he fused jazz with rock to outrageously funky effect
he explains why two prosthetic hips aren’t slowing him down
Billy Cobham speaks the way he plays drums
every sentence alive with energy and ideas – and so interviewing him can be as overwhelming as his music sounds
I ask about a recent sojourn to his birth nation of Panama and he’s still answering 15 minutes later
although the topic now is a huge 1973 concert at Yankee Stadium in New York where he played alongside salsa legends Fania All-Stars to 40,000 fans: “All the nations had their flags – and all the gangs were there too!” Cobham describes watching in awe as the greatest congueros alive all played in unison before the frenzied crowd invaded the stage
though I begin to fear our allotted time will be taken up by this single sprawling anecdote
kicking back in his book-lined office in Berne
William Cobham Jr is one of history’s greatest drummers, who, alongside Miles Davis and John McLaughlin helped fuse jazz with rock and funk (he co-founded Mahavishnu Orchestra with the latter)
Cobham became an influence on everything from Prince to prog
and has also backed icons across a huge spectrum of music – jazz greats such as Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins but also James Brown
he’s just been given a lifetime achievement award at the Jazz FM awards but is still a dynamic
with UK gigs coming up at Cheltenham jazz festival and Ronnie Scott’s
“The first time I came to Great Britain was in 1968 with Horace Silver,” he says
He was already in his mid-20s by that point: born in Colón
“From tropical heat to a blizzard,” he says
“that’s my experience of landing in Harlem.” He started playing drums aged four
then accompanying his pianist father aged eight
He avoided being drafted to Vietnam in the 1960s by signing up to play in a military band
he began playing with Silver as well as George Benson
“I was hungry to learn and Horace and George were such experienced band leaders and consummate professionals
View image in fullscreenBilly Cobham in 1975
Photograph: Gijsbert Hanekroot/AlamyHe was asked to audition for Hugh Masekela
but Cobham was not aware of the South African star’s fame
“I heard his band rehearsing and they sounded good
I was young and cocky so I said to Hugh: ‘Hey
barmitzvahs …’ I had no idea he’d just scored a huge hit with Grazing in the Grass
He called me into his office and told me a bit about himself
He had fired me before he hired me!” Cobham chuckles
“I learned from everyone I worked with and if
And learning never stops – I’m still learning today.”
But me being band leader isn’t about me telling everyone what to play
and if I mess up I’d expect the musicians I work with to point it out.”
Cobham’s big break came in 1970 when Miles Davis called him to play on the sessions for the Jack Johnson album
the most fierce music Davis ever recorded and stands as a pinnacle of jazz rock
“We knew we were recording music to serve as the soundtrack to a film
but what we rehearsed and then what we recorded turned out completely different,” he says
“We’re in the studio and Miles is in the control room and John McLaughlin starts messing around on his guitar and I come in then – whomp
– bassist Michael Henderson hits us with this heavy groove
Miles rushes out of the control room and admonishes us in that gravelly voice of his: ‘I told you not to play between takes!’ But John just can’t stop
and then Miles runs into the studio with his horn and shouts ‘hit the record button,’ and we were recording
Davis, he says, “didn’t say a lot as band leader. But what I did learn from him was to listen to what everyone is playing and adapt. Once we were playing My Funny Valentine and Herbie Hancock played a wrong chord, but Miles liked it and took the music that way. Jazz isn’t about perfection.”
McLaughlin and Cobham subsequently left Davis to form the Mahavishnu Orchestra
Their 1971 album The Inner Mounting Flame endeared them to rock audiences
but they splintered after disagreements over royalties and more
keyboardist Jan Hammer and bassist Leland Sklar
set the tone for much fusion and jazz-funk with his huge drum sound
It went to No 1 in the US jazz chart and made inroads on the R&B and rock charts
“I’m pleased that people still like Spectrum,” he says
Some people seem to think that’s the only album I made.”
