BMC CHIEF SHOULD QUIT SAYS CAMERON

'BETTER ORGANISED RIOTS': PM Cameron blasts BMC set up

The Prime Minister has today branded the debacle surrounding the forthcoming BMC Grand Prix at Watford "a national joke" and has demanded the resignation of the organisation's top dog - Pat Fitzgerald. The under fire chief executive has remained silent since his Grand Prix Organising Committee (GPOC) took the sensational step of re-opening registration for the event after closing it five days early on Monday.

"It has been a total disaster" thundered Cameron from Downing Street today "how can classy athletes like Joe MacDonald and Stephen Emery have their entries deferred whilst others sail into the event without a second look? It is humiliating for those involved and it is high time that the BMC took this sort of foul up more seriously". The firm words from the PM come just three months after he pledged to clear up the "horrendous state of athletics under the old Government". Fitzgerald is likely to be summoned to Downing Street before the week is out to explain yet another humiliation for the supposed "premier middle distance club" in the country.

Last week, Alasdair Donaldson (who doesn't have time to read this blog) used his annual press conference heap scorn on BMC for "fundamentally failing athletics". "When I was in school" blasted the Scot "BMC were the be all and end all. They are a bit of a joke now". It is understood that George Gandy's PA has not ruled out boycotting the event by "refusing to make the tea" for the officials - who last year failed to spot several athletes crossing the line.

Meanwhile, Pete Matthews has announced that he will not be taking part in the event in order to spend more time with his GB International kit (Mountain Running) and Mo Farah has been told that he has "missed the deadline" and so the Euopean 10,000m record holder has been placed on a waiting list for a lane in the 'H' 800m race. It is also thought the BMC were forced to reject applications from Tariku Bekele on the grounds that he wasn't as good as his brother and Ryan Hall because "no one really liked him". Andy Baddeley is due to take part despite concerns on his part that other competitors were "a bit thick".

EMERY DEMANDS FACEBOOK GROUP REMOVAL

Stephen Emery has threatened to have Facebook "taken off the internet" after he discovered a derisory group about him. The social networking page has been in existence since last summer and was created by some disgruntled Rugby & Northampton fans after the 5k man made a big money switch to Coventry Godiva. Speaking exclusively to the echo the group's founder described the "immense hurt" that Emery's snub had caused his boyhood team. "We were nearly relegated [from Birmingham League Division 1] weren't we? I always thought that when Stephen wore that vest saying 'I'M RUGBY TILL I DIE' he would always be with us. I cried myself to sleep the night he left".

Emery famously "nearly veered off the road in horror" when his agent telephoned through Rugby's contract renewal offer. Claiming to be "better than that" the then largely unknown athlete deserted his club-mates overnight for cross region rivals, Coventry. He has since shot to fame and commanded a salary rumoured to run into the tens of millions as well as attracting interest from big clubs such as Newham and Belgrave. Emery has not been without controversy since the switch and boss David Dix was forced to leave him out of the squad for the National 12 Stage this April.

The Loughborough based ace refused to answer questions about the incident at his weekly press call this evening, but did threaten to ban a journalist from this Friday's pre-BMC conference after he asked him "how important Facebook was" in his preparation. A source close to Emery said that the star was "absolutely fuming" and had dismissed two close aides after they didn't pick it up sooner. "Nineteen people have been having a laugh at his expense" said the insider "that is outrageous. We have a meeting booked with Mark Zuckerberg [Facebook's founder] first thing in the morning to discuss compensation".

The Facebook group in question can be found here.

TWITTER RUMOUR UNTRUE SAYS DONALDSON

Alasdair Donaldson has been forced to deny speculation on social networking site Twitter that he had taken out an injunction preventing the media from revealing details about his private life. The tea and coffee man - who does not have time to read this blog - rejected accusations that he had conducted a seven month affair with a kettle. "I have never and would never do such a thing" thundered George Gandy's PA "I am perfectly happy with my tea pot and so would never be drawn into betraying that". The Twitter user - who attracted over 25,000 followers in just six hours - said in a separate tweet that Donaldson had played "kinky games" with the kettle including "filling it up with milk" and "boiling it with no liquid inside".

