A YEAR on from departing the Etihad Stadium with that sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, it's clear to see the manner of last year's Magic Weekend derby defeat still rankles with Andy Lynch.

While fingers were pointed in the direction of referee Steve Ganson, after he missed a blatant forward pass for Michael Dobson's late try, there's no such blame from Lynch.

Leading by 14 points with 12 minutes to go, it was Hull's own failings that contributed as much as anything to a galling defeat. And Lynch knows it.

While the captain's armband that he sported last year no longer adorns him, the former Bradford prop is still a leader.

When he speaks others listen. And when he says a similar derby defeat this year is unacceptable, his words leave his team-mates acutely aware of what is needed.

"Last year proved you have to play for 80 minutes," explains Lynch.

"We went all the way last week against Warrington, but last year we probably played for 79 and a half minutes and just came up short at the end. And it wasn't good enough.

"This year it's not acceptable to do the same again and we'll look to put in a full 80 minutes like last week. We've seen what the rewards are."

Hull's victory at Warrington in the last round brought with it not just two points but also a belief, both inside and outside the Hull camp, that the Black and Whites may just be the real deal this year.

It's a belief that engulfed the club at the start of the season, but one which can now be held with some substance to it.

Having pushed league-leaders Wigan close, before ultimately coming away empty handed, victory at Warrington brought with it the belief Hull can match the league's best, if they keep their focus.

Having been in games with Leeds and Warrington earlier in the season before being blown away late on, it's that asset of their game in particular which has pleased Lynch.

"We all had to believe we could do it against a top team," he adds.

"Going back to the play-offs last year, and probably the start of this season, the last 20 minutes of games has killed us.

"Probably the start of the game as well, at times, but we changed things around at Warrington, all dug in deep and that last 15 minutes was really tough. It was an end-to-end game and a grind all the way through.

"It could have gone either way so it does make a change for us to stick in there and get the result.

"It now gives us some belief for the next few weeks."

Belief has not been an issue for Hull in recent weeks on the back of an impressive run of results that have put a more polished glint on Hull's season so far.

The Black and Whites will start as favourites against the Robins as they bid for a first win of the season against their rivals, and indeed a first-ever win at the Magic Weekend against KR after four previous defeats.

For Lynch, that favourites tag means nothing and he admits Hull's previous form doesn't matter on derby day.

"Everyone can say what they want about Rovers but coming into a big derby at a big stadium, all odds go out of the window. It's about who turns up best on the day," adds Lynch.

"Rovers will be confident and they'll be looking at making it two from two against us. We know we have to be at our best, both defensively and offensively, to compete.

"Rovers came through the middle last time and had some success, so they'll probably try that again. But they can shift the ball wide too so from one to 17 we have to be on our game.

"It was a solid team performance from us at Warrington last week, but we know we can get better and we have to get better.

"Week by week I think we are getting better and we've just got to keep improving.

"We can't rest on our laurels because there are some real tough games coming up, first of all this massive game against Hull KR."

THERE are not too many people who have switched their allegiances from the black and white of Hull FC to the red and white of Rovers (or vice versa) without taking a bit of stick.

Once you've nailed your colours to the mast, that's it for the rest of your life. Or at least that's what some fans think.

But as the parents of Josh Hodgson make their way to Manchester for today's derby, Nikki and Dave can be forgiven for making the Robin their bird of choice rather than the Airlie bird.

Growing up in Hull and signing for FC as a teenager, supporting the Black and Whites was the obvious choice for Hodgson. Until he signed for Rovers, that is.

However, the 23-year-old appreciates the massive decision his parents have made by moving their backing from west to east.

"My parents and most of my family have switched the team they support," he told the Mail.

"My brother Richard and uncle John haven't, though, and they still follow Hull.

"My parents have always rooted for me no matter who I have played for, so swapping sides was done for a good reason.

"Both my mum and dad will be there supporting Rovers and making a day of it."

With the added benefit of hindsight, moving from west to east could not have gone any better.

Since the switch, he has played for England Knights and was 18th man when England played the Exiles last summer, remaining in the thoughts of England coach Steve McNamara for the World Cup in October.