Its popularity endured for decades: Massive Attack’s debut album Blue Lines opens with the pulsing bass and drums from Spectrum track Stratus
“I love it that people want to sample my music
“If I can pass you the groove then I’m happy to do so
it’s everybody’s.” The royalties are appreciated
Cobham’s broad catalogue has been sampled more than 200 times
thanks to it covering plenty of terrain – from slick jazz funk to yet more diverse collaborations
“I like to keep things fresh and work with new people,” he says
“I recently approached Bruno Mars’ drummer as I think he’s doing some really interesting things
I can see he might think I’m a bit far out.”
View image in fullscreenBilly Cobham performing in 2024
Photograph: Sergione Infuso/Corbis/Getty ImagesLast year
London jazz festival celebrated Cobham’s 80th birthday with a concert where Guy Barker’s Big Band and the BBC Concert Orchestra joined his quartet on stage: 80 musicians making Cobham’s music sound appropriately epic
“When you’re playing something like that you have to consider the weakest instrument – in this case
the violin – and ensure you can hear them and that you are all in sync with one another.”
Encounters like this have made Cobham a more subtle musician than when he put the big beat into fusion – not that this should suggest he’s losing his impact
“I’ve got two prosthetic hips so I’m having to learn how to do everything again – how to step into a car after a lifetime of taking it for granted
Billy Cobham plays Cheltenham jazz festival on 3 May, and with the Guy Barker Big Band at Ronnie Scott’s, London
Notre Dame School, Cobham are excited to welcome Year 4 & 5 girls to a FREE Performing Arts Discovery Workshop on Saturday 10th May (10am – 12pm)
This fun and engaging session will include drama
Led by the expert teachers in the professional-level 370 seat theatre
this event promises to inspire all aspiring performers
Spaces are limited – book your child’s place today!
Billy Cobham – a genuine living legend of both jazz and jazz rock – has been talking about his long career
including his experiences playing with Miles Davis
Ahead of his appearance at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival this weekend, the drummer - who turns 80 in a couple of weeks - has given an extensive interview to the Guardian
He cited as a turning point in his career when Davis recruited him for the recording of the Jack Johnson soundtrack in 1970
“We’re in the studio and Miles is in the control room and John McLaughlin starts messing around on his guitar and I come in then – whomp
– bassist Michael Henderson hits us with this heavy groove
Miles rushes out of the control room and admonishes us in that gravelly voice of his: ‘I told you not to play between takes!’”
He continued: “But John just can’t stop
and then Miles runs into the studio with his horn and shouts ‘hit the record button,’ and we were recording
Sometimes making music is like that.”
Davis didn’t say much as a band leader
“But what I did learn from him was to listen to what everyone is playing and adapt
Once we were playing My Funny Valentine and Herbie Hancock played a wrong chord
but Miles liked it and took the music that way
Cobham and McLaughlin later formed the Mahavishnu Orchestra
which blazed a trail for jazz rock in the 1970s
As a drummer he’s been sampled thousands of times over the decades
“I love it that people want to sample my music
“If I can pass you the groove then I’m happy to do so
Cobham is very much a working musician - after Cheltenham
he’ll be playing as part of the Guy Barker Big Band at Ronnie Scott’s in June – and still seems up for collaborating this late in his career: “I like to keep things fresh and work with new people.”
“I recently approached Bruno Mars’ drummer as I think he’s doing some really interesting things
I can see he might think I’m a bit far out.”
