UPDATED 16 JULY 10

                       
Thank you
         A message to all the Celebrities appearing on this page:

On behalf of the Commanding Officer, all ranks of the Coldstream Guards and all their families, ShinyCapstar would like to thank each and everyone of you so much for taking the time to show support to this appeal, the Coldstream Guards and also the British Army.
 

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MATT PRIOR

Matthew James Prior (born 26 February 1982, Johannesburg, South Africa) is an English One Day International (ODI) and Test cricketer who plays domestic cricket for Sussex.

He is a wicket-keeper, and his aggressive right-handed batting enables him to open the innings in ODI matches. With an international Test debut score of 126, Prior became the first English wicket-keeper to hit a century in his debut match in early 2007. His glovework, however, was criticised.

Despite a successful tour of Sri Lanka with the bat,[1] Prior's keeping was less successful, and he was dropped from the team for the 2008 tour of New Zealand.[2] He returned for the 2008 series against South Africa, and was retained into 2009, where he became the second fastest England keeper to reach 1,000 Test runs, behind Les Ames.

Read more about Matt here (wikipedia) or here (ESPN Cric Info)
 

ROBERT LEE

Robert Martin "Rob" Lee (born 1 February 1966 in West Ham, London) is a retired English footballer.

Robert Lee is an ex Newcastle United captain and England mid-fielder between 1994 and 1998, scoring twice in twenty one appearances for England. He was in the squad for the 1998 World Cup under Glenn Hoddle, and came on once as a substitute.

In October 2006, Lee was interviewed for the manager position at Bournemouth, but the job went to Kevin Bond. Lee was arrested in July 2007, alongside former team-mate Warren Barton, for taking a limousine but was not charged. He also appeared for Newcastle on the charity television show Premier League All Stars in September 2007.

In May 2008, he captained Legal & General to victory in a charity five-a-side tournament in St Albans, helping to raise £15,000 for the leukemia charity the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Currently, he works as a regular pundit for Singapore's Football Channel. He is also backup commentator alongside John Burridge for Ten Sports UEFA Champions League fixtures.

His son, Oliver, is an apprentice player at West Ham United.

Read more about Robert here (wikipedia).

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SIMON RIMMER

Simon Rimmer (born 5 May 1963) is the resident chef on BBC2's Something for the Weekend, which first aired on Sunday 8 October 2006, and is also the face of cooking video website, Eat The Chef.  He is married with two children.

Not actually a vegetarian himself, Simon Rimmer took over vegetarian restaurant, Greens in Manchester, in 1990, armed with only two cookery books and no idea how to cook. Two years later, The Guardian had described Greens as one of the most exciting new restaurants in UK, and it has gone on to win several awards, including The Big Issue's 'Restaurant of the Year'.

Simon began a TV career began with hosting shows such as Livetime and Battle of the Chefs. He has gone on to make many guest appearances on shows, including regularly presenting for Good Food Channel's Great Food Live. He competed against Marcus Wareing in the regional heats of Great British Menu, a BBC televised competition to create a 4 course meal for Her Majesty the Queen to celebrate her 80th birthday.

Simon believes chefs should excite people about cooking, and that it should be "sociable, straightforward and sparkling". The success of his stylish but friendly Greens certainly seems testament to that: tune in to find out his tricks!
Read more about Simon here (wikipedia) or and see him in action with some recipes here (eat the chef)

JOE McELDERRY
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After four months of fevered anticipation and the most exciting and highly viewed series yet, The X Factor winner Joe McElderry marks his triumph with the release of his debut single ‘The Climb’, released on Syco Music/Sony Music.

Joe’s performances have entranced audiences and viewers all over the UK and received outstanding comments from the show’s judges. Belting out versions of ‘Dancing With My Father’, ‘Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word’ and in a stunning duet with George Michael, ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’, Joe fought off tough competition from Olly Murs and Stacey Soloman to be crowned victor of ITV1’s The X Factor.  Joe now releases his debut single ‘The Climb’, his version of the Miley Cyrus smash hit, as a download after the result is announced on The X Factor on Sunday 13th December, just hours after millions witnessed him claim the winner’s crown. CD manufacturers are currently heading into meltdown to produce the physical release of the single to be released on Wednesday 16th December. Moments after the announcement of Joe’s triumph, presses kicked into action to ensure enough copies are in the shops to meet the predicted massive demand.

The CD released will also feature two bonus tracks – ‘Somebody to Love’ and ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ two audience favourites from Joe’s time on the show.

Joe still lives with his family in South Shields, he started singing a few years ago after playing around on a karaoke machine. Since then, he’s performed in a number of local musicals (inc Grease) and entered the ‘Music Means Life’, a regional singing competition, in 2008 where he came 3rd and he’s also entered ‘Pride of Tyne Side’ competition and won ‘performer of the year’. Joe entered The X Factor in 2007 and reached Bootcamp but decided to leave the competition as he felt he was too young and wanted more experience.  The X Factor 2009 has been the most successful series of the talent show to date. With an average 14 million tuning in to the live shows. With such impressive statistics it’s no wonder Joe secured a Number One with his first single!

Read more about Joe here (wikipedia) or here (official website)
 

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DANYL JOHNSON & JAMIE ARCHER

Danyl Aaron Johnson (born 17 July 1982) is from Arborfield, near Reading, Berkshire, England. He works as a dance and drama teacher, having taught at three stage schools, including the Southcote-based renowned stage school Starmaker and School of the Arts (SOTA) in Windsor.

He also revealed that he survived testicular cancer as a boy. He opened up about his experience while answering questions from fans at a secret X Factor gig held at the O2 arena in London on 5 December. He said his brush with cancer had left him feeling passionate about encouraging men to get themselves checked out.



James "Jamie" Archer (also nicknamed "Jamie Afro" due to his hairstyle) (born 1975) is a musician from Putney, London, England. He was the oldest of the 12 finalists in this series. He has had considerable experience on the London gig circuit, and plays a number of instruments, mainly the guitar.

Read more about Danyl & Jamie here (wikipedia)
 

OLLY MURS

Oliver "Olly" Stanley Murs (born 14 May 1984)[29] is from Essex, England.

He was born to Vicky-Lynn Pollard and Peter Murs, who is of Latvian descent. Murs has two siblings, called Fay and Ben. Ben and Olly are twins.

He attended Notley High School where he was a star striker in the school's football team. He also played semi-professionally for Witham Town. He is a supporter of Manchester United and Celtic.

He works as an energy advisor in a call centre. He previously appeared on the TV show Deal or No Deal, where in his game he won £10 after inadvertently swapping his box which contained £1,000.

Read more about Olly here (wikipedia) or here (official site)

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STACEY SOLOMON

Stacey Solomon (born 4 October 1989) is a single mother to a one-year-old son, Zach.

She studies Theatre Arts and is from Dagenham, east London. Solomon attended the Jewish faith school King Solomon High School in Barkingside in the London Borough of Redbridge.

After the elimination of Lucie Jones in Week 5, Stacey became the only remaining female contestant in Week 6.

Stacey went on to reach the last three, appearing in the penultimate show on Saturday December 12, 2009. Having received the fewest votes of the three remaining contestants, she was eliminated, thus coming third overall in the competition.

The change in format and voting out of one contestant during the Saturday show was a surprise announcement made only in the final week of the competition. In earlier years the grand finale was completed on the Saturday night, thus allowing the final three to all remain until the very end, whereas this year’s finale was spread over two nights.

Read more about Stacey here (wikipedia) or here (official site)

TOMMY WALSH

He's probably the most famous builder in Britain. Find out all about Tommy Walsh, the man behind the brilliant hard landscaping work in the popular Ground Force trio.

6 ft 5 Tommy once fronted a height awareness campaign which encouraged people not to underestimate the hazards of working at even moderate heights!

