Tag Archive for: Happy

Happy 100th Birthday Wembley

Happy 100th Birthday Wembley: Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, is 100 years old this year.

Since it first opened its doors on April 28, 1923, the venue has been home to some of the most historic and memorable moments of the last century.

Happy 100th Birthday Wembley

Happy 100th Birthday Wembley

From the famous white horse of the 1923 FA Cup Final to Bobby Moore lifting the World Cup in 1966, Freddie Mercury at Live Aid in 1985, through to Chloe Kelly’s extra time winner in 2022 – Wembley has been at the centre of it all.

Now, as England’s national stadium prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday, the nation is being encouraged to share in the anniversary celebrations by submitting their most memorable moments of the iconic venue. Click Link here

Stadium Director Liam Boylan said: “Wembley holds a space in people’s hearts for many different reasons. It is the place where heroes perform and idols are worshipped. The place where big things happen, and history is made.

“It is also about those special, personal moments too. Seeing your side win or lose, a child’s first game or witnessing a favourite band or artist perform. We want people to share those moments with us and let us know why Wembley is so unique to them.”

Although synonymous with football, Wembley has hosted a variety of sports throughout its history. Everything from the Olympics (1948 and 2012) to world title boxing fights, NFL clashes, speedway, show-jumping, Gaelic football, hurling, motorsport and greyhound racing. It has also held rugby matches of both codes and was a venue for the 2015 Rugby (Union) World Cup finals’ tournament.

Wembley hosted its first music event in 1969 and since then has gone on to be recognised as a world-renowned concert venue. Madonna, Beyoncé, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Take That and U2 have all graced the stage at Wembley. In more recent times Adele, The Killers, Foo Fighters, BST, Eminem and Ed Sheeran have also performed there.

Perhaps its most famous musical moment though was the Live Aid concert in 1985, which was broadcast live to more than one billion people across 110 countries. More than 75 artists performed on stage that day with Queen, led by Freddie Mercury, putting on a memorable performance which to this day is still considered the greatest stadium show by a band ever.

The stadium itself has undergone huge change throughout its history. In 2001 the original building, with its famous twin towers, was knocked down to make way for a more modern structure, fit for the future.

The new Wembley took almost six years to build. When it did reopen for the 2007 FA Cup Final the contemporary, 90,000 all-seater stadium, capped with a 315-metre arch, was deemed one of the grandest stadiums in the world. A new era dawned, and the historic moments continued.

Wembley hosted the 2011 and 2013 Champions League finals and in 2024 it will hold a record eighth final. It was also home to the men’s EURO final in 2021 and the Lionesses famous victory at EURO 2022.

Last year more than 2.6 million people visited the stadium for a record-breaking number of events including multiple nights from musicians Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Harry Styles.

Boylan added: “Wembley is an iconic landmark that defines English culture and history. It holds a position in the national psyche as much as places like Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge and the Houses of Parliament.

“Over the next 12 months we want to celebrate that fact and look forward to another 100 years of fantastic, history making defining moments.”

For more information about Wembley’s history and to submit your most memorable Wembley moment, visit www.wembleystadium.com/about/wembley-100

All those who submit an entry will be entered into a prize draw with three pairs of VIP tickets to a Wembley event of your choice from April 1 – December 31.

Visit www.wembleystadium.com for more information about the history of Wembley and to keep up to date with the Wembley 100 celebrations. You can also follow all the action at #Wembley100 on social media.

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Happy 80th Poggy

Happy 80th Poggy: Not only did Campey Turf Care Systems enjoy a successful Saltex show at the NEC last week, but it also provided the opportunity to celebrate Ian Pogson’ (affectionately known within the industry as Poggy), 80th birthday!

Ian has been a valued member of the Campey team for over 15 years, first as product specialist for the Southern UK and Ireland regions, then taking on an ambassadorial role in 2017. He has proved an invaluable asset, attending seminars, open days, exhibitions, and training days, using his extensive knowledge of product and the sports turf industry to greatest effect.

Happy 80th Poggy

Happy 80th Poggy

So, now Ian has reached 80, is he intending to hang up his tines, and reach for the gardening fork? Not a bit of it. “First I intend to travel with my wife Christine for a holiday and then I will continue to be available to Campeys as long as they see fit to require my services” declared Ian. “Any spare time I can find will be spent enjoying the great outdoors walking with my daughter’s beautiful golden Labrador, having fun with the grandchildren, although the eldest is already 19 and an apprentice PGA Professional golfer, and of- course gardening under instruction from Christine.”

Richard Campey, Chairman of Campey Turf Care was delighted to present Ian with a celebratory gift at Saltex. “Congratulations to Poggy on his 80th birthday. We are pleased to mark this occasion at an industry event, which is completely appropriate as he is part of the fabric of our company. Long may it continue!”

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Swansea Happy With Johnsons

Swansea Happy With Johnsons: Liberty Stadium Swansea, the premier sports venue in south west Wales, is home to Swansea City Football Club and the Ospreys regional rugby team. Although being sceptical, head groundsman Dan Kirton, made the switch to Johnsons Sports Seed in 2015 and now admits that it would take “something seriously special” to make them use anything else! Between Johnsons Premier Pitch and J 4Turf mixtures, the team have achieved fantastic year-round results year on year.

“We had heard and read so many good things about the range that for our renovations in 2015 we gave it a go,” explained Dan. As a multi-sport venue, Dan, and his team of three, face a variety of challenges when it comes to managing the pitch. “We have on average 30 football and 20 rugby games a season, with sometimes just a single day turnaround between matches. Renovation can also be hectic – the concert schedule will determine how long we have to get the pitch match fit. To stand any chance of good results we need mixtures that germinate quickly.”

Swansea Happy With Johnsons

Because of their unique requirements, DLF’s Ian Barnett suggested using a combination of Johnsons J Premier Pitch during summer, and for the colder months, Johnsons J 4Turf. “If we have a rugby game on the Friday night, we’ll clean the pitch up and put J Premier Pitch down and by the following week we’re getting germination – you can’t ask for better than that!”. J Premier Pitch is the UK’s No.1 sports turf renovation mixture, containing Europe’s highest rated cultivars to deliver a sward with exceptional wear tolerance, density and rapid recovery under heavy wear. J 4Turf tetraploid rye ensures rapid establishment even under low soil temperatures making it ideal for autumn and winter overseeding.

“This year we have a concert on the 7th July giving us just three weeks for renovation before the first game of the new season. If we have any chance of getting the seed through in time we’ll definitely be continuing with our Johnsons Seed programme; it’s easily the best seed we’ve ever used and, backed up with support and advice from Ian, means we haven’t looked back since.”

For more information, visit: www.johnsonssportsseed.co.uk

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