Leeds United v Millwall or Dagenham & Redbridge? I wonder who West Yorkshire Police will want to win tomorrow evening's third round tie at The (New) Den? www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

While John Singer Sargent, born on this day in 1856, is best known for stunning society portraits, he had a much broader range, as in the watercolors he made as a war artist in WWI like this image of harvesters seemingly oblivious to the crashed warplane behind them www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...

Former Super League professional Willie Poching scored two of Wests Warriors' 12 tries as the Acton team won, 66-4, at Colchester-based Eastern Rhinos in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup. There was a try-hat-trick for Jack Payne. Wests host either the Army or the RAF in round two.

Strong performance this afternoon from Blackbrook in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup. Trailing hosts Aberavon Fighting Irish, 14-16, with 20 minutes remaining, the St Helens side fought back to win, 32-16, setting up a second round home tie with either Ince Rose Bridge or Longhorns.

Taking a stand ... the pavilion end at Leicestershire County Cricket Club's Grace Road ground.

"The club was insolvent, it could have been liquidated, so I intervened. The quantum of the problem was through the roof. They were going to lose £1.6m in 2024‑25. It's difficult to lose that money on a turnover of £3.8m." www.theguardian.com/football/202...

No problems with the weather in Colchester. Game on, this afternoon, say Eastern Rhinos Amateur Rugby League Club.

Although its facilities are decidedly basic, Grove Park's scenic Settle setting makes it one of Yorkshire's most attractive rugby union grounds. I was there, On This Day (12/1), in 2002, and saw Scarborough edge, 9-5, Yorkshire One rivals North Ribblesdale. Ribb's Dean Stacey scored the only try.

The BBC will televise, through iPlayer, 2025 League One newcomers Goole Vikings' competitive debut. Goole's Challenge Cup second round tie, at London Broncos, on Saturday, January 25th (12.30), has been selected by the broadcaster for live screening. The match is to be played at Rosslyn Park RUFC.

The first of several visits to Ayresome Park ('Doing The 92', No 22). On This Day (12/1), in 1988, I saw Second Division Middlesbrough require extra time to edge non-league Sutton United in an FA Cup third round replay. Paul Kerr scored the only goal. 17,932 there. Houses now cover Ayresome's site.

Another 11th hour postponement, owing to an unfit pitch, in the ill-fated first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup: The Army-RAF tie at Aldershot Rugby Stadium.

After all that work on the pitch, the Ince Rose Bridge-Longhorns tie, in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup, has failed a pitch inspection. It's off.

Amid the frozen waste of postponed ties in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup, live coverage is available of this afternoon's Army versus RAF clash at Aldershot. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpyi...

Destination Ramsgreave Drive, On This Day (11/1), in 2014, to watch rugby union. Part of a crowd of about 130, I saw Blackburn and Eccles slug out a dour encounter in the North Lancs/Cumbria league. The home team, beaten 21-19, fluffed a stoppage time penalty that would have secured victory.

Three goals in seven minutes enlivened my visit, On This Day (11/1), in 2003, to the KC Stadium ('Doing The 92', No 94). Hull City were held, 2-2, by Division Three rivals Exeter City, who equalised in second half stoppage time, shortly after a red card had reduced them to 10 men. 13,667 attended.

Moyes back with Toffees... www.evertonfc.com/news/2025/ja...

Full marks for effort. But can the Ince Rose Bridge-Longhorns tie, in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup, really beat this wintry weather? www.facebook.com/reel/1224339...

Pilgrims move on from the Wayne Rooney fiasco: "Miron [Muslic] had a clear vision of how he wanted to take Argyle forward, and showed a depth of tactical awareness that made it clear exactly how he wanted the team to set up and play." www.pafc.co.uk/news/miron-m...

"We are so grateful to Dean [Windass] for speaking out. It's a deeply personal thing but it really helps shine a light on dementia, a condition that one in three ­people born today will develop in their lifetime." www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Don't they say helicopters have so many individual parts - therefore so much potential for something going wrong - you'd be mad to fly in one?

Everton hopeful of swift David Moyes appointment after productive talks

A public meeting, at the West Row stadium, on Sunday, 26th January, could result in a surprise return to speedway, for 2025, of Mildenhall Fen Tigers - albeit only in the National Development Trophy competition. It seems the stadium owner, Spedeworth, the stock car promoter, supports the proposal.

Back in 2010 (Eye 1276), we reported on the appalling child protection failures in Rotherham that allowed grooming gangs to thrive. More articles in Rotten Boroughs since have criticised and kept tabs on the council and police officers who had sought to minimise evidence of large-scale abuse.

President Felon. Leader of the 'free world'. It beggars belief. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

With so many games frozen off tomorrow, I'd thought I'd go along, as a neutral, to Rotherham-Bolton. Having registered an account, I have been informed I don't have the "correct permissions on my account to purchase [a ticket for] this event". Well, that's cost Rotherham a minimum of £30. Fuck 'em!