After finishing school, Tommy Walsh went to work for his father, who manufactured garden products and did hard landscaping. During this time, he did some building work for the executive producer of Ground Force. She asked his opinion on various pilots, including a new gardening challenge show she was considering and was so impressed with his answers that she invited him to screen test for the show with another unknown, Charlie Dimmock!

They both went on to join Ground Force and since then, Tommy went gone from strength to strength, starring in 11 series of Ground Force as well as several other series in which he took a leading role.

Tommy lives in Hackney, East London, with his wife Marie and three children.

Read more about Tommy here (wikipedia)

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MICK DENNIS

Mick Dennis (born 10 May 1952 in Isleworth, Middlesex, England) is a sports writer and broadcaster.

He has written (mostly about football) for The Sun, The Sunday Times, The Daily Mirror, The Daily Telegraph and the London Evening Standard. Since December 2003, he has been the football correspondent of The Daily Express. He appears regularly on Sky News and Sky Sports News, has been a guest presenter on TalkSPORT radio and frequently contributes to programmes on BBC Radio 5 Live.

He is a magistrate, involved with a number of charities and is a football referee. He is chair of the Football Foundation's Community Fund Assessment Panel and vice chair of the Premier League/PFA Community Fund Panel, collaborated with referee Graham Poll on the latter's autobiography, "Seeing Red", and has written a book about football, The Team, which is part of the Quick Reads Initiative series of books, aimed at readers who lack confidence.

See if you can spot Mick wearing his wristband at 0700am on Sky Sports News every Thursday!

Read more about Mick here (wikipedia)

DON WALCOTT

Don Walcott (ex Royal Air Force) is the Father to Theo Walcott.  Don and his Son are both Liverpool fans. Theo has never hidden the fact that he's a massive Liverpool supporter and even when Chelsea laid out the red carpet for him as a youngster, and he used the opportunity to meet his real idols.

Theo James Walcott (born 16 March 1989) is an English footballer who plays for Arsenal and the England national team as a winger.

Walcott was born in Stanmore, England, but grew up near Newbury, where he played for A.F.C. Newbury and went to The Downs School secondary school. Walcott scored more than 100 goals in his one and only season for Newbury, before leaving there for Swindon Town and later for Southampton. Nike agreed to a sponsorship deal with Walcott when he was fourteen years old.

Walcott transferred to Arsenal on 20 January 2006, for a fee of £5 million, rising to £12 million depending on appearances for club and country, at the time this was a record fee for a teenager. He signed a pre-contract agreement to sign a professional contract on his 17th birthday on 16 March 2006, and was given the number 32 shirt in the process.

Read more about Theo Walcott here (wikipedia)

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LUTHER BLISSET

Luther Loide Blissett (born 1 February 1958) is a former professional footballer and manager. Blissett played as a striker for, amongst others, Watford, A.C. Milan and England during the 1980s and 90s.

Born in Falmouth, Jamaica, Blissett began his career with Watford as an apprentice on leaving school in the summer of 1974. He turned professional for the 1975-76 season, making three appearances in the Football League Fourth Division and scoring one goal. Four goalless appearances came in the 1976-77 season, before he broke into the first team under new manager Graham Taylor in 1977-78, when his six goals in 33 games helped Watford win promotion to the Football League Third Division.

21 goals the following campaign played a big part in a second successive promotion which took them into the Football League Second Division. He remained among the club's top goalscorers over the next three seasons as Watford consolidated in the Second Division and finally reached the First Division for the first time in their history in 1982, at the end of a season in which Blissett scored 19 league goals.

Read more about Luther here (wikipedia)

JOSH LEWSEY - MBE

Owen Joshua Lewsey MBE (born 30 November 1976) is a former English rugby union footballer who played fullback, wing or centre for Wasps.

Lewsey was born in Bromley in Kent and grew up in Watford in Hertfordshire, where he attended Sarratt Church of England School and later Watford Grammar School for Boys. He played for the Amersham and Chiltern Rugby Football Club. He joined Wasps at eighteen and played for their Colts side and was under-21 captain.

Despite the fact that he was born in England and has always lived in England, he could have qualified for Wales as his mother is Welsh and his father is half-Welsh and half-English. He played for Bristol whilst attending Bristol University and rejoined Wasps at the age of twenty-one after completing his studies. He won his first England cap on the 'Tour of Hell' to Australia in 1998, and also appeared in all three tests in the 2001 North American tour. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2001 and served for two years as an officer in the British Army with the Royal Artillery, before opting to play professional rugby union thereafter.

He made his England home-début in the Six Nations Championship in 2003 after an injury to Jason Robinson. He scored twice in a 40–5 win over Italy. He followed this with the opening try in his next game against Scotland, and was part of the Grand Slam winning side. He played well for Wasps and England A, and was an important member of the England side that won the Hong Kong Sevens in 2002. He also represented England in sevens at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Read more about Josh here (wikipedia) or here (wasps profile)

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WILLIAM HAGUE - Shadow Foreign Secretary:

William was born in Rotherham in 1961, and attended Wath-on-Dearne Comprehensive School.

At Magdalen College, Oxford, he became heavily immersed in student politics, and was elected President of both the Oxford Union and the University Conservative Association.

He continued his studies at INSEAD Business School in France, and worked for Shell UK and then for the management consultants, McKinsey and Co.

Writing is one of William’s great passions and, to date, he has written two books. His first book, a biography of William Pitt the Younger, was published in September 2004 and won “History Book of the Year” at the National Book Awards. His following book, a biography of William Wilberforce, was published in June 2007.

GORGE OSBORN - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

Born and educated in London, George studied modern history at Oxford University, where he became joint editor of the University magazine Isis.

After a short spell as a freelance journalist, George joined the Conservative Research Department in 1994 and has since dedicated himself wholly to politics.

George has covered a wide range of issues and departments in his career – including Work and Pensions, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Transport.

Before becoming Shadow Chancellor, he served as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Shadow Economic Secretary, as well as sitting on the Public Accounts Select Committee.

Read more about William Hague and George Osborne by clicking here (The Conservative Party Website)
 

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ROB HOWLEY

Robert Howley (born 13 October 1970 in Bridgend) is a former Welsh rugby union footballer. He was considered one of the greatest ever scrum-halves and gained 59 caps for Wales, 22 of them as captain.

Howley made his Wales debut in February 1996. He was selected for the 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa, prompting speculation of a match-up with the Springboks' Joost van der Westhuizen, but Howley was injured.

Howley did make the 2001 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia and played in the first two tests before succumbing to injury.

Howley moved from Cardiff to Wasps and retired from international rugby. A wrist injury saw Howley announce his retirement from the game in 2004.

Following his retirement from playing Rob Howley coached Cardiff RFC/Blues, and is now the attack coach for the Wales national team.

Read more about Rob here (wikipedia) and here (Wales Profile)

SCOTT QUINNELL

Leon Scott Quinnell the Llanelli RFC, Wales and Llanelli Scarlets No.8 and legend said farewell to Stradey Park as a player on 9th April 2005 earning a British & Irish Lions call up in his time as a rugby union international as well as representing Wales at rugby league after switching codes.

Son of Wales legend Derek, Scott Quinnell joined Llanelli RFC aged eighteen in 1990 and played for them no less than one hundred and forty-six times in four years, scoring thirty-two tries.  In 1994, he left rugby union and signed for rugby league club Wigan in a £400,000 transfer. He was capped for Wales in rugby league before returning to union in 1997 with Richmond, and Llanelli RFC again in 1998.

Quinnell's first and last games for Wales were against Canada in 1993 and 2002 respectively. During this nine year period he won firty-two caps, scored eleven tries and captained Wales seven times. He played in one Rugby World Cup in 1999 under Graham Henry alongside brother Craig a few months after setting Scott Gibbs up for the try that sealed Wales's last match at Wembley with a victory over England.  He toured twice with the Lions in 1997 and 2001 winning three caps and scoring one try in the first 2001 Test against Australia.

In November 2004 he announced his retirement from professional rugby, and continued at Stradey Park to the end of the 2004-2005 season in a coaching role leading the semi-professional Llanelli RFC side to Konica Minolta Cup victory at the end of the season before leaving the regional coaching set up.

Quinnell is now one of Sky TV's expert Heineken Cup pundit panel.

Read more about Scott here (wikipedia) or here (Wales Profile)
 

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SEAN FITZPATRICK

New Zealand’s Sean Fitzpatrick is one of the giants of international rugby holding the world record for playing in 63 consecutive Test matches and being the world’s most capped hooker. His extraordinary international career began with his debut for the All Blacks in 1986 against France. He was appointed captain of the All Blacks in 1992 and played in 121 international matches, including 92 Test matches, a New Zealand record. Sean also holds the record for most Test matches as an All Black captain (51) and has played in more Test match victories (74) than any other player.

He led New Zealand to a series win over the touring British Lions in 1993 and also led the All Blacks to a clean sweep in the first Tri-Nations tournament in 1996. He became the first New Zealander to captain a Test series win in South Africa.

One of the most durable Rugby Union players of all time, Sean Fitzpatrick was also one of the very best. The abrasive hooker always led by example and commanded utmost respect on the field of play. He was well-built for a hooker, standing 1.82 metres tall and weighing 233 pounds, but he was remarkably mobile and extremely skilful in both tight and loose play. Possessing excellent handling skills, he made a habit of popping up in the right place at the right time. He ended his career with an overall tally 55 points in Test matches, including 12 tries and he was phenomenally accurate with his lineout throws.

Sean's father, Brian (BBJ) Fitzpatrick was an All Black 1951 - 1954 so Sean was brought up in the All Black tradition. After making his international debut for New Zealand on June 28, 1986, he took part in the inaugural World Cup in 1987 when he enjoyed one of his best-ever rugby moments as the All Blacks went on to win the tournament final in Auckland against France. Thereafter, he missed only two Test matches over the next decade. He took over the All Black captaincy in 1992 and went on to become the second-most capped New Zealand player of all time.

Read more about Sean here (wikipedia) or here (All Blacks)
 

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ROY WOOD

Roy Adrian Wood (8 November 1946, Kitts Green, Birmingham) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the bands The Move, Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a number of hits to the repertoire of these bands.

Wood's first group in Birmingham in the early 1960s was The Falcons, which he left in 1963 to join Gerry Levene and the Avengers. He then moved to Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders (the band later became The Idle Race). During this period, Wood attended the Moseley College of Art, from which he was expelled in 1964.

From this basis, and other Birmingham-based groups, was formed The Move and they quickly entered the UK Singles Chart. Their single, "Night of Fear", climbed to #2 in early 1967. Their third hit, "Flowers in the Rain", helped launch BBC Radio 1 in 1967, and the band evolved over a three year period.[1] After the departure of The Move's lead singer Carl Wayne, Wood's influence became more prominent. In 1967 Wood supplied backing vocals on the track, "You Got Me Floatin'", on The Jimi Hendrix Experience's album, Axis: Bold as Love.

Wood was keen on musical experimentation and was in this respect one of the most progressive musicians of his time, taking the 'pop group' into new areas. He was an early proponent of combining rock and roll and pop music with other styles, such as classical music, or the big band sound, and introduced classically-styled string and brass sections into the pop record.

Read more about Roy here (official site) or here (wikipedia)

Special thanks to Andy Carpenter for the image and a very special thanks to Roy for his generous donation.
 

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CHRIS TARRANT OBE

Christopher John Tarrant, OBE (born 10 October 1942, Reading, Berkshire) is an English radio broadcaster and television presenter, now best known for hosting the TV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Chris was educated at the King's School, Worcester (1960-4) where he excelled at cricket and hockey, although he has often said they were not happy times, recalling his "very strict" schooldays in a fund-raising book of memories, and in 1999 describing the school as a "modern-day Iran."

After turning down a place at Oxford University, Tarrant attended the University of Birmingham, where he read English and worked as a teacher in Brockley for a while following graduation.

It is worth noting Chris Tarrant was thrown out of Chamberlain Hall for tying a Brent Goose's wings together and throwing it off the 13th floor of the tower.

Though in a respectable job, he found himself homeless after walking out on a girlfriend without anywhere to stay, so for six months he lived in his grey mini van in the grounds of the school where he worked.
Bored stiff with life as a teacher, Tarrant wrote a series of insolent letters to television companies claiming brazenly: "I am the face of the 70s and this is your last chance to snap me up".

He eventually gave up teaching to pursue his dream of television, driving a truck during the day and becoming a Birmingham based DJ during the night. Incredibly, the effort paid off and he was invited by the Midlands-based ATV for an audition and ended up as a newsreader on the regional bulletins.

Read more about Chris here (fan-site) or here (wikipedia) or here (another fan site)
 

BRIAN BLESSED
Boisterous Brit Brian Blessed is known for his hearty, king-sized portrayals on film and TV. A giant of a man accompanied by an eloquent wit and booming, operatic voice, Brian was born in 1936 and grew up in the mining village of Goldthorpe in South Yorkshire. His father was a miner who wanted a better life for his son; Brian lost three uncles in the pit. At a young age he displayed an acute talent for acting in school productions, but also had a penchant for boxing, a direction that would be short-lived.

Working various blue-collar jobs from undertaker's assistant to plasterer, Brian managed to attend the Bristol Old Vic and was off and running. He has lent his musical talents to several productions - from playing Old Deuteronomy in "Cats" to The Baron in the more recent "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang".

In the 1970s he began appearing more and more on-camera with both classical and contemporary performances. In costumed TV movies he has played Porthos in "The Three Musketeers" (1966) and "The Further Adventures of the Musketeers" (1967), Augustus in "I, Claudius" (1976), and Long John Silver in Treasure Island (1985) and has been a part of various reenactments including Catherine the Great (1995) (TV), "Lady Chatterley" (1993), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1983) (TV) and Kidnapped (1995) (TV). On film he's appeared in robust support in several 'William Shakespeare (I)' adaptations including Henry V (1989), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Hamlet (1996) and Macbeth (1997). He is married to British actress Hildegarde Neil who made an appearance with him in Macbeth (1997). More recently he appeared in Oliver Stone's epic-scale Alexander (2004) and in Kenneth Branagh's film version of Shakespeare's As You Like It (2006).

For more info on Brian see here (wikipedia) or here (IMDB)

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LAWRIE McMENEMY MBE

Lawrie McMenemy MBE (born Gateshead, 26 July 1936) is a retired English football coach, best known for his spell as manager of Southampton Football Club. Lawrie McMenemy is rated in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the twenty most successful managers in post-war English football.

McMenemy, an ex-guardsman, started his footballing career with Newcastle United although he never appeared in their first team, before moving to Gateshead in the late 1950s, but McMenemy joined the club after they had left the Football League. An injury ended his career in 1961, but he moved into coaching instead, spending three years in coaching at the club.

A vastly experienced manager and coach who was appointed Northern Ireland manager in succession to Bryan Hamilton early in 1998. Lawrie McMenemy had an unspectacular playing career which had started with Newcastle United in the 1950s, but he failed to make the first-team and moved on to local non-League club Gateshead, before injury ended his career in 1961. In his younger days McMenemy also served in the army as a Coldstream Guardsman.

On retirement from playing, McMenemy joined Gateshead's coaching staff, before being appointed as manager of Bishops Auckland in 1964. He led the club to the FA Cup Third Round as well as the Northern League title, and stepped back to the Football League as coach of Sheffield Wednesday.

At the age of 32 McMenemy was given the opportunity to manage a League club, guiding Doncaster Rovers to the Fourth Division Championship in his first season. Relegation followed two seasons later and McMenemy moved on to Grimsby Town where he once again won the Fourth Division title in his first season.

