BB FANS

Theres an inner group that played last year that are really being nasty to some of the new ones that they see as either a threat or an easy target.

Ah..but isn't that the way life goes....

I'm still waiting to hear Harvey say something that isn't either about "when we played the legends last year...", or having a go at somebody.

October 06, 2005
By Giles Smith

IT’S all over for Steve Brookstein, whose shot at glory and a place in the pro-celebrity football annals failed to get over the ten-man wall of the public phone vote, leaving the 36-year-old singer and left-side midfield player “gutted” and on his way home in a courtesy car.
Then again, as Brookstein was candid enough to admit, in a sombre post-eviction interview with Zoe Ball and Mark Durden-Smith on The Match: “I was pants.” And pants will get you nowhere at this level.

Still, it sends out a clear message to the rest of the squad. It doesn’t matter who you are. Like Brookstein, you can be the winner of the first series of The X-Factor. You can be a former middleweight boxing champion, like Nigel Benn (booted out at the trials). You may even, like Jim Alexander (also evicted this week), have appeared up a ladder on London’s Burning. But it will guarantee you nothing in the pro-celebrity game. It’s what you do when the ball is at your feet. At which point, it’s cut it or get cut.

FULL Article in the TimesonLine

Available on SkyShowbiz

THE MATCH: THE TEAM DREAM IS OVER FOR ALEXANDER
Catch it tonight at 9pm _on Sky One CATCH UP WITH THE LATEST LOCKER RUMOURS...

The only person as gutted as Jim Alexander that he won't have a place in Sunday's squad is Graham Taylor.

"Flipping heck!" gasped the gaffer. "I've lost my second best goalkeeper. Tufnell will be valuable to give us a laugh but I've got to cross my fingers now and hope that Alex Lawler doesn't get injured."

Former Dream Team star Jim tried to remain philosophical after the best player clearly didn't win the public vote on Wednesday night.

"That's life," he said as the news sunk in. "It is unfair, but I'm not going to worry about it. I don't think Graham would have wanted me to be his number one goalkeeper and he definitely wouldn't want Phil Tufnell to be his number one.

"Graham didn't want me to go, but everybody in there knew I was going to. Tufnell's King of the Jungle. He's a very funny bloke and makes people laugh."

Whether these are the qualities you want in a goalkeeper when you're facing the Premiership Legends, The Celebs will find out on Sunday.

"If they ask me next year I'd love to come back," Jim added. "It's been a really good crack and the team spirit in there is excellent.

Before I went in I thought it was just going to be a bit of a laugh, but everyone's taking it so, so seriously.

"I've really enjoyed getting fit and I've become a better goal-keeper that's for sure. Playing against Newcastle United was very special.

"It will be a bit hard for me to watch The Match on Sunday, but I'll be rooting for the lads.

"I predict the Celebrities will win 3-1. I reckon Darren Campbell and Harvey will score, and I'd really love to see Phil Olivier get one because he's a great player. He's really impressed in training and if he gets the chance to play up front he deserves a goal."

Catch up with all the latest training action and find out who will be

the fifth celeb to fall victim to the public vote, tonight at 9pm on

Sky One.
Mirror

NUFC
By Ian Willis

SIR Bobby Robson will have to reckon without Paul Gascoigne when he returns to the St. James' Park dugout on Sunday to take charge of the Legends team against a Celebrity XI in Sky One's The Match.

Sir Bobby faced the media at a press conference at United's Academy this morning along with three of his players, Ian Rush, Matthew Le Tissier and Peter Reid.

Celebrity boss Graham Taylor sat alongside the former Magpies chief with three of his players, Phil Tufnell, Anthony Hutton and Jonathan Wilkes.

Both managers were given a light hearted grilling by the media, though there was no doubting that both Sir Bobby and Taylor are taking the game seriously.

But Sir Bobby has suffered a blow two days before the game with the news that Gascoigne will miss out with a neck injury. His place in the squad is taken by United's first team coach Dean Saunders.

He said: "It's a shame, because Paul is a great personality and a north east hero.

"He made his name up here and he's much loved and adored. It's a miss, he's a true legend in this part of the world.

"We've lost Bryan Robson as well as Gazza, but we've got good replacements.

"I believe he is going to have an operation on a neck injury which he has had for some time. It's been plaguing him for a while so he needs to get it done."

Taylor is also facing a selection dilemma, with former Coronation Street star Thomas Craig feeling under the weather.

The former England boss said: "Our preparations are going well, though we are a little bit disturbed as one of our legends, Tommy Craig, has not been very well.

"He's missed the last two days with a very high temperature. At this moment we are a little bit concerned as to whether he will be able to play or not.