Loughborough was left reeling from other salacious rumours from the mystery correspondent. One tweet said: "A Lufbra [sic] sports scholar did not spend the last six weeks out on the town and actually did some training". Another claimed to have evidence that Stephen Emery was "drinking supplement drinks straight from the fridge" whilst one more accused Pete Matthews of "having a sound dress sense". A spokesman for the University sports programme "wholeheartedly denied" the "malicious gossip" that was being spread. Stopping short of naming a suspect, the source confirmed that they believed the tweets had "come from the West Midlands". 

The revelations could not have come at a worse time for Loughborough as the East Midlands town gears up for the biggest event of the year tomorrow - the Loughborough International. "Everything goes ahead as planned" an insider told the echo "but we have cancelled all press conferences".

ATHLETICS WEEKLY 'A JOKE' SAYS EMERY

Stephen Emery has sent a "strongly worded email" to Athletics Weekly editor, Jason Henderson after the "pathetic coverage" of BUCS this week. The 5,000m silver medalist described himself as "aghast" that the men's event did not warrant a single mention. "Didn't they watch the bloody race?" thundered Emery from an energy drink event "how can they ignore me upping my bronze to silver? I can only think that it is a personal attack on me".

Henderson refused to comment this afternoon, but an insider at AW dismissed suggestions that they had anything against Emery. "Perhaps it's because it was the weakest field for decades" wondered the source "or perhaps it's because it was first thing on Monday morning and we had bigger fish to fry. Who knows - but I think Steve's remarks are very disappointing". The source went on to point out that when they included a picture of Emery at the BUCS Cross Country event (in which he finished 12th), they were "inundated with complaints".

Emery was in no mood to accept such an explanation. "Nonsense" he fumed "I saw how the photographer stopped taking pictures when it became clear that I was going to medal yet again. I said that I would and then I did. They all just need to realise that you can succeed without any junior success. I am living proof of greatness". In response to his remarks being "disappointing", Emery slammed his water bottle (chilled; pH 6.8) on the floor and said that he found "their whole excuse for a magazine disappointing".

LOUGHBOROUGH 'ARROGANCE' ANGERS BULDARO

Bud Buldaro has called on BUCS chiefs to hand Loughborough "severe sanctions" after what he called "unbelievable" scenes at today's BUCS Championship. Birmingham's top man was left seething after African Violet fans invaded the track in the wake of a sensational 4x400m victory thus confirming Loughborough's retention of the BUCS title for another year. "We hadn't even seen the photo finish" thundered an irate Buldaro "how can they do that? It's very poor". The usually composed Buldaro added that he "would be ashamed" of his team if they behaved in such a manner.

Buldaro also denied that he felt any pressure having failed to deliver the title yet again. "The fact is that we won the BUCS Cross" he snapped "it's a work in progress. I'm here to knock Loughborough off that bloody high horse they stand on once and for all." Buldaro refused to criticise his athletes and dismissed allegations that they had "let him down" and "bottled the big occasion". "You look all over the park and the guys are getting into good positions" said Buldaro "I thought we showed great character in the face of some very strange officiating today and throughout the weekend".

Birmingham fans flooded radio phone ins on the way home pleading with Buldaro to spend some money to firm up his ailing squad. "We look at our sprinters and that's where we lose it" said a lifelong fan "I can't keep watching us throw competitions like this away because we can't sprint. I know Bud has the money and now it's time to spend some". Other fans laughed at their Director's remarks that they could capture the title in 12 months time: "we're so far off it right now, I could cry" said a season ticket holder.

Meanwhile, Guru George Gandy hailed a "magnificent effort" from his Loughborough team. Gandy was barred from Bedford after being handed a touchline ban for his remarks following the BUCS Cross Country. "Everyone stepped up" beamed Gandy from Font Romeu "it was a superb display. To see people like Stephen Emery and Ryan McLeod continue to achieve despite their advancing years is a credit to their professionalism". Gandy dismissed Buldaro's comments as "bad sportsmanship". "Bud has always been a bad loser" sighed the Guru "I don't think it sets a good example to be honest, but there is not a lot you can do about it".

DONALDSON BLASTS 'HOPELESS' BUCS SET UP

With George Gandy away on urgent guru business he has left his press conferences to his Executive PA, Alasdair Donaldson - who has wasted no time in calling for an "urgent review" of the BUCS hierarchy. Furious that start lists were "going up too late" and the "wind was too strong", Donaldson wondered whether there was "any point in Loughborough turning up for the rest of the Championships".