In December 1973 Southampton were struggling in the First Division and they turned to McMenemy to try and rescue them from relegation. Although he was unsuccessful, he stayed on to help them rebuild outside the topflight. In 1976 the Saints reached the FA Cup Final and were massive underdogs to Manchester United. The team put in a performance that rocked football and took the FA Cup to the Dell for the first time.

To read more on Lawrie see here (wikipedia) or here (Profile as Northern Ireland Manager)
 

PETER SCHMEICHEL MBE

Peter Bolesław Schmeichel MBE (born 18 November 1963) is a retired Danish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993. He is best remembered for his most successful years at English club Manchester United, whom he captained to the 1999 UEFA Champions League to complete The Treble. He was a key member of the Denmark national football team that won Euro 92.

Born in Gladsaxe, Copenhagen, Schmeichel is famous for his intimidating physique (he is 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) tall and wears specially-made size XXXL football shirts) and his attacking threat. During his career, Schmeichel scored 11 goals, including one for the Danish national team, a great feat for a keeper. He is also the most capped player for the Denmark national team, with 129 games between 1987 and 2001. Apart from Euro 92, he played for his country at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and three additional European Championship tournaments. He captained the national team in 30 matches. He was one of only 13 foreign players to play on the opening weekend of the FA Premier League along with Jan Stejskal, Andrei Kanchelskis, Robert Warzycha, Roland Nilsson, Eric Cantona, Hans Segers, John Faxe Jensen, Anders Limpar, Gunnar Halle, Craig Forrest, Michel Vonk and Ronnie Rosenthal.

Schmeichel is also known for his trademark shouts at his defence. He would often yell out at the defenders in charge of helping him defend the goal for blunders and poor defending and would occasionally single out various individuals in the defence to make his feelings heard.

For more details on Peter see here (wikipedia) and see his stats here (Soccer Base)
 

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BRETT JOHNSON

Brett Johnson (born 15 August 1985) is an English footballer currently playing for AFC Wimbledon. He is a defender, who can play in both centre-back and left-back positions.

Brett started his career at Ashford Town (Middlesex) before being signed by Aldershot Town in 2004.

An impressive season for Aldershot saw Johnson attracting interest from several league clubs. He eventually signed for Northampton Town. He managed just 26 league games in three seasons for the Cobblers, which also included loan spells at Gravesend & Northfleet and Grays Athletic.

It was announced that he would be released by Northampton Town at the end of the 2007–08 season, when his contract expired. He signed a one-year contract for Brentford on 5 August 2008 after successful trial spell. He was released at the end of the season and spent pre-season training with Conference National side AFC Wimbledon, signing on 4 August 2009.

For more details on Brett see here (wikipedia) and see his career stats here (Soccer Base)
 

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THE TOP GEAR GANG!

LEFT: Richard Hammond, who Jeremy Clarkson once claimed that he was born to be on TV. After a rapid climb through hospital radio and cable TV he landed his big break on BBC Two for Top Gear. The rest is history. At one point, it was possible to turn on your TV and see Richard on every channel at any time of day. Phew. Anyway, it's obvious women the world over adore him - something about his puppy dog eyes, and wanting to protect him from the nasty Mr Clarkson. Richard has not had his teeth whitened.

CENTRE: Jeremy Clarkson, who has often been described as 'the most influential man in motoring journalism', mainly by himself. Estimates suggest that he is slightly over nine feet tall, owns 14,000 pairs of jeans and has destroyed almost 4.2 million tyres in his lifetime. He is best known for possessing a right foot apparently consisting of some sort of lead-based substance, for creating some of the most tortured similes ever committed to television, and for leaving the world's longest pauses between two parts... of the same sentence. He has never taken public transport.

RIGHT: James May, who is a man of many and varied talents. He is the only person in the world who understands how 'torques' work, once invented a new kind of pie, and has single-handedly kept the tweed industry afloat for the last two decades. He also has sensitive hair, an array of brightly coloured jumpers, and a deep and unswayable mistrust of the French. He likes his cars in two flavours: giant luxury land yachts favoured by larger-than-life cabaret singers and dictators, and tiny cheap superminis.

Visit the Top Gear Official Website here and the BBC Official Site here or here for wikipedia
 

BRIGADIER TY URCH, COMMANDER 1 MECH BRIGADE

Initially as 1st (Guards) Brigade, the formation was part of 1st Division during World War I. On formation of the Guards Division in August 1915, the Brigade lost 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards and 1st Battalion, Scots Guards and was re-designated without the Guards reference in its title. It was with the 1st Division throughout the war.

As the 1st Guards Brigade, it was again part of the regular army British 1st Infantry Division during the Battle of France in June 1940. In 1942 the brigade was transferred into the British 78th Infantry Division (United Kingdom), First Army (United Kingdom) where it acted as a reserve formation for Operation Torch: the allied landings in north western Africa, arriving in Algiers in November 1942. In March 1943, whilst still in Tunisia, the brigade was again transferred- this time to the 6th Armoured Division (United Kingdom).

In Feb 1944 the brigade was temporarily separated from the 6th armoured division and moved to Italy, where it came under the control of a number of allied divisions in the mixed force U.S. 5th Army. Despite operating in other divisions sectors during this period it was never truly separated from the 6th armoured division and after the final Battle of Monte Cassino in May 1944 (where the brigade played a holding "hinge" role during Operation Diadem) it was returned to the 6th armoured division, which had been transferred across from Tunisa piecemeal. It was whilst the Battalion was in Cassino that the 1st guards brigade was moved to the British Eight Army (United Kingdom). At the end of the war, back as part of the 1st Infantry Division, it was transferred to Palestine for internal security duties.

After the war the brigade only remained in Palestine for a short time. It was transferred to Egypt for a few months before going back to Palestine in April 1946. Two years later as the British mandate over Palestine ended the brigade and division returned to Egypt. In October 1951, British forces pulled out of Egypt outside of the Suez Canal Zone, and later the brigade returned to the United Kingdom, though it was in Cyprus during the EOKA insurgency for a period in 1957-8.

By the early 1980 the brigade, having lost its 'Guards' title some time before, had been based in the UK for many years, forming the UK Mobile Force earmarked to reinforce Denmark in the event of a Soviet invasion of Western Europe. After the end of the Cold War it was reassigned as part of the new 3rd (UK) Division and subsequently became a Mechanised Brigade. It is now headquartered at Tidworth. 

Read more about 1 Mech Brigade here (wikipedia) - ALSO - See Brigadier Urch when he visited the Coldstream Guards Dunbar Platoon in 2009 here
 

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BRIGADIER JAMES COWAN, COMMANDER 11 (LIGHT) BRIGADE, OBE

11 Light Brigade are deployed to Afghanistan from October 2009 to April 2010.

The brigade formally came into being on 5 November 2007 specifically to tackle the insurgency in Helmand and includes a counter-improvised explosive device task force. The brigade will disband upon its return to the UK, read more here.

11 Light Brigade is made up of the following major units:

* The Household Cavalry Regiment, based in Windsor
* 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, based in London
* 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, based in Chester
* 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), based in Weeton
* 3rd Battalion The Rifles, based in Edinburgh
* 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, based in Tidworth
* 28 Engineer Regiment, based in Hameln in Germany
* The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment

11 Light Brigade replaced 19 Light Brigade as the lead formation of British forces in Afghanistan on 10th October 2009, when it assumed command of Task Force Helmand. The Task Force Headquarters is based in the Provincial Capital of Helmand, Lashkar Gar, with the major units based in Forward Operating Bases and Patrol Bases across the Province.

The Brigade will be working alongside the United States Marine Corps 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2nd MEB), nicknamed Task Force Leatherneck, which is also operating in Helmand Province.

