ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson has sent a good luck message to Old Saltleians coach Ally Hope who has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Hope is one of candidates for this year’s BBC West Midlands Sports Unsung Hero Award. A short film on each of the five short listed candidates will be shown on ‘Midlands Today’ during this week, starting this evening (Monday December 1). The winner going forward to represent the region at the BBC Sports Personality 2008 awards evening at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on December 14.

Hope suffered a severe neck injury in a playing accident in 2004 but he has retained a close involvement in rugby and now coaches north Birmingham-based Old Saltleians from his wheelchair.

Attendance at training sessions has increased since Hope was appointed Old Saltleians club coach in September 2006 and he has proved an inspiration for all at the club.

Johnson, who captained England when they won the Rugby World Cup in 2003, has also been inspired by Hope’s story and he has sent a good luck message to him on behalf of the England squad.

"Ally good luck for the BBC TV West Midlands Unsung Hero award,” Johnson said.

"Your short-listing for the award is well deserved especially after all the work you have put into Old Salts rugby club.

"On behalf of the England squad we will be waiting to see how you progress in the awards. All the best mate and take care."

Rugby will definitely be represented among the 14 regional finalists for the national BBC Sports Unsung Hero Awards after Matlock youth coach Bill Halstead won the East Midlands prize last week.

Halstead, 72, set up Matlock’s junior section 28 years ago and still runs weekly sessions for the club’s Under-7 and Under-8 teams.

Halstead, a native of Darlington, first began training with Matlock in 1970 as his job as an engineer regularly brought him to the Derbyshire Dales.

When he moved to Matlock permanently he was given the go-ahead by officials of the club - then Old Baileians - to establish the junior section.

Thousands of youngsters have since progressed from Matlock’s youth section into adult rugby and experienced the camaraderie of rugby. There are currently more than 220 youngsters playing at the club.