BROTHERS IN ARMS

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The views, opinions and belifs I express are mine and not in league of Chelsea FC or of any football club, either within the UK or overseas.

Here’s what I feel to be a great picture of what Chelsea FC really stand for. The man in the centre of this picture is Frank Lampard, being embraced by Brazil’s Ramires (Santos do Nascimento) and Spain’s Fernando Torres.

This happened after Ramires scored his second goal in the UEFA Champions League semi final, second leg match between FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC at Camp Nou.

It was on April 24, this year, in Barcelona, Spain.

The right to play logo on Mr Lampard’s shirt is about encouraging youngsters to play, rather than bear arms and be child soilders.

To find out more about them and what their UK branch is up to, which includes looking at the power of sport and why every child has a right to access this, click here. 

Raimires is a midfielder who can play in the centre or the right of midfield.

Lampard is an attacking midfielder. He is considered to be one of the best English footballers of his time.

Mr Lampard is also widely regarded to be one of the best midfield players of his generation.

Fernando Torres is a striker, who can play with another striker or by himself and is blessed with expert technique.

He summed up the match that evening by stating the best team doesn’t always win.

The man on the left of this picture, showing clear relief and happiness at realising his team is going through to the final, is Ashley Cole.

He is of mixed Black Carribean and White English parentage.

Primary a left back, he is considered to one of the best defenders of his generation.

When looking at this picture, note that all these men, of different nationalities/races, played as one entity and expressed great joy as one team, in the goal scored, again by Ramires.

It was an earlier away goal, by Didlier Drogba, from the Ivory Coast, that meant Chelsea went off to the final.

The away goal rule means the team that has scored more goals overall wins so the full (aggregate) score was 2-3 to Chelsea.

As for their captain, John Terry, he was given a red card (disqualified from playing) eight minutes before half time, for a senseless tackle.

It also meant he was banned from playing the next match.

Credit where credit is due, as he appologised for his actions on that day, in various Chelsea FC booklets, which is the least he could do.

The reason I put this picture up is this: 

Chelsea FC and sport in the UK can bring people of different races, backgrounds and nationalities together and express joy at what men and women, when they put their minds together, can achieve.

The three men together shows unity and strength. Ashley Cole, although he’s out of focus, his relief and happiness is evident.

This is why I call this picture BROTHERS IN ARMS, which does make me think of the excellent, timeless song by Dire Straights.

This picture was taken by Chelsea FC's official photographer, Darren Walsh.

There’s a lot more I can say about this match but I think we all would prefer to see the video of the song I’m talking about, by clicking here.

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I have to say this: GIVE DANNY BOYLE A KNIGHTHOOD!

After the spectacular opening of the Olympics in London, I for one would dearly like to see him receive such an honour.

Mr Boyle, who won an Oscar for directing the 2009 smash hit Slumdog Millionaire, even made Her Majesty a bond girl – don’t we women secretly wish for that one moment in time - I certainly do!

There are so many takes of this event on youtube, I’m sure that if you want to watch this wonderful event again, just go onto that particular site.

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If you haven’t seen this picture of the British Ladies volleyball tean, clich here!

They’re sure to perk up anyone’s day, regardless of your sex or preference.

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Don’t hesitate to check out other work I’ve done by clicking here.

Light, Peace and hair grease

Andria

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He ain’t heavy!

He’s my brother, so on we go.

His welfare is my concern…

Yes this is Jeffrey Greaves, who’s done us (me and our family) proud by holding the wonderful Olympic torch at his place of work – I don’t think he’ll be happy if I disclose where and when he held it, so I won’t say!

But I’m very proud of him – the Olympics, I believe, is a true and ultimate test of body and mind in union with each other, so here’s to you Jeffrey – I’m pleased you caught this moment on camera.

Enjoy!

*******

Although a good amount of time has gone by, I’m very proud of both boxers David Haye and David Chisora.

The way they behaved after the Haymaker’s triumph, shows what boxers can do, which is finally letting people know boxers can be role models, a remark I wouldn’t of made until this match, held on Saturday July 14th.

Anyway, here’s the pic below of my bro Jeffrey below.

Light and peace

Andria

X

PS, to see some of my work, click here.

What did you expect?

Multimillionaire footballer, England and Chelsea football captain, John Terry is now sunning himself in south Portugal.

As everyone knows, he's been cleared of a racially aggravated Public Order offence against the Queens Park Rangers star Anton Ferdinand, last week at Westminster Magistrates Court.

Under no circumstances can it be deemed as acceptable, to use the words, “f****** black c***” or to call another footballer, a “f****** k***head” regardless of their race.