We have already built up close links with our US counterparts; although they have taken over the majority of the Province in terms of area, Task Force Helmand is responsible for the majority of the populated areas (representing approximately 70% of the population of Helmand Province), including Lashkar Gar, Nad E'Ali, Gereskh, Sangin and Musa Qa'leh.

Task Force Helmand is predominantly British, although Danish, Estonian and Australian soldiers form a valued multinational element of the Task Force, which is commanded by Brigadier James Cowan OBE.

Task Force Helmand forms part of the International Stabilisation Assistance Force (ISAF), commanded by General McChrystal (below). This consists of approximately 67,700 troops from 42 nations

Read more about 11 Brigade here (MOD Site)
 

COLONEL GK BIBBY

Colonel G K Bibby late COLDSTREAM GUARDS, now Deputy Commander Task Force Helmand, tells the Regimental Adjutant of his recent visit to the Battalion

Firstly, it is with great sadness that we must confirm that Lance Sergeant John Amer has been killed in action, as a result of an IED in Afghanistan on Monday 30 November. In addition a futher 8 Coldstreamers were injured, of whom 5 will be casevaced back to the UK and 3 will be treated in theatre.

Secondly, I have just had the most uplifting 24 hours with the Battalion.

I cannot tell you how impressed I was by all that I saw. The Battalion has got one of the most demanding tasks Afghanistan has to offer, bringing normality to the lives of the people of Babaji in the face of a cunning and determined enemy. But as you would expect Toby and the team are 'all over it.' They are taking the fight to the enemy, not just through aggressive and imaginative military tactics that far out matches those of the enemy, but also by engaging with the people and, in so doing, undermining at a stroke the influence the enemy have in the local communities. Toby Till and No 1 Company and Ratty Thurstan and No 3 Company are forward based in the middle of the most remote and harshest of conditions. They each have swathes of the fertile Helmand River Valley in which they patrol and provide security to the local farming communities. I asked No 11 Platoon what was the worse bit and they told me it is the endless irrigation ditches; from the moment they leave their patrol base they get wet feet and 8 hours later they are still trudging around in soaking boots. It could prove to be a long hard winter, the temperatures are already near freezing at night. Simon Carpenter (soon to be Jeston) and No 2 Company, who are based with Brigade HQ in Lashkar Gah, have an equally demanding but very different task of mentoring the Afghan National Police. They are doing it superbly and have already made a noticeable difference to the performance and capability of the police both on patrol and in their check points - an unenviable task. Importantly everyones morale is sky high. Everywhere I went I was met by big smiles and dodgy side burns. Enthusiastic platoon commanders, determined and utterly professional platoon sergeants and guardsman looking forward to R&R during which they will all have hell of a story to tell. From Brigade HQ's perspective the Battalion is doing a magnificent job; I am so proud of them and humbled by their humility and genuine desire to improve the lives of these lovely people in this far away land.

LOOK BACK IN COLDSTREAM HISTORY: Click here to see images of Colonel Bibby during the Inter-Company PaceSticking Competition (as Commanding Officer) in 2003
 

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GENERAL McCHRYSTAL

General Stanley A. McChrystal, USA (born August 14, 1954) is the current Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A). 

He previously served as Director, Joint Staff from August 2008 to June 2009 and as Commander, Joint Special Operations Command from 2003 to 2008, where he was credited with the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

He assumed his current assignment on June 15, 2009.

His father was Major General Herbert McChrystal.  He was the fourth child in a family of five boys and a girl, all of whom would serve or marry into the military. His older brother, retired Colonel Scott McChrystal, was an Army Chaplain, and is the endorsing agent for the Assemblies of God.

Read more about General McChrystal here (wikipedia)

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BOBBY GEORGE

Bobby George (born December 16, 1945) is an English darts player and pundit, who is known as one of the leading characters in the game for his flamboyant entrances (in which the 'King of Darts' comes in wearing a crown and cloak and holding a candelabra to the sound of Queen's 'We Are the Champions') and many medallions and rings.

Although he became one of the sports biggest names, George initially worked as a floor layer and did not actually take up darts until the age of 29. He reached the final of the World Professional Darts Championship on two occasions, losing the 1980 final against Eric Bristow, and to John Part in 1994. He has won a number of titles, including the News of the World Championship in 1979 (defeating Alan Glazier in the final) and again in 1986 (defeating Rick Ney in the final), as well as the Butlins Grand Masters in 1979 and 1980 and the Nations Cup in 1980 (as part of an England triples team with Tony Brown and John Lowe). George's News of the World victory in 1979 made him the only player to ever win the News of the World without dropping one leg. His profile as a darts player has fallen off in recent years, although he still takes part in the qualifying rounds for the World Championships.

His most memorable World Championship moment came in 1994, when going down 4-1 to Sweden's Magnus Caris and with a very bad back, Bobby came back to win the match 5-4 in sets and reach the final in one of the most famous comebacks in the history of darts. However, he injured his back jumping on the stage in celebration and had to wear a corset for his final against Part, which Part won 6-0.

Darts fans from around the world come to fish in Bobby's ponds (fishing being his other passion).

George lives with his wife and manager Marie and their sons Robert and Richard.

In addition to George's own popular 'fun' shows, in 2009 Bobby will be joining up with Bristow and Lowe, and together they will be appearing at theatres around the UK and Ireland, the show named Legends of the Oche will be presented and hosted by comedian Duncan Norvelle.

Read more about Bobby here (wikipedia) or here (official site)
 

LUCIE JONES
Lucie Jones (born 20 March 1991) is a student from Pentyrch, a village on the outskirts of Cardiff, Wales.

She has had vocal training from Louise Ryan who trained Charlotte Church.

She was a finalist on the 2009 X Factor, and in the first week she sang: "Footprints In The Sand" in which Louis Walsh stated was better than Leonas first attempt at that song.

In Week Two she sang: "How Will I Know".

In week three she sang: "My Funny Valentine" (Mitzi Green).

In week four she sang: "Sweet Child o' Mine" (Guns N' Roses).

In week five Lucie Jones sang: "This Is Me" (Demi Lovato) and "One Moment in Time" (Whitney Houston).

She became the fifth act to be sent home from the X Factor after losing out to John And Edward in the sing-off which became the most controversial results show in x-factor history.

For more info on Lucie click here (wikipedia)

To book Lucie click here (agent website)

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THE DRAGONS!

Well done to the Welfare Officer (Capt Paul Downes) for getting a snap of the most famous 'Dragons' showing their support for Coldstreamers in Afghanistan.

Far left: Theo Paphitis
Ran the tuck shop at school but would rather pass a kidney stone than spend his life making tuppence on fudge cake, read more here ...

(2nd from left) Duncan Bannatyne
This former king of the 99s made money from an ice cream van before moving on to nursing homes and health clubs, read more here ...

(2nd from right) Captain Paul Downes

Far Right: Peter Jones
Peter played an ace when he founded his tennis academy at 16 and has rarely double faulted since, read more here ...

Read more about the Dragon's Den here

SOPHIE ANDERTON

Sophie Anderton attended Redland High School for Girls in Bristol between 1988 and 1993. In 1993 she briefly attended Bristol Cathedral School before becoming a model at age 16.

She became famous in 1996 after appearing in the Gossard Glossies "Girl in the grass" national advertising campaign shot by Herb Ritts, with the strapline "Who said a woman couldn't get pleasure from something soft?".

The campaign attracted a record number of complaints (321) to the Advertising Standards Authority, none of which were upheld. The ASA later found out that the majority of complaints came from women who had never seen the ads, and had been encouraged to write in by an outraged newspaper columnist.

In 2004, Anderton was a contestant on the fourth series of ITV's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, where she came fifth and was remembered for having a disagreement with singer Natalie Appleton.

