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Author: Andrew Morgan

Can Rory McIlroy bounce back at the Open Championship?

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

They say major golf championships are like buses and after the excitement of the US Open last month, we head to Scotland next weekend for the Open Championship.

The fourth and final major of 2024 takes place at the Royal Troon Golf Club, with four days of thrilling golf getting underway on Thursday 18th July. It’s the 10th time the South Ayrshire course has hosted the competition – Henrik Stenson won it last time back in 2016.

Last year’s Open Championship saw the unlikeliest of winners crowned champion as Brian Harman stunned the sporting world. The 125-1 outsider claimed the Claret Jug across a phenomenal weekend, finishing 13 under in a performance that saw his lead never drop below three.

Few expect Harman to repeat the feat this year, with Rory McIlroy among those expected to challenge. But he’ll face stiff competition from the world’s best, with Americans dominating the majors so far this year.

Bryson DeChambeau narrowly won the US Open last month as he made a late charge to capitalise on McIlroy’s mistakes. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler claimed the Masters while Xander Schauffele came out on top in the PGA Championship.

Ahead of the Open Championship, we’ve taken a closer look at the main contenders.

McIlroy looks to put US Open behind him

It’s been 10 years since McIlroy last tasted success in a major championship and after coming so close at the US Open last month, he’ll be desperate to reclaim the title that he won back in 2014.

McIlroy claimed his third major in the Open Championship in Liverpool all those years ago, finishing two shots ahead of Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia. His drought almost came to an end in June but with one hand on the trophy, a late collapse saw him surrender his lead.

McIlroy led by two shots with five holes left but it all went downhill from there. He bogeyed in all but one of the final four, missing two close-range putts to put DeChambeau in the ascendency.

And the American graciously accepted the opportunity, taking full advantage to win the competition by one shot. McIlroy has now finished second in the US Open in two consecutive years.

Yet despite the disappointment of throwing away another title, his performance showed that he’s still more than capable of competing with the elite. With the next major back on British soil, he’ll be determined to go one better and claim the major that he last won a decade ago.

The 35-year-old finished sixth in this competition last year at his spiritual home in Liverpool, seven shots behind champion Harman. And the fact that the Open Championship comes so soon after McIlroy’s US Open heartbreak gives him the perfect opportunity to bounce back and prove he’s still one of the best in the world.

TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 15: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the 7th green during the second round on day two of the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon on July 15, 2016 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by Jan Kruger/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

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Who are the favourites?

While McIlroy sits near the top of the bookies’ favourites as usual, the clear contender to go all the way is world number one Scheffler. The American is yet to win the Open Championship and only has two major titles to his name, winning the Masters both this year and in 2022.

But the 28-year-old is in strong form and has won two of his last three tournaments. Despite his credentials, he struggled at the US Open as he tied way down in 41st. Yet with one major already in the bag this year, he’ll fancy his chances of adding to his collection.

After winning the US Open for the second time last month, DeChambeau will be full of confidence going into the Open. The 30-year-old has never won the competition though, with his best finish of eighth coming back in 2022.

Meanwhile, PGA Championship winner Schauffele is also looking to claim a second major of the year. He’s finished in the top 10 in all but one of his appearances since winning at Valhalla in May and he’ll be looking to go one better than the second-place finish he achieved at the Open Championship back in 2018.

Watch the Open Championship in style

Fancy watching the final golf major of the year in luxury? Well, you’re in the right place! We’ve got two exclusive hospitality packages available, offering the best views of the action and everything else you could need.

In our Scorers and Scorers Premium facilities, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, all served by roaming waiters and prepared by our incredible chefs. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the dessert station and have access to the complimentary bar, with wine, beer and soft drinks on offer.

As well as seating to watch the golf up close, you’ll also be able to follow it all on TV screens throughout the restaurant and the private garden. Enquire today to reserve your place.

Formula One: Can Lando Norris challenge Max Verstappen?

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

We’ve reached the halfway stage of the Formula One season and it’s business as usual with Max Verstappen seemingly running away with it once again.

But there’s plenty of action to look forward to and Lando Norris has ambitions of launching a phenomenal bid to stop three-time champion Verstappen in his tracks.

F1 standings after 12 races

PositionDriverTeamWinsPodiumsPoints
1Max VerstappenRed Bull79255
2Lando NorrisMcLaren17171
3Charles LeclercFerrari15150
4Carlos Sainz JrFerrari15146
5Oscar PiastriMcLaren02124

Can Verstappen be caught?

If you’ve been following our regular F1 updates throughout the season, it’ll come as no shock to discover that Verstappen is still sitting pretty at the top of the standings.

The Red Bull superstar has won three consecutive titles and looks on course to add a fourth to his collection in 2024. He dominated the track last year, winning 19 of the 22 races. And while the wins have been shared out a tad more this time around, he’s still managed to come out on top in all but five races so far.

We’re only halfway through the season, meaning there’s plenty more action to come and anything could happen in the second half of the campaign. Despite that, it seems incredibly unlikely that Verstappen will surrender his lead.

The 26-year-old is already more than 80 points clear of Norris in second and it would take a catastrophic collapse for him to throw it away from here. Yet stranger things have happened and the chasing pack will still fancy their chances.