Will SimpsonNews and features writerWill Simpson is a freelance music expert whose work has appeared in Classic Rock
He is the author of 'Freedom Through Football: Inside Britain's Most Intrepid Sports Club' and his second book 'An American Cricket Odyssey' is due out in 2025
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“I take responsibility for some of the confusion… Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised”
“I oversaw every element - not just the music and the lyrics and the melodies and the production
but also the merch and the fan clubs and everything”: Mike Portnoy talks about his years away from Dream Theater
and if you ask me how I did it I don't know
because I think I was in a flow process”: Rihards Zalupe on composing the music for the Oscar-winning animated movie
SatNews
Cobham Group has signed an agreement to sell Cobham Satcom to Solix Group
Cobham Satcom enables secure SATCOM in remote locations across land and sea
The company is uniquely positioned to leverage growth opportunities
strong ownership that brings valuable experience from other investments in the maritime and government markets
Cobham Satcom expects to continue and fast-track its growth strategy in the coming years
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed within the calendar year
This transaction will enable us to accelerate our strategy and continue to develop and deliver best-in-class connectivity and safety solutions to our global customer segments,” said Christophe Duret
“Our capabilities and technology leadership within the maritime industry have been well established and recognized since the 1950s
we have also demonstrated our ability to apply these competencies to develop new
critical market-leading SATCOM solutions for government and defense customers.”
and Floris Adrian Laurus were sentenced for human trafficking
bringing Vietnamese victims to the UK and forcing them into squalid living conditions
Three men have been jailed after trafficking vulnerable people into the UK and forcing them to live in appalling and squalid conditions
were each found guilty of human trafficking and sentenced at court this week
while Vitega and Laurus each received one-year sentences
All were also ordered to pay a £187 surcharge
The arrests followed a report to police on Wednesday
2024 of suspicious activity at Cobham Services
where two lorries were seen offloading people into waiting vans
its windows steamed and cab curtains drawn
Three people were found hiding in the cab – a man and woman in the back
and a second man wedged into an upper compartment
told police via translation services that they had been trafficked into the UK
They had been living in the lorry for a week on bread and water
One reported not having been allowed to shower for a month
Police later located the second lorry at Clacket Lane Services and arrested Laurus
Detective Inspector James Ansell described the men as members of an international organised crime group
adding: “This public report led to our intervention and likely prevented further exploitation.”
Surrey Police praised the efforts of multiple teams involved in the investigation
with support from the National Crime Agency and Regional Organised Crime Unit
More information on modern slavery is available at surrey.police.uk
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Nina Cobham has announced her forthcoming debut album
alongside the release of semi-eponymous single
“Pinky Promise came from an idea of; making the decision to being open and willing to risk it all and give everything to a relationship
on the basis of something perceived as 'childish' as a pinky promise; choosing to trust fully on the basis of some flimsy
It's playful and lighthearted but mixed with some lyrics about trust issues
there's kind of a duality going on but they kind of meet with this playful intersection,” Cobham explains
Nina Cobham is ready for her debut full-length release
Basis Of A Pinky Promise will be released on 10 July via AWAL
Get the Best Fit take on the week in music direct to your inbox every Friday
Twenty-six mixed teams and 24 girls-only teams competed in two separate tournaments
The top four teams progressed to the Road to Cobham final tournament at our Cobham training ground
Ellingham and Cleves School progressed from the mixed tournament
St Michaels and Cheam Park Farm Schools qualified from the girls tournament
The winners of the two Road to Cobham tournaments will represent Chelsea Foundation nationally in May at the Premier League Primary Stars Finals
To encourage students to think beyond playing football
prior to the tournaments each participating school was asked to complete a creative task
The task was a different way for students to reflect on their journey
and demonstrate their understanding of the values of the Premier League Primary Stars programme
Be ambitious - work hard and never give up on your goals
Be inspiring - set a great example to others
Be connected - work well with others and in a team
Be fair - treat people equally and think of others
The winners of the task were Coombe Hill School and St Polycarps School
and expressed their strong team bonds beyond the tournament
As an added bonus for winning the pre-tournament task
Coombe Hill and St Polycarps were invited to attend a special stadium tour of Stamford Bridge
A teacher from a participating school said: ‘We loved competing in the pre-tournament task as it got us excited for the tournament and the girls were able to understand our values and how these relate to the schools
Chelsea FC Foundation schools education manager
said: ‘This year we wanted to get our schools thinking deeper about the core values of the programme
We were delighted with the engagement and work on the task
Congratulations to the winners and well done to everyone who participated.’