All stewards at various football clubs, who don’t get even a third of the salary the players at these football clubs get - whether it be Premier or Third division - have worked long and hard to follow the law and changes in society, to deal with both racism and other offensive language.

For instance, if anybody was to now throw bananas on the pitch, or make monkey chants when a black or mixed-race player gets the ball, they will be removed from the premises.

The police will also be notified as who he - or she - is, regardless of their age, as when a person enters a football club's territory, they also agree to obey to that club's rules and regulations.

Nevertheless two wrongs don’t make a right – whatever the situation, it is wrong for anyone else who’s not directly involved to make judgments about Mr Terry’s affair with his former team-mate’s ex-girlfriend.

Take a leaf out of the newspaper that broke this story in the first place.

When The Sun managed to prevent Mr Terry from using the European Union Human Rights Act and was victorious in printing his name and further details of the affair, it was this newspaper’s legal team who gave their views and opinions on the judge ruling in their favour.

Even now, I remember Mr ­Justice Tugendhat stating in the High Court, two years ago in January:

"The law is here to protect people, not sponsorship deals.”

Both Anton Ferdinand and John Terry met later that same day in the Chelsea changing room at Loftus Road (QPR’s home turf) and shook hands, claiming what had happened earlier was ‘handbags’ and ‘on-pitch banter’.

But what happened afterwards showed just how much society has changed as those on-pitch 35 seconds of madness was clearly acted on by an off-duty police officer (was he a QPR fan?) who did report it to the relevant authorities.

It’s not surprising Mr Terry isn’t out of the woods yet, as the chief magistrate, Mr Howard Riddle stated: “Mr Terry’s explanation is unlikely…it is not the most obvious response…I found Anton Ferdinand a believable witness on the central issue…Ashley Cole’s evidence was far from compelling.”

Don’t forget, Mr Terry now faces another charge, on the same issue, by the Football Association (FA).

Mr Riddle, the chief magistrate originally dealing with the case, stated that although the prosecution had failed to make its case against Terry beyond reasonable doubt, noted that FA tribunals have a far lower burden of proof, based on the balance of probabilities.

At the same time, I feel for Mr Ashley Cole, a man who had to decide on two important issues: to stand up for what’s right regarding his own health and safety or stand by his principles.

Don’t forget, he is the one who has to train and play alongside John Terry - a man who has immense support from fans and others at Chelsea. After the way things ended for him at Arsenal, it’s not as if Mr A Cole has the option of going back to them!

It’s ironic that the boat Mr Terry, his wife Toni and her parents are on is called Aaliyah, after the beautiful black singer (who also had Native American heritage) who tragically died on 25th August 2001.

Retired top-flight player and former Professional Footballers Association (PFA) chairman Garth Crooks summed it up the best, by saying: “For John Terry, this is only half-time. It’s not over.”

Considering Mr Terry has paid more than £250,000.00 in legal cost, perhaps it’s not a complete let off, as having to cough up such an eye-watering amount must have hurt him.

At this moment, it may seem a small price for him to pay but I assure you, Mr Terry won't be a football player forever!

To find out more about Aaliyah, click here.

To know more about the PFA, click here.


Light, Love and Peace

Andria

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Oh yes, not forgetting, to find out some more about me, click here.

IN LOVING TRIBUTE OF MR MAYO CHARLES MARRIOTT, BSC (HONS)

I’m very saddened to hear of his death today.

I was informed by Ms Jyoti Patel, one of the two welfare rights workers at the Brent Association of Disabled People (BADP) of his sad passing.

He was a good man who despite being left confined to a wheelchair with breathing apparatus - he had muscular dystrophy - he loved life and held regular workshops on positive thinking.

He was the London Borough of Brent’s representative regarding multiple sclerosis (MS).

When I had my first noted attack of demyelinating disease and realised this was going to lead to MS, I have to admit I panicked and simply couldn’t understand why.

But when I attended his last workshop, aimed at people who had muscular dystrophy and MS, held on a Sunday at the Willesden Centre for Health and Care, I realised the power of positive thinking.

It was then I also realised that remaining in a self-imposed exile in my home wasn’t helping anyone, especially me, myself and I.

It was then that, despite the nasty remarks and comments my family and I had received over the years, from neighbours, children and other adults who should of known better; I was ready to come of my parents’ home and seize life again, as I did before.

This picture below of Mayo; his smile isn’t just for the camera.

He really had a fixed smile on his face, every time he came to work at the BADP.

I assure you Mayo, everyone at the BADP misses you and hopes through us, your wonderful nectarine drops of and about life goes on.

So here’s to you Mayo, still wishing you the very best, now that your spirit is taking you to another place.

Love, light and peace

Andria

For more information about muscular dystrophy, click here.

PS, don’t hesitate to see some of my work by clicking here.