He has arguably been Rovers' best and most consistent player under Craig Sandercock and, having scored in KR's 23-10 derby win at the KC Stadium earlier in the season, Hodgson is keen to inflict further damage on his old team.

"Leaving Hull for Rovers was the best decision I have ever made," said Hodgson, who only played twice for Hull. "And most of my family agree.

"I don't think I would have played as many games as I have since joining Rovers.

"I've played in a few derbies for Rovers and you can see just how much it means to the people at this club.

"You can see what it means to Colin Hutton, who has been there and done it before.

"He would love to turn the clock back for one more chance.

"It's great to have that experience to call on."

If they want to repeat their derby success of earlier in the campaign, Hodgson knows Rovers are going to have to start well.

Hull have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, whilst the Robins have shown glimpses of what they can do in spells.

Their first-half performance in the defeat against Wigan was superb, as was their second-half showing in last week's victory over Wakefield.

Now, Hodgson hopes they can remain patient and make those two halves into a whole.

"We have to do the basics right and complete our sets," said Hodgson, when asked what was needed to win.

"Hull have had a few good wins lately so we know we have to start well.

"There is no need for us to push passes if they aren't on.

"We have to be patient and stick to the game plan given to us by Craig.

"If things don't go our way at the start, then we must not panic because it will come.

"In big games like this, the side which shows the greater patience normally wins.

"We have shown in parts what we are capable of.

"If we can keep hold of the ball when we have it, we should be okay."

In a game which is always packed full of emotion and usually errors, that may be easier said than done. But Hodgson believes the mentality instilled in the camp by Sandercock this week will pay dividends.

"Because this game is so emotional, there are a lot more nerves than in any other match," he added.

"It's the game everybody wants to play in because it is such a special day.

"Everybody is different, but we like to prepare by not doing anything too differently.

"Craig has carried on the same preparations as we had before in terms of he lets us prepare the same as we do normally.

"We can relax and socialise if we want to, without having to go to bed by a certain time. Hopefully, it will work to our advantage."

TWELVE months have passed since Richard Garcia packed up his belongings for a big move back home to the opposite side of the world.

In ending a five-year association with Hull City, the boy was finally taken from East Yorkshire. But not East Yorkshire from the boy.

While the Tigers fought for promotion to the Premier League three long weeks ago, Garcia was tracking every final-day move 12,000 miles away in Australia.

The joyous end result saw others following in those footsteps made famous five years before, and Garcia was only too happy to welcome new faces into the corridors of City's history.

"I'd been keeping a close eye on the team all season and I was worried they'd slipped up right at the end," said Garcia, from his family home in Perth this week.

"I'm sure they probably gave the whole fan-base a scare in those last few weeks.

"It was a crazy final day but all that matters is that they got there, so it's fantastic for the city, the club and the fans.

"You have to give Steve Bruce credit. He brought in a good mix of youth and experience.

"There was a good platform to build from there and not too much wrong, but to win automatic promotion out of the Championship is never easy. I was delighted for them."

Garcia's appreciation for his former club is clear and five years on the KC roller-coaster, including promotion to the Premier League in 2008, has left its mark.

Five of the Tigers' starting XI on that dramatic final day were former team-mates of Garcia and had fate been more of a friend, the 31-year-old could even have been part of the celebrations all over again.

Garcia was a casualty of last May's upheaval when following former boss Nick Barmby out of the back door, released on a free transfer a fortnight before Bruce's appointment.

That brought about a fresh start and a move to A-League side Melbourne Heart last summer, leaving the one-time City winger watching his former club from afar.

But absence has made the heart grow fonder.

"As much as I've enjoyed my football here, which has been good, I have missed it in England," added Garcia, who made 128 appearances for the Tigers between 2007 and 2012.

"I might be Australian but I was brought up in English football, with all that hustle and bustle.

"Over here you'll find the season finishes at the end of March and even then it's only 20 something games.

"In England it can be Saturday, Tuesday and Saturday a lot of the year and that was something I always used to enjoy."