Premier League Primary Stars is the Premier League’s primary school education programme
Funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund
the programme uses the appeal of football to help children be active and develop essential life skills
Legendary Jazz-fusion drummer Billy Cobham celebrates his 80th birthday by going large
in this electrifying new collaboration with Guy Barker and the full BBC Concert Orchestra
“What is life but a spectrum” asks Billy Cobham - “and what is music but life itself?” If you’ve been anywhere near the jazz scene in the last fifty years Billy Cobham needs no introduction
He’s one of the most energising and transformative drummers in modern jazz – working with legends as varied as Miles Davis and the Mahavishnu Orchestra
In his 80th birthday year we’re beyond thrilled to perform with him tonight
along with longtime colleague (and lifelong fan) Guy Barker – and to help him realise a long-cherished ambition
“During the last decade he has expressed a big desire to perform his music with a large orchestra” says Barker – who’s created new orchestrations of repertoire including Red Baron
“Finally we will have the chance to do this”
There were several Blues in action over the last two weeks and the majority of them returned to training on Friday
It was a memorable international window for Reece James as he marked his first England start in two-and-a-half years with a maiden - very special - goal for the senior Three Lions
as he expertly curled in a free-kick against Latvia on Monday night
Another player back in training was Pedro Neto
The forward may have missed the dramatic 5-2 extra-time win over Denmark in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final but the forward did secure some game time this window
as he played the whole 90 minutes of the 1-0 first leg defeat
Denmark's squad included Filip Jorgensen
who was an unused substitute for both ties as Danish legend Kasper Schmeichel continues to start in goal
Our South American duo of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were not among those training following their matches in the early hours of Wednesday morning and long flights home
Cole Palmer had initially been called up by England but did not feature in Thomas Tuchel's first two games in charge due to injury
The forward continued to work on his return to full fitness at Cobham this afternoon
as did another couple of first-team regulars
Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson were also pictured by our club photographer as they work on their return to full fitness following injuries
The Blues' next match will be our London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night
The clash at Stamford Bridge will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and you can also listen to live audio commentary and follow minute-by-minute updates of the 8pm kick-off in our Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur match centre
the former Great Britain junior international also plays with a smile on her face
Introduced to the sport by British basketball legend Martin Henlan
Richards was told 'you can do whatever you want with basketball and that the sky is the limit'
Henlan gave Richards the opportunity to go to the infamous Sevenoaks Suns and
she developed her game and her attitude toward the sport itself
she discovered her true passion - coaching - a role she wholeheartedly embraces and pours her dedication into
"I'll be forever grateful to Len Busch for not only allowing me the opportunity to learn from him but also for giving me the freedom to coach and become the person I am with all the players I got to learn from," said Richards
her voice filled with respect and appreciation
and he is a genius in the basketball world
He gave me the freedom to learn from my mistakes
which helped me develop and help me grow my passion for coaching."
Richards' thirst for coaching is not just about the game
but also about her deep-seated desire to inspire the younger generation
to nurture future women's basketball stars
she combined playing for the Suns in the old Women's British Basketball League with coaching the girls' U14 and U16 programmes
Richards transferred her knowledge from Sevenoaks
as well as spells at college in Nebraska and Cardiff Met Archers
onto the Thames Valley Cavaliers before settling in Cobham
she is given reign to be a more effective leader
helping head coach Luke Dowding along with assistants Paula Pralus and Roz Mason
After four seasons of bouncing around clubs
"I love what we have here at Cobham," an enthusiastic Richards commented
be a more significant presence on the court
"I want to keep encouraging young girls in sports
and it is amazing to watch them play and enjoy basketball the way I did as a kid
and Roz have been great; for Luke and Paula
this is their first year coaching in WNBL1
so we're all working together along with Roz
to create that balance but they are all doing an incredible job."
