football

You have to admire a man who gets his priorities straight, so BBM tips its hat to Chris who lives in Birmingham.
We don't know his surname, and we've no idea who he is, but we do know he's an England fan and a man of principle.

How do we know this? From the giant 5ft by 3ft banner white banner that was draped over a dual carriageway in Birmingham with the large words of an angry wife written in red upon it.

The banner, which has been seen by thousands of motorists, reads: "Chris, hope the quarter-finals are worth missing our anniversary for - don't rush back!"

It was first spotted by motorists travelling along the A38 between Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield on Wednesday.

James Sporren, 30, from nearby Lichfield, said he had sympathy with the man in question.

He said: He's just enjoying a chance to support his country in a major tournament - and that doesn't come along very often. You shouldn't make a man pick between his woman and his country.

But fellow England fan Bob Sparling, a lorry driver from Birmingham, disagreed and said: Football is not the be all and end all - you need to make sure the lady in your life is kept on the right side. I wonder if it's directed at him while he was on his way to Birmingham Airport or whether she's just trying to name and shame him. But one thing is for sure - he'll have hell to pay when he gets home.

Having watched England's efforts in the Ukraine, we're sure he's already been punished enough.

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Unfortunately, this is also true for footballers off the pitch, as the actions of Joey Barton, Wayne Rooney, John Terry and Ashley Cole have proved that earning tens of thousands of pounds every week can't buy you any class when it comes to how you act in public.

Now, former Newcastle player Danny Guthrie has joined the throng of nouveau riche who have no little to no dignity, after the star's wedding descended into a mass brawl as guests threw lobster at each other and the bride was punched in the face.

"To say they behaved like peasants with money is an understatement," said a source. "They were obnoxious and disgusting. One could say it would be expected of a rough pub on a council estate, but then that's probably unfair to council estates.

"It was more Big Fat Gypsy Wedding than our usual clientele... Staff at the marquee had to remove candelabras from the tables in case of a fire risk. There were people staggering around drunk and some were sprawled out over the tables."

The first rumblings of trouble apparently began at the wedding breakfast early in the evening, during which a lobster thermidor food fight took place. And the violence apparently broke out in a marquee on the grounds of the castle at around 2am, with the police arriving to break it up at 2.25am.

Venue staff locked the doors after calm had been re-established, but police were called again at 4.50am when one of the guests apparently kicked a door down to gain re-entry. Guthrie's blushing bride Rebecca Middleman was reportedly punched in the face and sent to hospital for checks.

"We have not had so much as a phone call or letter of apology for this disgraceful and upsetting behaviour. Everything was dealt with properly here, it was about the guests and not the venue in any way."

No one was arrested, and police eventually managed to calm the situation down by randomly flashing yellow cards at guests.

Sealed With A Chris… click HERE

Apparently Harrods has started to stock pies which have previously only been available on the terraces at Morecambe FC, with well-heeled locals in Knightsbridge going mad for the steak and ale and chicken, ham and leek snacks.

The pies are made at Morecambe's ground, the Globe Arena, by pie maker Graham Aimson, and are being supplied to Harrods via a local butcher.

"It is brilliant. To be supplying to the best shops in the country makes it all worthwhile," Graham said. "It's great we are getting recognition - footie fans obviously have the best taste!"

Graham's pies - which have been voted the best in football two years running - have proved so popular that the initial order of 100 was quickly snapped up and a further 100 ordered in.

But while pie lovers in the swanky London postcode can now get a taste of Morecambe, the clubs fans still have the best of it: in addition to the two flavours being sold at Harrods, fans at the ground can also buy pork, apple and cider pies as well as two sweeter options, a butter pie and a Bramley apple pie.

And just like footballers who come to London from up north, such as Fernando Torres, the price has been ridiculously bumped up from 2.50 on the terrace to 9.95 in Harrods.

The pies still offer better value for money than Torres too.

Barton punished for being a prat… click HERE

So you have to tip your hat to Joey Barton, who makes being an absolute cock look so easy both on and off the pitch.

The all-round prat has been hit with a fine of six weeks wages by QPR, and has also been stripped of the club's captaincy, following a review of his behaviour in Rangers' last league game of the season at Manchester City. That would be the time he was sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez and then trying to kill anyone in his way as he walked off the pitch.

The tool has already been banned for 12 games by the Premier League, and now QPR have placed the 29-year-old on a final warning after conducting their own internal investigation.

A club statement read: QPR can confirm Joey Barton has been fined six weeks' wages and will no longer be club captain.

If Barton seriously breaches the club's disciplinary procedures again, the club reserves the right to terminate his contract.

Barton, who is currently away being a cock on holiday, will not be part of Mark Hughes' squad for their pre-season tour of Asia in mid-July, but still expressed his sorrow for being a big twat.

My behaviour was wrong and I accept the punishment that has been imposed upon me as a result, he said. I apologise to the manager, my teammates and of course the QPR fans for my actions. I also apologise to the Manchester City players, staff and supporters.

Despite the apology, Barton is still ranked alongside former Premier League greats such as Robbie Savage in terms of all round twatishness.

England knocked out of the Euro… click HERE