A fresh start with Melbourne Heart took Garcia and his family back to the shores of his birth for the first sustained period since leaving to join West Ham as a 15-year-old in 1996.

The antipodean adventure has yielded mixed results. Although Garcia was the star of the show, crowned the Heart's Player of the Season with six goals in his 24 appearances, a disappointing campaign finished with his team second bottom of the A-League.

Directly above the Heart outside the A-League play-offs were Newcastle Jets, spearheaded by Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges, and Alessandro Del Peiro's Sydney FC. The competition was won last month by Central Coast Mariners, now home to former Sheffield United midfielder Nick Montgomery.

Garcia said: "It was a good season for me personally, but it wasn't the team's greatest year."

So how do the standards compare?

"The better teams over here would probably do well in the Championship, maybe mid-table, but the lesser teams in the A-League would probably be either around the bottom of the Championship or the top of League One," he said.

"The competition is developing and if you looked at the best XI's for each team I'm sure they could probably hold their own in the Championship.

"Beyond that it can be tough because of the size of the squads you have, and also the younger guys coming through can find it difficult. They're maybe a little bit too raw."

Garcia now finds himself at another cross-roads in his career. A one-year deal with Melbourne Heart is soon to expire and though negotiations over an extension are ongoing, he makes no secret of assessing all options.

A wish to climb back into the Australian national side is still at the centre of his ambitions. Although he played in the 2013 East Asian Cup before Christmas, he does not expect to be in the reckoning for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

It was with City that Garcia became the club's first representative at a World Cup finals in South Africa three years ago and he refuses to give up hope of going to Brazil next summer.

"At the moment I'm just looking at my options," he added.

"I'm waiting on a few things but that should probably become clearer in the next three weeks.

"I'm still in negotiations with Melbourne Heart and there's another couple of A-League teams as well.

"There's also options in the Middle East and in Asia.

"I've got to consider everything for the good of my career. Ideally I'd like to play in a league that runs all year round.

"To get the best out of yourself you need to be playing as much competitive football as possible and this might be my last chance to make a World Cup squad."

HULL KR are understood to have been dealt a pre-derby blow as star centre Kris Welham is a major injury doubt.

Despite being named in the Robins' 19-man squad, the Mail believes the 25-year-old will not feature at the Etihad Stadium.

Although Welham returned in last week's 44-18 victory over Wakefield, he is again being troubled by a shoulder injury which he first suffered in the 26-18 Challenge Cup win over St Helens on April 20.

Initially diagnosed as bad bruising, the problem is refusing to go away and may now need further tests to determine exactly how long he will be out for.

The news will come as a blow to coach Craig Sandercock, who admits Hull FC will be a tougher team to beat than they were on Good Friday.

Since Rovers 23-10 success at the KC Stadium at Easter, Hull have picked up form to boast seven wins from their last eight games.

While Rovers have won just once in their last four, Sandercock knows his side will have to show the same desire as last season's corresponding fixture when they came from 30-18 down to win 32-30 in the last minute.

"I'd say Hull are a different proposition than the first time we played them this year," he said. "They are playing with some confidence and going well.

"We need to turn up with the right attitude. The fact that we won last year means nothing.

"We were pretty pleased with the second-half performance against Wakefield. But we need to play like that for both halves if we want to compete this week."

PETER Gentle has told his Hull FC side they cannot afford to let Hull KR dominate today's derby through the middle again, warning his players they must match Rovers in the pack.

Gentle says Hull's cross-city rivals found metres far too easy to come by in the last derby at the KC, pointing to that aspect as a factor in their pre-season friendly loss too.

With Michael Dobson now back for KR, having missed the last derby win for his team, Gentle says it is far too dangerous to allow Rovers similar success today, if they are to register a first-ever derby win at the Magic Weekend.

"We've spoken about the forward battle," Gentle told the Mail.

"In the last game and in the friendly, they marched us down the field a little too easy for my liking.

"They continually put Dobson on the front foot in the friendly and we cannot afford to let them do that again, it is too dangerous."