Richards often thinks back to when she first started
She sees the kids smiling as Katie hopes that they learn something and
choose basketball as part of their routine
the 24-year-old Richards peaked at just 13 before eventually falling out of love with her first sport
and she wanted me to find a new passion and something to get active again," Richards reflects
and I felt I could really get into I shifted to the sport
encouraged by her mother and fostered by Henlan
is something Katie now wants to bring to today's young girls who love the sport
there are currently more than 6,500 female members involved in this sport in England
This includes 2,000 female members under 16 and 4,600 female members aged 16 and over
Basketball England also has 386 female coaches
300 of whom are qualified to at least Level 2
"I enjoy and love the massive sense of community and being around women like me
and that was really important," Richards said
girls and women all coming together to do something they love
Mature beyond her years and eager to make a change
Richards is helping propel Cobham further as they settle into life in WNBL1
if she can encourage just one youngster to choose the sport – like she did
Main image credit - Santos Studio5 SportWords by John Hobbs
Leo and his family enjoyed seeing the men’s team up close and personal
After a referral through the Make a Wish Foundation UK
the family travelled down especially to Cobham from Lincoln
Leo’s dad Carl said: ‘We only told him last night
He has been in and out of hospital so we were so glad he could make it today
He and his sisters have had the best day.’
Freddie watched on with his aunt and uncle and said: ‘It’s so great being here and so close to them
It was a Christmas surprise; I was absolutely buzzing!’
My mum didn't tell me until the day before we went
I loved watching the players practise the attacking drills
I couldn't believe they were right in front of me!’
Aiden watched the men’s team with his mum, Sharon, who said: ‘We had the best time ever. Aiden was over the moon when he found out he was getting to watch Chelsea train and meet the players face to face. His favourite player is Cole Palmer but he was so happy to have met them all.’
Ollie attended with his mum and dad. His mum Aga said: ‘Ollie was looking forward to meeting Marc Cucurella the most
but everyone there was so lovely and friendly that meeting the whole team and other members of staff was a real pleasure.’
said: ‘I am very thankful for the opportunity I had to meet the Chelsea players and take pictures
May you continue to help other kids’ dreams come true!’
a group of students were rewarded for their hard work on Chelsea Foundation’s Premier League Inspires Challenge programme with a trip to watch our women’s team train in advance of their WSL fixture against Everton
said: ‘For these boys it’s great seeing the success that the women have had and actually being able to meet people that have got over the line and made it to elite level
A Seth Ridgeon double saw Ali Melloul’s side head into the break with a two goal lead
with our Young Whites holding on for the victory despite Derick Hayford scoring a stunning free-kick for Cobham with 20 minutes remaining
Cobham nearly took an early lead when Hayford’s cross from the left found the head of Jacob De Sa
Clear cut chances were at a premium early on
although some solid defending in the box gave us the platform to push on later in the half
Tom Wingate nearly gave our Young Whites the lead in spectacular fashion
stealing the ball off Anthony Nazareth on the halfway line before seeing his audacious lobbed effort fly just over the bar
Wingate played an instrumental role in the opening goal
The young striker held the ball up in the penalty area before laying it off to Ridgeon
who found the back of the net with a driven shot into the corner
It was a quickfire double for Ridgeon who finished off a smart move on the stroke of half-time
Harley Platel found Ridgeon in the box with an intelligent reverse ball
with the midfielder taking one touch before finishing past Rourke Pickford
A deflected Farhaan Ali Wahid effort and a blocked Wingate shot from the edge of the area were as close as we came to extending our lead to three
before Hayford brought a goal back for Cobham with a sweetly-struck
Ridgeon was keen to restore the two goal advantage as he danced past two Cobham midfielders in the middle of the park before dragging his shot wide of the near post
A late Cobham chance fell to Kallum Peart who showed good balance after holding off a couple of defenders
A controlled performance and more valuable minutes in the tank for the lads as they prepare for the Under-18s Premier League opener on Saturday 17th August
Mike will share personal experiences and insights about flying the most advanced multi-role aircraft in the world
including from his time as the squadron commander during a highly kinetic conflict that threatened to change the face of the Middle East
He will also touch on the Typhoon Force’s current contribution to European security
A fascinating insight into the high pressure
high stakes world of an RAF fighter squadron
Car parks are shown on the Talbot Campus Interactive map: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/contact-us/directions-maps/talbot-campus-interactive-map Click on Amenities / Travel & Transport to view the car parks
You do not need a permit to use the car parks after 4pm.***There is no charge to attend the lecture