"You want the officials to get the big things right" thundered the irate Scot (who doesn't have time to read this blog) "I'm afraid that wasn't the case today. Where was the finish line technology? We were lucky that it didn't cost us - but mark my words they will get a really major decision wrong by Monday and then we'll all be talking about it". The Newham and Essex Beagle went on to state that he "clearly saw" Mick Woods of St Mary's going into the officials' changing area and "leave with a big smile on his face".

Donaldson - who both Loughborough and UKA have hurriedly distanced themselves from - then voiced his "utter disgust" at the preferential treatment offered to the Birmingham representatives. "Did you see the plush holding area they get?" stormed the tea specialist "whilst Ian [Anholm], David [Howe] and I shiver in the wind. It's a total joke - beyond the pale". Bud Buldaro and his officials have been granted exclusive access to the VIP lounge at Bedford after Buldaro slammed the coffee provision at last year's event. "I don't know if it is because they have Kukri on their vests" Donaldson continued "or it's because everyone likes Birmingham, but something's wrong when you see so many decisions going their way. It's very poor".

BUCS have dismissed Donaldson's comments as "hysteria" and have clarified that no bribes were received from Mick Woods and that Bud Buldaro had "won a competition" granting him special treatment for the duration of the Championships.

On the track, Loughborough survived a scare from Kieran Flannery who was nearly knocked out in the heats of the 800m after easing up well before the line, whilst self-proclaimed pre-race favourite Stephen Emery qualified with ease for the final of the 5,000m.

EMERY FUMES AT EIGHTLANE PREDICTIONS

Stephen Emery has reacted angrily to predictions on the popular running forum, eightlane that he will not win a medal at this weekend's BUCS Championships. The website invited its posters to predict how the Championships might turn out and only one post mentioned Emery as a contender for the 5,000m - predicting a 5th placed finish in 14:56.

"F****** outrageous" thundered Emery from his weekly press conference "who the f*** do they think they are? How can they f****** count me out? It's f****** mental if you ask me. I am the bronze medalist! FIFTH? You've got to be kidding me." Emery famously ran a "sensible" race last year to secure his place on the podium - but faced criticism from Steve Cram for "never even trying to win it".

The Coventry Godiva star also denied that his success has gone to his head. Emery has been criticised for "lauding his success" over close pals. "I only display the medal at weekends" said the engineer "and the picture on the wall was a gift". In response to accusations that he is often "over-hydrated", Emery threw his water bottle (room temperature) across the room. "Nonsense" blasted the 3:48 (Stretford Timing) 1500m man "they'll try anything to get at me, before my big day. Just you wait until I'm the champion - then you'll all see what correct hydration looks like".

EMERY FURY OVER 'CHEATING' SLUR

Stephen Emery has expressed his "absolute horror" at being branded a cheat by some of his contemporaries. The £20m Coventry Godiva man was accused of "not behaving in the spirit of the occasion" at a water park visit during his warm weather training trip to Portugal this afternoon. A high-stakes race was organised on a five lane water slide with many of Emery's most bitter rivals taking part. The 3:48 (Stretford Timing) 1500m man was disqualified in his heat after false-starting but immediately appealed the decision on the grounds that "a whistle from the crowd" had distracted him. A small scuffle ensued resulting in both Emery and Altrincham's Andy Norman being dragged away by race officials. 

The upshot of the 90 minute steward's inquiry was Emery's reinstatement in a re-run of his heat, with the determined 23 year-old easing into the semi-finals. However, the Godiva star had to put up with boos from the 23,000 spectators and cries of "cheat" as he stretched between rounds. Visibly shaken by the atmosphere, Emery only scraped into the final where he was once again disqualified for what he called a "harsh" false-start. The race was eventually won by the largely unfancied Shane Kerr.

Speaking afterwards, Emery made no effort to hide his displeasure at the circumstances of his defeat. "You work your whole winter for an event like this" he blasted "and then an incident like that ruins the whole day.  I am not a cheat. I would never cheat. It is a personal insult to be called one". On his disqualification in the final, Emery harrumphed that the starter "didn't know what he was doing" and held competitors for far too long. "Total amateurs" thundered the BUCS Bronze medalist "I will never compete here again".

