Ex-pat Teessider to wear Boro shirt at Champions League Final

Teessider Mark Cowan will be wearing his Boro shirt when he sits with Real Madrid fans at the Champions League Final.

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Boro fan Mark Cowan

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Look closely during tonight’s Champions League Final and you might just spot a Boro away shirt in the crowd.

The blue and black away jersey, 2009 vintage, is being worn by Boro fan Mark Cowan, who for the past five years has lived and worked in Spain.

Footy fanatic Mark, 27, is a season ticket holder at both the main Madrid clubs, Real and Atletico - the teams contesting tonight’s final.

After entering a lottery for Real Madrid fans, Mark won one of the 17,000 tickets. And while he’ll be happy for Real to win - especially as he’s sitting behind the goal with the Real fans - Mark admits it’s a “win-win” situation, given his affinity for both clubs.

But rather than wear a Real shirt at the final, Mark has chosen to sport the colours of the club closest to his heart - the Boro.

Mark, of Hartburn, Stockton, was in Eindhoven in 2006 to see Boro play another Spanish side, Sevilla, in the UEFA Cup Final. And the fluent Spanish speaker admits tonight’s game should be another amazing football experieince.

He said: “I am supporting Real as I got my ticket through their lottery system, just like with Boro against Sevilla. I’ll be travelling by coach at 5am on Saturday, then travelling back after the match.

“I said to my mates here that if Atletico won the league - which they went on to do - and Real won the Champions’ League, I’d be happy. I’m excited, nervous - it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, really.”

In his spare time, Mark, who teaches English at a private academy in Guadalajara, north-west of Madrid, works voluntarily for the junior side at his local team, Club Deportivo Guadalajara.

And as he takes his place in the crowd at Lisbon’s Estadio do Sport tonight, he admits fond memories of his late friend Alastair Beattie, who passed away in May 2006, will be on his mind.

Mark, a former pupil at Grangefield School and Stockton Sixth Form College student, explained: “Back in 2006, his last words to me the night before he died were “I hope you get your UEFA cup final ticket tomorrow”. On May 7, after I heard the news from his parents, Keith Lamb called my grandfather to say the ticket application was successful.

“Remarkably, on May 6 two weeks ago, the Real Madrid draw was carried out and as soon as I finished work, I got a call from a fellow fan of the members’ club saying I was one of the 17,000 to get a ticket for the final.

“So I will be going to Lisbon this weekend in my friend’s memory.”

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School yearbooks recalled after student exposes himself in group photograph

Claims the 16-year-old boy has now been banned from his school prom after playing the practical joke at Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe

A high school has recalled 240 leavers' yearbooks after a pupil staged a prank "wardrobe malfunction", exposing himself in the pictures.

The 16-year-old boy stood amongst other pupils proudly wearing their school uniforms at Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe, Lancashire, when he played his joke as the camera flashed for the annual school leavers photo.

The prank was not spotted until after hundreds of the yearbooks had been handed out to students, prompting head teacher Stephen Cox to recall them all, the Lancashire Telegraph reports.

A new set was reissued to school leavers with the offending page taken out, but the photo has since appeared on social media amid claims the youngster has now been banned from his final school prom.

Mr Cox told the paper: "We recalled our school leavers' yearbooks when we realised that a pupil had made an unwise decision to play a practical joke in one of the group shots.

"We removed the relevant page and redistributed the books to the students.

"The pupil involved now realises his prank was ill-conceived and deeply regrets it.

"The issue has been dealt with appropriately and is now closed as far as the school is concerned."

Watch: Amazing video footage of US Army Air Force fighter jet destroying giant 'alien monster' in desert

The clip shows a military aircraft dropping a bomb on what can only be described as a bizarre, throbbing jellyfish-like object

This incredible video seems to capture the moment a fighter jet destroys a giant 'alien monster' in the desert.

The incredible one minute, 41 second clip, uploaded to YouTube, shows a sleek military aircraft zooming through the sky near Durango, in New Mexico, in the United States.

The camera then pans to show two US soldiers in the foreground, watching a bizarre, throbbing jellyfish-like object in the middle distance.