Donations in support of the Jon Egging Trust will be appreciated.***
Please register for the event by clicking the "Book Now" button below
Mike Sutton joined the RAF in 1999 initially flying Jaguar strike attack aircraft before moving to the first frontline Typhoon Squadron in 2007
and a deployment working alongside soldiers in Afghanistan
he commanded the RAF’s 1(Fighter) Squadron
leading Typhoon operations in the fight against ISIS
After time in Strategic Planning in the MOD
and as the Personal Staff Officer to the RAF’s Deputy Commander
detailing his experiences as a fighter pilot
as a pilot with Draken providing operational readiness training to the frontline
Mike has a young family and enjoys cricket and rugby
When not changing nappies he writes the occasional article for the Telegraph
Sir Alan Cobham lecture 2024 flyer.pdf
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In January 1956 the Christchurch Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society was formed with an initial membership of 146
primarily de Havilland employees working at what was previously the old Airspeed factory
The development positions the satellite antenna as the sole X/Y antenna system authorised for use within the WGS network
Cobham Satcom has revealed its enhanced TACTICAL TRACKER 2600 satellite antenna is currently in the process of obtaining certification for the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)
part of a range known for its multi-orbit and multi-band capabilities
is designed for easy transport and quick setup
This development positions the product as the sole X/Y antenna system authorised for use within the WGS network
Cobham Satcom tacticals and flat panels product management vice-president Henrik Fyhn said: “With WGS certification
our TACTICAL TRACKER systems will be ready to provide military forces with dependable connectivity on post
we have focused on simplifying set-up and improving user-friendliness
which minimises training and ensures communications are always ready fast.”
Cobham Satcom has introduced improvements across its TACTICAL TRACKER series
The number of ports has been reduced from 14 to four
streamlining the setup process and decreasing the likelihood of failures
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard
Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis
The company noted that these satellite antennas can be assembled in under 30 minutes
a task made even more user-friendly with the aid of a new application and graphical user interface
as well as interchangeable reflector panels
The updated drive motor design and software enable the 1.3m and 1.5m series to retrace positions
facilitating a “Break Before Make” topology with a single antenna and modem on mPower MEO networks without compromising encryption.
This innovation simplifies SATCOM systems by minimising the number of terminals required for mission-critical operations
Cobham Satcom is set to demonstrate the capabilities of the TACTICAL TRACKER at Satellite 2025
which is currently taking place until 13 March at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in the US
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Denmark-based maritime communications technology player Cobham Satcom has been acquired by Scandinavian mid-market investment firm Solix for an undisclosed sum
with a long history of providing satellite antenna and radio communication systems for the shipping sector
said the new ownership should continue and fast-track its growth strategy in the maritime and government markets in the future
“This transaction will enable us to accelerate our strategy and continue to develop and deliver best-in-class connectivity and safety solutions to our global customer segments,” said Christophe Duret
critical market-leading satcom solutions for government and defense customers.”
The change of ownership should be completed within the calendar year
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Cobham Road in Ferndown is restricted both ways due to a fire with the Fire service advising people locally to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke
This incident was first reported on Bournemouth One on Saturday afternoon (08/03/2025 4:19pm)
DWFRS said: “We are currently dealing with an incident near Cobham Road
Ferndown which is creating significant smoke
You can hear more traffic and travel news this afternoon on the radio via DAB across Dorset or just say “Play Bournemouth One” to your smart device to listen now
And if you can update us with any traffic information
Get real time updates directly on you device
Andrea is Bournemouth One's freelance reporter
letting us know about all the relevant stories from around the area
who always dreamed of wearing a pink dress and having her wedding reception in a fast-food outlet
was granted her wish on Saturday (June 29)
Stacey and husband Graham celebrated their big day with 42 friends and family at Cobham Services on the M25
She had always wanted to have a “fast-food wedding” and had told her wedding organiser
that Cobham would be the perfect place for her special day
Dawn said: “The very nice lady on the phone was quite surprised by our request
I’d had an email back from the general manager to say they’d be delighted to host us
“They cordoned off a designated area and set up tables and chairs to suit our seating plan and guest numbers
and even arranged coach parking for the vintage bus we’d hired as transportation.”
