Last updated at 12:52, Tuesday, 30 September 2008

As a boy Rory Delap was often told off for throwing stones.

He’d hurl them at Wetheral Viaduct and only gave up once he’d perfected the art of getting them right over the other side.

Twenty years on, Delap is still a menace when it comes to throwing round objects, as many Premiership defences are finding out that few players can catapult a football as far as the Stoke City midfielder.

‘The human sling’, was how David Moyes described Delap after the Everton manager saw his side twice succumb to the midfielder's spectacular throw-ins.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was at a loss to explain how you defend the missile that led to Stoke's last-minute winner against his side last month.

Delap’s 38-metre throw-ins, capable of reaching the six-yard box, are heaven-sent for the team of tall players Tony Pulis has assembled at the Britannia Stadium.

His bombardment of setpieces helped Stoke win promotion last season and Delap has found himself the talk of the Premiership.

The player himself can’t understand what all the fuss is about. Carlisle United fans witnessed his mammoth throw-ins when he was still a teenager, so it’s old hat to the former Brunton babe from Great Corby, near Carlisle.

He said: “I’ve always had that ability with throw-ins so I don’t know why they’re being talked about so much now.

“It’s maybe because we’ve scored a few goals from them so they’re seen as more successful.

“It’s always been part of my game and every manager has used it. You have to use every asset you have to try to be successful in the Premiership.”

Delap’s torpedoes have drawn criticism in some quarters with some pundits claiming it’s an unfair advantage.

The midfielder is not about to stop because it ruffles a few feathers. He said: “You have to make the most of what you've got in this league. It worked for us last season and we need it to work for us this season.

“It can’t be unfair, but people would rather criticise than give us credit. Is it unfair for Ronaldo to take on four people, beat them and then score? You use your natural assets.

“I used the throw-in in the Championship last season. If it's done right there is no way of defending it.

!It doesn't matter what team you are up against, it's going to work if I hit the right areas. The manager made it clear not a lot was going to change this season. That's our strength, our identity. As long as it gets results, why change?

“It's more accurate than a corner and he wants it as flat as possible because it's a harder ball to clear and the defenders or attackers can flick it on. We usually put two lads in an area of six feet which I've got to hit.”

Delap's talent began to emerge soon after his Irish school teacher parents Maura and John moved to Cumbria when he was a baby.

He took up the javelin with Carlisle Athletics Club – and turned out to be a natural who set a county record of 40m.

He gave up because it began to interfere with playing youth league football for Ex-Servicemen’s on a Saturday and Denton Holme on a Sunday.

Delap said: “I would do the 800m and the javelin at the Sheepmount, get in my parents’ car and we would dash across Carlisle in time for football.

“I can’t remember being beaten in the javelin and my mum reckons my county record still stands to this day.

“People would try to coach me because I didn’t throw it properly, but in the end they left me to it.”

Delap’s throw-ins may be impressive, but he still has a long way to go to match former Tranmere and Bury player Dave Challinor who made the record books with a 46 metre throw.

He eclipsed the previous record set by former Notts County and Cardiff defender Andy Legg who threw 44.6 metre throw in 1992.

Ian Hutchinson, part of Chelsea’s famous King’s Road set, started the trend for long throws when he helped Chelsea win the FA Cup in 1970 by setting up David Webb for the winner over Leeds.

First published at 11:53, Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk