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Sports review of the year

30/12/2002

ONCE again the sporting hot-bed that is Tameside hasn't let us down, and it's now time to look back at the ups and downs over the last 12 months.

Perhaps it hasn't been a vintage footballing year, but the Commonwealth Games and the increasing success of Ricky Hatton have proved highlights for yours truly. Read on...

January

Big time boxing promoter Frank Warren speaks exclusively to the Advertiser about the 'the best fighter he has ever worked with' - Gee Cross WBU World light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton.
Despite struggling in the Nationwide Conference drop zone, Paul Futcher's Stalybridge Celtic beat leaders Boston United 2-1 at Bower Fold.
Mossley are on a five-game winning streak in the North West Counties League's top flight.

February

Ricky Hatton stops Russian challenger Mikhail Krivolapov at a sold-out MEN Arena, and looks ahead to a summer showdown with Eamonn Magee.
Ashton United's UniBond first division promotion hopes are hit by a 3-1 home defeat by North Ferriby.
Struggling Hyde United's player/manager Dave Nolan complains that his side are 'not finishing teams off' in the battle to avoid relegation from the UniBond premier division, two years after finishing runners-up.

March

Stalybridge Celtic fortunes take a nosedive with a thumping 4-0 home defeat by Chester, but they are unlucky when losing out to DJ Campbell's late winner at Stevenage in the FA Trophy quarter-final. It isn't enough to save Paul Futcher and he is sacked and replaced by 38-year-old Dave Miller.
The former Leigh assistant boss immediately guides the Celts to three straight victories.

April

It's 'double doom' as both Hyde United and Stalybridge Celtic are relegated.
It's much better news for Ashton RUFC though as they head for promotion to North Lancs One with a devastating 70-0 victory over Lonsdale Wanderers.
Cricket gets under way as the summer approaches, and Hyde open up their ECB Cheshire County premier division campaign with a thumping nine-wicket win against Chester Boughton Hall.
May
Ashton United secure promotion after an epic 2-1 play-off win at Bamber Bridge.
Hyde United thank their lucky stars as they get a reprieve from relegation as Bishop Auckland and Ossett Town's grounds fail grading examinations.
The Tigers' free-scoring striker Simon Yeo moves into the full-time game as he joins third division Lincoln City.

June

It's win number 29 for Ricky Hatton as he deservedly outpoints Belfast hard-man Eamonn Magee.
Denton badminton star Colin Haughton is selected for the Commonwealth Games, but Dukinfield squash hero Nick Taylor is snubbed.
Droylsden FC supremo Dave Pace is eyeing the Nationwide League.

July

The Commonwealth Games finally arrives and the eyes of the world focus on Manchester.
Locally, Colin Haughton wins a superb team gold medal but Ashton-based featherweight boxer Steve Bell loses in the quarter-finals at the Wythenshawe Forum to Canada's Benoit Gaudet.
Junior Witter demands a title fight with Ricky Hatton.

August

Denton West CC stay top of the Lancashire County League.
Football is back, but Stalybridge falter with an opening day 2-2 home draw with Vauxhall Motors in the UniBond premier division.
Curzon Ashton boss Gary Lowe promises to stick with his teenagers ahead of the club's North West Counties league campaign.

September

Skipper Gareth Senior leads his Denton West team to Lancashire County League title glory after a last-day win over Glossop.
Dave Nolan loses his patience after his Hyde United team slump to a 4-1 defeat at Altrincham.
Ricky Hatton beats Stephy Smith in controversial fashion as Smith's father enters the ring at the MEN Arena, while Hatton's brother Matthew suffers the first defeat of his career against David Kirk.

October

Hyde United are once again struggling at the wrong end of the UniBond premier division and Dave Nolan leaves after 'an amicable parting of the ways'. He joins Kidsgrove, also as player/boss.
Former Manchester United and England star Gordon Hill steps into the Ewen Fields hot seat.
Gerry Quinn's Ashton United are the highest placed of four Tameside teams in UniBond's top flight.

November

Aldwinians RUFC prop up the North Two West table after a 39-0 hammering at Blackburn. Director of rugby Mike Jackson quits.
Gordon Hill salutes a morale-boosting FA Trophy victory for Hyde at Gateshead.
Former British amateur boxing champion Steve Bell decides to turn professional.

December

Ricky Hatton completes another fantastic year when he defends his WBU title for the eighth time in some style at a packed-out Telewest Arena in Newcastle.
American 'Lil' Joe Parkinson is sent packing after suffering a crushing trademark body shot in the fourth round.
Stalybridge Celtic move to within just six points of runaway UniBond leaders Accrington when Phil Eastwood's goal secures the boxing day derby spoils at Hyde United.