from Surrey, said that since she was a child she had always “dreamed of wearing a pink princess dress and having my wedding reception in a fast-food outlet”
“My siblings couldn’t believe I was choosing to have it in a motorway service station – but it’s what I’d always wanted,” she added
“I still cannot believe that I managed to have my wedding reception at a motorway service station
so a massive thank you to everyone at Extra for helping a little girl’s dream to come true.”
said: “A huge congratulations to Stacey and her partner
It was a pleasure to welcome them to Cobham
“While we’ve never had the privilege of hosting a wedding at one of our Motorway Services Areas before
we always try to go the extra mile for our customers – and we’re thrilled that we could make this unique celebration a reality.”
Extra MSA gifted the happy couple £300 worth of vouchers to be redeemed in its food and drink outlets
Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s
he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News
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The terminals are based on Cobham Satcom’s more than 70 years at the forefront of maritime safety communications
The company has also been a leading GMDSS equipment provider since the early beginnings in the nineties as well as Mobile Satcom Services (MSS) pioneer with more than 300,000 maritime L-band antennas sold
This unmatched experience contributes to the highest reliability
better user-interface and thus enhanced safety for mariners globally
The novel and innovative products for the new satellite-based safety services with voice
messaging and data functions from Inmarsat and Iridium can integrate the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system
and the Ship Security Alert Systems (SSAS) into a single product
providing an all-in-one safety solution with a low total cost of ownership
Cobham Satcom’s new compact Safety Terminals feature a high-performance omni-directional
low-profile antenna with efficient power usage while the well-known SAILOR user-interface ensures intuitive and effortless operation and easy installation
“The safety of seafarers is our highest priority
so we are excited to take the lead in enabling Inmarsat’s and Iridium’s advanced new features and functionalities including voice distress alerts all contributing to getting timely and effective support to vessels during emergencies,” said Henrik Fyhn
“We are committed to leveraging our history and technology leadership to deliver the highest reliability for Inmarsat’s and Iridium’s new safety services.”
“Inmarsat and Cobham Satcom have a longstanding commitment to prioritizing the safety of seafarers,” said Peter Broadhurst
Senior Vice President of Safety and Regulatory at Inmarsat Maritime
“Our latest collaboration not only continues this tradition but elevates it by integrating cutting-edge technology with globally trusted and reliable services
Fleet Safety service enabled by the SAILOR Fleet C Maritime Safety Terminal is designed to provide unparalleled proactive safety solutions
ensuring that seafarers and ship operators have the utmost confidence in their safety while navigating the seas.“
“We focus on delivering the highest reliability for GMDSS
The innovative new safety suite introduced for Iridium Certus® makes it the companion of choice by fleets and service providers for VSAT and LEO Ka/ku band services,” said Wouter Deknopper
“The SAILOR 7200 GMDSS terminal and SAILOR 4300 L-band with its GMDSS add-on unit
is essential to this and supports the unique all-in-one capabilities and truly global coverage of the Iridium® network
We are looking forward to offering it to our customers as we prepare to enter an exciting
more flexible new era for maritime safety communications.”
