Cclay

Was sitting with my class drawing biomorphic forms in the playground of my school in Trafford feeling really relaxed when I asked who lived in an 'old person's cottage' that stands on its own that I've seen for years through the school fence. The kids told me a fat woman who told them she was Kevin Nolan's Grandmother once kicked their ball back to them.

Pretty much think he's a solid lad who gives his best and is happy to help out ... which is pretty bloody strange given what we know and have seen. No-one really talks about him ... either negative or positive unless asked.

Go in Puccini's any day of the week and you'll see the Manchester United lot ... great place though and a very warm welcome. Better then the shit hole Yeates which was next to it where Frank Buckley was kicked to death.

2h 48 min via Michelin 2h 56 via AA Take your pick That's Bramhall to Cullercoats Bramhall to M60 can be as little as 7 min. depending on traffic so that's still approx. 2h 40 ... take off 10 - 15 min for the Coast Road and that's about 2h 25 (which is more or less what I do it in) Chris of course would miss the Cullercoats bit out but have to add extra for schlepping through the city / Fallowfield / Chorlton (whichever way picked) to get onto Oxford Road for the MRI. All in all ... I say he took 8 hours with a short stop to give Ben Arfa some Maltesers a Sprite and a kiss before getting lost in the Chorlton Street Bus station (p)leisure oasis.

Well ... I live in Manchester (drive like a bell end when I choose) and it still takes longer than 2h 10min ... It certainly doesn't take 4 hours though (excepting stops to consider the whims of fate when crossing Saddleworth on misty nights). I suspect a stop off at Scotch Corner to buy some nibbles and a driving rug!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Jackie-Milburn-Testimonial-Newcastle-United-Legend-/350382372294 though that's not my copy ... criminally low price as well From Wikipedia In 1967 he was given a belated testimonial match by Newcastle. Jackie had worried that ten years after leaving the club, people would have forgotten, but he needn't have worried, as almost 50,000 turned out at St. James' Park for the match which featured a host of stars including his cousins, the famous World Cup winning brothers, Bobby Charlton and Jack Charlton, and the great Hungarian player Ferenc Puskás. Was there and feel privileged.

nacked

Yeah, his brother as well aye. My mate lives in High Farm and has mentioned this a fair bit. Yeah ... moved to Tynemouth when he was 13 ... so my memory of him from primary school must have just been him coming to pick his sister up. His sister once bit me on the arm under the teacher's desk during a wet break when I tried to do something ... inappropriate.

Gordon Sumner (Sting) lived on Marden Farm / Marden estate in Cullercoats / Tynemouth and went to St. Mary's Primary. I was in his sister, Anita's class and pretty much everyone supported the Toon (and Celtic of course).

Having taught in Salford for the last 20 years ... I'd echo the advice to stay away ... love the place ... salt of the earth etc. ... but a place for amazing casual violence towards the unwary About 200 metres from my school http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/aug/10/hazel-blears-car-attacked and some of the 'local colour' http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/3669787/Donal-MacIntyre-The-difficult-thing-is-to-leave-with-clean-hands.html

There's no way to keep everyone happy unless we hope for injuries Don't think Shola expects to start. I wouldn't if I was him. Shola expects to be playing in the World Cup ... and therein lies the problem