The biggest compliment I can give to Ryan Giggs is that he is the best player in the history of the Premier League. Why? Three things set him apart from the rest - his longevity, his medal haul and, above all, his humility. Nobody will come close to matching his collection of 34 major honours, nor will anyone score in 21 consecutive seasons.
Watch Premier League managers previewing this weekend's big matches
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ALAN PARDEW: STRONGER SQUAD
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is hoping that their stronger squad will carry them through...play video
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MOYES: BEST IS YET TO COME
Manchester United manager David Moyes doesn't think he has seen the best from his united...play video
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MOURINHO: WE'VE ALWAYS REACTED
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho feels his side can bounce back positively from their defeat...play video
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ARSENE WENGER: GIGGS AT 40
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in his pre-match interview before the match against Cardiff,...play video
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AVB: RIGHT TIME FOR UNITED
Tottenham Hotspur head coach feels the time is right for his under-fire team to face...play video
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TONY PULIS: CHANGES TAKE TIME
New Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis has stated that he intends to make changes but it...play video
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PAUL LAMBERT: PLAYING WELL
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is happy with his sides form going into their next match...play video
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ROBERTO MARTINEZ: UNIQUE TABLE
Everton manager Roberto Martinez thinks the league table is unique this season with...play video
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MACKAY: WE CAN MATCH ANYONE
Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay says his team have a growing belief that they can play...play video
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HUGHES: EVERTON GOOD START
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes admires how well Everton have done so far this season...play video
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ALLARDYCE: START PERFORMING IN FRONT OF...
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce thinks that whilst his side have been performing well, they...play video
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BRUCE: WE HAVE TO DEFEND WELL
Hull City Tigers manager Steve Bruce is wary of the strike threat opponents Liverpool...play video
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GUS POYET: RED CARD RELIEF
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has expressed his relief that Wes Brown's red card against...play video
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HUGHTON: EVERY GAME IS DIFFICULT
Norwich City manager Chris Hughton is under no illusions this season stating that every...play video
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ALAN PARDEW: STRONGER SQUAD
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is hoping that their stronger squad will carry them through...play video
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MOYES: BEST IS YET TO COME
Manchester United manager David Moyes doesn't think he has seen the best from his united...play video
Belt up, Lukaku! Mourinho fumes at striker who demanded to leave because he couldn't compete with Torres
Jose Mourinho has blasted Romelu Lukaku, the Chelsea striker who Sportsmail can reveal requested a transfer hours after his penalty miss in the UEFA Super Cup final. The day after the 5-4 shoot-out defeat to Bayern Munich back in August, Lukaku asked to move from Stamford Bridge as he felt unable to compete with Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto'o.
AVB starts to crack before his biggest game as Spurs boss... but he's not the only one with Jol and Hughton hanging by a thread
- 'Petulant' Villas-Boas orders Tromso fan to be thrown out after chanting 'sacked in the morning'
- Enrique first choice to replace under-fire AVB with Swans boss Laudrup Plan B
SAMI MOKBEL: Andre Villas-Boas was doing so well in persuading people he wasn't cracking under the pressure of a turbulent week. Then he demanded an abusive supporter be removed from his seat.
The Stone Roses, Oasis and...Ghostbusters! After hitting his own top 40, Giggs reveals his perfect playlist and why he sings along to pop princess Carly Rae Jepsen in his car
- Which United star posted this birthday tribute to Giggs... who baked this cake to mark legend's 40th?
- As United legend Giggs turns 40, watch the incredible footage of him at 14 (named Ryan Wilson!)
Had Ryan Giggs gone through with his threat of staying in bed instead of training with his team-mates on Friday, there's a chance he would have spent some of his day listening to Manchester's most famous bands.
SCOTT PARKER EXCLUSIVE: At West Ham, I'd have swapped all my awards for staying up. But Fulham will be OK, we're better
- Craving Cottager: Trabzonspor confirm Berbatov is on their winter wish list
- This might be it! Jol fears facing the sack if Fulham fail to win dogfight at West Ham
MATT LAWTON INTERVIEW: Scott Parker is confident that Fulham will survive in the Premier League this season and says they are a better side than the West Ham team he was part of that was relegated in 2011.
SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND: Time for Cole to Iron out his goal-scoring? Sleevesy does it for Gunners' Flamini and Bale set to continue cement his place as Real No 1
- SCOTT PARKER EXCLUSIVE: At West Ham, I would have swapped all of my awards for staying up
- JAMIE CARRAGHER: Why I still marvel at Manchester United's humble superstar
SAM CUNNINGHAM: If ever there is a time for Carlton Cole to prove he is worth a contract beyond January when his short-term deal expires, it is against fellow Premier League strugglers Fulham on Saturday.
BETS OF THE DAY - powered by betting partner Coral
- Wilshere to score first against Cardiff: 14/1 - BET NOW with Coral
- West Ham v Fulham to finish goalless: 11/1 - BET NOW with Coral
- Palace to win at Norwich: 10/3 - BET NOW with Coral
- Newcastle to beat West Brom 2-1: 8/1 - BET NOW with Coral
- Lukaku to score a hat-trick for Everton at Stoke: 20/1 - BET NOW with Coral
Saints masterplan to win the league: Custom-made beds, birthday cards for WAGs and saliva tests... it sounds bonkers but it's working for Pochettino's men
- CHELSEA v SOUTHAMPTON: All the latest team news and stats ahead of the Stamford Bridge clash
- All the Premier League team news and stats for every match ahead of the weekend
NEIL ASTON: This club has become the envy of English football, a beacon for promoting bright young talent and everyone wants to know the secrets of Southampton's success.
Button stuns Frome with Secret Santa stunt as McLaren man goes for surprise spin through streets of his home town
- ON THE BUTTON: McLaren driver - and 2009 world champion - answers YOUR questions
- Hothead Maldonado to join Grosjean at Lotus next year... who say there could be a 'few surprises'
PHIL DUNCAN: Jenson Button lit up the tarmac in his hometown on Friday night before vowing to light up next year's Formula One world championship. The McLaren driver endured a frustrating season.
Season at glance
- Premier League
- Premier League
- Championship
- League One
- League Two
- Scottish Premiership
- Scottish Div 1
- Scottish Div 2
- Scottish Div 3
DON'T MISS...
- JAMIE CARRAGHER: Why Giggs is the best in Premier League history Three things set him apart - his longevity, his medal haul and, above all, his humility
- The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Oasis and... Ghostbusters! Ryan Giggs reveals his perfect playlist and why he sings along to Carly Rae Jepsen in his car
- MARTIN KEOWN: Rapid Remy firing flying Toon He's been involved in 53 per cent of Newcastle's Premier League goals, which shows you just how important he is
- NEIL ASHTON: Saints masterplan to win the league includes custom- made beds, birthday cards for WAGs and saliva tests.... sounds bonkers but it's working!