"I very much hope he can though, because he played extremely well alongside Alec Stewart last year."

Taylor added: "I'm close to deciding on my final XI now, I have to be with the game on Sunday. We lose one more player tonight with the voting, then I have my squad ready to pick from."

Meanwhile Peter Reid is looking forward to playing at St. James' Park, though he admits his Sunderland connections will guarantee him some stick!

He said: "Monkey's Heed is a certainty!

"To be fair though I've always had a decent relationship with the Newcastle fans, it's been fantastic.

"Once or twice when I was at Sunderland I used to go out down the Quayside and it was always a very warm welcome for me.

"I'm looking forward to playing at St. James', I always liked playing there as a player. It's a fantastic stadium."

And with tongue firmly planted in cheek, Reid added: I never used to lose at St. James' Park either!"

HEAVEN Alp the Austrians today — because it will be Goodnight Vienna when Becks and the boys have finished with ’em.
Confident England go into this afternoon’s crucial World Cup qualifier determined to lead the men from the land of mountains, strudel and waltzes on a merry dance.

The feeling was summed up by celebrities from Sky One’s showbiz soccer show The Match, who yesterday broke away from their own training to cheer on England.

The Celebs — preparing for tomorrow’s live final against ex-soccer stars’ team The Legends — sent a stirring message to Becks and Co.

Big Brother winner Anthony Hutton said: “Come on boys — make it happen.” Actor Will Mellor added: “I think this will be the start of something big for England.”

Around ten million bets will be placed on tonight’s crucial clash.

Pubs have stocked up with extra booze — and supermarket bosses have sent lorry-loads of extra beer to stores to avoid a drought.

Full article in The SUN

TROUBLED soccer star Paul Gascoigne has withdrawn from the Legends team in Sky’s The Match because of a neck injury.
He pulled out yesterday after telling the show’s producers he needed surgery.

Gazza, 38, was due to play alongside Peter Reid, Ian Rush and Matt Le Tissier in Sunday’s game against The Celebs at St James’ Park, Newcastle. The Celebs include Jonathan Wilkes and Phil Tufnell.

Sir Bobby Robson, managing the Legends team, said: “Gazza is a great personality and a North East hero much loved and admired. He’s a true legend.”

Wilkes said pop star pal Robbie Williams will miss the game because he is staging a concert on Sunday.

But he still hopes to fly in to attend the after-show party.

SUN
Saturday, October 8, 2005

The celebs lost 2-0 but very well done to Anthony on being voted Man of the Match by the public with 73.5% of the vote. He played really well and was very unlucky not to score. He also won the team a penalty but Darren Campbell's kick spot was saved!

The celebs did well considering they were 1-0 down after 5 minutes and can hold their heads up high.

I thought it was a great match. I think Max Clifford should get a team of celebs together to replace the bunch of overpaid wasters that are in the England team at the moment.

Anthony played his heart out in the second half and was unlucky that his great attempts at goal did not find the back of the net. He deserved MOTM , imo.
Well done Anthony.

Even though I'm not an Anthony fan, I have to say he played superbly, and should be very proud of his performance - as all the celebs should be.

They played brilliantly, and I agree Den - they should hold their heads up high.

Well, it wasn't quite a victory for the Celebs... but Sky One's The Match proved a massive hit with fans.

St James' Park was packed as the crowds clamoured to see their favourite celebrities taking on some serious footballers - alas, the Celebs lost 2-0.

But it wasn't just a good-natured lark about the park either.

There were injuries, yellow cards aplenty and some serious posturing going on.

Without getting too technical and spouting a load of football spiel... all you need to know is that the Legends were lucky their goalie saved some great strikes from BB6's Anthony Hutton and a last minute penalty attempt by Darren Campbell.

The Celebs showed a lot of character after going one down in the first 5 minutes, and Man Of The Match Hutton showed that he's more than just a pretty face with some nifty manoeuvres.

There was a spot of argy-bargy when Philip Olivier and Nigel Winterburn clashed and earned themselves bookings.

And poor Jonathan Wilkes came out a bit worse for wear after a tackle from Peter Reid - who got yellow carded.

Poor Wilkes had to have stitches.

But it wasn't all about the action on the pitch, with a host of stars including Ant and Dec, Nikki Sanderson, Jamelia and Liberty X rocking up for a bit of entertainment.

Plus some cast members from Hollyoaks and Coronation Street turned out to support their fellow celebrities.

Bring on next year - we can't wait.

Last Updated: 11:54 UK, Monday October 10, 2005
SKY

Match Report NUFC

Ant and Dec barred from the after show party.
Sun