England Feeder Team: Grant Pulls No Punches

[TF_macca63]

First Alex Bones speaks up, then Darren Cox drops out stating he feels his face doesn’t fit followed yesterday by Grant Albutt who tells all on Matchfishing Magazine website – seems to be a problem with the management that needs sorting out if we are to do any good in this event.

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

From The Match Fishing website:

“The management is to blame,” says Grant as he opts out of the Preston Innovations England World Feeder Championship setup.

After being selected to represent England at full international level in the 2013 World Feeder Championship in South Africa, the Halesowen-based angling star, who is sponsored by Matrix, Bait-Tech and car giant BMW, has opted out of any further involvement, along with Garbolino star Darren Cox.

Speaking exclusively to Match Fishing magazine, Grant said: “Team manager Tommy Pickering phoned me to announce that I’d not made the cut for this year’s event, which is to be held in Ireland.”

“However, my decision to opt out isn’t a case of sour grapes; my mind was all but made up about detaching myself from it after the disgraceful way I felt I was treated by the England management out in South Africa. I have dedicated my life to angling since the age of eight, but I felt like giving up fishing altogether after the 2013 Feeder World Championship.”

Grant is one of the country’s elite match anglers and has more medals and accolades to his name than most could ever dream of. Yet he didn’t get the opportunity to show what he was capable of at World level on South Africa’s Bloemhof Dam because the five-man side stayed the same for both days, consisting of Tommy Pickering, Steve Ringer, Phil Ringer, Micky Vials and Adam Wakelin.

“I worked hard in South Africa during practice to help the team formulate a plan for the two match days. The fishing was tricky but it was even clear at that point the management had forged ‘favourites’ and spent much of the practice time nursing their egos.

“Representing my country should have been the highlight of my angling career, yet it’s something that I want to erase from my memory forever,” Grant continued.

“England management’s decisions in South Africa were shrouded in dubious light the entire time. In fact, given the choice, I would have come home just four days into the 17-day trip!

“We secured team bronze and each of us received medals as a memento of our achievement. I thrust mine into a drawer on my return and I doubt it’ll ever see the light of day again!”

So with Grant’s decision, what is it he felt was, or still is, wrong about the setup, having been intimately involved?

“I’ve been a member of the all-conquering Daiwa Dorking squad for 15 years now,” Grant said. “We are the most successful domestic team bar none. Yes, the squad consists of arguably the finest collection of anglers on English soil, but the reason we are so dominant is pure and simple – exemplary management by Steve Sanders – it’s a ‘proper’ team.

“By that I mean that so far England’s team results have been disappointing at full world level, yet English feeder anglers are considered the finest in the world. Our ability and understanding of the tactic surpasses that of many other nations but we’re not winning team golds year in, year out! The best results so far are 2013 in South Africa and Belgium, 2012, both resulting in team-bronze finishes.

“The reason we’re not winning is simple; you cannot manage and fish successfully, yet Tommy Pickering is intent on doing both and costing the team glory in the process.

“There are anglers in the setup who fish to win individual medals, none more so than the leader of the pack himself. And, while that remains the case, it’s highly unlikely the team will win gold.

“Of course you have to do well yourself to do well for the team, but the aim of team fishing is simple; you fish to win your section, not the match – the team always comes first.”

Moving on to this year’s event, Grant wasn’t in any mood to hold back his feelings.

“All I have done since returning from South Africa is fish matches in readiness for Ireland. Almost every weekend I’ve been on the bank fishing feeder venues that match what Ireland has to offer as closely as possible,” he said.

“I went to Ireland to familiarise myself, but it was all completely in vain. I never have a problem with being beaten fair and square or being left out of a team for plausible reasons, but when Tommy phoned me to break the news he said that he couldn’t pick me because I’d not fished at Inniscarra – the venue for this year’s World Championship (but I had finished 20th out of 180 on the Classic festival and fished the World Pairs event, both held in Ireland). I wouldn’t have minded, but there’s more than one member of the named team who hasn’t fished at Inniscarra either. Tommy also told me that he didn’t see me as a ‘roach tip angler’, but I would say there’s more than one other who wouldn’t be considered a ‘roach tip angler’, and, one individual in particular from the team has spent his fishing time almost exclusively on F1 pole venues, yet has made the cut. Work that out!