One thing that could offer them a glimmer of hope is what could be considered as a rare weakness for Verstappen. While he’s no stranger to winning races, he’s starting to make finishing further down the field a habit when things don’t quite go his way.

He’s finished sixth and fifth in two of the last five Grands Prix, when he would’ve expected to be on the podium. And with the likes of Norris starting to show consistency in his top three finishes, he may sense an opportunity to capitalise on Verstappen’s rare mistakes.

We’re only halfway through the season so there’s still a lot of action to look forward to, with 12 races to go. Next up we head to Hungary next weekend, followed by the remaining European races. From there we’ll have races in Asia and both North America and South America to enjoy, before heading to Qatar and Abu Dhabi for the final Grand Prix of the season.

Hamilton rolls back the years on home soil

It’s fair to say that Lewis Hamilton isn’t quite the force he once was in Formula One. The 39-year-old started the season with faint hopes of eclipsing Michael Schumacher to claim a record eighth title.

Yet after a slow start to the campaign, his championship hopes are all but over for another year. Before the British Grand Prix at the weekend, Hamilton had only broken the top three once this year, finishing third in Spain.

But muscle memory, nostalgia and a roaring home crowd spurred him on at Silverstone to help him win his first race of the season. Hamilton finished ahead of Verstappen to win the British Grand Prix for a record ninth time.

In fact, it was his first Grand Prix win since coming out on top in Saudi Arabia back in 2021. Verstappen struggled with the rain throughout but made a late charge and had leader Hamilton in his sights after edging ahead of Norris.

But Hamilton held him off to win by 1.4 seconds, giving him a day he’ll never forget. The Mercedes driver finds himself way down in eighth in the standings and a title win this year is as unlikely as ever. Yet his performance at Silverstone was a reminder of what he’s capable of and it may just light the fire that could see him finally become the undisputed greatest of all time before he decides to call it a day.

Norris emerges as a contender

While British F1 fans have spent years backing Hamilton, it seems there’s a new kid on the block. McLaren driver Norris is enjoying a remarkable year and finds himself second in the standings.

He achieved a best-ever finish of sixth last year but he’s well on track to better that and looks in good shape to push Verstappen all the way. Aged just 24, he’s a bright hope for the future and could establish himself as a regular contender.

Norris is currently 21 points clear of third-placed Leclerc having achieved seven podium finishes already this season. He claimed his first ever Grand Prix win in Miami back in May, which was sandwiched in between two second-place finishes.

How are the Premier League stars performing at Copa America?

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

With the late kick-off times and Euro fever taking over the nation, it can be difficult keeping up with Copa America.

Yet the tournament in the USA has been quietly bubbling away across the pond. The quarter-finals get underway this weekend, with Argentina looking to retain the title they won in Brazil three years ago.

Ahead of the knockout stages, we’ve taken a look at how all of the Premier League representatives have been performing.

Quarter-final fixtures

Argentina v Ecuador – Friday 5th July

Venezuela v Canada – Saturday 6th July

Colombia v Panama – Saturday 6th July

Uruguay v Brazil – Sunday 7th July

Liverpool pair to lock horns in quarter-final

The final eight has drawn South American sides Uruguay and Brazil together in a game that will be keenly observed by Liverpool fans across the globe. The match sees the often impenetrable goalkeeper Alisson come up against teammate Darwin Nunez who is proving to be rather prolific on the international stage.

The 25-year-old has scored twice in the tournament so far, helping his side top Group C with three wins out of three. In fact, Nunez’s blank in Uruguay’s final game ended his run of scoring in seven consecutive games for his nation.

Nunez has Premier League back-up supporting him in attack, notably in the form of Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri. The winger has played almost every minute for Uruguay, popping up with a goal and an assist. Meanwhile, Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has found gametime hard to come by. Despite this, he still found himself on the scoresheet in Uruguay’s 5-0 drubbing of Bolivia.

Nunez and co. will fancy their chances when they take to the pitch in the early hours of Sunday morning. While Brazil are traditionally among the world’s best, they’re yet to find their rhythm in the tournament and finished as runners-up in their group behind Colombia.

Alisson will be hoping he can thwart Liverpool colleague Nunez, aided by the assistance of Premier League stars Bruno Guimaraes and Joao Gomes, who have been near ever-present during the competition.

West Ham attacker Lucas Paqeuta has contributed, popping up with a goal and an assist in Brazil’s 4-1 win over Paraguay. However, Arsenal duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli have barely featured.

Crystal Palace duo star for Colombia

It’s a measure of the progress Crystal Palace have made in recent years that their players are starring at both the Euros and Copa America, something their fans have certainly never been used to.

Yet it’s a pair of Eagles that are soaring for surprise package Colombia, most notably marauding right-back Daniel Munoz. The 28-year-old has his sights set on the Golden Boot having scored twice so far, including an equaliser against Brazil on Wednesday.

Munoz also netted in his side’s opening game, as did Palace teammate Jefferson Lerma. The 2-1 victory against Paraguay set Colombia on their way as they finished ahead of Brazil to top Group D and set up a quarter-final meeting with Panama.

Liverpool star Luiz Diaz has also been a key figure in Colombia’s success. He scored the opener in their 3-0 win over Costa Rica and he’ll be essential if they want to reach the latter stages of the tournament. Chelsea target Jhon Duran and Bournemouth’s Luis Sinisterra are part of the Colombia squad but have struggled for minutes so far.