The plane then flies over the weird entity and a bomb is dropped, causing flames to erupt within it.

A plume of smoke then rises into the air as the creature disappears from view.

The video was uploaded by a user known as Section 51 and has been viewed more than 3,000 times.

A note accompanying the video reads: "May 2014 - A giant "alien" creature was found in the desert of New Mexico (Durango area).

"US army sent Air Force to eliminate the threat.

"This is the only information we got from our contact."

Saltburn Pier yarnbombers strike again - to celebrate the World Cup

Nimble-fingered knitters have struck once more, scoring another hit with delighted visitors to Saltburn Pier

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Saltburn Pier yarnbombers celebrate the World Cup

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Darn it, they’ve only done it again - to kick off the football World Cup in style.

The nimble-fingered knitters have struck once more, scoring another hit with delighted visitors to Saltburn Pier.

They have always liked to be beside the seaside and they have returned to delight bank holiday visitors to Saltburn.

This time around they have been inspired by the forthcoming World Cup, due to get underway in Brazil next month.

Their latest woolly wonders celebrate a united nations of footballing countries.

Brazil obviously features being the host nation but many other countries are also represented.

Some playfully poke fun at national stereotypes, such as the Frenchman wearing a stripey jumper, beret and a string of onions round his neck.

England is represented by a fan with a bulldog, next to a Mini with a trophy and the Flag of St George on its roof.

No World Cup would be complete without a skinny-legged WAG, looking suspiciously like Victoria Beckham, with the message “I love footballers”.

Other highlights include Argentina, with a Maradona “Hand of God” figure, an American hotdog, Belgium’s Poirot, Russian dolls and Swiss cheese, not forgetting many proud African and South American nations.

Visitors who braved the miserable weather today were not disappointed.

Sacha Barthram-Kidd, 38, originally from Billingham but now living in Australia, was visiting family over here.

She said: “I came to see it when they did it for the Olympics. It was brilliant, it covered all the different sports.

“I didn’t realise they were here for this one, it was a complete surprise. It must take them hours. Hopefully no-one pinches them this time.”

Retired couple Peter and Julie Martin, from Saltburn, were also impressed.

Peter, 66, a retired BBC technician, said: “It is not just the knitting, it is the imagination that goes into it.”

Julie said: “I think it is great. It brings people to the town. “

Laura Burniston, 34, a civil servant from Marske, said: “It is fantastic, amazing work, It just keeps happening!.”

Her mum Anne Burniston, 59, from Marske, added: “I just think it is breathtaking, really inspirational, some clever people. It is not just knitting, it is proper art.”

It’s just the latest in a long line of inventive one-off pieces guaranteed to leave visitors in stitches.

The guerrilla knitters have a history dating back a number of years.

Previously they have created a collection of seaside favourites, including sunbathers, surfers, ice creams and lollies, fish and chips, a stick of Saltburn rock, beach huts and a lighthouse.

They made national headlines when they produced an Olympic-themed creation to celebrate the London Olympics in 2012.

Every few metres a different Olympic sport was portrayed, from synchronised swimming to cycling, each with their own little group of knitted athletes.

And Britannia ruled the waves when a red, white and blue marvel marked the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Their creators remain unknown, beavering away anonymously, a classic whodunnit.

What next for the Saltburn yarnbombers?. Only they know, but whatever it is it will make you smile.

Hartlepool boss Colin Cooper keen on bringing back Boro duo

Colin Cooper admits he’s keen to take Luke Williams and Christian Burgess back to Hartlepool next season

Colin Cooper admits he’s keen to take Luke Williams and Christian Burgess back to Hartlepool next season.

The Boro pair impressed at Victoria Park during their respective loan spells last season.

As things stand, they will link up with the rest of Aitor Karanka’s senior squad for pre-season training at Rockliffe Park in July.

But Cooper will be keeping an eye on their progress with a view to re-signing them if it looks like they won’t be in the Spaniard’s first team plans.

In addition to Williams and Burgess, Sunderland pair Connor Oliver and Scott Harrison plus former Manchester United forward Jack Barmby, who signed for Leicester City yesterday, turned out for Pools last season and Cooper was pleased with the contribution made by all of his young loan signings.