'PETULANT' EMERY TO BE DROPPED FOR NATIONAL SHOWDOWN

Coventry Godiva's Director of Athletics, David Dix has dropped star man Stephen Emery after he "showed contempt to his teammates" at the Midland 12 Stage on Saturday. A dismal performance saw the 3:48 (Stretford Timing) star slump to a miserable 27:21 clocking for a long leg at the weekend - an occurrence that "undoubtedly cost" Godiva a medal - according to Dix. "It was arrogant and unprofessional" thundered Dix of Emery "we all know that he wants away from here, but the offers just haven't been good enough". Coventry paid £19.3m for Emery in 2009 and it is understood that Dix wants "at least double" that price in order to let him go.

Emery has been fined two weeks wages (roughly £100,000) after he was photographed on a night out just days before the Midlands event and Dix has said that he is "making a point" by leaving arguably his most important athlete out of the line up for next month's National Relay. "I want to show that the club is bigger than just him. Sure, I'd like to hang onto someone like that but not at the cost of losing the soul of the club." Emery could be replaced in the team by a member of the youth team to further demonstrate "the future".

Coventry legend Dave Moorcroft blasted Emery yesterday evening and stated that the club was "ready to sell". The former Rugby & Northampton talisman was furious in January when the club turned down a £25m bid from Tipton, but Moorcroft's comments now seem to leave the door open for Emery to fulfill his "boyhood dream" of pulling on a Green and White vest. Speaking exclusively to the lufbra echo, Josh Lilley (who recently joined Tipton) said that the club "was the right place" for Emery. "We're building a team that will dominate" said Lilley "it's time to get serious now and go after the big boys".

Emery's spokespeople refused to comment this evening, but he did use his Twitter account to bemoan the increased level of fluoride in Loughborough's tap water.

BEATEN EMERY BEMOANS 'RIDICULOUS' COURSE

Stephen Emery has hit out at what he calls an "unbelievable" course for Saturday's BUCS Cross Country Championships. Emery was well beaten in the race by Nick Goolab and slumped to a disappointing 12th place, unable to hold his dismal Loughborough team together. The Coventry Godiva man was indignant in defeat however and claimed that Birmingham were "totally wrong" in selecting a course that "played right into the hands" of their top men. "What's done is done," sighed Loughborough's first counter "I can't change that now and whilst they [the rules] weren't absolutely clear going into the race- I have to live with it." 

A representative for BUCS Cross Country dismissed Emery's allegations and added that the day had been a "resounding success". The spokesperson went on, "we have had many many emails praising our efforts on the day. There were a few issues with parking and that is something we will address in later years." When asked to respond to Emery's comments about the decision to "ditch the ditch", the spokesman said that it had been a "safety decision". "If someone fell and hurt themselves, we could never live with it" said the source "we had no choice but to take it out. There were some really, really poor runners out there today".

Emery, however, is incandescent. When asked when he would next be competing, the 3:48 1500m man looked away. "It's really upsetting when something like this happens" said the clearly tired engineer "I have come to trust the rules, the authorities and then an incident like this ruins all of that. Who knows whether I'll bother again, I'm just really hurting right now". Emery went on to add that he felt he would have "won comfortably" on the standard course. "I have been successful there time and time again and suddenly they change it. My question is why? What are they scared of?"

Emery's comments will come as a relief to under-fire LSAC captain Ben Snowball. Radio phone-ins were inundated with angry Loughborough fans yesterday evening demanding the skipper's "immediate resignation". One caller said that the performance was "the worst in history" and that Snowball should "do the decent thing". "He's hanging on for the payout, that much is clear" said the lifetime season ticket holder "we can't go on like this". Snowball would stand to gain £4m if his contract was terminated. Although not explicitly stating support for Snowball, many inside LSAC have not been so quick to criticise. George Gandy chose to blame David Howe yesterday evening and with Emery now citing "obviously biassed" officiating, Snowball might just be able to fight on for another week. 

BULDARO READY FOR BUCS CHALLENGE

Bud Buldaro has said that his Birmingham team are "the strongest in years" ahead of this weekend's BUCS Cross Country Championships. Buldaro will not announce his team until tomorrow evening but was in a bullish move this lunchtime. "Loughborough are as poor as I have ever seen them" said the velvet tongued head coach "and I think the majority of the St Mary's team are busy re-taking their exams. I can't see anyone getting close to Birmingham". The manager will be hoping his side will be able to defend their title on home soil this Saturday afternoon.

