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| News item # 06.032 |  |
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Hello again and welcome to my June newsletter  As many of you will be aware Friday 9th June sees the commencement
of the Football World Cup tournament in Germany. My personal love
of football goes back to my childhood and without risk of offending
any of you my favourite teams have always been Leyton Orient and
Arsenal. When I was a small lad, growing up in Frinton-On- Sea I
believed that Leyton Orient had some connection with my family, not
that it had, but it was of course my family name and as a child it
was a great thought having my own football team. In later years whilst
living in North London I became a supporter of Arsenal Football Club
and occasionally went to see them play with my good friend Clem Cattini,
also a long time Arsenal supporter. This season has been a good one
for both clubs with "my" team,
Leyton Orient winning promotion to a higher division of the Football
League and Arsenal reaching the final of this seasons Champions league.
I have many favourite football memories and this picture depicts
one of them. It was taken in 1968 when I was filming the motion
picture 'Krakatoa East of Java' in Madrid. If you look closely at
the picture the gentleman to the left of me, the one with the beard,
is Maximilian Schell the famous German actor. A football match had
been arranged on a day off from shooting the film, between the cast
and crew of "Krakatoa" and the Madrid press. The referee for the match
was none other than the then famous Hungarian and ex Real Madrid football
legend Ferenc Puskas. He had recently retired from playing and had bought
a restaurant in Madrid. After the match had finished we all went back to his
restaurant for the usual after match celebrations. Somewhere in
my collection I have a unique photograph of myself and Ferenc which
was taken in his restaurant.I have many happy memories of that match, none more so than the 3 goals I scored, especially the one I scored from the penalty spot. I remember asking Puskas if he would take the penalty for me, but after some "banter" he declined saying, "John I am the referee, you take the penalty" Fortunately I did not let Puskas down and slotted the penalty away and yes we won the match. Finally on the subject of football, I really hope that the World Cup goes well for England, with due apologies to my Swedish fans, some of whom who have already corresponded with us to wish England well, but Sweden, who England play, even better success. A big thank you to those of you who have purchased "Hi
Ho Come on England"and requested it's many radio plays.
We've been getting some really great reviews for the track.
Additionally a special thank you to the radio stations and presenters
who have interviewed me during the past few weeks and to those
that I will be meeting shortly. "Hi Ho Come On England"
is now available on most of the popular Ring Tone websites in addition to the majority
of download websites. Channel 4 TV have a website where you can vote for your favourite World Cup song and watch the promotional video. As promised in last month's newsletter, here you can see some of the many photographs that were taken of myself and the other artistes during my recent tour of Sweden, my thanks to Paul Hooper of "The Fortunes" for sending them to me. 
This month also see the publication of part 3 of my exclusive interview for the Beat magazine, copies of which can be obtained direct from David Parker at the Beat magazine (01722 716268). We are currently waiting for confirmation of some more new concert dates and hopefully will be in a position to announce them shortly. Plans are also in hand for The Rapiers and myself to add some new songs to our stage set, songs that will be on my forthcoming new CD album. STOP PRESSPersonal Appearance: Confirmation has just been received for a concert with The Rapiers on Saturday 26th August at the Brightlingsea Community Centre, Lower Park Road, Brightlingsea, Essex, CO7 0LG Tickets priced at £18.00 are available from Brian Lee 01206 251252. I sign off this month with a "Hi Ho Come on England", it really would be wonderful if our boys can bring home the World Cup. 1966 was such a long time ago. Always yours. |
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