She has also taken part in Simply the Best and a celebrity edition of the UK version of Fear Factor. In 2005, she appeared in the programme Cold Turkey which followed her attempts to quit smoking cigarettes alongside Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. She later became the face of the SOS Instant Quit Programme which consists of a mouth spray which makes smokers feel sick at the smell and taste of cigarette smoke.

Read more about Sophie here (wikipedia).

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JASON MANFORD

Writer, comedian, actor, radio and television presenter - Jason Manford was born May 26 1981 in Salford, Lancashire, he is an English writer, comedian, actor, radio and television presenter of Irish descent. He began his career in 1999, while working at the Buzz Comedy Club upstairs at the Southern Hotel in Chorlton, Manchester. Jason was collecting glasses when a performer didn't arrive for an evening set, Jason, who was 17 at the time stepped in to fill the gap, an event which marked the beginning of his comedy career. Six gigs later he was crowned The City Life North West Comedian of the Year.

Jason supports Manchester City FC and has a season ticket with his Dad and three brothers. Jason cites Billy Connolly as the first comedian he saw when he was 9 years old, and as the very first inspiration for him to become a comedian. He has a love for family friendly entertainers like Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Les Dawson. Later on comics like Jasper Carrott and Dave Allen influenced Jason, but it wasn’t until he saw Peter Kay he decided to have a go himself.

After winning several smaller awards, Jason was nominated for the Perrier Award in Edinburgh in 2005 for his show ‘Urban Legends’, a stand up show about those stories that always seem to happen to a friend of a friend. Jason did the comedy clubs of the UK, including the Comedy Store and Jongleurs and did many gigs abroad as far a field as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and China.

His first major television appearance was when he was a guest on the Channel 4 panel show, 8 out of 10 cats, presented by Jimmy Carr, he was on Dave Spikey’s team alongside Piers Morgan, and would later go on to replace Dave Spikey as Team Captain on 15th June 2007 and has since recorded 28 episodes.

Jason has performed stand up on television, including “Edinburgh and Beyond’ and ‘The World Stands Up” on the Paramount Channel and ‘Comedy Shuffle’ on BBC 3. The most high profile of these appearances was when he did a half spot on ‘Live at the Apollo’ on BBC 1 in November 2007, alongside Jack Dee and Russell Howard. A year later, 12th December 2008, he did the full show on the same show and was introduced by fellow 8 out of 10 Cats team captain, Sean Lock.

Read more about Jason here (official site) and here (wikipedia)
 

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THE CAST OF SLEEPING BEAUTY

Happy Christmas from the cast of Sleeping Beauty at the Theatre Royal Bath!

Leading actress LIZA GODDARD joins Dame extraordinaire CHRIS HARRIS, GEMMA BISSIX from EastEnders and Hollyoaks, TOM OWEN from Last of the Summer Wine and Bath favourite JON MONIE in the Theatre Royal’s sensational family pantomime.

This Christmas, the Theatre Royal Bath and UK Productions present SLEEPING BEAUTY, a wonderful fairy-story which contains everything required for a truly traditional family pantomime. Appearing at the Theatre Royal Bath from Thursday 17th December to Sunday 24th January, this new production features lavish sets, beautiful costumes and dazzling special effects including flying sequences. Packed with comedy, slapstick, singing, dancing and plenty of audience participation, Sleeping Beauty is guaranteed to entertain both the young and the young at heart.


Image (left) From left to right – Tim Bonser (Prince); Tom Owen from Last of the Summer Wine (King); Chris Harris (Nurse Nelly); Natalie Marie Dignam (Sleeping Beauty); Liza Goddard (Good Fairy); Gemma Bissix from Eastenders and Hollyoaks (Bad Fairy); Jon Monie (Muddles)

 

RICK STEIN, OBE

Rick owns and runs four restaurants in the small Cornish fishing village of Padstow with his ex-wife, Jill. He has written 11 cookery books, recorded several cookery series and a couple of one off documentaries. His passion is still for seafood; as he says, “nothing is more exhilarating than fresh fish simply cooked.”

It is the daily bounty of local fishermen of perfectly fresh fish which is the reason for the success of The Seafood Restaurant. He has cooked for many famous people including the Queen and Prince Philip Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac.

Rick Stein is somewhat misleadingly labelled a ‘Celebrity Chef'. In fact, with his ex-wife Jill, he has four restaurants, a delicatessen, a patisserie, a seafood cookery school and forty hotel bedrooms in the small fishing port of Padstow on the north coast of Cornwall, which have developed over the past 34 years. Two of his sons are currently working in the business. The Seafood Restaurant had a major refurbishment in January 2008, the new look restaurant now includes a convivial seafood bar right in the middle. The latest enthusiasm has been taking over a pub. The Cornish Arms, a couple of miles outside Padstow at St Merryn, is definitely not a gastro pub but maintains a busy public bar for the locals and features dishes like fish pie, grilled cod with mushy peas and scampi in the basket. Rick has also become a joint partner in a hotel and restaurant at Mollymook about three and a half hours drive from Sydney in Australia. Rick Stein at Bannister's has a menu similar to The Seafood Restaurant but celebrating the seafood of the south coast of New South Wales.

Read more about Rick here (official site) and here (wikipedia)

Many thanks to Sgt Liam Hamilton (Coldstream Guards) from AFCO Redruth (left in image) for sending us the image.
 

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JONATHAN GREENING


Jonathan Greening (born 2 January 1979) is an English footballer who plays for Fulham as a midfielder, on loan from West Bromwich Albion.

He began his career in 1996 with York City, but moved to Manchester United in 1998, with whom he won the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League as a non-playing substitute in the final. However, he failed to make a breakthrough in the Manchester United first team and followed United assistant manager Steve McClaren to Middlesbrough in 2001.

During his time at Middlesbrough, Greening earned his first call-up to the England national team, but he did not make an appearance. In 2004, he joined West Bromwich Albion for £1.25 million, and, in 2008, captained the team to the Football League Championship title. After West Brom turned down an offer from Fulham for Greening in July 2009, the two sides agreed a loan move the following month.

Greening's favoured position is as an attacking left-sided midfielder, though he can also play effectively in a central position.

Read more about Jonathan here (wikipedia) and here (WBA Ste)

CHRIS BAIRD

Christopher Patrick "Chris" Baird (born 25 February 1982 in Rasharkin, County Antrim) is a Northern Irish footballer. He is a defender who currently plays for Fulham.

Baird started his career at Northern Irish club, Ballymena United, before moving to Southampton as a young player for £100,000.

Baird made his debut for Southampton on 22 March 2003 as a late substitute for David Prutton in a 2–2 draw at home with Aston Villa. His second appearance came in a 6–1 defeat at Arsenal, when he came on after 26 minutes, with Arsenal already 5–0 up.

Baird's first start came on the final day of the 2002–03 League season, in a 1–0 win at Manchester City. A week later he started for Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup Final, also against Arsenal. Southampton lost the match 1–0, but Baird was voted as the Saints man of the match.

He subsequently made two successful loan spells away from Southampton. He spent two months at Walsall, where he played regularly in the first-team, and a month at Watford.

In June 2003 Baird made his Northern Ireland debut against Italy in a 2–0 defeat. Since then he has been a regular member of the national side, despite playing little domestically between 2003 and 2005.

Read more about Chris here (wikipedia) and see his career stats here (Soccer Base)

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ANDY JOHNSON

Andrew Johnson (born 10 February 1981) is a professional English footballer who plays for Fulham in the Premier League as a striker. He used to play for Birmingham City, Crystal Palace and Everton. He has won eight full caps for England.

In July 2008, Everton accepted an offer of "an eight figure sum" from Fulham for Johnson. The move was completed on 7 August 2008, the player signing a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £10.5 million, making him one of the most expensive players ever to sign for Fulham.

He made his debut for the club in a 2–1 win over Bolton Wanderers at Craven Cottage on 13 September. He scored his first (and second) Fulham goals against Wigan Athletic F.C. on the 29 October 2008.