Buldaro was largely dismissive of a very quiet transfer window for his team. Birmingham were not successful in landing Stephen Emery - despite a rumoured £40m bid - and also had an approach for Gary Bradbury rejected. "I don't need to strengthen my team" said Buldaro "I always think that the January transfer window is just about panicking to be honest. You look at weaker sides and they see the summer coming and think 'gee, we need to get more guys in'. Nonsense, I back my lot". Buldaro denied that the Emery deal had fallen through after the Vice Chancellor vetoed it and maintained that he had "complete control" of team affairs.

News for Birmingham got even better this evening as a spokesman revealed that Nick Goolab had "completely recovered" from a broken toe nail and was therefore available this weekend. "Nick had a blood test at the beginning of this week" said the source "and it is all clear. If selected, he will line up on Saturday".

FOLLOW THE RACE EXCLUSIVELY LIVE WITH THE ECHO. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LUFBRAECHO

TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY: THE BIG DEALS

The Echo rounds up all the major comings and goings after a frantic end to the January transfer window.


Stephen Emery is staying put at Loughborough despite a £40m bid from Birmingham and reported interest from St Mary's. The engineer has pledged the next 18 months to the African Violets by signing a lucrative contract extension.

Ryan McLeod will not leave Tipton after all. It had been thought that the 7:52 3k man was about to walk out on the Midlands club in a row about iPhone usage.

Linford Christie is to come out of retirement and has signed for Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow. The former Olympic Champion said that he was "hugely excited" at the prospect of helping Windsor back into the Premiership. The club were unsuccessful in convincing Sally Gunnell into a similar comeback.

Newham and Essex Beagles have been fined £750,000 and banned from taking part in the summer transfer window after illegally approaching "the vast majority" of the the GB European Cross Team. They also had a £75m bid for Mo Farah rejected after they realised that they had already signed him.

Mark Lewis-Francis is a free agent after storming out of Birchfield Harriers. The European Silver Medallist was heard to say that "Mark Lewis-Francis most definitely will be running for a bigger club than this next summer". As such his £2m contract was terminated but regrettably for the sprinter no one agreed to take him.

Sale Harriers Manchester sacked their entire squad earlier this month as the new owners decided that they "could do better". However, the club were forced into an embarrassing retreat when nobody returned their emails - not even MLF - and so have re-signed the majority of the team on vastly inflated contracts.

Dave Norman caused outrage at Altrincham after handing in a written transfer request. The 5k star has now signed a 3 year contract extension after failing to agree personal terms with £25m suitors, Southend AC.

Kenenisa Bekele will have to wait to have his move to Aldershot, Farnham and District confirmed. The Ethiopian will undergo a medical later today, but the deal has been put in doubt after Mick Woods offended the athlete's entire entourage. However, AFD will be celebrating after managing to persuade Andy Vernon to sign a four year contract extension rather than opting for a big money move to Bedford & County - who were rumoured to be ready to pay the star over £200,000 a week.

Despite reports in the Echo earlier this month that they were ready to spend big, Southend have not been successful in making a single signing. It is understood that the majority of deals fell through when would-be athletes "visited Southend". 

NERVOUS EMERY HITS OUT AHEAD OF BUCS TEST

Stephen Emery has used his weekly press conference to attack "anyone who thinks they can come close" to him in next weekend's BUCS Cross Country Championships. The Loughborough man is set to lead the weakest African Violet team for decades, but has reacted angrily to any suggestion that this will phase him. "I am quite used to being the favourite" thundered a clearly on edge Emery "I am the big name at Coventry and I am the big name here. I have never bottled it before and I am not about to start now." He went on to state that it was "very unlikely" that he would be beaten on race day: "this is what it's all about - I am ready for it and I am going to smash anyone who comes in my way through a wall".

The 3:48 (Stretford Timing) 1500m man has not been without his difficulties in 2011. Despite topping the rankings for 5 miles, Emery failed to medal at his County Championships and openly admitted to being "dominated" in several key predictor sessions. "Training isn't important" he snapped performing one of his thrice daily calf exercises "racing is what matters and I am more than ready to prove my metal. Just you wait till race day - then you'll see how tough I am". Emery is not currently on speaking terms with George Gandy's PA - Alasdair Donaldson (who does not have the time to read this site) - after he accused the star of "not pushing it enough" in training. "What does he know anyway?" snarled Emery "he is a nothing to me - just a one season wonder, that is all."