- PETE JENSON: City's silent assassin! Negredo has gone from misfit to Europe's deadliest Alvaro Negredo is the hottest shot in the Champions League
- SCOTT PARKER EXCLUSIVE: At West Ham, I would have swapped all of my awards for staying up. But Fulham will be OK, we're better
- VIDEO: Bellew brawls with Stevenson at weigh-in and headbutts champion Tony Bellew and Adonis Stevenson almost came to blows in Quebec
- SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND: Time for Cole to Iron out his scoring? If ever there is a time for Carlton Cole to prove he is worth a contract, it is against Fulham
- KEVIN KILBANE: AVB can't fool the fans... his signings have flopped There is not a single Tottenham fan who wanted Gareth Bale to be sold at any price
- GEORGE NORTH: Wales have lost eight in a row against Australia but we have to win on Saturday I'm a competitive person who hates losing. So enough is enough
- MATT JARVIS: Ravel will be a really top player just like that incredible Mr Giggs... And why a career in ping-pong was never on table, despite my England star parents
- As Giggs turns 40, watch the incredible footage of him at 14 (named Ryan Wilson!) tearing up Schools Cup IAN LADYMAN'S memories of legend
- EXCLUSIVE: 'I pumped up the balls - Schmeichel would kick them in the river...' DOMINIC KING: Ryan Giggs looks back to his United apprenticeship
- As Giggs celebrates his 40th birthday, here's Sportsmail's memories of United's majestic midfielder Our experts pick their favourite moments
- The star with sticking power: How Giggs has changed his look through 21 years Sportsmail takes a look at the changing face of Ryan Giggs
- West Ham aren't hot in the penalty box right now... but these 'cool' maps will give supporters the chills! West Ham's problems in front of goal are obvious
- GRAHAM POLL: In my 1554 games as a referee there was never a hint of bribery... but it doesn't stop officials giving soft penalties to the bigger teams
- IAN BENNETT: Match-fixers asked me to sign a ball... then they offered me £10k to lose 2-0 at Liverpool INSIGHT: Former Birmingham keeper
- JEFF POWELL ON FRIDAY: Match-fixing has reached the top of the English game before, so you can't bet against it happening again (just take a look at cricket)
- ADEBAYO AKINFENWA: Giggs is an inspiration... he's even got me into yoga (after I gave up orange juice) Sportsmail's star says Ryan Giggs is BMO
- Adam's a class act! Take note Warner, Clarke and Johnson... Adam Scott proves not every sportsman in Australia is interested in winning ugly
- Davey determined to turn on the style against Holdsworth in TUF Finale Davey Grant was robbed of his chance to reach the Ultimate Fighter Finale in style
- 'All I need to spell in snooker is my name': Meet Shane Castle... the 15-year-old prodigy who has snubbed education for a shot at becoming world champion
- MARTIN SAMUEL - THE DEBATE: Do I want AVB to fail? No, I want everybody to live happily ever after... but life isn't like that so buy a helmet and get used to it
- TACKLE KEOWN: Who drove the worst car at training? And which former Gunner would play Michael Jackson before games? This week's Q&A
- Madman of Madrid... cynical Sergio makes the Butcher of Bilbao look like a pussycat after his 17th red card (and Jones and Keane have nothing on him)
- MATT BARLOW: Chelsea still struggling with the same old problems of unbalanced squad and disappointing results... is Mourinho the new Di Matteo?
- MARTIN KEOWN: Flamini is Arsenal's braveheart... he should be made captain for having the character and guts to question his skipper
- WARREN GATLAND: I poached Cuthbert and North to stop them falling into England's hands Wales' top players could have played for England
- RICKY PONTING: After dismantling England do you believe me that Mitch is a threat? I knew Mitchell Johnson was going to be a handful at the Gabba
- Yes, Woolers would have backed Sir Henry Cecil for this year's prize The Ian Wooldridge award is an annual award voted for by readers
- Your ultimate guide to the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year Andy Murray is the overwhelming favourite for the prestigious title after winning Wimbledon
- Brainless Bendtner... as the not-so-Great Dane adds to his long rap sheet, we ask: Is the Gunner the most stupid player in Premier League history?
- JAMIE CARRAGHER: Why I still marvel at Manchester United's humble superstar... Giggs is the best in Premier League history
- Belt up, Lukaku! Mourinho fuming at striker who demanded a move away from Blues
- Liverpool sweating on Sturridge scan after striker leaves training on crutches
- Moyes has no plans to take in-form Rooney out of the United firing line
- In Arsene we trust! Gunners shareholder and billionaire Usmanov backing Wenger to restore glory days at club
- AVB starts to crack before his biggest game as Spurs boss... but he's not the only one with Jol and Hughton hanging by a thread
- Cole: I'm finally fit to play... and I'm the striker West Ham need
- Ramos set to spark transfer tussle between Chelsea and City after bust-up with Real boss Ancelotti
- Frozen out: Everton set to rescue McGeady from his Russian nightmare in January
- Murphy injures himself in sensational Newbury bust-up with fellow jockey to put Hennessy Gold Cup place in doubt
- The Stone Roses, Oasis and...Ghostbusters! After hitting his own top 40, Giggs reveals his perfect playlist and why he sings along to pop princess Carly Rae Jepsen in his car
- Nottingham Forest 2 Reading 3: Late Obita strike gives 10-man Royals all three points
- Team America! Everton consider bringing back Donovan for THIRD loan spell
- Back to the future: Gerrard can finish his career as a central defender, says Rodgers
- Lescott concedes Pellegrini's lack of trust has dashed his World Cup dreams
- SCOTT PARKER EXCLUSIVE: At West Ham, I would have swapped all of my awards for staying up. But Fulham will be OK, we're better
- VIDEO: Bellew brawls with Stevenson at weigh-in and headbutts champion
- Tarnished: Lennon can't hide his fury at fans who risk Parkhead reputation
- Craving Cottager: Trabzonspor confirm Berbatov is on their winter wish list
- United offered Gerrard seven-year deal when Kop idol was 13 but he said no... good job he wasn't a top, top player, eh Fergie?
- SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND: Time for Cole to Iron out his goal-scoring? Sleevesy does it for Gunners' Flamini and Bale set to continue cement his place as Real No 1
- MARTIN KEOWN: Newcastle have always had someone to bang in the goals... this time it's Remy
- Match-fix case: Pair remanded in custody after defence failed to apply for bail
- More bad news for under-fire AVB... the omens aren't good for the visit of United
- Johnson facing driving ban after missing court date because of Liverpool training
- City's silent assassin! Negredo has gone from Madrid misfit to the deadliest striker in Europe
- Cool it, Joe! Allardyce warns Cole not to throw strop if subbed again
- McColl ends his role with Rangers' rebels and lends support to Wallace
- Belt up, Lukaku! Mourinho fuming at striker who demanded a move away from Blues
- JAMIE CARRAGHER: Why I still marvel at Manchester United's humble superstar... Giggs is the best in Premier League history
- The Wheel Deal: Madrid's £166m men Bale and Ronaldo given FREE Audis by sponsors
- Ramos set to spark transfer tussle between Chelsea and City after bust-up with Real boss Ancelotti
- AVB starts to crack before his biggest game as Spurs boss... but he's not the only one with Jol and Hughton hanging by a thread
- Liverpool sweating on Sturridge scan after striker leaves training on crutches
- VIDEO: Bellew brawls with Stevenson at weigh-in and headbutts champion
- So... just what DID Beckham have to do in front of his United team-mates during his initiation ceremony?
- Liverpool defender Skrtel shows the pain after training-ground challenge leaves him with stud marks on his shin
- In Arsene we trust! Gunners shareholder and billionaire Usmanov backing Wenger to restore glory days at club
- City's silent assassin! Negredo has gone from Madrid misfit to the deadliest striker in Europe
- Frozen out: Everton set to rescue McGeady from his Russian nightmare in January
- More bad news for under-fire AVB... the omens aren't good for the visit of United
- Arsene's early birds: Arsenal must 'take advantage' of head start to open up big lead on Liverpool and Chelsea, urges Wenger
- Team America! Everton consider bringing back Donovan for THIRD loan spell
- Wenger: I feel sorry for what Mackay has to put up with from Cardiff's meddling owner
- He knows why he's on loan: Mourinho hits out Everton star Lukaku as Chelsea stick with Torres, Eto'o and Ba up front
- Button stuns Frome with Secret Santa stunt as McLaren man goes for surprise spin through streets of his home town
- SCOTT PARKER EXCLUSIVE: At West Ham, I would have swapped all of my awards for staying up. But Fulham will be OK, we're better
- MARTIN KEOWN: Newcastle have always had someone to bang in the goals... this time it's Remy
- The Stone Roses, Oasis and...Ghostbusters! After hitting his own top 40, Giggs reveals his perfect playlist and why he sings along to pop princess Carly Rae Jepsen in his car
- Which United star posted this birthday tribute to Giggs... who baked this cake to mark legend's 40th and what will 'Old Father Time' think to his £12 watch?