Hull's pack gave a season-best display at Warrington last week to help the Black and Whites to an impressive victory.

Gentle is looking for a repeat display at the Etihad Stadium today (4.30pm) when Hull meet Rovers in the 219th derby.

The return of former Robins prop Liam Watts from injury has strengthened Gentle's options and with the battle of the middle identified as crucial, Gentle is hopeful Hull can enjoy more possession than in the last derby.

"If we can share possession 50/50 with them we'll be in with a real shot," he added.

"Last time we played they had a 90 per cent completion rate and they did something similar last week. They are very good at managing a game if you allow them to.

"We have identified a few areas we need to improve and we will be alert in some areas where we feel they are at their best."

Having reached a season low at Easter following the home derby defeat, Gentle's side have turned their campaign around in impressive fashion.

That contrast in form and results has seen the Hull coach refuse to look back too much at past results, with Gentle stressing his present side cannot be compared to the one which trudged off the field as losers on Good Friday.

"We are a different animal this year than we were last year. In fact, we are a different animal now than we were when we met them in round nine. We are looking forward to it," said Gentle.

"We've been able to sense the excitement during the week, the boys haven't been able to go anywhere without being stopped by fans.

"We have been going well for a while now. We are all excited about this game."

• Hull City transfer rumours - May 17-24

KRIS Welham's injury on the eve of the 219th derby is a massive blow to Rovers.

Although it has not yet been confirmed, a recurrence of the shoulder injury sustained in the cup win over St Helens may even bring a premature end to his season.

That will weaken KR's left hand side considerably, especially with Cory Paterson out suspended and injured.

In Luke George, Rovers have a ready-made replacement to fill in for Welham if he misses out.

But each derby seems to throw up an injury story and Welham seems to have provided this derby's story-line.

He'll be missed too, as nobody has scored more tries for Rovers in Super League derbies than his eight.

With the fifth best attack in the league, despite sitting in ninth place, it is Rovers' defence which must improve at the Etihad today.

Ranked fifth after 15 rounds, all the smart money is on Hull to win this derby. After all, they are one of Super League's in-form sides with just one defeat in their last eight games.

They also have Gareth Ellis back in their side, a man seen as the final piece in the FC jigsaw to make them a top-four outfit.

Sitting sixth, fans will expect nothing more than a derby win to reclaim the bragging rights stolen from them from the KC Stadium on Good Friday.

Rovers start as ten-point underdogs and they will relish that.

Write them off at your peril.

When their backs were against the wall before Easter, they won four from five games to take the pressure off under-fire coach Craig Sandercock.

With the heat beginning to get turned up on Sandercock following three straight defeats, the team smashed Wakefield 44-18 last week.

In must-win matches, Rovers have shown their ability to raise their game, including on Good Friday.

Rovers' fans were disappointed at the passion shown in the majority of the three derbies last season. But they were proud of what their heroes produced to make the Super League score 12-8 to KR after 20 meetings.

Rovers will be looking to replicate that Good Friday performance today. To win, their kicking game must be better than Hull's own.

Michael Dobson, whose 40/20 against Wakefield last week was, surprisingly, the first of the season for Rovers, will have to kick long and the chase has to be good.

The one big decision for Sandercock to make is whether to play Greg Eden or continue to keep him out of the side to work on areas of his game that have let him down. If Eden is given a watching brief, expect the now dependable Craig Hall to continue at full-back.

LINING up a 30ft putt on the 18th green at Skidby Lakes on Monday, Hull FC owner Adam Pearson found himself barracked by the entire playing squad.

Coach Peter Gentle had taken his team to the golf course for some fun, bonding and, as it turns out, intense competition.

Sinking his pressure putt, Pearson calmly walked off the green to astonishment.

The atmosphere at the golf course summed up what has been an intense, yet relaxed approach to a huge derby today.

Having won seven of their last eight games, Hull are buoyant, but not over confident, having learned from their past mistakes.

Too often Hull have gone into these derbies as favourites, only to come unstuck. Winning the contest through the middle is key today and Hull know they cannot afford to get overpowered in the fashion they did at the KC earlier in the campaign.