Chelsea midfielders go head-to-head

Much like Nunez’s impending battle with Alisson, the Copa America quarter-finals could see another pair of club team-mates come up against each other. Argentina take on Ecuador this Friday, with Chelsea midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo competing on opposite sides.

Fernandez will be desperate to prove himself against his west London counterpart but he’s been mainly used from the bench so far despite starring for Argentina as they won the World Cup in Qatar 18 months ago.

Elsewhere, Argentina’s squad resembles a ‘who’s who’ of Premier League stars. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Maritnez has kept three clean sheets so far, with Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero playing their part in a solid defence.

Manchester City star Julian Alvarez has scored once so far, netting in the opening game against Canada. Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister will be hoping to continue his promising season by contributing in the tournament, while Alejandro Garnacho and Giovani Lo Celso have also seen minutes.

Caicedo’s former Brighton teammate Jeremy Sarmiento has been a bright spark for Ecuador so far. The tricky winger, who spent last season on loan at Championship sides West Brom and Ipswich, has been heavily involved and scored in his side’s defeat against Venezuela.

An early exit for some Premier League stars

While there are plenty of Premier League players in with a shout of winning the competition, for some familiar names it just wasn’t to be. Jamaica crashed out after losing all three games, with Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey refusing to be part of the squad after falling out with the hierarchy.

Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock was unable to prevent his side shipping seven goals in their three defeats. However, there was some joy for West Ham attacker Michail Antonio. He scored Jamaica’s first ever Copa America goal and their only one of the tournament in a 3-1 loss to Ecuador.

Elsewhere, the USA were eliminated as they finished third in Group C after a shock defeat to Panama. Palace defender Chris Richards was an ever-present alongside Fulham duo Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson. Matt Turner and Tyler Adams also featured.

And finally, Paraguay finished rock-bottom of their group following three defeats. Brighton’s Julio Enciso netted in their game against Colombia, while Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron was also involved.

England v West Indies: The beginning of a new Test era

Posted on by Andrew Morgan


Following England’s disappointing T20 World Cup semi-final exit at the hands of India, attention now turns back to red-ball cricket.

Brendon McCullum’s side take on the West Indies in a three-match Test series, starting at Lord’s on Wednesday 10th July.

Out with the old, in with the new

Following a dismal 3-1 series defeat in India earlier this year, Rob Key and McCullum have rung the changes in order to freshen things up a bit. But in a squad packed with youth, there’s still room for a legend to bow out.

James Anderson is set for one last dance in an England shirt as he prepares to say goodbye following the first Test. The 41-year-old has taken a record 700 wickets for his country and he’ll be hoping to end his international career with a couple more.

One long-term teammate that won’t be part of Anderson’s goodbye party is Jonny Bairstow. The much-maligned wicket keeper received plenty of criticism during the Ashes last summer following a string of sloppy performances.

The Yorkshire stalwart has been left out of the squad, as has Ben Foakes, who has often been mooted as his replacement. Instead, England have taken a left-field approach and have handed a call-up to uncapped Surrey wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.

Seamer Dillon Pennington has also earned a first call-up, while Gus Atkinson is hoping for a first cap after not playing on the tour of India. Chris Woakes returns to the squad for the first time since the Ashes while Shoaib Bashir has been selected as England’s first-choice spinner.

The squad has been chosen for the first two Tests (minus Anderson), with potential changes taking place ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.

England squad

Ben Stokes, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Dillon Pennington, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes.

Can the West Indies win?

The West Indies are looking to retain the Richards-Botham trophy after beating England on home soil the last time the two sides met in this format. Back in 2022, the West Indies won the third and final Test to take the series following draws in the first two matches.

The long-standing rivalry between the two sides dates all the way back to 1928 when the West Indies first toured England. And while they’ll be hoping they can spring a surprise, they’ll miss the bowling of Kemar Roach. The 35-year-old is experienced in the English conditions having spent the last three years at Surrey. But Roach misses out with injury and has been replaced by Jeremiah Louis.

Yet West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite will be confident that his side can compete and he’ll be hoping to repeat his marathon effort from two years ago. The former Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire batsman was heavily involved in the second Test last time out.

Brathwaite spent more than 15 hours at the crease, scoring 160 in the first innings, his 10th Test match century, before recording an unbeaten 56 to win his side the match.

Hospitality at Lord’s

As the home of cricket, Lord’s is one of our most popular venues and, as usual, we offer a range of exclusive hospitality packages, meaning you can enjoy the cricket in style.

ICON facility

Situated right next to the warm-up nets, our ICON facility gives you front row seats to the best players in the world as they get ready for action. You’ll then be able to take your seats in the grandstand to ensure you don’t miss a ball.

Enjoy a three-course lunch, afternoon tea and complimentary bar, with visits from cricket legends to keep you entertained throughout the day.

ICON Premium

Upgrade your day at the cricket by going premium. As well as the same food and drinks packages as the ICON facility, alongside visits from legends of the game, you’ll have seats in the Compton Stand Balcony. Plus, you’ll also have access to the legendary Old Clock Tower Bar.

Private box

Enjoy an exclusive facility to yourself with a private box at Lord’s. You’ll have space to entertain up to 18 guests, offering them unrivalled views of the match.