“There are a myriad of other reasons and supporting events, including being duped by my England travelling partner who seemed intent on stitching me up from the beginning.

“The Men’s England float setup is so successful and one of the reasons is due to the team rarely changing. I have nothing but admiration for all but a couple of the members involved in the Preston Innovations England World Feeder Championship setup, but Tommy’s decision to change the team each year means there’s no cohesion or solidarity between the members. Too many anglers are being sold a dream they’ll never realise and it has to change if we’re to return with the gold medals we’re so capable of winning.” Grant concluded.

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

From The Pole Fishing website:

Garbolino ace resigns from feeder team.

Pole Fishing columnist, and Garbolino top rod Darren Cox has decided to drop out of the Preston Innovations World Feeder Championship setup, after failing to make the team for this years World Championship in Ireland.

Darren, who is widely regarded as one of the UK’s top allround anglers, boasts ten England caps at Six Nations and European Championship level, as well as being a former winner of prestigious domestic events including the Shakespeare Championship, Parkdean Masters Final, Kamasan British Open and Fish O Mania Final. He fished the first ever World Feeder Championship back in 2012, and has been a part of the set up since its inception.

He told Pole Fishing: “My face doesn’t fit anymore. I just don’t know what I would have needed to do to get in the team this year to be honest. If this is the way that teams are selected, then there is a call in my eyes for a return to a good old fashioned trial system.”

Manager, Tom Pickering has named his team as: himself, Steve Ringer, Mick Vials, Phil Ringer, Adam Wakelin and Dean Barlow.

Darren added: “I have put a hell of a lot of focus into getting picked for this team over recent years, and even took the decision to drop out of the float fishing European Championship team to focus on it. I have done well in Ireland in the past, and just have to be realistic and admit that my face doesn’t really fit with the management.

I am looking forward now to continuing to enjoy my fishing and trying to win major events, whether it be on the float or feeder.

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

Grant’s not pulling any punches there is he? Fair play.

[TF_Tim_D]

It would be interesting to hear tommy’s views. After two years now of the world pairs in Ireland you’ll be able to see who are the consistent anglers there.

[TF_JohnH]

Seems the blunt Yorkshire management style is not cutting it for everyone. Echoes here of Kim Milsom’s exit from the England team a while back.
When he finally came out recently with his reasons they were very similar to those expressed by Darren and Grant.
Putting the personal feelings to one side you cant but help agree with Grants view that the manager should not fish. The comment about individual glory was a surprise as this has never been apparent with the float boys where the team ethic seems to be very strong.
A very sad day for England me thinks, to succeed we need the best working together and all of the guys walking have considerable talent and ideas to bring to the table. A key management job is to ensure that we get the best out of everyone so a failure IMO in management is clear.

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

I would have to agree that the manager should not fish.

[TF_joffmiester]

this is the announcement at the beginning of the week

Tommy names his team!

The Angling Trust Preston Innovations England Feeder team have now been selected for the FIPSed 4th World Feeder Championships in Ireland on the 19th/20th July 2014.

The squad will consist of brothers, Steve and Phil Ringer, Mick Vials, Adam Wakelin, Dean Barlow, and current Barnsley Blacks team captain, Glenn Lawrence (coach) and Tom Pickering (manager/squad member).

Rob Wootton and Adam Rooney will also be part of the set up to give them experience at International level, and to work alongside the team for the future.

The competition will be held on the Inniscarra Reservoir/Lake in the locality of Coachford, Co Cork. The venue Section is 2-8 km long and a road has been put in place along the section for easy access to the entire venue. Depth ranges from 6 meters to 9 meters at 30 meters out from the bank. Fish mostly present are bream ranging from 1kg plus, skimmers, hybrids, roach, rudd are in abundance other species, tench, carp, eels, perch, brown trout, pike, gudgeon.