On 1 November 2008 Fulham played Everton at Goodison Park, Johnson received an ovation for home fans before and after the game.  Johnson continued his impressive form by notching his 4th goal in as many games as Fulham beat Tottenham at home 2-1

Johnson finished the 08/09 season with 10 goals helping Fulham to finish in 7th place and qualify for the Europa League.

Read more about Andy here (official Site) or here (wikipedia)

AARON HUGHES

Aaron William Hughes (born 8 November 1979) is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Fulham. Hughes is able to play centre back, right back or left back, as well as anywhere in midfield. He is usually employed in a centre half position for his club and country, and is the current Northern Ireland captain.

On June 27, 2007 Hughes was announced as a new signing for Premier League side Fulham.

Hughes was quoted as saying "I’m delighted to be joining Fulham and am looking forward to working with Lawrie Sanchez at club level. I enjoyed my time at Aston Villa but when this opportunity presented itself I had no hesitation in coming to discuss the Manager’s ambitions for the Club, which obviously were of great interest to me. I’m happy to have signed before the start of pre-season, which gives me the opportunity of being with the lads on day one, when we come back to training next week." He has worn the captain's armband in the absence of Brian McBride through injury.

He made his Northern Ireland début on March 25, 1998 against Slovakia and on April 17, 2002 he was awarded the captaincy of his country on his 24th cap against Spain in Belfast. He has been regular captain (when fit) since 2003, leading the team in notable wins over England, Spain and Sweden. With Hughes injured, Fulham team-mate Chris Baird was given the honour of captaining Northern Ireland for Nigel Worthington's first games as manager.

Read more about Aaron here (wikipedia) and see his career stats here (Soccer Base)

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DANNY MURPHY

Daniel Benjamin "Danny" Murphy (born 18 March 1977 in Chester, Cheshire) is an English football player. He is a midfielder currently playing for Fulham. He has twice been voted player of the month, once with Liverpool and once with Charlton Athletic.

Murphy signed for Fulham for an undisclosed fee on 31 August 2007.

Since joining Fulham Murphy has become a regular starter and kept his place in the team throughout the season and has scored 6 goals in 43 matches. One goal, a rare header scored on 11 May 2008 for a 1-0 win away at Portsmouth ensured Fulham's Premier League survival at the expense of Birmingham and Reading; the goal coming as manager Roy Hodgson prepared to substitute Murphy.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson gave Murphy the captain's armband for the 2008-09 season after he had been captain for most of Fulham's pre-season games.

Murphy scored his 100th career goal against Newcastle United on 9 November 2008. On 21 March 2009, Murphy scored the first goal from the penalty spot against defending champions and league leaders Manchester United in a sensational 2-0 win at Craven Cottage. The penalty was awarded when Paul Scholes handled the ball, which also resulted in Scholes being sent off.

In 2009, Murphy began writing a twice-weekly blog for eurosport.yahoo.com, in which he gives insight into the Fulham dressing room and opinions on the current issues in football.

Read more about Danny here (wikipedia) and see his career stats here (Soccer Base)
 

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JLS - X FACTOR RUNNERS UP (2008)

JLS (an abbreviation of Jack the Lad Swing) are an English boyband, who were runners-up in the fifth series of ITV reality talent show The X Factor in 2008, coming second to Alexandra Burke. The group consists of Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Jonathan "JB" Gill, and Oritsé Williams.

Following their success on The X Factor, JLS signed to Epic Records, and were given a support slot on Lemar's 2009 Spring tour. Their debut single "Beat Again" was released in the UK on 13 July 2009, and went to number-one in the UK Singles Chart on 19 July 2009, selling over 100,000 copies in its first week of release. 

JLS are only the second non-winning act of The X Factor to achieve a number-one single, after second series contestant Chico Slimani.  Their second single "Everybody in Love" was released on 2 November 2009, and this topped the UK Singles Chart too, selling over 120,000 copies in its first week of release. The band's eponymous debut album was released on 9 November 2009.

Visit JLS's website by clicking here
 

JAMES CRACKNELL, OBE

James Cracknell is one of Britain’s most successful athletes of all time, with two Olympic Golds and six World Championship titles. His Olympic rowing finals - in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 - were epic battles, won by inches, that have gone down in history as two of the most watched sporting contests.

But it is since retiring from his 13 year international career that James has distinguished himself as a very special sportsman.

He now presents sport on ITV and Channel 4. He covered The Boat Race 2007 with Mark Durden Smith for ITV and is the presenter of ITV's coverage of the British Superbike Championship.

He is also the main presenter of Channel 4's Red Bull Air Race World Series coverage. He is a contracted columnist with the Daily Telegraph writing about various topics including sport, motoring, gardening, cookery and more Daily Telegraph, his column can be found online at telegraph.co.uk.

Special Note: many thanks to the RQMS London District (Ez Flynn) for getting this image and being so loyal to the Regiment. Knowing how much the RQMS dislikes the ‘pub environment’ it must have been ‘hell’ getting this picture!

More on James can be found here (homepage) or here (wikipedia)
 

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IAN ‘THE MACHINE’ FREEMAN

Ian William "The Machine" Freeman (born October 11, 1966 in Sunderland, England) is an English mixed martial arts fighter. He is the British Rings Rule Champion, CFC Vale Tudo Champion, Intercontinental Champion, Britains Best HeavyWeight Fighter, Pancrase Super Bout Champion & 6 x UFC veteran. Ian currently fights at light heavyweight for Cage Rage.

He is also the reigning British Light Heavyweight champion.

Ian is also an Actor & TV presenter for SKY TV and other TV channels and in 2005, Ian was the referee on ITV's ill-fated Celebrity Wrestling gameshow. He also starred in the 2008 British action-comedy film Sucker Punch.

The image to the right shows (L to R) Ian 'The Machine' Freeman, Angie Freeman (Ian's wife), Kerry Yendal, (wife of Peter) and Peter Yendal (pro fighter from Team Machine).

On a personal note, we would like to give our sincere thanks to Ian ‘the machine’ freeman for getting back to us so soon via facebook after we approached him for a photo. His website is ‘up & coming’ and he is very active on his facebook profile (link below).

See him on Facebook: by clicking here - Website: coming soon but you can buy merchandise here - See him in action on Youtube by clicking here
 

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ALEX LESTER – weekdays on Radio 2

A personal message to all Coldstreamers (and the British Army) from Alex:
“Tell them from me that I take my hat off to them and to stay safe. These guys are the best!”

"It’s the best time of the day" he crows. And it is for a growing army of night time people and 'halflings' - those whose wakeful periods coincide with some, if not all of the show.

Described variously as "surreal, bizarre, hilarious and unfathomable" the programme sets out to do what no other programme does - entertain with an eclectic mix of music including selections from Alex's personal collection, his spare bedroom , and a unique take on the world at large.

Where else would you get music from The Tubes, Muddy Waters, Sonny Rollins, and Loretta Lynn mixed in with all the usual Radio 2 favourites?

It is probably the most interactive show on the air giving you the chance to write, text or email on topics of your choice or some of the threads that are regularly changed for something new so that boredom never sets in. Recent flights of fancy have included 'ageing' people by their choice of TV's Dr Who, owning up to 'Puppet Love' and creating a 'National Conscious Anthem'.

"It gives people a chance to use their imaginations and a programme never goes by without someone coming up with a brilliantly funny idea," says Alex.

"He's like a mate in the cab" said one listener and breakfast show DJs up and down the country regularly say "thanks for the material".

On a personal note, a sincere thank you to Alex and Peter Greene for making this happen.

Read more here: by clicking here Official BBS Site or click here Unofficial Site (endorsed by Alex Lester but not by BBC Radio 2)
 

DAVID 'THE HAYEMAKER' HAYE

Even though 'The Haymaker' is busy training, at the time of this update he is only days away from his 'David & Goliath' Boxing Match, he still finds time to show support to Coldstreamers in Afghanistan!