Get set for a premium drinks reception and complimentary bar, as well as a light breakfast, grazing lunch menu and afternoon tea. If that’s not enough, you’ll also have access to the Engage concierge service, offering help with anything you may need.

Fancy joining us for the first Test? Enquire today to book your place.

When are England playing next?

Following the first Test at Lord’s, England then take on the West Indies at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston. McCullum’s side will then face Sri Lanka across three Tests later in the summer.

England v West Indies – 18th – 22nd July, Trent Bridge

England v West Indies – 26th – 30th July, Edgbaston

England v Sri Lanka – 21st – 25th August, Old Trafford

England v Sri Lanka – 29th August – 2nd September, Lord’s

England v Sri Lanka – 6th – 10th September, The Oval

The best days to go to Wimbledon

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

The wait is over – the greatest tennis competition on earth is back. The start of Wimbledon today means we’re set for two weeks of Pimm’s, strawberries and cream, quintessential British culture and the best tennis players in the world.

Carlos Alcaraz is looking to defend his crown after shocking Novak Djokovic to claim his maiden title at SW19 a year ago. Meanwhile, there was another shock as Marketa Vondrouvosa became the first ever unseeded player to go all the way in the ladies’ competition.

Ahead of the third Grand Slam of 2024 and a fortnight of thrilling action, here’s everything you need to know.

Who are the big hitters playing?

As Djokovic looks to become the undisputed greatest player of all time by winning a record 25th Grand Slam, he’ll be relieved to be on the other side of the draw to French Open winner Alcaraz, meaning they can’t meet until the final.

Alcaraz claimed his third Grand Slam in Paris earlier this month after beating Alexander Zverev in an action-packed five-set final. The Spaniard has been tipped to become the next superstar in tennis and a title defence at Wimbledon would certainly help his cause.

Djokovic’s first round match sees him face Vit Kopriva, while Alcaraz has been drawn against Mark Lajal. Murray is set to play at Wimbledon for the final time but his tournament is in jeopardy following recent surgery. The two-time champion will make a late decision ahead of his match against Tomas Machac.

There will be no Rafael Nadal at this year’s Wimbledon. The 2008 and 2010 champion, who has been plagued with injuries in recent years, is prioritising staying fit for the Olympics, which gets underway next month.

Elsewhere, world number one Jannik Sinner will face Yannick Hanfmann. On the ladies’ side of the draw, Iga Swiatek faces a tricky test against 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenen, while Emma Raducanu meets Ekaterina Alexandrova.

What is the best day to go to Wimbledon?

You’re guaranteed a great time whatever day you go to Wimbledon (unless it’s raining!) but to see as much tennis action as possible, going in the first week is advised as there will be non-stop action on all courts.

The grounds will be packed full of spectators on all days, although you may find it’s slightly less busy on weekdays. The schedule for each day is released the night before, meaning you’ll be able to plan your day if there are particular matches that you want to see.

The likes of Alcaraz, Sinner, Raducanu and Coco Gauff are all playing today, although they’re on centre court. For those with ground passes, you’ll be able to see Heather Watson play Greet Minnen on court 18, while fellow Brit Liam Broady faces Botic van de Zandschulp on court 12.

Djokovic, Murray, Swiatek and 2023 champion Vondrousova get their tournaments underway on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Murray and brother Jamie are scheduled to start their doubles campaign on Wednesday against Australian duo John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.

How long do you have to queue for?

If you’ve not been to Wimbledon before, you may have heard tales of the infamous queue. While the majority of tickets for the show courts have to be bought in advance, anybody is free to buy a ground pass, which allows you to walk around the grounds and watch matches on courts 3 – 18.

The only catch is that you’ll need to queue in order to get in. The grounds open at 10am each day, with play starting at around 11am – but the queue starts long before then. You’re free to join the queue at any point, with many people opting to camp the night before to guarantee entry.

Each day, there are 500 tickets available for centre court and courts 1 and 2. Following that, those in the queue will gradually be able to buy ground passes until capacity is reached. Once all ground passes have been purchased, a ‘one in, one out’ policy is enforced.

How much are Wimbledon tickets?

If you’re lucky enough to get centre court tickets, prices start from just £70 and gradually increase as the tournament progresses. No. 1 court prices start from £40, while court number 2 tickets start from £50. For the first eight days of the championships, ground passes cost £30, although they decrease in the second week as games become less frequent.

Wimbledon hospitality

If you’d rather skip the queue and watch the tennis from the best seats in the house, you’re in the right place. We offer hospitality for every day of the tournament, including both the men’s and ladies’ finals.

Engage offers four different hospitality packages, each offering bespoke food and drink options, as well as plenty more. If you fancy joining us, enquire today to book your place.

How to get there

Wimbledon is easily accessible by train, with Southfields station just a 15-minute walk away. Alternatively, Wimbledon station is 20 minutes away by foot and both stations are served by the District Line.

For those driving, limited parking is available and pre-booking a space is recommended.

Everything you need to know about the British Grand Prix

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

We’re edging towards the mid-point of the Formula One season, which can only mean one thing – the British Grand Prix is just around the corner. As the flagship event in British motorsport returns, thousands of racing fans will flock to Northamptonshire hoping to catch a glimpse of the best drivers in the world.

