Sir Bobby Robson R.I.P

Gary Smith

FORMER England and Newcastle United manager
Sir Bobby Robson has died at the age of 76.

He died after a long battle against lung cancer
and passed away at his home at 6:30 this morning

He is survived by wife Elsie and their three
Children Andrew, Mark and Paul.

A statement issued on behalf of his family said: "It is with great
sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson
has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.

"He died very peacefully this morning (Friday) at his home in
County Durham with his wife and family beside him.
"Sir Bobby's funeral will be private and for family members only.

"A thanksgiving service in celebration of Sir Bobby's life will be held
at a later date for his many friends and colleagues.

"Lady Robson and the family would very much appreciate it
if their privacy could be respected at this difficult time."

Tributes from former players and managers have been pouring in

Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias said " Sir Bobby
was one of the games true footballing legends. A unique passionate man
who gave so much to the game.

He Continued " he will be enormously missed by the whole football community
worldwide and we extend our sincere condolences to his wife Elsie and family."
"We may never see his like again."

Don Howe who was Robsons assistant at England said "It is a sad day, and although we
knew he was ill it still comes as a shock to the system.
He wanted good football being played and wanted the players to have good discipline on and off the pitch."

Former Newcastle United Number two Terry McDermott also paid tribute, he said " "It's devastating really.
Everyone knew it was coming - the people that saw him last weekend in the charity game could see he wasn't well,
but it shows the courage of the man to turn up in front of 33,000 people and get the send-off he deserved.
He was a fantastic football person."

Former England boss Glen Hoddle was saddened by the news he said Playing under him, he was a very
endearing man and you endeared yourself to him. He was quite a comical man - not knowingly sometimes
- and a wonderful football man. You could see the respect the players gave him, around the world. The respect was worldwide."

Newcastle United players on hearing the news held a minutes silence.

Robson who had been battling cancer for the last 15 years was one of the most
well loved characters in the game and will be remembered by Ipswich fans as
the man who guided them to UEFA Cup glory in 1981 defeating Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

He also had succesful spells Fulham,PSV, Sporting Lisbon, Barcelona,FC Porto and most
notably a homecoming spell with his beloved Newcastle United.

His international career also spanded an eight year career as England boss were he took
them to quarter and semi final places in Mexico 86 and Italia 90.

The man who knocked England out of the 1986 world cup Diego Maradonna came under criticism from Robson
as the infamous hand of god eliminated Robson's side.

Speaking in 1986 he said "that was not the hand of god, that was the hand of a rascal,
that day Maradonna was Diminished in my eyes."

in 2006-07 Robson accepted the invitation to become special consultant with the Republic of Ireland
however due to bad health stepped down after a year.

He made his final public appearance at St James Park at a charity match on Sunday
between all star sides from England and Germany in which Sir Bobby shook the hand of every player.

Big Brother 10

Not been on in a while, been a bit busy, but i'm back with a bang now.

So what's been Hitting the headlines this week.

BIG BROTHER 10

the long running reality show has taken so many twists and turns in the past two weeks and has went from dull and boring to sexy and entertaining.
The five newbies that went in last week are now whittled down to two with Karly's boyfriend the much hated Kenneth couldn't handle the pressure of being up for eviction so he walked Posh boy Tom soon followed, which leaves us with the ever mysterious Bea and rather annoying Hira and the equally annoying Leeds lad David.
There's no doubt that these new housemates have livened the show up which is shown by the ratings on the up.
Also the housemates seem to have taken something as Sophie was seen cuddling up to Marcus, Noirin is jumping from ON/OFF boyfriend Siavash to the ever creepy Marcus.
Bea seems to be playing a good game in there as she is slagging off noirin one minute and then cuddling up to her all the time behind her back shit stirring between her and other housemates, also does she like Freddie or is she in there to scupper his chances of winning also then she goes and snuggles up to Marcus.
Now Big Bro has hammered the nail into Noirins proverbial Big Brother coffin so to speak by putting her American ex boyfriend in as a housemate who has the looks of a wentworth miller from prison break but is really just an annoying c''t and Noirin has dropped Siavash like a hot potato and went back to her slimy ex. she's now 1/20 to be the next housemate to get the boot and as much as she is gorgeous she deserves the boot.

