kickOFF (News round-up)

A two-page kickOFF news round-up from spring 2010. It opens with a light Long and Short of It survey of the shortest and longest club names in the UK, then reports that Germany 2011’s sponsorship programme has sold out 18 months early with Deutsche Bahn the sixth national supporter; Kristine Lilly’s return to the USA squad at 38, taking her world-record tally to 344 caps and 129 goals; the FA’s decision, after a Brunel University study, to let girls play in boys’ teams up to Under-13; Julie Fleeting scoring four in Scotland’s 8-1 win over Bulgaria in her first game back after childbirth; and Rebecca Nolin signing for Atlanta Beat. An obituary marks the death of North West supporter Gillian Prescott at 20, with Sheila Parker and Sue Smith among 500 mourners. Other items: Dawn Scott joining the US programme, the Champions League semi-finals, BUCS and Algarve Cup results, Ireland’s Under-17 qualification, Vera Pauw’s resignation and the Euro 2013 bids.