According to the RFL, at lunchtime today, Ince Rose Bridge's pitch was 25 per cent playable. Ince host Irish side Longhorns in rugby league's Challenge Cup. Four more heaters (bringing the total to six) are being deployed. Longhorns will travel, in the morning, if prospects for play are 50/50.

Destination Wigston, On This Day (10/1), in 2015, to watch some rugby union. Part of a circa 115 crowd, at the Welford Road ground, I saw South Leicester beat, 30-18, National League Three Midlands rivals, Hinckley. After just 12 minutes, on a very windy afternoon, South had opened up a 20-3 lead.

According to The Telegraph, James Anderson is set to play for Lancashire this summer 🌹

Good to see third tier Swinton Lions, underlining their 'One Club, One Vision' commitment, have scheduled, at Heywood Road, several men's and women's double-headers for the 2025 rugby league season. Dates include March 23, May 4, May 25 (TBC), June 15, June 22, July 27 and August 24 (TBC).

Latest from Ince Rose Bridge, ahead of their Challenge Cup round one tie with Irish side Longhorns: "We’re calling on hiring companies or any businesses that have heaters. Please reach out if you can help! Your support will make a massive difference in giving this game the best chance to go ahead."

As things stand, only six ties survive this weekend in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup. The pitches of West Bowling and West Hull failed inspections this morning.

"Every year for the rest of your life will be one of the hottest [on] record. This, in turn, means that 2024 will end up being among the coldest years of this century. Enjoy it while it lasts." www.theguardian.com/environment/...

No live sport to watch this weekend, I fear. Just as well I'm about to start Adam Higginbotham's 'Midnight in Chernobyl'. Should see me through!

Tayside was clear and bitterly cold, On This Day (10/1), in 1993. I was at Dens Park ('Doing the 42', No 32), for a Scottish Cup third round tie between Dundee and lower-ranked visitors Dumbarton. 4,290 saw Simon Stainrod sent off before Dark Blues won, 2-0, through Morten Wieghorst and Billy Dodds.

#Cancelled 🚨📢 With #temperatures set to stay #below #zero, we’ve taken the decision to call this #weekends #game off 🥶❄️ The #saftey of our #players, #officials, #staff and #spectators is #paramount and we’re sure you understand the decision 💪🏻🏉 #rugbyleague #rugby #frozen #frozenoff #ice

The undersoil heating at Bolton's Burnden Park (now a supermarket) trumped the frost, On This Day (10/1), in 1987. With the pitch playable, I was able to watch the final of the John Player Special Trophy. 21,144 saw Wigan defeat Warrington, 18-4. Wire missed badly suspended scrum-half, Paul Bishop.

Saddened to learn of the death, at 80, of former winger Brian Usher, whom I used to watch, in the early 1970s, playing for Doncaster Rovers (1968-73, 168 appearances). Durham-born Usher played also for Sunderland - the team he supported, as a boy - Sheffield Wednesday and non-league Yeovil Town.

Myler has certainly landed on his feet. I wonder what qualifications he has to be a 'chief executive'. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

The Nest 💛💚 #ncfc

"The reasons cited for nominating [Charlotte] Owen to membership of the House of Lords do come across as very thin, inadequate and lacking in evidence of relevant achievements. They leave her peerage as a mystery rather than properly justifying and explaining it." www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Another weather-related casualty in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup: Sunday's tie, at Portico Vine ARLFC, between Great Britain Police and the National Conference League's York Acorn. No news on an alternative date.

Sean Dyche sacked as Everton manager by new owners hours before FA Cup tie

Flatford Mill, Winter by C Madgwick (1935-2005) Acrylic on Canvas (Sold at Auction 2013)

These extraordinary photos of the LA fires have been shared widely on social media, often without crediting the photographer. These are all the work of Ethan Swope, an LA-based photojournalist working for AP. You can follow his remarkable reporting here👇 www.instagram.com/ethanswopeph...

More bad news for journalism. Knowing his subject, inside and out, and renowned for plain speaking, Lynch made great copy.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that Liz Truss, whom I cannot abide, needs help with mental health issues. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Ince Rose Bridge are pulling out all the stops to ensure Saturday's first round tie, with Orrell St James, in rugby league's Challenge Cup, beats the weather. Volunteers are clearing snow off the pitch today. Industrial heaters and tarpaulins are to be deployed. The Crosfields-Maryport tie is off.

And another first round tie in rugby league's Challenge Cup falls victim to the wintry weather.

Saturday's Mirfield-Royal Navy Challenge Cup tie has fallen victim to the weather. A new date has to be confirmed. On socials, Mirfield state: "Every effort has been made to get the game on, but we cannot control the temperatures, which are preventing the field from thawing and becoming playable."