Max Verstappen finally won here in 2023 and he’s the favourite to do so again as he targets another championship-winning season. But he’ll have plenty of competitors looking to stand in his way, with a trio of British stars ready to pounce on any mistakes.

This year’s British Grand Prix takes place on Sunday 7th July, with qualifying on the Friday and Saturday. Ahead of the action, here’s everything you need to know.

The F1 season so far

After racing to glory last year, Verstappen is targeting a fourth consecutive Formula One title. He’s currently on top after another blistering start to the campaign, although it hasn’t been quite as one-sided as before.

Yet Verstappen has still won seven of the 10 races so far, including the most recent two in Canada and Spain. This time last year he’d won eight, so he’s not exactly slowed down, although he appears to have stronger competition this time around.

Carlos Sainz Jr and Charles Leclerc have won a race apiece, as has Lando Norris, who claimed his first ever Grand Prix victory in Miami last month. Next up is Austria, before the British Grand Prix returns to Silverstone next weekend. Verstappen won it for the first time last year and he’s looking to secure back-to-back wins in the iconic British race.

Can a British driver win on home soil?

There’s a decent chance – but they’ll need Verstappen to have an off day. A trio of British drivers have been showing solid form of late. Norris’ maiden win in Miami was just reward for his strong start to the campaign. The McLaren star has five other podium finishes so far, including second place in each of the last two races.

The most recent Grand Prix took place in Spain and following up Norris in second was Lewis Hamilton in third and George Russell in fourth. Russell came third the week before in Canada, while it was Hamilton’s first podium finish of the year.

The eight-time champion is coming into form at the right time if he wants to claim a record ninth British Grand Prix win. Hamilton is looking to win at Silverstone for the first time since 2021 but he’ll face stiff competition, particularly as Verstappen appears to have put a rare lapse behind him that saw him uncharacteristically finish way back in sixth in Monaco a month ago.

Hospitality at the British Grand Prix

We’re set for yet another thrilling weekend at Silverstone next weekend and if you fancy being part of the action, you can enjoy the race from the best seats in the house. Once again, our ICON facility offers unrivalled views of the track. Our exclusive hospitality package brings you up close, giving you grandstand seats with views of the Maggots and Becketts combination as well as the expanding hairpin of Aintree, leading into the Wellington Straight.

You’ll be treated like royalty in our exclusive suite, with breakfast on arrival, a gourmet lunch and afternoon tea, as well as a full complimentary bar and snacks throughout the day. Plus, you won’t miss a second of the action, with TV screens throughout the facility, a personal Silverstone radio and an official programme.

Guests will also be treated to a VIP hostess service, guest speakers from the world of F1, prize draws, competitions and plenty more. As well as our ICON facility, we also offer four other hospitality suites to cater to your needs. If you want to enjoy a day at the racing with a little bit of luxury, enquire today to book your place for the British Grand Prix.

Dress code

The dress code at Silverstone is fairly relaxed as we appreciate it can be a long day and the weather is normally pretty warm (fingers crossed!). Guests are encouraged to dress in smart casual wear, with no ripped denim, sportswear or sports trainers allowed.

How to get to Silverstone

For those driving from the north, Silverstone is around an hour south of Birmingham. From the M1, take the A43 dual carriageway and follow the signs. Similarly, from London, take the M40 and then A43 – it’s around a 90 minute journey from the capital. Car parks open up to half an hour before the gates open.

If you’re coming by public transport, Wolverton is the closest train station and offers direct services to and from London Euston, Birmingham New Street and Northampton. Wolverton is around 10 miles away from the track – bus and taxi services are available.

ICON Legends – James Anderson – Cricket Hero

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

As we continue in our ICON Legends series, it only feels right to honour James Anderson. Known as Jimmy throughout the cricket world, he’s enjoyed a remarkable career at the top level.

Like his mate Stuart Broad last year, he’s hanging up his whites. 21 years after making his Test match debut, Anderson is set to make his final appearance for England against the West Indies next month as the Caribbean side start a three-match series at Lord’s on 10th July.

As a generation of cricket fans prepares to mourn the departure of one of the greats, we’ve taken a look back at what makes Jimmy Anderson such an icon.

Bursting onto the scene

Having been born and bred in Burnley, there was only one club where Anderson was ever going to make his name. He made his first debut for Lancashire in 2002 and within a year he’d become the youngest-ever player to take a hat-trick for the club.

If that performance didn’t catch the attention of the cricket world, they’d soon know about him. Just a week later, Anderson made his Test debut for England against Zimbabwe at Lord’s and his opponents from that day likely still have nightmares about his bowling.

In the first of his 187 Test matches, Anderson stunned the crowd by taking five wickets in an astonishing debut performance. It was the first of his 32 career five-wicket hauls and it came 19 years before his last, proving his class until the very end.

In fact, Anderson has the most five-wicket hauls of any player in Test history. He continued to shine domestically and in 2004 he blew Worcestershire away with his maiden ten-wicket haul.

Smashing records for six

As would be expected for a player of his calibre, Anderson made a habit of breaking records throughout his career. He leads the way at the top of the charts for Test match appearances for England, with only Sachin Tendulkar beating him worldwide.

And, as expected, he’s also got the most Test match wickets in England history after hitting the 700 mark during England’s tour of India earlier this year. Anderson remains the leading fast bowler of all time, while only spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan are ahead of him in the overall rankings.