Tom Pickering, England manager said “I would like to thank Grant Albutt and Darren Cox for their contribution and hard work last year as part of the squad. I have been out to Ireland and getting a feel of the venue since trials were held in September last year to look at selecting the strongest squad to take in the build up to this year’s World Championship, and I’m very confident this year and have high hopes of excelling on our bronze medal win last year in South Africa.”

Dick Clegg, OBE, international events manager commented on Tom’s England selection stating “’This will be the teams’ best chance of a gold medal since the conception of a feeder championship launched in Italy in 2011. Ireland is well known by English anglers and I know Tom and his squad will have put in a great deal of groundwork before the event takes place in July. There is a lot of work being done on the access to the lake and I believe it will become a very popular venue for English Anglers in the future.”

Sarah Phoenix, Preston Innovations managing director said “We’re lucky this time around that the fishing in Ireland is something the whole team has experienced before. Tommy has enjoyed some fruitful trips to Ireland in the past and I know he senses this year could be the best chance so far of clinching gold. It provides a good opportunity to spread the word about Preston Innovations once again. Ireland is somewhere that our presence is growing all the time. Good luck to all the anglers representing Team England this time around. We’re delighted to be supporting the guys once again. Here’s hoping for gold!”

[TF_TIDALWAVE1]

The management should not fish and manage.it does not happen in the world championship england team line up,and that works very well with that setup.

[TF_Kagger TNB]

Reads to me a bit like ‘Bloke not selected for team decides to drop out’.

‘My face doesn’t fit’

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn.

That’s team fishing. How many blokes on the fringes of the other england squad could say the same thing?

How many blokes involved in ANY other team sport could say the same thing?

Those in the upper echelons, decide on a manager. He’ll live or die by the decisions he makes. There are only so many places in any team.

Obviously Darren and Grant are cracking anglers, but, who in the team isn’t?

[TF_TIDALWAVE1]

Would also add that it is not sour grapes on either grant or darrens part,in my opinion.

[TF_dunno]

@Tim_D wrote:

It would be interesting to hear tommy’s views. After two years now of the world pairs in Ireland you’ll be able to see who are the consistent anglers there.

As far as I know double World Pairs Champions Cathal Hughes and Jacko are not representing Ireland at this event.

[TF_Tim_D]

@dunno wrote:

@Tim_D wrote:

It would be interesting to hear tommy’s views. After two years now of the world pairs in Ireland you’ll be able to see who are the consistent anglers there.

As far as I know double World Pairs Champions Cathal Hughes and Jacko are not representing Ireland at this event.

That’ll be good news for everyone else then !!

[TF_Carp muggerParticipant]

I can’t understand why there is such a big comercial influence in the team.Im not saying they can’t adapt but there is are lot of better feeder anglers that do fish natural venues week in week are are better that have never been considered! I’m not naming names but one guy in that team was getting a good battering most weeks on a local bream water. Tommy will have his favourites but there should be other people considered and I can totally see Grants view

[TF_macca63]

It’s strange but it appears both stories ie Darren Cox on Pole Fishing and Grant Albutt on Match Fishing have now disappeared without trace – perhaps Preston have spat their dummy out and threatened to pull the advertising budget from both magazines you never know?

[TF_Tim_D]

@Carp mugger wrote:

I can’t understand why there is such a big comercial influence in the team.Im not saying they can’t adapt but there is are lot of better feeder anglers that do fish natural venues week in week are are better that have never been considered! I’m not naming names but one guy in that team was getting a good battering most weeks on a local bream water. Tommy will have his favourites but there should be other people considered and I can totally see Grants view

Quite true, one said angler that should definitely have been considered is the reigning park dean champ. His recent record over in Ireland in the festivals is awesone

[TF_rb211]

Why not try the trial system other countries do with success .Faces in all our teams don’t change much the world champ team could finish 10th and the following year it would still be the same team so what do you have to do to get in it, you could be a angler that wins every major match going and I would say the chances of winning a International cap would be nil.
Do you have to be a name or have a big Sponsor fish for the right team say the right thing to the right people and make sure your face does fit
Who knows
Yes we are good but not the Force we was lots of other countries have caught up with us some perhaps better so perhaps we need a change some where down the line .
Good luck to those who do represent the country

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

If those stories have been removed because of pressure from an advertiser that is a sad day for angling journalism I have to say. But I have no idea if that’s why.