That was The Week That Was

Well well, what a busy old week it's been and we're only at TUESDAY.
We've had confused stars at T In The Park at Balado over the weekend,Serious health issues regarding over an ex Footballer,The Monopolising world of football also has hit the headlines in various stories this week e.g Moneybags Man City splashing yet more cash on a couple of premiership stars, this and much more in

"That was The Week That Was".


We start with one of the biggest music festivals in the world T In The Park.
The balado musicfest excelled itself this year with headline acts such as

Kings Of Leon
Paolo Nutini
The Killers
Snow Patrol
Lady Gaga
Calvin Harris


The list is endless and i was glued to my tv screen all weekend but one of my friends did manage to get a ticket and told me all about it first hand.
Erin Kearney Of Glasgow said "we got to campsite and had to set everything up then went to see James Morrison perform on the main stage".
When asked who she liked and disliked through the weekends performances the feisty Glasgow lass told me Paolo Nutini was amazing, Erin also let slip that she had a fancy for the Paisley Lad saying that she loved Paolo "SHAGGABLE" Nutini.
American rock bands The Killers and Kings Of Leon also rocked her boat although with every amazing act that some T Rocker likes there has to be a Disliked artist, and this, for Erin was London girl Lily Allen who I thought is pretty good live, she disliked her and vented this by saying quite simply "she was s"""e, seriously i left the stage area when she came on".

T In The Park 2009 was also noteable for some rather bizarre string of confused music stars as Lady Gaga started her set off by greeting the audience "Hello London" she screamed, this was followed by Kings Of Leon by mistaking the Balado crowd for an Edinburgh crowd.

someone please send these artists a map of balado for next year, or is it newcastle or maybe it's london. see how easily confusing it is.



Now to some more pressing issues regarding Big Bad John Hartson following the devastating news that he has beend diagnosed with testicular cancer which has sadly passed on to his brain.
The messages of support has been flooding in and the old firm divide has been broken down as the green and white and light blue side of Glasgow Wishes the big Welshman all the very best and hopes that he beats the disease.

It's times like these that football seems second rate and it's not a case of life or death losing football matches but this isnt just a case of because he's an ex Celtic player, as ex Rangers footballer Craig Moore was diagnosed with the disease last year i contributed to the messages of support for the big man and he went on to beat cancer so everyone spare a thought and pray for a loveable big welsh guy Called John Hartson.



Staying with Football Manchester City are planning another super swoop for Arsenal Striker Emmanuel Adebayor after a supposed £30 million after securing the services of Argentine hitman Carlos Tevez from Manchester Utd.
Tevez was officially paraded at The City of Manchester stadium today and signed a five year contract.
But it is believed and unconfirmed reports are coming in that Adebayor could be on his way to Manchester as it's believed that Arsenal no longer require his services.

Michael Jackson Memorial Service

"THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER THAT EVER LIVED" The words of Motown records founder and lifelong friend Berry Gordy.

The king of pop was laid to rest yesterday evening at a glamorous and moving ceremony at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles rather fitting that the service should be staged there as it was only a couple of short weeks ago that MJ was in final rehearsals for his massive 50 shows london tour which was dubbed "This Is It".
The ticket sales reached 750,000 in just a few hours, who was to know on the 25th june 2009 that the man dubbed wacko jacko would collapse and die which would unite the WORLD in grief.

The Memorial service started at 6:30 BST and his gold plated coffin was brought in by his Brothers and his father whom he controversially left out of his will.
The ceremony began with a message of condolence from Nelson Mandela calling the singer a "giant and a legend".

Jackson's £15,000 coffin was then wheeled into the arena. It was made of solid bronze, plated with 14-karat gold and had a blue velevet interior.
It was placed in front of a stage decorated with extravagant floral tributes and a screen proclaiming: "In Loving memory of Michael Jackson, King of Pop 1958 - 2009".

RnB Diva Mariah Carey opened what can only be described as "The Show", it's only what MJ would have wanted Mariah gave an emotionally charged performance of the Jackson 5 Classic "I'll Be There" as she was joined on stage by Troy Lorenz.
Mariah finished the song by saying we'll miss you Michael.

Singer and movie star Queen Latifah took to the stage to deliver a speech saying "You believed in Michael, and he believed in you".

