On this day 28 July

Geordie Carrick...

Born today not far from the Grove...

 

Byker Grove. Now what a fantastic show that was, no arguments. Even if it stereotyped every kid from Newcastle as a trouble-making illiterate youth. Born today in 1981 not far from Byker, in nearby Wallsend, Michael Carrick's career shows that this is simply not the case. In fact, had his rise to an England international and a regular for Manchester United been a Grove storyline, you wouldn't have believed it. Capped for England Boys' while at the famous Wallsend Boys Club (Shearer, Beardsley, Bruce), Carrick would leave his native North East to sign for West Ham, where he would win the FA Youth Cup alongside a young Joe Cole. He's now at League and European Cup winners Manchester United, where he wears Roy Keane' number 16 shirt. Sadly though, he does not own a pair of sideburns ala the legendary Geoff.

On July 28th in 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and World War One began. Roughly 90 years later, a group of Glasgow art students would adopt Franz Ferdinand's name for their band and truly cement his 'Unluckiest Archduke of All Time' status.

On a more peaceful note, it's Vill Glück zum Geburri, as they say in Switzerland, to England footballer Michael Carrick (27), shouting, bearded 'comedian' Justin Lee Collins (34) and cricketing legend Sir Garry Sobers (74).