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

Could well be. Although there were lots of quotes in them which hopefully weren’t made up. There are always two sides to every story. Better surely to state another point of view?

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

Sorry I somehow removed a post from CarpMagic there saying:

‘Maybe they were removed because they weren’t true…’

[TF_wightangler]

which was’nt true?

can’t see DHP printing alleged comments from two different team members without their say so – ie they wouldn’t make their quotes up.

[TF_joffmiester]

It might of been removed because it was a one side argument there are two sides to every argument and without tommy defending his decisions could be deemed a unbalanced argument . although in the original announcement you can see where Grant and Darren are coming from Ireland is a completely different kettle of fish to south Africa .
I understand having been a captain of a team and not at a level like this just how hard it is to fish and run a team i often dropped out of the team for this reason
I hope this doesn’t affect the other anglers in the team because we all want to see England win the gold in Ireland 😉 😉

[TF_wightangler]

Nevertheless, despite this, i’m sure we would all wish the England feeder squad every success and all our best wishes for a team medal in Ireland.

[TF_mickeym]

I’m not getting involved in the politics of this subject, but what I will say is lets not forget about the anglers who have been picked and selected and who are inevitably over the moon for being picked to fish for their country. Imagine being picked yourself for such an event, to then have loads of people digging down into the rights and wrongs of how the team has been picked or should be picked……….it would put a downer on things. It also takes away the ‘merit’ the selected anglers have earned by being selected.

I wish the team well and bring back gold!

[TF_Fred Davis]

if you are going to manage and run a team then that should be your focus, not self selection! if you are fishing instead of managing and watching your own anglers perform under pressure then your in depth knowledge of how the team are progressing is lessoned, and if you aren’t effective as a manager you should step down and let someone who is a more competent leader run the show

Obviously being a good angler does not mean that you will be a good manager.

[TF_TIDALWAVE1]

I would like to read both sides of the story,as would many others.if there is no wrong doing,there is nothing to hide.

[TF_Johnny Mac]

Both anglers have spat the dummy, I bet they wouldn’t have quit if they had been selected. Bad sportsmanship slagging the team off, they should have quit and said nothing, or congratulated the guys that were picked. I don’t think the manager should be in the team, he should either quit as manager or not fish (wouldn’t make much difference which). IMO

[TF_ian1980]

to those who think they have spat the dummy out r deluded 3 very top match men dont spit their dummies out on the first time of rejection i know darren cox very well n speak to grant when i see him they aint the kind of people to rock the boat without reason,they fish with the same people week in week out so what they have stated will be without doubt how they feel

[TF_ian1980]

only the management can reply back to give their reasons not anybody in the team

[TF_paulnewell]

Great as they might be some of the team do not matchfish week in week out as they once did . ? The idea of a chance to fish for England plus a chance of glory has given one or two anew lease of life . Also if sponsored by Preston seems to help the cause . IMO the manager should not fish . This was always his last chance to have a big finish after a magical career .The new pair are great anglers but those two gone are equally great . The main England squad seems to rarely miss the very best but I think the best feeder anglers around are not so easily identified . Some years ago Colin Walton and Keith kochi Jim Hines John Bradshaw Mal Storey . We’re great feeder anglers .. Steve Liston Many more from Bham the N WEST and darn scarf etc etc But the best of all Fred Bailey. !!!!! See the problem. ??? 😀 😀 😀

[TF_Carp muggerParticipant]

Come on management lets here your side!!! Ssssshhhhhhhhhhh

[Author]

Posts