With Anderson just eight wickets behind Warne, a romantic nine-wicket haul in his final Test match against the West Indies next month would push him up into second spot. While it’s unlikely, it would be typical of his talent to one-up his buddy Broad following his incredible sign off in last summer’s Ashes.

For such a phenomenal bowler, you wouldn’t expect Anderson to have many records with the bat. Having spent his career at the tail-end, the 41-year-old scored just 1,353 Test match runs, achieving just a solitary 50.

Yet, as comes with the lower order territory, Anderson also holds the record for the most times finishing a game not out having done so on 113 occasions. Not too shabby for a man that averaged less than nine runs a shift!

Becoming England royalty

There’s no question that Anderson is one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Through longevity alone he’s established himself as an icon of the sport and his bowling record speaks for itself.

Like all great sports stars, his career has been glittered with countless highlights. He was part of the England side that won the T20 World Cup in the West Indies back in 2010. Anderson has also been on the winning Ashes side on four occasions, while one of his crowning achievements was helping boyhood club Lancashire to the County Championship title in 2011.

Arguably his greatest performance in an England shirt came back in 2008 as New Zealand visited these shores for a summer tour. Anderson finished the series with 19 wickets and nine of those came in the final match.

In the first innings he bowled a remarkable 7-43, before ending the match with 9-98 to secure England a nine-run victory. That performance truly put him on the map and he went from strength to strength for his country.

As England visited Australia for the Ashes in the back end of 2010, expectations were low as we dreamed of a first series win down under in 24 years. But if you need some fast bowling to fire you back into form, there’s only one man you need to call.

Anderson was imperious throughout the series, taking a stunning 24 wickets. England triumphed as 3-1 winners and it remains the last time they won a Test match in Australia.

Like Broad a year ago, Anderson has given the world of cricket some time to come to terms with his departure. While his story in domestic cricket may continue, his international journey is over and there will always be an Anderson-shaped hole in the England side.

Premier League fixtures: The ultimate guide to the 2024/25 season

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

While the Euros is currently providing us all with our football fix, this summer’s international tournament will be done and dusted in a few weeks. Luckily, the Premier League fixtures for the 2024/25 season were released this week, whetting the appetite for what’s set to be another thrilling campaign.

Manchester City are looking to defend their Premier League crown as they target a record fifth consecutive title. Meanwhile, we’ve got three new teams to add to the mix. Leicester and Southampton have bounced back up at the first time of asking, while Ipswich return to the top table for the first time since they were relegated back in 2002.

With hundreds of fixtures to look forward to throughout the season, we’ve taken a look at all the key match-ups.

The opening weekend

There’s nothing quite like the opening weekend of the Premier League season. New kits, new signings and a new sense of optimism for everybody involved. This year’s campaign gets underway on Friday 16th August as Manchester United host Fulham in the season’s curtain raiser, with Erik ten Hag set to remain in charge after guiding the Red Devils to FA Cup success last month.

Meanwhile, new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca faces a baptism of fire as his side welcome City to Stamford Bridge. Arsenal have gone toe-to-toe with City in the title race in the past two seasons and they’ll be hoping to go all the way this time. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners begin their new campaign at home to Wolves.

Meanwhile, things couldn’t have been much harder for new boys Ipswich. They start their campaign by hosting Liverpool at Portman Road, although it could be a good time to face the Reds as they start life under new boss Arne Slot following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.

Friday 16th August

Manchester United v Fulham

Saturday 17th August

Ipswich v Liverpool
Arsenal v Wolves
Everton v Brighton
Newcastle v Southampton
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
West Ham v Aston Villa

Sunday 18th August

Brentford v Crystal Palace
Chelsea v Manchester City

Monday 19th August

Leicester v Tottenham

The title race

Arsenal finished two points shy of City last season despite dropping points in just two league games in 2024. They’ll be targeting wins over their title rivals as they look to win the league for the first time since 2004. A late season trip to Anfield could be crucial in both theirs and Liverpool’s seasons.

City will have all of their games against Arsenal and Liverpool wrapped up before March, which may alleviate some of the pressure on them if they’re in a good position. On the contrary, if they’re playing catch up then not having the chance to face their rivals could limit their opportunities to make up ground.

Key matches in the title race

Manchester City v Arsenal – Saturday 21st September
Arsenal v Liverpool – Saturday 26th October
Liverpool v Manchester City – Saturday 30th November
Arsenal v Manchester City – Saturday 1st February
Manchester City v Liverpool – Saturday 22nd February
Liverpool v Arsenal – Saturday 10th May

Derby days

After the opening day, final day and the festive period, the games every fan looks for when the fixtures are released are those against their fiercest rivals. Liverpool will be desperate to get one over on neighbours Everton after the Toffees’ 2-0 win at Goodison Park in April ended any remaining hopes they had of winning the title.

Manchester City v Manchester United – Saturday 14th December
Manchester United v Manchester City – Saturday 5th April

Tottenham v Arsenal – Saturday 14th September
Arsenal v Tottenham – Tuesday 14th January

Manchester United v Liverpool – Saturday 31st August
Liverpool v Manchester United – Saturday 4th January

Everton v Liverpool – Saturday 7th December
Liverpool v Everton – Wednesday 2nd April

Tottenham v Chelsea – Saturday 7th December
Chelsea v Tottenham – Wednesday 2nd April

Brighton v Crystal Palace – Saturday 14th December
Crystal Palace v Brighton – Saturday 5th April

Leicester v Nottingham Forest – Saturday 26th October
Nottingham Forest v Leicester – Saturday 10th May

The final day

The season hasn’t even begun so it feels strange to already be looking ahead to the final day. However, with so many twists and turns to come, the last games of the campaign could be crucial at both ends of the table.