Legendary singer/songwriter and also longtime friend Lionel Richie took to the stage next and performed a commodores song "Jesus is Love" as images of Jackson played behind him.

every mourner that took to the stage were comforted and led of stage to love and warmth by the Jackson Family.

Some of the other speakers such as Pastor Lucious Smith with moving comments as
“Michael Jackson wanted nothing more than to give love to the world…and perhaps to be loved back in return,” he said.

"He raised the bar, and then broke the bar," says Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records

Stevie Wonder then Took to the stage to rapturous applause from the 17,000 strong crowd inside the arena and before singing his ballad "never dreamed you'd leave in summer" which was unbelieveably apt for this memorial poignantly said,
"this is a moment that I didn’t think I'd live to see”. But he does know that God is good and that, much as his friends and family needed Jackson, “God must have needed him far more”.

Heavily pregnant Jennifer Hudson, RnB star Usher among others took to the stage and clearly struggled with their emotions especially Usher as he broke down in tears and had to be led away by the Jackson Sisters.

Jermaine appeared on stage complete with Michaels infamous Sequin white glove to sing a rendition of The charlie chaplin song "Smile" which was described by his brother as michaels Favourite ever song.

undoubtedly the surprise of the night was when 12 year old Shaheen Jarfagohli of Swansea, Wales took to the stage to say goodbye to the man he grew up idolising and performed a faultless rendition of Jackson 5 hit in 1969 "Who's Lovin You".
The youngster found fame on Britains got talent and finished 7th in the show, it was revealed that MJ watched clips of the lads performance and invited him to sing on stage with him at the 02 arena, sadly he never got that privelege so the Jackson Family invited him to perform at his hero's Memorial.
Not many people would have heard of Shaheen before last night but the young welsh singer is now on the lips of every american who witnessed the performance as he recieved a standing ovation by the crowd.

More tributes were pouring out for the Legend as his brother marlon choked back the tears Looking at the coffin "I stand here trying to find words of comfort... trying to find why the Lord has taken our brother after such a short time on earth."

My brother was unable to cross the street without being followed. "We will never understand what he endured ... being judged, ridiculed. How much pain can one take?

"Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone... you have finished your work here on earth, and the Lord has called for you to come home with him... I have one request, Michael, one request. I would like for your to give our brother, my twin brother, Brandon, a hug from me."

He then broke down in floods of tears was comforted by his family as his incredibly brave 11 year old daughter took to the microphone, Her voice breaking, she says: "I just want to say ever since I was born Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine, and I just want to say I love him so much," as her aunts and uncles gather around her.as her aunts Janet and La toya embrace her and lead her and the Remaining Jackson Family Off stage.

This was undoubtedly THE biggest funeral/Memorial Service seen Since Lady Diana was Killed in 1997.

A legend,Never to Be forgotten His Music R.I.P MJ: From A music Lover

Wimbledon 2009 Post Tournament Review

The Biggest tennis tournament in the world is now over for yet another year, and yet again we have to wait for a British winner.

The hopes and dreams to see a Brit crowned Wimbledon Champion were dashed in the cruellest way possible as American Andy Roddick snatched that elusive final away from Super Scot Andy Murray.

Last years Runner up Roger Federer started this years competition knowing that with Nadal out the way the only tougher opponent he would face was Andy Murray, therefore the world number 3 was the only person standing between him and that coveted 15th major title that would see him overtake "pistol" Pete Sampras.

Fed started off against Unknown Chinese male opponent Lu, unsurprisingly the Swiss Number one cruised to a 3-0 victory in just 80 minutes.

Murray didn't start his wimbledon campaign till late On Tuesday evening and came unstuck against American Robby Kendrick after losing the first set Murray went on to win 3-1.

Day two for the World number two and Fed started to gather pace in his quest for the title of wimbledon Champion 2009. He Came up against Spanish star Garcia Lopez and sailed through to the third round winning in straight sets 6-2,6-2,6-4.

Andy Murray however made harder work of his second round opponent Latvian Ernests Gulbis. The rather Guillable Gulbis made a blunder by openly stating to the press that he felt Murray Cheated the last time the pair met, this only stoked up murray more and the scot also progressed to the third round in straight sets winning 6-2,7-5,6-3.