- As United legend Giggs turns 40, watch the incredible footage of him at 14 (named Ryan Wilson!) tearing up Granada Schools Cup
- Aguero poses with City's latest signing... hotshot Duggan joins from Everton's women's team
- MOST READ IN DETAIL
LATEST SPORT COLUMNS
- JAMIE CARRAGHER: Why I still marvel at Manchester United's humble superstar... Giggs is the best in Premier League history
- MARTIN KEOWN: Newcastle have always had someone to bang in the goals... this time it's Remy
- CHARLES SALE: Naked truth about Williams' Leeds exit: Former scout taking Whites to tribunal
- SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND: Time for Cole to Iron out his goal-scoring? Sleevesy does it for Gunners' Flamini and Bale could have to move aside for returning Ronaldo
- GEORGE NORTH: Wales have lost eight in a row against Australia but we have to win on Saturday
- KEVIN KILBANE: Villas-Boas can't fool Spurs fans - his signings have flopped... Celtic's zonal marking is nothing like Rafa's
- ADEBAYO AKINFENWA: Giggs is an inspiration... he's even got me into yoga (after I gave up orange juice)
- JEFF POWELL ON FRIDAY: Match-fixing has reached the top of the English game before, so you can't bet against it happening again (just take a look at cricket)
- MARTIN SAMUEL: What's the beauty of being Villas-Boas? It's always someone else's fault
- ASH WEDNESDAY: Any of us could have had AVB's success at Porto - but he was out of his depth at Chelsea and he is the wrong man for Tottenham
- DEREK LAWRENSON: An inevitable reunion for Westwood and caddie Foster following disappointing year
- JEFF POWELL: Groves faces punishment from British Boxing Board of Control after blasting 'corruption' in defeat to Froch
- JAMIE REDKNAPP: Spurs are in a mess, Barkley and Gerrard would have been dreamy for England, and why West Ham fans must stop booing Lampard
- LAURA WILLIAMSON: Karanka's facing a special kind of challenge at Middlesbrough
- THE FOOTBALL GRAPEVINE: Ronaldo's United move isn't dead yet, Benteke could be the answer to Arsene's problem, and Balotelli and Mourinho might be reunited
- GARY NEVILLE: I can now see how wrong I was to harass referees
SPORTS EDITOR'S SIX OF THE BEST
RYAN GIGGS WEEK ON MAILONLINE... UNITED STAR TURNS 40
At just 14 and wearing No 6, Giggs shows off his talent in this early video from Anfield... the only thing he is missing is a hairy chest!
IAN LADYMAN: Twenty-five years ago TV cameras didn't capture every moment of significant football action but we should be thankful ITV sent a crew to Anfield to film the final of the Granada Schools Cup in 1988. For the record, Salford beat Blackburn 3-2 with a winning goal coming in extra time at the Kop end. It was the second successive year that Blackburn had lost in the final but in the dressing rooms and indeed the boardroom that night nobody really talked about that.
Cake (and a Casio) for birthday boy Giggs... but which United star is behind the mask?
The United legend who should have been a Blue... How Man City missed the chance to sign Welsh wizard
MATCH-FIXING SCANDAL LATEST
JEFF POWELL: Match-fixing has reached top of English game before, so you can't bet against it happening again (like in cricket)
- Stop this evil! 'Horrified' football chief hits out over match-fixing claims
- The alleged match-fixing ringmaster - Perumal's world wide web of corruption
Match fixing is the elephant in the room. Our living room. As footballers are arrested on suspicion of rigging bets in the lower leagues, can we be absolutely certain the contagion cannot, will not spread to the upper, televised echelons of the English game?
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
The wheel deal: Ronaldo and Bale cost a combined £166m and earn £600,000-a-week between them... but still get a FREE car!
MATT JARVIS: Ravel will be a really top player just like that incredible Mr Giggs... And why a career in ping-pong was never on table, despite my England star parents
Watch Darren Bent bring out his box of tricks as he takes on our Football Freestyle Challenge (but can he top ZZ?)
Fulham striker Darren Bent is preparing for a huge London derby against West Ham on Saturday but that did not stop him taking on Sportsmail's Football Freestyle challenge.