“It has been a season of youthful endeavour,” said the former Boro defender.

“I accept that will still continue and we will work with the young players (here) and try to add better players around them to make them even better.

“But I have to say that the lads we have had on loan this season from Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Manchester United have all done themselves and their football clubs a great deal of credit.

“I wouldn’t hesitate in having any of them back here next season.”

Another player potentially on Cooper’s radar is his former Boro team-mate Matthew Bates, who is currently out of contract after being released by Bradford.

Bates, 27, trained with Pools last summer and Cooper was keen to sign him then, but the defender opted to link up with the Bantams.

Weather set for typical mixed bag of sunshine and showers as great UK Bank Holiday getaway begins

As 17 million cars headed for the coast and other popular tourist spots, weather forecasters said that the gloom should be partly lifted

The great Bank Holiday getaway got underway yesterday with Britons set for a mixed bag of weather.

Rain is expected over much of England and Wales today and it will be particularly heavy in the North West.

But as 17 million cars headed for the coast and other popular tourist spots, weather forecasters said that the gloom should be partly lifted tomorrow.

There will be isolated showers but most of the country, particularly the south and the South East, will see plenty of sunshine with temperatures expected to reach 19C (66F).

And the reasonably bright weather will continue into Bank Holiday Monday with a high of 21C (70F) predicted for seaside resorts on the south coast and for Devon, Cornwall and East Anglia.

Dan Williams, spokesman at the Met Office, said: “Saturday looks the most unsettled day of the Bank Holiday weekend and there are some heavy, scattered showers forecast.

“On Sunday, it’s not going to be completely dry across the UK, but I think we’ll see some decent sun despite some cloud.

“On Monday, we’ll see some good, dry weather around for most areas, with only light rain in Scotland and Northern Ireland.It’s not going to be anything like the warm weather we’ve seen recently, but temperatures on Monday will still be above average which is pretty decent for this time of year.’

Leon Brown, meteorologist with The Weather Channel UK, said: “We can expect rain on Saturday for much of England and Wales with heavy rain moving slowly north to North West through the day.

“On Sunday showers will remain across Wales, northern England and southern Scotland but the South East and south coast will see reasonably bright and dry conditions with temperatures reaching up to 19C.

“On Bank Holiday Monday isolated showers are predicted for central and northern England with a possibility of rain over south and South East and temperatures will reach a maximum of 20C.”

Britain’s roads are expected to face heavy congestion although the Highways Agency has suspended 145 miles of its roadworks to ease traffic flow. A further 180 miles of roadworks were completed in time for the weekend rush for the roads.

National Express laid on 10,000 extra seats for the weekend with London the most popular destination followed by Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Bournemouth.

Sunseekers flocked to Heathrow and Gatwick yesterday with thousands of people heading for the Continent.

The favourite destinations were Barcelona and Malaga in Spain, Palma in Majorca, Faro in Portugal and Nice on the French Riviera.

However, holiday firm bosses urged passengers heading for Heathrow to leave home early because of a strike by thr RMT union on the Heathrow Express.

Former teacher at Middlesbrough school paraded naked in front window of his home, court is told

Married dad Andrew Beasley, who worked at Eston Park Academy, repeatedly exposed himself

A former assistant head at a Middlesbrough school paraded naked in his front window in a series of bizarre offences, a court heard.

Married dad Andrew Beasley, who worked at Eston Park Academy, repeatedly exposed himself in full view of people passing his home.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Beasley was seen standing naked in the front window of his home on three occasions by women, including one who was with her seven-year-old granddaughter.

The little girl spotted him during the daylight incident last August and said “Grandma, he’s got no clothes on”, said prosecutor Paul Newcombe.

The grandmother reported the incident to the police and once word had got around other victims came forward, leading to Beasley’s arrest.

When interviewed by police, he denied the offences and maintained those denials when he went on trial accused of nine counts of exposure.

A jury found Beasley, 40, of Allerton Close, Northallerton, guilty of three offences. He was acquitted of the other six counts.

Richard Wright, mitigating, argued that the motivation for the offences did not have to be sexual. He said: “There is an element of risk-taking behaviour.”