Third Round Day at SW19 and Roger Federer dropped a set against German Phillip Kohlschreiber but still triumphed 3-1 to set up a fourth round clash with Swedens Robin Soderling.

Andy Murray In week two of wimbledon and aiming to shoot down tough opponent victor Troicki and Murrays Celebrity fanbase was growing more and more as American singer/songwriter Justin Timberlake was in town to watch this one and he would have been happy to see The Scot destroy Troicki winning in straight sets 6-2,6-3,6-4 to set up a tasty fourth round clash with Stanislas Wawrinka.

The pundits had stated that this match could be Federer's toughest match and even some of them had even dared to say that the Fed express could grind to a halt as he came up against the man who recently knocked Rafael Nadal out of the French Open.
Federer destroyed Soderling in straight sets winning 6-4,7-6,7-6.

Now it was time for the Match of the tournament as Andy Murray Faced up against his off court pal Stanisls Wawrinka and history was also made as he was the first British player to play UNDER the new roof.
Murray lost the first set in some style losing 6-2 and looked in real trouble however he win the next two sets and should have wrapped the fourth set up but wawrinka broke Murrays serve to win 7-5 and take this thriller into a fith and final set as this match reached 10pm BST. The Centre court crowd really got behind their man and Murray was really pumped up as Andy Broke his pals serve twice to trimph 6-3 and as he hit the winning serve he collapsed in a sweaty heap and punching the air and was through to the quarter finals to face Juan Carlo Ferero.

Federer in the quarter finals of Wimbledon 2009 and he knew he would come up against Croatian Ivo Karlovic and at a good foot taller than Fed,that mixed with the fact that Karlovic had the hardest serve in the tournament at a frightening 141mph you would think the swiss star would be wary. This was not the case as Federer was playing about with the Giant Croat and eased to a 3-0 victory and sailed through to the semi Final to face German Veteran Tommy Haas.

You would have thought after Monday nights late night thriller against wawrinka Andy Murray would have been struggling to get to the semi final and maybe that was a step to far for the british number 1, however no problems for Andy Murray as he made light work of Ferero and cruised to an unbelievable 3-0 victory in a staggering 126 minutes. Murray was now through to play Andy Roddick after the American scraped through 3-2 against Austrailian Leytton Hewitt.

Friday 3rd July, Semi Final Day and The Nation Expected and hoped that we would witness places in the final for Roger Federer and more importantly Andy Murray.
Federer made light work of his semi final opponent as he dispatched of Tommy Haas
3-0.

Andy Murray had a short wait to get out on centre court and naively lost his serve at the end of the first set however he came back and win the next two but lost the fourth set forcing this one to go into a fifth set decider and it was heartbreak for Murray and the whole nation as Roddick claimed his place in the final on a tiebreaker. The Dream was over for at least another year and Murray praised and wished his opponent all the best in the final.

Roger Federer Vs Andy Roddick, Not everyones idea of teh ideal final however there was still a place in the history books for either player. A win for Fed would be his sixth final win at SW19 And that elusive Record of 15 major titles that he would take away fro Pete Sampras.
As for the American this was his third wimbledon final against Fed and was looking to get his name on the old trophy for the first time.

so all up for grabs and it was surprisingly Roddick who took the first set winning 7-5. Federer was struggling even in the second set however as Roddick was set to go 2-0up on his opponent roddick lost the second set as he was 5-1 up on tiebreaker and as the fed express started finally gathering pace and he win the second set.
Roger Federer then fought tooth and nail as the third set went into a tiebreak which The swiss star win 7-5.
Roddick then win the fourth set after some heroic shots as he broke Federers serve twice to claim a 6-3 score.
So just like last year in the final it would come down to who had the bottle to take the crown. Both players held there serves superbly with some awesome shots being produced.
As the time was going over 4 hours of playing time it still wasn't clear who would win this epic battle and as 6-6 became 7-7 and then went on and on before we knew it, the scoreline was at a staggering 14-14 and it was becoming a case of last man standing.
Federer held his serve superbly then it was up to him to break Andy Roddicks Serve and ultimately his heart and it took two tired errors from Roddick and a final sliced shot that went high into the London Air as did Six time wimbledon Champion Federer as he went wild with celebrations before these pair of gladiators embraced at wahat was a momentous battle that was placed right up there alongside the great wimbledon finals.