Defensively, the Black and Whites have improved since the last derby.

Offensively, they are almost unrecognisable, helped in a large part by the return of Daniel Holdsworth.

It's in defence where Hull need to excel, with Rovers having little trouble scoring points this season, even during their tough times.

Hull's goal-line defence in particular was excellent at Warrington, with the Wolves' three tries coming from kicks, an area Hull will need to be aware of given Michael Dobson's strengths.

The two sides know each other all too well and I doubt there will be any surprises on either side in terms of approach, meaning it will come down to enthusiasm, desire and the ability to keep the error count low and carry out the game plan as instructed.

Away from the derby, there were a couple of encouraging signs for the future this week, both involving what has been the problematic half-back role.

New scrum-half Jacob Miller was told last week it shouldn't take more than 10 days for his visa to arrive, with Hull having employed a company to oversee the process.

Miller told Gentle this week that he's packed and ready to leave, with the 20-year-old saying he will be on the first available flight out of Sydney as soon as the visa falls through his letterbox.

Meanwhile, a potential scrum-half of the future in Harry Tyson-Wilson underlined his growing reputation and potential with a terrific display in the Council Cup final.

While his West Hull Academy side lost, the 16-year-old, who is part of the junior set-up at Hull, showed the sort of talent that already has many at the KC excited.

With a terrific left foot, great organisational skills and a presence that belies his tender age, the teenager looks a terrific prospect for a Hull side that has not been able to produce their own established half-back for over 15 years.

Meanwhile, Harry's brother Bobby will kick-off in France for England Academy at the same time as the derby gets under way, having been named in the side for the international.

A forward, unlike his half-back brother, Bobby this week signed a first professional contract with Hull at the start of next season.

• Sandercock demands Ganson apology

• Gentle: Rugby league gods were kind to Hull

• Gallery: Pictures from the 219th derby

• Sandercock demands Ganson apology

• Match report: Hull FC shock Rovers in late derby comeback

• Gallery: Pictures from the 219th derby

• Gentle: Rugby league gods were kind to Hull

• Match report: Hull FC shock Rovers in late derby comeback

• Gallery: Pictures from the 219th derby

Roadworks on Hull's A63 Castle Street will be taking place from the start of next month.

Motorists using the busy road through the city centre are being warned the Highways Agency will be carrying out the ground survey works.

The initial works are due to start from the first week of June and will last for about a week. The majority of the work will take place on the main carriageway of the A63 between Market Place and Porter Street, with some work also taking place on some side roads.

During the work, there will be various overnight lane closures on parts of the A63 main carriageway from 8pm to 6am. Lane closures on side roads will be carried out during the day, from 9.30am to 4pm.

Delays are expected to be slight and the work will be carefully timed in order to minimise noise disruption to nearby residents.

The second phase of work will involve more detailed ground investigations of the A63 and is expected to last about three months from June 17.

Sam Stone, widow of Private Gregg, has set off on a 274-mile walk to raise funds for injured soldiers. Kevin Shoesmith reports.

SHE has the same mouth as her father, notes her proud mother.

Baby Grace's tiny white T-shirt, displaying a photograph of her smiling dad in combat uniform, confirms the likeness.

Sam Stone, Britain's youngest war widow, bounces her five-month-old daughter on her knee.

"She definitely has Gregg's mouth," says Sam, whose strength of character belies her 21 years.

Grace giggles, content and happy at the attention, as our camera captures a cuddle between doting mother and daughter.

But one special person is missing from the idyllic scene of family happiness.

Sam's husband and former childhood sweetheart, Gregg, was shot dead on a rescue mission in Afghanistan on June 3 last year.

He was just 20.

A wedding photograph, with the smiling groom in his best Army uniform, sits on a shelf beneath the television set.

Sam, who met Gregg at Hornsea School aged 14, is Britain's youngest war widow to emerge from the conflict, which has so far claimed 444 lives.

"I will have the photographs of me and Gregg ready for her when she starts asking about him," says Sam.

No tears are shed as she sits on a sofa in her parents' front room in Hornsea, discussing her 274-mile walk for charity, which began this weekend.

