Tricast: 133.56.

Placepot: 102.00. Doncaster 2.20 (1m) 1, MIZORAM (Stephen Davies) 7-1; 2, Klveton Tycoon 5-2; 3, Reflecting 5-4 fav. 9 ran (H. R.A.Cecil) Jl. 51.

Tote: 8.20. 2.10, 1.10. 1.20, DF: 13.30, CSF: 24.57. 2.50(71)1, SIR ARTHUR HOBBS (N.Kennedy) 18-1: 2, Malunar Quiet Victory 20-1; 4. Leave It To Lib 16-1.

17 ran. 5-1 fav Darakah (F.H.Lee) shd. hd. Tote: 29 00. 4 60.

1.90. 4.50, 3.90. DF: 75.70. CSF: 152.66. Tricast: 2671.07.

3.20(61) 1, CRYSTAL JACK (Paul Eddery) 9-1; 2, Sea Devil 6-1. 6 ran. Alter stewards inquiry result stands, 6-4 fav Garth (F.H.Lee) 11, 21 Tote: 11.00. 2.40. 2.10.

DF: 21.90. CSF: 52 86. 3.50 (1m 21 60yds) 1, BINKHALDOUN (R. Hilts) 5-1; 2, Anchorite 8-1. 4 ran.

evens lav Balnibarbi (H.Thomson Jones) IJI. 11. Tote: 6.00. DF: 11 50. CSF: 27.78.

4.20 (lm 41)1, TAYLORS PRINCE (J.Quinn) 5-1; 2, Beau Ouesl 7-2. 7 ran. 9-4 fav Checkpoint Charlie (H.J.Collingridge) hd. Tole: 5 10, 2.20. 2.00, DF: 7.50, CSF: 21.15.

4.50 (61) 1, GEISWAY (Paul Eddery) evena lav; 2, Kamaatera 7-1; 3, Icy South 6-4. 8 ran (R Hannon) hd, 111. Tote: 2.00. 1.20. 1.10.

1 20. DF: 5 90, CSF: 8.62. 5.20 (1m) 1, AMERICAN HERO (J. Weaver) 18-1; 2, Genalr 9-2: 3, Charming Gift 4-1 fav. 13 ran (C Tinkler) nk.

II. Tote: 39.60, 6.70. 2.40. 2.40. DF: 322.80.

CSF: 87.38. Placepot: 256 40. Hexham 2.15 (2m 41)1, KIR (P.Carr) 8-11 fav; 2, Flass Vale 7-4. 7 ran (D.R.Franks) 41. dis.

Tote: 2 00. 130. 1.30. DF: 2 00. CSF: 2 39 Nr: Construction.

Washakie. 2.45 (3m) 1, DE VALERA (Mr J.Weymes) 14-1; 2, The Right Kind 12-1: 3, Daleslde 7-2 11 ran 5-4 lav Fool's Delight (W.Bentley) 21. 251 Tote 12 80. 2 00. 8 90.

1.30, DF: 288 20. CSF: 153 63 3.15 (2m 41)1, PALM READER (C Grant) 2-1; 2, Palmrush 12-1 7 ran. 11-8 fav Peacework (W A Stephenson) 51. II. Tole: C3 30.

1 90. 3 30. DF 17.10. CSF: 22 05. 3.45 (2m) 1, BOY PAINTER (T Reed) 7-1; 2, Heavenly Hooler 12-1 7 ran.

5-4 lav Clovermill (J Johnson) 81. 3JI Tote: C10 20. 2 .60. C4 10. DF.

C26 90. CSF: 71 30 4.15 (2m) 1. BEN TIRRAN (D Teller) 16-1; 2. Sheilas Hlllcreal 10-1 7 ran (Mrs Lamyman) 2)1. II Tote 6.40.

2.90. 5 GO DF 96 70. CSF 131 70.