THE ASHES
Ballance worth the gamble: Batsman in line for Test debut after battling to a fifty
- Keep up the heat! Lehmann urges fans to carry on batting at England in second Test
- Former bad boy Stokes ready to be thrown into Test arena... and he's determined to stop Aussies' rule
PAUL NEWMAN IN ALICE SPRINGS: It was not exactly a performance that guaranteed inclusion but Gary Ballance, as much because of the limitations of others as his own form, could he heading for a Test debut in Adelaide.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS
Winning streak! Chisora promises to run down Oxford Street naked if he beats Pala
- Chisora backs Haye to return to the ring despite being advised to retire after surgery
- Third time lucky! Chisora faces another new opponent as Pala replaces injured Mudugno
Dereck Chisora has pledged to streak down London's Oxford Street if he beats Ondrej Pala at the Copper Box on Saturday night. The controversial heavyweight takes on the Czech looking for his fourth consecutive stoppage.
RACECARDS, RESULTS AND BETTING SERVICE
EXTRA TIME
The result of Spurs' £107m summer spree? Soldado, Lamela, Eriksen and Co have WORST shot conversion rate in the league
FOOTBALLERS' FOOTBALL COLUMN ARCHIVE
- MARTIN ALLEN - ex-Gillingham boss
- KEITH ANDREWS - Brighton midfielder
- KEVIN LISBIE - Leyton Orient striker
- PAUL ROBINSON - Blackburn keeper
- PETER ODEMWINGIE - Cardiff striker
- FRANK McPARLAND - Liverpool director
- LEON OSMAN - Everton midfielder
- MARCUS GAYLE: Staines Town manager
- CLARKE CARLISLE - ex-PFA chairman
- MICHAEL JOHNSON - Football League expert
- GRANT HOLT - Wigan striker
- EMMANUEL PETIT - Arsenal legend
- GEORGE ELOKOBI: Wolves midfielder
- SERGIO TORRES - Crawley midfielder
- RICHARD LEE - Brentford keeper
- ALAN WRIGHT - Southport boss
- LOUIS SAHA - Former Fulham and United striker
- BRYAN ROBSON - Former England captain
- STEVE MORISON - Millwall striker
- DANNY MURPHY - Former pro turned pundit
- GARY TAYLOR-FLETCHER - Leicester forward
- VICTOR WANYAMA - Southampton midfielder
- AHMED ELMOHAMADY - Hull midfielder
- PAULO SOUSA - Maccabi Tel-Aviv boss
- BRYAN HUGHES - ex-Birmingham star
- IAN RUSH - Liverpool legend
- NATHAN ELLINGTON - ex-Wigan forward
- ROBBIE FOWLER - ex-Liverpool striker
- HOWARD WEBB - FIFA referee
- JORDI CRUYFF - Maccabi Tel Aviv manager
- GRAHAM STACK - Barnet goalkeeper
- SEBASTIEN BASSONG - Norwich captain
- UGO EHIOGU - Spurs coach
- PETER SCHMEICHEL: Ex-United goalkeeper
- TREVOR SINCLAIR - Ex-England winger
- JULIAN GRAY - Nea Salamina midfielder
- DARIO GRADI - Crewe director
- DION DUBLIN: Ex-Coventry striker
- STEPHEN CONSTANTINE - manager
- SIMON GRAYSON - Preston boss
- VINCENT PERICARD - former striker
- PAUL ROBINSON - Millwall defender
- TOM INCE - Blackpool winger
- MANISH BHASIN - BBC presenter
- JILL SCOTT - England women's player
- TERRY SKIVERTON - Yeovil assistant boss
- MARK SENIOR - Youth coach
- MATT LE TISSIER - Southampton legend
- SEAN DAVIS - Former Fulham midfielder
- RHYS WESTON - Sabah defender
- MARK SCHWARZER - Fulham keeper
- LEDLEY KING - Spurs legend
- GARRY COOK - Former Man City supremo
- SOUTHALL and REID - Everton heroes