Sam is dignified, proud, strong and guarded, the latter a response to being thrown into the spotlight.

"I'll probably be thinking that my feet hurt," says Sam after being asked how she will feel when she reaches the front gates of Battlesbury Barracks in Wiltshire, the journey's end.

Sam is being joined on the walk by members of her husband's 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment.

It began at Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire, where Gregg's short military career began.

Gregg and Sam lived together happily in married Army quarters at the battalion's barracks.

Events of June 3 – the Taliban ambush, jungle terrain, Gregg's mission to rescue a kidnapped Afghan policeman – sit at odds with the image Sam now paints of her fallen hero.

"Gregg and I enjoyed the simple things in life," says Sam.

"We'd enjoy picnics, walking our dogs, being outdoors."

Sam told Gregg she was pregnant shortly before he deployed on his first tour of duty.

"He was so pleased," says Sam. "We both were.

"Gregg would have been a brilliant dad."

The couple discussed baby names before the war 4,500 miles away called.

"We went through lists of baby names, crossing off any if we knew someone with that name at school, as you do," she says, laughing.

Grace, now laying on a mat in the middle of the living room, wriggles and flashes a wide smile.

"He was so proud of being about to become a dad. He would tell everyone at his checkpoint."

Sam intends to carry Grace during the walk, whenever possible.

"I'll have a fair few blisters by the time I finish," she says.

The thought of her husband and the injured soldiers set to benefit from the walk, will carry her, emotionally, every step of the way.

Private Lewis Murphy will be among the members of 6 Platoon, Burma Company, who will be taking part.

He took off his body armour, as the Yorkshire soldiers traded fire with the Taliban, so he could swim, with Gregg on his back, across a river to a rescue helicopter.

"I've met them all before but it will be nice to see them again," says Sam. "Gregg saw them all as brothers. They all lived and fought together. In the Army, you're one big family."

Sam's walk, dubbed Journey Home, aims to raise £5,000 for the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Fund.

Grace stretches and the words, beneath her father's photo, printed on her T-shirt, become clear: "For your tomorrow, my daddy gave his today."

A SPITFIRE will be the star attraction on this year's Armed Forces Day.

On Saturday, June 22, the city will come together celebrate the role of the Armed Forces.

In light of the death of a soldier in London on Wednesday, extra crowds are expected to pay tribute to the nation's servicemen and women.

A Spitfire – famous for its dogfights with Messerschmitts during the Battle of Britain – is expected to fly over Queens Gardens, although organisers have stressed it is weather-dependent.

Queens Gardens will also host family activities from 10am to 4pm.

Councillor Steve Walker, Hull City Council's lead member for Armed Forces and Veterans, has urged families to show their support.

He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Hull to show their support to our Armed Forces personnel and Armed Forces Day is a very important date in our calendar.

"We hope the Spitfire flypast will be a big draw for the public and the turnout is even better for this year".

Activities will include a cadet climbing wall, face painting, a soft play area and military-themed craft workshops for children.

The 150 Yorkshire Transport Regiment Freedom Parade will also be taking a salute at the Amy Johnson statue in Prospect Street at 11.30am.

Meanwhile, details are being finalised for this year's Veterans' Weekend, which takes place at East Park on July 27 and 28.

Highlights will include full-scale replica Messerschmitt and Spitfire wartime aircraft.

The Red Devils, the British Army's skydiving team, are also expected to drop in on one of the days.

Event organiser Alderman Brian Petch says he is expecting 50,000 people – 10,000 more than last year.

Battle re-enactments depicting both world wars and the American Civil War will take place, and families will be shown what life was like on the Home Front.

Activities will run on both days from 11am to 5pm.

Musical entertainment will be provided by, among others, a George Formby impersonator and Glenn Miller and Frank Cleveland tribute bands.

Further details about both events will be published closer to the time.

HE IS worth more than a new car, a luxury summer holiday or two years' rent.

Bob the sheepdog has bounded into the record books after being sold at auction for almost £10,000.