Emery was forced to concede that he was "holding the Loughborough team together" but stopped short of joining Gary Bradbury in declaring himself "embarrassed" to be a part of it. "Pete [Matthews, the sixth man in the team] is a friend of mine" said Emery of the disgraced AAAs fraudster "and whilst it is distressing that he has made the team, we just have to get on with it. It's not like he is going to count anyway." The Coventry Godiva man also dismissed speculation that he would be relieving Ben Snowball of his captaincy on the day. "That is complete nonsense" he said "who told you that? Was it [Kevin] Seaward causing trouble like he always does? It's an open secret that I think Snowball is a joke, but constitutionally I can't challenge him and so won't even though I am the better athlete by some considerable distance".

HAPLESS SNOWBALL SLAMMED OVER BUS GAFFE

As if fielding the weakest Loughborough team in a generation wasn't bad enough for Ben Snowball, the LSAC skipper now faces a mutiny from furious stars as he broke the news that the bus for BUCS would be leaving at 8:30 am. "This is beyond a joke now" thundered Gary Bradbury "you just can't run a club like this. Who does he think he is? I don't plan on being awake at 8:30 let alone on a bus. It's absolutely outrageous". Bradbury is just one of a number of athletes demanding that the departure time is put back or else they will "seriously consider" strike action.

In a bid to placate the masses, Snowball asked George Gandy's PA - Alasdair Donaldson (who does not have time to read this site) - to send out word that it is "imperative" to get the bus under way early. However, an insider told the Echo that this only exasperated matters when Donaldson made his announcement at Wednesday night circuits. "The crowd went mental" said the source "they started shouting expletives and all threw chewing gum at Alasdair. I have never seen such anger".

This is the latest in a long line of blunders from LSAC's inexperienced leader that have led to many asking whether he should be replaced ahead of the crucial season run in. Earlier this month, Paula Radcliffe called on Snowball to buck his ideas up and now Lord Sebastian Coe has added his voice to his growing list of detractors. "It's a tough job that one" said his Lordship "the fans have such expectations and I am not sure Ben is cut out for captaining such a big club. He is more suited to a mid-range team such as Oxford or Bath".

LSAC chiefs were refusing to comment last night, but rumours persist that George Gandy is lining up Stephen Emery to take over on a caretaker basis until the end of the season.

SNOWBALL MUST GET RESULTS: RADCLIFFE

Paula Radcliffe has added to the pressure mounting on LSAC Cross Country Captain Ben Snowball today by commenting that the captain's future "rests on an upturn in form". The Marathon world record holder and former Loughborough student poured scorn on Snowball's claims that he is "building for the future". "You look at the club over the past few years and it is in a bad way" said Radcliffe from the launch of her new perfume "I don't necessarily blame Ben as it is largely the quad he inherited, but with BUCS just around the corner, I think he is going to have to up his game sharpish".

Loughborough are without a win all season and whilst Snowball has pointed to "an injury crisis" many have questioned the Aldershot man's ability to handle a big club. "He came in with good credentials" continued Radcliffe "but unfortunately we haven't seen any of that yet. Some of the performances of late have been completely abject." Whilst a heavy points deduction for Birchfield Harriers looks like saving LSAC from the ignomy of relegation, the club slumped to one of their worst performances ever at Perry Barr last month evidenced by the fact that Pete Matthews was a high counter. "That is completely humiliating for a club like this" sighed Radcliffe "you look at the great history of scorers and now a hapless ginger is a key figure. It's very sad."

Snowball will be relieved to be able to call on the services of Stephen Emery - whose loan deal does not permit him to race for Loughborough in the Birmingham League - at BUCS next month. However, with the British Number One Five Miler voicing concerns about "a wasted generation" at Loughborough, all is not well. "We should have Ryan [McLeod] and so that will give us some credibility" said Emery from his weekly press conference "but it still is a bit humiliating to look at some of the contenders to be honest." Emery was speaking just days after signing a lucrative contract extension with Coventry Godiva rumoured to be worth somewhere in the region of £5m. "It was never about the money" said the 24:24 5 mile man "I think that this club can best suit my needs going forward and so I am here to stay".