David Deron Haye (born 13 October 1980) is an English professional boxer. Haye is a former cruiserweight champion, holding the WBA, WBC, WBO and The Ring magazine cruiserweight titles. Haye decided to vacate these titles in order to pursue his ambitions in the heavyweight division.

His training camp is based in Kyrenia (Turkish: Girne), in the de facto recognized state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and has worn the flag on his shorts alongside the Cross of St. George and the Union Flag.

Haye has described the victory over Maccarinelli as "the final piece" in his cruiserweight jigsaw. Haye has repeatedly stated his intention to compete in the heavyweight division and emulate the success of Evander Holyfield.

Haye defeated heavyweight journeymen Monte Barrett at The O2 Arena in London on 15 November 2008, winning via TKO in the fifth Round, after knocking Barrett down in the third round.

WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko confirmed he would defend his title in a fight with Haye to take place on 20 June 2009, at Stamford Bridge in London. Instead, his younger brother, IBF and WBO heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko agreed to fight Haye the same date in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. However on 3 June 2009, Haye pulled out of the fight citing a back injury. It is currently pending an independent medical investigation, but according to the statements from both the Haye and Klitschko team, depending on the seriousness of the injury, a rearrangement of the bout for later in the summer could be a possibility. However Klitschko faced and beat Ruslan Chagaev on the original date that he was supposed to fight Haye for the IBF, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight title.

Haye confirmed that he will meet the current WBA champion Nikolay Valuev on 7 November in the Nuremberg Arena, Nuremberg, Germany which Sky are billing as David and Goliath. Apparently showing no fear of his 7 foot 2 opponent, Haye said: "He is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. I have watched Lord of the Rings and films with strange looking people, but for a human being to look like he does is pretty shocking."

Visit David's site by clicking here

UPDATE: DAVID WON - MUST HAVE BEEN THE COLDSTREAM SPIRIT (PLUS A LOT OF TRAINING) HELPING HIM ON                       
 

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ALAN TITCHMARSH:
Alan is a true man of many talents, and took some time out to show his support.

The Alan Titchmarsh Show launched in September 2007 on ITV and has now successfully broadcast over 150 shows.

Alan Fred Titchmarsh, MBE DL (born 2 May 1949) is an English broadcaster and novelist, particularly famous in the field of gardening programmes on British television, although he has also had lengthy stints presenting daytime and religious programming on BBC TV and BBC Radio 2.

BIOGRAPHY:
Alan Titchmarsh's first few television appearances were on the long-running BBC television show Nationwide as a horticulture expert. This led to his being invited to present coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show for BBC television in 1983, something Titchmarsh has now hosted every year up to the present (2008).[3] Titchmarsh also appeared on other BBC shows, such as Breakfast Time and Open Air, again as either a guest presenter or as a gardening expert, providing commentary and answering viewers' questions.

In 1988, Titchmarsh was offered a slot on BBC Radio 2 hosting a gardening show with Gloria Hunniford called House In A Garden.[4] In 1991 he was brought in to host the long-running Pebble Mill at One BBC television talk show, which he did until the show was cancelled in 1996. Also in 1991, Titchmarsh presented a 6-part series in which he followed in the footsteps of the pilgrims, travelling around Britain and Ireland in the process.

Read more on Alan by clicking here and see more at www.alantitchmarsh.com

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RICKY HATTON:
Richard John Hatton MBE, more commonly known as Ricky "the Hitman" Hatton, (born 6 October 1978, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England), is a British professional boxer.

He is a two-time IBF and IBO light welterweight champion, having relinquished the IBF belt, only to step back down to the weight class and beat Juan Urango.

He was the WBA Welterweight Champion, but relinquished this title on 31 August 2006.  Hatton is also the former WBU, WBA Light Welterweight Champion and WBC, WBA, WBO Inter-Continental Light Welterweight Champion, and former Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion.

Born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, Hatton was raised on the Hattersley council estate in Hyde, Greater Manchester and trained at the Sale West ABC on the Racecourse Estate. He was educated at Hattersley High School.

Both his grandfather and father played for Rochdale, and Ricky had a trial for the youth team. But Hatton found a local boxing club in Hyde, which he still trains at, and found he enjoyed the sport.

Hatton's entrance music is the Manchester City club song "Blue Moon" as performed by the band "Supra."  Aged 14, Hatton was taken by his uncles Ged and Paul to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium to watch the second fight between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank.

Read more about Ricky by clicking here

TUBES:

Tubes stars in Soccer AM and took some time out to show his support.

Crew member "Tubes" (Peter Dale) has had a regular feature on Soccer AM in recent seasons, where he has "one question and one question only" to one of the studio guests. Max asks "Who is your question for this week", and the answer results in a dimming of the studio lights and a spotlight on the questionee. After the question has been asked Tubes goes to shake the questionees hand thanking them as he does. Tubes' popularity has grown significantly - a public vote saw him being voted more popular than (crew member) Rocket - in part due to his woeful (but comic) rapping ability which he demonstrates every week before actually posing a question, his ability to keep a "straight" face is also one of his main attributes.

Tubes' rapping has also been used in a parody of iTunes, where at the end instead of saying "iTunes", it says "iTubes". Some Of Tubes' Catchphrases include "Sickening" "Sick" and "Sickness".






See/read more of Tubes by clicking here and more of Soccer AM by clicking here

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NICK EASTER:
Nick Easter joined The Harlequins at the end of August 2004 and made his first appearance for the club in the Zurich A League victory over Saracens on 6th September that year. After making his First XV debut against Worcester on 2nd October, Easter scored two tries and was man-of-the-match in Quins 40-10 victory over Saracens at the Stoop (12th November 2004); the clubs first league victory of the season.

For his efforts over the 2004/05 season, Easter was named 'Player of the Year'; an award he also won at the end of the 2005/06 campaign, having scored 19 tries during the season.  A string of impressive performances at the start of the 2006/07 season resulted in Easter winning his first England cap against Italy in the 2007 Six Nations Championship, before going to be named in England's 2007 World Cup squad.

Easter was a major part of the 2007 World Cup squad who made the final, only narrowly missing out on the title. He was a member of the England Six Nations side, along with being called up into the squad for New Zealand in the summer of 2008. Sadly injury prevented him from playing in New Zealand.

A member of the England squad for the 2008 Autumn Internationals, Easter has since been a stalwart member of the England squad in both the 2009 Six Nations and Summer Internationals.

Wilson & Scott are proud sponsors of Nick Easter for the 2009/2010 season

See the Harlequins website by clicking here and read more about Nick by clicking here

DAVID STRETTLE:
In the summer of 2006, David Strettle joined the Harlequins from Rotherham, and made his club debut in the pre-season friendly against ASM Clermont on August 6 of that year.

David scored a hat trick on his Rotherham debut against Rugby Lions and made his Premiership debut for the Titans against Bath in October 2003. He was Rotherham's top try-scorer in National One in the 2004-05 season scoring 18 tries in 22 appearances.

David was also a regular in the England sevens squad throughout the 2005/06 IRB World Seven Series. He won a surprise call up to the England starting XV for its 2007 Six Nations game against Ireland at Croke Park in the place of the injured Jason Robinson, and scored England's only try in the 43-13 defeat. He also started in the win over France and the defeat to Wales.

On 2 May 2007, David was named as the Professional Rugby Player's Association Young Player of the Season. He was also named in the Sky Sports Dream Team for the Guinness Premiership season 2006-07, along with fellow Harlequin Mike Brown.

Also in May 2007, David was named in the England Rugby squad to tour South Africa. Unfortunately, he came down with food poising along with other members of the squad, which prevented him from starting in England's 58-10 record defeat to South Africa.

See the Harlequins website by clicking here and read more about David by clicking here
 

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