The Sportsman launched today

Filed in archive Gambling General on March 22, 2006

The Sportman, Britain's first daily national paper in over 20 years, was launched today. I had a look at it this morning instead of doing something "more constructive" as my father would say.

The front page was dedicated to Football (soccer) with a story about George Graham becoming the bookies favourite to manage Newcastle FC. Odds of Graham getting the post have been slashed from 20/1 to 5/4. 'Football on the front page' is the proposed strategy of The Sportsman in the competition between them and only other daily betting paper, Racing Post.

Publisher Charlie Methven states the paper's aim on the 3rd page - to provide the tools and assistance we all need in our attempts to beat the bookies. He observes that his paper is the first new national daily of the 'internet generation' and thus intends to integrate the paper and website (including mobile phone outputs) to reflect the transformation that has occurred in gambling since the advent of the digital services.

Coverage on the inside of the paper is well rounded, with good coverage of football, snooker, cricket, golf, racing (horses and dogs) and poker. The front end of the paper is dedicated to news and the latter half to tipping. Cover price is £1/€1.70 and appears to be a worthwhile read for the money, however it is obviously very early days.

The Sportsman website