Whether Ben Snowball will be allowed the same luxuries is unclear, but with a "vote of confidence" issued by George Gandy after last month's disaster the signs are not promising.

SEAWARD TO BE FINED OVER NEW YEAR SHAME

George Gandy has confirmed that Kevin Seaward is likely to be fined by LSAC after being caught by police with a blood alcohol level of zero. The former Irish International was arrested shortly after 3:30am for being neither drunk nor remotely disorderly and is now having to explain to LSAC chiefs why he was "a shit lad". Gandy was awoken early this morning by PA Alasdair Donaldson (who does not have time to read this blog) and demanded immediate talks with Seaward who compounded his shocking behaviour the night before by being "on a run" when the call came through.

"Kevin would have done well to follow the example of Pete Matthews" said an insider at the HiPac "he kept up his extraordinary record of pulling unwilling and rotund girls and even managed to irritate just about everyone he came into contact with." High praise also came for Stephen Emery, who told shocked bystanders that he was a "dead cert" for the next six Birmingham Leagues. "Emery really let himself go last night" said the source "it was good to see, although we don't actively encourage pretending that bar tables are podiums, it is better than doing nothing at all."

Seaward has remained largely silent today, although he did use his Twitter feed to reveal that he had "a meeting with the boss". The Belfast man continued: "just heading off now, scary stuff!" Sources close to him have revealed that he is "upset with himself more than anything" for failing to mount a respectable showing. "Kevin freely admits that his story telling is at its strongest after a few drinks" said the friend "he wanted to try it sober and we all now agree that it failed miserably. He is looking forward to being able to prove himself at the next available opportunity."

EDMONDS SNUB LEAVES EMERY OUT IN THE COLD

Noel Edmonds has blocked Stephen Emery from appearing on Deal or No Deal, the Lufbra Echo can exclusively reveal. It is understood that the Coventry Godiva star applied to be on the Channel 4 show in order to fulfil a "long-held" ambition to beat the banker and become the first male quarter millionaire in the history of the show. However things went array when Edmonds - a life long Rugby and Northampton fan - discovered that the 3:48 man had snubbed his beloved club in favour of a lucrative move to Coventry.

Emery is known to be "borderline obsessed" with the programme and regularly plans training commitments in order to free him up for its tea-time slot. "This is a major blow to Stephen" said a close friend "it has been such a tough few weeks and I know that he was really looking forward to the show. He has quite literally been sent to Coventry". The BUCS Bronze Medallist is said to be "devastated" that his boyhood hero is behind the rejection. The source refused to confirm whether the Noel Edmonds poster that adorned Emery's bedroom wall had been torn down in disgust, but did say that he was "really really upset".

It is not known whether this setback will effect Emery's preparations for the 2011 campaign, but it is now likely that his availability for training on weekday evenings will be a lot more flexible.

EMERY 'FED UP' WITH LOUGHBOROUGH REGIME

Stephen Emery could be on the brink of a shock move to Birmingham after telling his advisers not to enter into discussions about the renewal of his contract at Loughborough. The 3:48 1500m man is said to be "very upset" after not receiving a personal email of congratulations from Guru George Gandy after his recent Birmingham League success and has always had a soft spot for the velvet tongued Bud Buldaro. The Lufbra Echo also understands that Emery is still furious about the new arrangements surrounding physio vouchers that have been introduced by a rampaging Ian Anholm. The Director of Administrative Affairs (Upstairs Office) has limited all athletes to just five vouchers per term and Emery has slammed this decision as "unreasonable" and is rumoured to have left a "stroppy note" on Anholm's car windscreen.

"Stephen is tired at the moment" sighed a seemingly unconcerned George Gandy from his weekly press conference "I am sure that this is the hours of stretching are taking their toll and in the new year he will be refreshed and ready to commit his future to us." The fact that a possible Emery defection is headline news only serves to underline how far the unfancied engineer has come in the past eighteen months. Written off by many, Emery was criticised for his "handlebars" by assistant coach David Howe just over a year ago and was on the brink of being "moved on" from the club after a dismal summer campaign in 2009. Since then, the Coventry Godiva man has become a linchpin in Gandy's squad and however much LSAC protest otherwise, his loss would be catastrophic in the run up to the BUCS Cross Country Championships.