The 15-month-old border collie became the world's most expensive working sheepdog when a bidder agreed to hand over £9,240 for him.

His trainer John Bell, of Howden, said he was "delighted" with the sale at Skipton Auction Mart last week.

Mr Bell, 82, said: "Bob has shown great potential ever since the day I bought him.

"He has a terrific amount of ability and has blossomed as a working dog.

"He has a lovely character and a superb temperament, too.

"I'm delighted with the outcome of the auction."

The sale, made by an anonymous bidder, smashed the previous record of £8,400, set in October last year.

It is retired farmer Mr Bell's third record-breaking sale in only three years.

But the world-renowned sheepdog trainer has taken it all in his stride.

He said: "People think nothing of spending thousands of pounds on a holiday abroad or an expensive hobbies, like golf.

"A working sheepdog is a vital asset for most farmers.

"Spending £10,000 isn't such a big deal when you think of it like that."

Mr Bell bought Bob as a 13-week-old pup for £315 last year.

He said: "One of the biggest skills is spotting the potential in a young dog.

"Sheepdogs are a bit like children – some learn quicker than others.

"I could tell Bob had a natural ability straight away.

"I'm not surprised he has been sold for more than 30 times the price I bought him for."

The trainer, who lives with his wife, handles sheepdogs for sale at Parks Farm in Newsholme, Howden.

He started training the working dogs as a teenager, selling them to farmers in East Yorkshire for around £15 to £20.

He said: "I soon realised I had a bit of knack for it.

"I really enjoyed training the dogs and getting to know their strengths and flaws.

"They all have different characters, but they are sold based on their ability.

"I still have a great passion for it to this day."

He gave up his training career to start farming in Lancashire, only to return to the field after retiring 15 years ago.

Now, he buys young border collies – aged five to six-months-old – and trains them for farm work and sheepdog trials.

Some of his previous charges have gone on to win national competitions.

He said: "I really enjoy rearing and educating the young dogs and watching them progress.

"I'm out with them every day and I never tire of it.

"The difference a year of training can make is amazing – although the rate of progress is different for each dog."

And Mr Bell has no plans to quit – despite being in his eighties.

He said: "I will continue to train and sell sheepdogs until I am not fit to do so.

"It isn't a very demanding hobby, especially as I train the dogs on a one-to-one basis."

"I can't imagine stopping in the near future."

Although the winning bidder for Bob wants to remain anonymous, it is believed the record-breaking dog is destined for the US.

A FORMER football coach who tried to rape a boy has been jailed for nine years.

Robert Thomas Fisher, 21, lured one boy to a garage to look for a football and attempted to rape him.

Hull Crown Court heard Fisher placed his hand over the boy's mouth to muffle his screams.

Fisher, a former coach at North Ferriby, sexually assaulted a second boy on a number of occasions.

He promised his victims collectable football cards in exchange for their silence and was also caught with 2,106 indecent images of children.

Fisher, of Elloughton, was brought to justice after one of his victims told their parents by text message and they contacted the police.

The boy's message read: "I'm so scared telling you this. You know Robbie Fisher, he used to get me when nobody was there. He covered my mouth to stop me screaming and would have sex with me."

Fisher's other victim had also confided in his parents and they had reported the matter to the NSPCC, but did not make a formal complaint to the police at the time to save their child the trauma of reliving it.

They were contacted again when the new allegation came to light.

Judge Mark Bury has now jailed Fisher for nine years and ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. He is also banned from working with children for life.

Judge Bury told him: "There is some element of planning and some element of grooming. The offence caused a significant impact on these two young boys."

Fisher pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to rape a boy, four counts of sexual assault and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The charges relate to two children aged under 13.

Fisher also pleaded guilty to ten charges of possessing indecent images.

Some of the indecent images were at the worst end of the scale.

Fisher had been downloading them over a four-year period, until he was apprehended.

They were all found on his computer when detectives raided his home.

Fisher told detectives he had received the indecent images when in chat rooms but later admitted downloading them in court.

Nine indecent videos were also found.

Fisher claimed he was confused about his sexuality when he committed the offences.