The court was told that Beasley had already lost a great deal. His teaching career was effectively over and his wife was divorcing him and had moved with their children to live elsewhere.

Recorder Anton Lodge QC said that up until these offences Beasley had lived a hardworking life and was a good family man who had achieved a great deal in his chosen profession of teaching.

The concerns of people on Beasley’s estate were understandable but the judge said there was no indication that he was a risk towards children.

He told Beasley: “I still ask the question why on earth you committed these offences.”

Beasley was given a community order for 11 months and ordered to pay £800 in costs. The judge said a Sexual Offences Prevention Order was not necessary in this case.

Nunthorpe's first pub given the go-ahead by Middlesbrough councillors

Pub and restaurant chain Vintage Inns has won planning permission to build the pub within the Grey Towers Farm development

Plans for Nunthorpe’s first pub have been given the go-ahead by Middlesbrough councillors.

Pub and restaurant chain Vintage Inns has won planning permission to build the pub within the Grey Towers Farm development.

It will be located just off the Poole roundabout, south of the 295 homes currently being built by David Wilson Homes.

The Grey Towers establishment will be the first of its kind in the affluent suburb.

Steel magnate Sir Arthur Dorman, who played a significant part in the planning of Nunthorpe and lived in the area, imposed many covenants - including one that no pubs were allowed.

But yesterday’s meeting of Middlesbrough Council’s planning and development committee was told that the existence of a covenant was not a material planning consideration.

Nunthorpe Parish Council and a number of residents objected to the pub, saying it was inappropriate and would affect their quality of life.

Objections included worries about disturbance, noise and smells, anti-social behaviour and traffic concerns.

One objector suggested such a development “should go to Grove Hill or Gresham”, while concerns were also voiced that it might attract “boy racers” and “groups of skateboarders”.

Nunthorpe ward councillor Peter Sanderson said he had been inundated with calls from residents who had been very concerned about the application.

He said if he was buying a house in that area, “I wouldn’t want that sort of thing in my back yard”.

Councillor Frances McIntyre said: “Until the people of Nunthorpe say ‘We want a pub’ I will vote against it.”

But those behind the plans say it will provide the area with a new high quality pub/restaurant and community facility.

Councillor Jan Brunton said it was a good development and Councillor Pervaz Khan thought it was an “excellent” application. It was approved despite several councillors voting against it.

Boy, 11, 'gutted' after his bike was stolen from outside his school

Ellis Allen, 11, left his £300 silver Carrera mountain bike in the grounds of Roseberry Primary School in Billingham

A Yyoung boy is devastated after a bike he bought with his birthday money was stolen from outside his school.

Fed up Ellis Allen, 11, left his £300 silver Carrera mountain bike in the grounds of Roseberry Primary School in Billingham on May 19.

But he was left feeling “gutted” at home time when he discovered it had been taken.

He said: “I spent ages saving up, I finally got the bike I wanted and now its gone.

“I was angry at first but now I’m just gutted. I haven’t had it long and I used it to visit my mates over the park.”

Ellis, who cycles from Bannockburn Way to school every day, had left the bike outside the school offices “where all the bikes are kept.”

The adult size bike was marked with his postcode and the theft was reported to police.

Mum Marie, 33, a senior care worker, who is living in temporary accommodation with Ellis and her three other children, Aiden, 14, Keira, seven and Taylor, one, said her son was “just devastated” by the theft of the bike he had saved up for.

She said: “I had a phone call from school to say Ellis was walking home because his bike had been stolen. I couldn’t believe it and got upset because I could just imagine how gutted he would have been making his way home without his new bike.

“He only bought it at the beginning of May with his birthday money. It cost a fortune but it was what he wanted and I thought it would have lasted him years.

“He was always inside playing on his computer so the bike was a way of him getting him out with his friends and doing some exercise.

“How anyone has the cheek to help themselves to other peoples property is sickening, especially at school where you assume everything is safe.”

Headteacher of Roseberry Primary School, Maggie Fearnley, said: “We were disappointed to learn that one of our pupil’s bikes had been stolen whilst left unlocked on the school grounds. We know how upsetting this kind of incident can be so hope that it can be recovered.