City head to Fulham where they’ll be looking to be crowned champions again, while Arsenal face a trip to Southampton. Meanwhile, Liverpool face a potential bana skin at home to Palace, who beat them 1-0 in April.

At the other end of the table, Ipswich may well be fighting for their lives as they take on West Ham. Forest may struggle again and they’ll be hoping their opponents Chelsea have nothing to play for by then. Bournemouth face Leicester and Wolves meet Brentford in two games that have the potential to be deciding six-pointers.

Sunday 25th May

Bournemouth v Leicester
Fulham v Manchester City
Ipswich v West Ham
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Manchester United v Aston Villa
Newcastle v Everton
Nottingham Forest v Chelsea
Southampton v Arsenal
Tottenham v Brighton
Wolves v Brentford

Euro 2024 ultimate preview: Can England win it all?

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

The wait is over – today’s the day. 24 nations across Europe are gripped with football fever as Euro 2024 is about to kick off.

The first match takes place tonight, with hosts Germany taking on Scotland, and we’re then set for wall-to-wall football action for a month, with the final taking place on Sunday 14th July.

England will be desperate to be there as they look to heal the wounds of coming so close last time out. But it won’t be an easy ride, with plenty of competition looking to stop them in their tracks.

Can England end 58 years of hurt?

They’ve got a very good chance! While on paper many believe France have the best squad, England remain the bookies’ favourites. The Three Lions reached the final last time out as a penalty shootout defeat to Italy broke the nation’s hearts.

But since then, their key players have gone from strength to strength. Young stars from Euro 2021 like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Declan Rice have developed into world class talents. Meanwhile, England stalwarts like Harry Kane, John Stones, Kyle Walker and Jordan Pickford have retained their class.

Kane will be playing the tournament on home soil having enjoyed a stunning debut season at Bayern Munich, scoring 44 goals in all competitions as they reached the Champions League semi-final. Meanwhile, Bellingham took no time in finding his feet at Real Madrid. After dazzling at Borussia Dortmund for three years, the 20-year-old scored 23 times in a more advanced role as Real won La Liga and the Champions League.

Gareth Southgate has often been accused of picking his favourites and ignoring players in form but that couldn’t be further from the truth this time. He threw up a shock as Marcus Rashford was left out of the preliminary squad after a disappointing season for Manchester United. And then when the final squad was announced, Jack Grealish and James Maddison were notable omissions.

Their loss is the gain of others, as the likes of Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, Anthony Gordon and Kobbie Mainoo have been rewarded for their spectacular club form in recent months. England now have a genuinely quality squad, with a balance of formidable world beaters, reliable stars and exciting wildcards.

They’ll have every confidence of going all the way – the only question mark will be whether Southgate adopts a bold attitude when it comes to his team selection. He’s been guilty of a negative set up in the past but when you have a side packed with quality, you need to be on the front foot and controlling games, which certainly wasn’t the case in England’s final friendly against Iceland.

But with their opening game just a few days away, football fans up and down the country are starting to get excited and if you listen carefully, you can hear the faint sounds of ‘It’s coming home’ starting to build momentum.

England’s group games

●    England v Serbia – Sunday 16th June, 8pm
●    England v Denmark – Thursday 20th June, 5pm
●    England v Slovenia – Tuesday 25th June, 8pm

Who are England’s main challengers?

It goes without saying that France are among the biggest threats. Long gone are the days when the French would collapse at international tournaments and crash out in the group stages. Their exciting young squad won the World Cup in 2018 before reaching the final again in Qatar 18 months ago, where they couldn’t quite beat Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

Yet despite their strengths, they’re not invincible and they were shocked at the last Euros when neighbours Switzerland held them to a 3-3 draw before knocking them out on penalties.

In any case, Didier Deschamps boasts an incredible array of talent with a winning mentality. Kylian Mbappe is among the clear favourites to claim the Golden Boot (if he can shake off his illness) and as well as his young teammates, he’ll also be backed up by the experience of Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann, who both seem to age like a fine wine.

Elsewhere, Germany may not be the formidable side they were 10 years ago when they won the World Cup in Brazil. However, they’ll fancy their chances at winning on home soil in what would be their first Euros triumph since 1996.

They’ve entered a new era under Julian Nagelsmann and they’re looking to the future, with exciting youngsters like Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz ready to take the mantle from old guard Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos and Manuel Neuer, who are surely entering their final tournament for Germany.

Euro 2024 may also be the final time we see Cristiano Ronaldo grace this competition. The 39-year-old helped his side to glory in France eight years ago and he’ll be desperate to go out with another piece of silverware. The Portuguese squad is littered with notable attacking stars, including Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota and Joao Felix, while veteran defender Pepe is still holding firm at the back.

Meanwhile, Spain will also be looking to challenge. Their days of winning tournaments before they’ve even started are in the past, but they still boast a strong squad. However, these competitions often throw up a shock with a big nation going out in the groups and Spain find themselves in the traditional ‘group of death’ alongside Croatia and Italy.

