RIP – Stephen Foster

Sad news with the passing of fellow Stoke City supporter who penned two great books on Stoke City, including ‘She Stood There Laughing’. An email interview with him is here and the local paper has a piece on him as well.

New release round-up…

Some mighty fine albums just out/coming out over the next few weeks…

GMT ‘Raw – Live’ (Cadiz Music), a ‘must have’ for fans of the band and as it says the recording is very raw, no studio messing on this one. LIONVILLE (Avenue Of Allies) is one for lovers of high quality AOR and it includes the musicians behgind last year’s excellent Shining Line album.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES ‘Set The World On Fire’ may look like Motley Crue’s offspring but they have an album full of catchy anthems but a tad more modern than their hair metal look would suggest. DEF LEPPARD ‘Mirrorball’ (Frontiers) is a live album with three new songs, one of which is an overblown homage to Queen!

NIGHT RANGER ‘Somewhere In California’ (Frontiers) an absolute gem of an album and a real return to form by the band. Can’t recommend this album highly enough!

INFINITY ‘Infinity’ (Melodic Rock Records ) the name may not mean much but the two musicians will…David Rosenthal (Rainbow/Red Dawn) and Mitch Malloy. The album was recorded back in the early 90′s and finally gets a release. Prime time melodic rock and if you like Mitch Malloy’s late 80′s output this is one for you.

REECE-KRONLUND ‘Solid’ (AOR Heaven) as the album title suggests a collection of solid and enjoyable hard rock tunes. Prefer this to last year’s Bangalore Choir album. Rob Moratti (Ex-SAGA/FINAL FRONTIER) ‘Victory’ (Escape Music) with Reb Beach (Winger/Whitesnake) on guitars you know you’re in for a treat. Perfect meldoic rock/AOR for a summer’s day.

QUEENSRYCHE ‘Dedicated To Chaos’ (Roadrunner/Loud & Proud) has been getting on the whole, poor reviews but after a few spins I am enjoying (most) of the music. Queensryche have never been afraid to progress their music – the sound on here is akin to Geoff Tate’s solo album. AIRRACE ‘Back To The Start’ (Frontiers) it may be their second album in nearly thirty years but what a joy! Massiv keys, choruses and riffs abound – close your eyes and your back in the mid-80′s. The production is modern though and Keith Murrell still has his vocals. Expect this one to pop-up on a few year end ‘best of’s’.

Lots of gig reviews now online…

…including Night Ranger, Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band, Nils Lofgren, Download and Journey/Foreigner/Styx. Enjoy!

Well done ladies on completing today’s Race For Life

Well done to my daughter, her auntie and two cousins who completed the Race For Life today in Richmond Great to see so many people taking part.

You can still sponsor them here:
http://www.justgiving.com/faj2011

Mahamadou Diarra on his way to Stoke?

Mahamadou Diarra is a free agent after leaving Monaco and is said to want to move to the Premiership, with ourselves and Fulham supposedly interested. We need fellow Mali international, Big Mama to bend his ear to join us

Other rumours include a £12m bid for Brum’s Scott Dann and a joint £10m bid for Brum’s Liam Ridgewell and Cameron Jerome.

Thomas Sorenson wants to extend/renegoiate his contract as his current one is based on him being number one choice goalkeeper every week.

Top 10 highest bidded charity auction items to date…

	Top 10 highest bidded items…	Final selling price
1	Rebus whisky	£1,319.00
2	Signed Red Dwarf script	£857.77
3	Signed Harry James drumsticks	£103.00
4	Vinny Burns guitar lesson	£62.00
5	Signed FM CD	£41.00
6	Signed Rodney Matthews ‘Sleepwalking’ poster	£35.27
7	Signed Francis Dunnery CD	£35.00
8	Signed Francis Dunnery CD	£31.00
9	Signed Rodney Matthews ‘OASTN’ poster	£26.10
10	Signed David Tennant photo	£21.00
		£2,531.14

 

I am still amazed at how much the Rebus whisky went for and the signed Red Dwarf script (signed by Rimmer aka Chris Barrie). I have been doing these signed items for charity for a while now and it is always fun to see a) what you can get kindly donated and b) the final selling price. Onwards and upwards!

WIN front row seats for RINGO STARR in Manchester

Ringo Starr’s world tour hits the UK tomorrow (Friday) and we are giving away a pair of Front Row tickets to his Manchester gig on Wednesday 22 June. Comp closes Sunday 19 June at midnight (GMT+1) and usual rules apply. Just “like” our Facebook page and leave a comment to enter. More information below:
http://www.getreadytorock.com/ringo_comp.htm

Faye signs for West Ham

Abdoulaye Faye has signed for West Ham on a free transfer after Stoke decided againbst offering him a new contract. He will be good, solid signing for West Ham and he was instrumental in keeping us up in our first season back in the Premiership. One of the better Stoke players of recent years, good luck Mr Faye!

Meanwhile Brum’s Cameron Jerome keeps being mentioned especially now Bolton have dropped out of the race due to a rumoured £8m fee. Reading’s Matt Mills is also another possible target but Wolves are very keen on him as well.

One former player on the move is John Halls who moves from Aldershot to Wycombe Wanderers. Former manager Steve Cotterill, now at Pompey,  is rumoured to be one of the six managers being interviewed for the Birmingham post.

Stoke City XI charity auction

Another fund raising idea came to me recently…getting signed items for auction on Ebay from Stoke City players past and present to raise funds for the Donna Louise Trust, the local children’s hospice based in Stoke-on-Trent. 100% of the final selling price on Ebay will go to the charity.

ANY contacts for Stoke players past or present most welcome.

Other fundraisning I am currently doing includes:

All Booked Up 2011 for the Beating Bowel Cancer and Kidney Research UK charities

Well Read 2011 a sponsored read with my daughter for Surrey Young Carers

Transfer rumours

Plenty of speculation but no firm signings as yet. Pulis  and Stoke often do their transfer business well into August but with the Europa League starting in late July I’d expect a few signings in July. We definately need a striker as we will only have two fit ones come July and both Fuller and Big Mama could be out longer than expected. Also with no Higginbotham until possibly November and Mr Faye leaving the club we need experienced centre back cover.

Brum players keep popping up a lot as possible signings including Cameron Jerome, Liam Ridgewell and Craig Gardner plus free agent Seb Larsson, although Sunderland look favourates to land him.

Former West Ham striker Victor Obinna is another paper talk target along with Everton’s want-away defender John Heitinga.

Former Stokies on the move include Mr Faye being reunited with his old manager Big Sam at West Ham and Eidur Gudjohnsen looks set to sign for a year with newly promoted Swansea.

Sonko watch: a weekly update on our former (cough) star defender Sonko and his quest for a new club…not much this week but check out his website and the Super Sonko page. Pompey have got wise and won’t be signing him after being on loan with them last season.

Signed Saxon band photo raising funds for Beating Bowel Cancer

The charity auctions are back! Signed Saxon band photo and guitar pick (not signed). 100% of final selling price donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity.

More signed goodies soon!

You can join the Facebook group here to keep up to date with the charity auctions.

Stamping Around Friends Club

Stamping Around Friends Club is now being run by my good lady. It is ideal for keen rubber stampers (the crafting type not office ones!) and for a mere £20 per year you get a monthly magazine, chances to win craft goodies and more! Well worth a visit