An Emery spokesman was keen to play down the rumours this evening and was instead focussing on the "ludicrous" decision by Pete Matthews to grow a pony tail for the aforementioned BUCS. "If anything it is Mr Matthews that is forcing Stephen to consider his position" said the source "living with him is an awful experience and I think anyone would get fed up of hearing about how he once medalled at the U6 National Cross Relays every single day".

Matthews is said to be growing the pony tail for "attention seeking purposes".

'I AM THE FAVOURITE': EMERY

Stephen Emery "can't bloody wait" for the first outing of the winter at tomorrow's Birmingham League at Leamington. Despite rumours that Emery is unhappy with his current arrangements at Coventry, the 1500m star has insisted that he will "give his all" to the forthcoming campaign. "There is no reason why it can't be a clean sweep" said the former Rugby & Northampton athlete "I know that if I can win tomorrow, I can get a run going...let's face it - I am the one to beat."

Emery will not have to face long time rival Sebastian Foy as the Cheltenham man has joined the legions of ex-Loughborough stars to retire from the sport. Foy conceded that his "height disadvantage" had become too much for him and announced his retirement at an emotional press conference last week. "I haven't been the same since I suffered a suspected stress fracture last Spring" said Foy "I guess it's all over for me now. I want to congratulate everyone else on all the good work they have been doing."

Emery was dismissive of the rivalry when asked about it at his own press conference and even went as far as admitting that he "never liked" Foy. Calling him a "slimy no-hoper", Emery slammed Foy's "pretences at stardom". "I have no idea what people saw in him," said the 3:48 1500m man "when it came to the track, his challenge disintegrated." When asked about potential rivals for the forthcoming series, Emery said that he "honestly couldn't think of anyone capable of getting close" to him and branded Pete Matthews "an embarrassment to the sport".

The Loughborough based engineer refused to answer questions surrounding rumours that he has approached David Howe in order to "beg" for some help. "Private business is private business," said a stern faced Emery sipping from an electrolyte drink.

SNOWBALL EYES CROSS SUCCESS

Loughborough's controversial new Cross Country Captain has stated his aim to win the Birmingham League this season and so mark an extended period in the wilderness of underachievement. Although not explicitly criticising his predecessors, Snowball did say that he was "hurt" by the record of the African Violets. "I see us as the Arsenal of Cross Country" said the lifelong Tottenham Hotspur fan "we have some really stylish and beautiful runners who achieve absolutely nothing. I aim to overcome that".

Snowball - whose finest hour came at this year's National Cross Country Championships - has made a promising start to his reign as skipper. Having already outlawed the wearing of international kit on easy runs, Snowball went on to ban the popular craze of wearing headbands during sessions. An insider at the club said that whilst some of the more established names (such as beaten Captaincy Candidate, Pete Matthews) were upset at the changes, the majority were going along with it for "the good of the club".

Snowball himself acknowledges the enormous challenge that faces him. With the club crippled with debt, it is unlikely that the free spending of past captains such as Ed Womersley, Shane Kerr and ***** **** will be able to continue. "There's no secret that things are tough around here," said the skipper, who has himself taken a 5% pay cut to just £150,000 a week "but I want to build a team of strong guys who get the job done. This is why I have sent a memo round saying that gloves will not be allowed at any Cross race this season. I have also banned dropping out of sessions."

Snowball's critics have labelled his plans "unworkable" and "poorly thought through". "How can he make dropping out of sessions illegal when Pete Matthews trains here?" grumbled one insider "and there will be a lot of people upset about his ban on looking at yourself whilst running as well." Further bad news came for Matthews when all name dropping was barred and the rampaging skipper has also put a stop to the potentially lethal fad of watching yourself in the windows of cars after dark. It is believed that such vanity nearly brought a premature end to Andrew Mariani's season just last week.

Elsewhere, Stephen Emery remains "very upset" at the limit that has been slapped on his usage of Physio Vouchers. The Coventry man was left stunned when he was informed that Snowball had limited all athletes to just five visits per term in the name of austerity. "Doesn't he know who I am?" thundered Emery from a charity event over the weekend, "I'm a f*****g BUCS medallist! This guy is a total joke." Snowball is seemingly not fazed by such criticism and refused to engage in any discussion of "jumped up little nobodies".