“Just a few weeks ago the Police were in school offering our children the opportunity to have their postcode printed on their bikes and a range of services regularly come into school to talk to our pupils about how best to keep their personal belongings safe.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101.

Stockton couple win compensation after dream cruise turns into nightmare ordeal

A husband and wife from Stockton have vowed never to travel with Thomson Cruises again after their experience

A couple whose dream cruise turned into a nightmare when the wife fell ill have been awarded compensation from holiday giant Thomson.

John and Sheila Randall vowed never to travel with Thomson Cruises again after their ordeal.

The Stockton couple were appalled by standards on board the luxury Thomson Dream cruise ship and Sheila, 61, fell ill on the second day with fever, sickness and diarrhoea.

They are among a number of passengers who have now been awarded settlements after suffering gastric illness while cruising on the ship.

John, 63, claimed the couple witnessed “examples of poor food hygiene” on a number of occasions during their two-week cruise in January 2011 “such as some of the foods being re-used at different meal times”.

“Never in a million years will I travel with Thomson Cruises again,” he said. “Our holiday was ruined and nothing like the luxurious break we expected. We’re pleased Thomson has now settled the case.”

Specialist travel law firm Irwin Mitchell has successfully represented 12 passengers who travelled on board the cruise ship between November and December 2011, many of whom suffered illness, with damages awarded up to £7,500 per claimant.

In total the firm has now represented over 250 holidaymakers dating back to 2010 whose cruises on board the Thomson Dream ship were ruined by the experiences they endured.

Suki Chhokar, a specialist travel lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “We are now investigating the concerns raised by passengers who travelled last year and are seeking to work with the cruise operator to investigate the cause of the illness suffered.

“A number of the passengers who travelled on the Thomson Dream over the years have been left devastated that they have suffered serious illnesses.

“Some passengers have suffered significant and distressing symptoms while on board the ship. Many of our clients suffered from symptoms such as stomach cramps, sickness, diarrhoea and lethargy.

“Aside from making their holiday extremely unpleasant, these types of illness can have a debilitating long-term impact on their health. Some passengers had to seek medical assistance upon their return home.”

A spokesperson for Thomson said the company does not comment on settlements.

World Cup D-Day for Boro winger Albert Adomah

Albert Adomah’s World Cup dream could rest on how he fares in a high-stakes training match in Ghana today

Albert Adomah’s World Cup dream could rest on how he fares in a high-stakes training match in Ghana today.

The Boro flanker will need to impress in the crucial game as Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah looks to trim his preliminary squad of 30.

The boss will make his final decision on who gets on the plane to Brazil after the crunch game.

Adomah was one of a trio of European-based players who jetted into Accra this week to join the Black Stars in their training camp.

The bulk of the initial squad play in Africa and have been together two weeks.

Adomah, Boro’s top scorer last term with 12 goals, will need to shine in today’s full-scale fixture as the initial squad is whittled down to 21.

That group will then fly to Holland next week for the second phase of preparations where they will be joined by AC Milan’s experienced former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien and Kevin Prince Boateng of German side Schalke.

Adomah’s hopes look to have been boosted after coach Appiah went public to outline the Boro man’s credentials.

He made a statement last week to quash rumours that the Boro’s man inclusion was due to personal relationships rather than form.

“I don’t joke with my work and I don’t bring my personal sentiments into my job,” Appiah told local media.

“We currently don’t have a natural winger in the Black Stars squad to bring in needed crosses.

“Adomah is the only player who operates effectively on the wings and brings in a lot of crosses.

“He does that constantly at his club.

“He is the only option we have in certain systems and tactics because of his unique attributes.

“He is very quick and a good crosser of the ball. We don’t have such a quality in abundance.

“He has not been getting opportunities of late as we have played with two strikers but he remains a part of the team.

“When he is needed he will be called upon to play.”

Ghana’s next official fixture is a friendly against Holland in Rotterdam next Saturday.

They then play Guatemala on Friday, June 6, in the Mateo Flores Stadium in Guatemala City before ending their build-up to Brazil with a home friendly against South Korea, in Accra, on June 9.