Who are the dark horses?

It seems bizarre that the holders of the trophy can be considered outsiders but Italy aren’t particularly fancied to retain their crown. They went all the way last time out, beating England on penalties in the final. However, their squad lacks the ‘X factor’ it once had, with no standout star like Ronaldo, Mbappe or Kane that can win them a game out of nowhere. Saying that, they always seem to find a way to grind out a route to the latter stages.

Elsewhere, Croatia and Belgium will always pose a threat, with talismen Luka Modric and Romelu Lukaku regular stars in this competition. The Netherlands will fancy their chances with Virgil van Dijk at the back and although Memphis Depay struggled at Manchester United all those years ago, he always shows up for his country.

Finally, Denmark are a genuine overlooked outsider. They reached the semi-finals four years ago, narrowly losing 2-1 to England in extra-time after taking the lead at Wembley. Their squad is full of recognisable Premier League talent and we’ll truly see what they’re made of when they face England in the group stage.

Everything you need to know about Royal Ascot 2024

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

With just a week to go until Royal Ascot 2024, the anticipation is building in Berkshire. Once again, all eyes will be on the iconic horse racing event as the best horses and best-dressed punters all come together for a quintessentially British racing festival.

Saddle up for five days of top-class racing and expect to see plenty of fascinators and top hats on show, and if you’re lucky, maybe a royal or two. As ever, Engage will be providing exclusive hospitality packages, offering you the chance to enjoy the racing action from the best seats in the house. Enquire today to book your place.

Royal Ascot race schedule

Tuesday 18th June

As ever, Royal Ascot will kick off with The Queen Anne Stakes, with Frankie Dettori’s old pal Inspiral the favourite, while Charyn and Facteur Cheval are expected to challenge.

2:30pm – The Queen Anne Stakes
3:05pm – The Coventry Stakes
3:45pm – The King Charles III Stakes
4:25pm – The St James’s Palace Stakes
5:05pm – The Ascot Stakes
5:40pm – The Wolferton Stakes
6:15pm – The Copper Horse Stakes

Wednesday 19th June

Day two sees the festival’s most expensive race take place with The Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Auguste Rodin is the likely favourite but will face competition from White Birch.

2:30pm – The Queen Mary Stakes
3:05pm – The Queen’s Vase
3:45pm – The Duke of Cambridge Stakes
4:25pm – The Prince of Wales’s Stakes
5:05pm – The Royal Hunt Cup
5:40pm – The Kensington Palace Stakes
6:15pm – The Windsor Castle Stakes

Thursday 20th June

Kyprios is the odds-on favourite to reclaim his crown in The Gold Cup after winning back in 2022. Last year’s victor Courage Mon Ami has been forced to pull out through injury.

2:30pm – The Norfolk Stakes
3:05pm – The King George V Stakes
3:45pm – The Ribblesdale Stakes
4:25pm – The Gold Cup
5:05pm – The Britannia Stakes
5:40pm – The Hampton Court Stakes
6:15pm – The Buckingham Palace Stakes

Friday 21st June

Inspiral won The Coronation Stakes two years ago and now Opera Singer and Fallen Angel are looking to do so on the penultimate day of the festival.

2:30pm – The Albany Stakes
3:05pm – The Commonwealth Cup
3:45pm – The Coronation Stakes
4:25pm – The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes
5:05pm – The Sandringham Stakes
5:40pm – The King Edward VII Stakes
6:15pm – The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes

Saturday 22nd June

Kinross has edged ahead in the betting of The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, well ahead of Art Power who came out on top when the pair met in the British Champion Sprint Stakes.

2:30pm – The Chesham Stakes
3:05pm – The Hardwicke Stakes
3:45pm – The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
4:25pm – The Jersey Stakes
5:05pm – The Wokingham Stakes
5:40pm – The Golden Gates Stakes
6:15pm – The Queen Alexandra Stakes

Royal Ascot dress code

It goes without saying that Royal Ascot is a classy affair and all attendees are expected to dress to impress. But depending on where you’re spending the day, there are different rules, so make sure you’re dressed appropriately for your enclosure.

Queen Anne Enclosure

Gentlemen: A suit jacket or blazer with a full length trouser or chino must be worn, as well as a collared shirt, socks and either a necktie, bow tie or cravat. Again, trainers, denim, leggings and shorts are not allowed.

Ladies: As above – sheer or strapless dresses and tops are not allowed and midriffs must be covered.

Ladies Day dress code

Traditionally, day three of Royal Ascot is Ladies Day, which gives the wonderful women attending the chance to go all out. There’s no official dress code for Ladies Day, although guests often use it as a chance to make a statement with extravagant hats, dazzling jewellery and dresses that stand out.

Royal Ascot

How to get to Ascot racecourse

If you’re travelling by train, Ascot station is just a seven minute walk from the racecourse, with directions clearly signposted. The train journey from London Waterloo takes under an hour, while Ascot is also served by frequent trains from Reading and Guildford.

For those driving from the north, the midlands and London, leave the M4 at junction 6 and follow the A332 Windsor bypass to Ascot. If you’re coming from the west, south or east, head towards Bracknell and follow the signs to Ascot. Parking can be booked online in advance.

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