Space42 (ADX: SPACE42) and Cobham Satcom have launched their new satellite broadband terminal, IP NEO
Developed by Cobham Satcom in partnership with Space42’s mobility and satellite solutions arm, Thuraya
the IP NEO is designed to support industries that demand secure and uninterrupted communications
Leveraging Thuraya’s expertise in developing compact
IP NEO ensures seamless data transmission across Thuraya’s coverage
high speed connectivity and robust network resilience for critical sectors
NGOs and corporations as well as individual users and adventurers in remote locations where terrestrial networks are not available
While positioned as Space42’s sole Thuraya 4 terminal provider
Cobham Satcom has also played a vital role in delivering the ground segment infrastructure for the new Thuraya 4 next-generation network
The seamless integration of infrastructure and hardware underscores Cobham Satcom’s reputation as the most experienced provider of L-band connectivity solutions globally
The terminal ensures robust L-band connectivity
and VPN access even in the most challenging conditions
The terminal is also dust and water-resistant
making it an ideal solution for harsh environments
The new terminal is part of Space42’s next generation product portfolio
built on a strong and reliable platform developed by Cobham Satcom
the terminal is fully compatible with Thuraya 4
Once the Thuraya 4 satellite becomes commercially operational
it will enable throughput speeds of up to 1024 kbps
simultaneous voice and data communications and remote terminal access and management capabilities.
Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat Space Services
“IP NEO demonstrates our commitment to delivering secure
and future-ready satellite communication solutions
the platform ensures reliable connectivity
Its compatibility with Thuraya 4 further strengthens its capabilities
enabling high-throughput speeds that meet the evolving demands of mission-critical operations.”
“Along with Space42’s state-of-the-art Thuraya 4 satellite’s advanced capabilities
our new terminals for government and commercial end-users will provide the fastest standard L-band connectivity ever achieved
unlocking new opportunities for secure and resilient high-speed connectivity for demanding land and ocean environments.”
Popular burger chain McDonald’s has submitted plans for what it hopes will be its newest Surrey restaurant.
The global giant is hoping to add Cobham to its empire after formally filing its proposals to Elmbridge Borough Council. If approved, it would fill the vacant Portsmouth Road site formerly occupied by Loch Fyne.
However, some residents have spoken out against the dangers it would create to people’s “emotional welfare’ with others saying it was “the last thing Surrey needed”. A petition calling for the site to be turned into a community centre has passed 30,000 signatures.
Cobham was named as one of the most affluent communities in the county but the Northfield Estate, where the restaurant is proposed, is among Surrey’s lowest socio-economic areas.
According to the plans submitted this week, McDonald’s is seeking a change of use for the empty building which, it says, would “sensitively restore” the disused site and convert it into an “employment generating facility”.
McDonald’s has sought to appease residents upset at the potential of queue cars that there would be no drive though services.
According to the chain, the new restaurant would include both indoor and outdoor seating with space for 60 diners, 30 car parking bays, two of which would be accessible and three with EV charging spaces. There would also be four motorcycle bays, eight cycle spaces and four secure staff cycle spaces.
The plans were submitted following a two-week public consultation. Residents opposed to the plans created a petition which has passed 32,000 signatures.
Comments on the petition, called Stop The Redevelopment of The Loch Fyne Building into a McDonald’s Outlet. Include one saying it was the “last thing” Surrey needed, with another claiming they would “rather eat cat faeces”.
Proposed operating hours are between 6am and midnight, Monday to Sunday.
Tel: 01483 802700[email protected]Follow us
With a move back to his family home in Southampton
the 21-year-old is finding new motivation with club and country
They did not do so nearly as quickly with Colwill, who continued to travel up and down from Southampton, his parents never complaining, nor his younger brother, who would be in the car, too. Colwill often thinks back to those hours on the road, the sacrifices of his family, to give him motivation.
Read moreThe commute became rather less arduous when Colwill moved to Cobham; as he set about establishing himself as a Chelsea first-team player – a mission that he pushed in eye-catching style under Mauricio Pochettino last season and has continued to do under Enzo Maresca
Colwill has been a fixture at centre‑half for Maresca, a part of the team’s impressive start which has carried them to fourth in the Premier League. His form has brought him England selection; he is preparing for the Nations League ties against Greece on Thursday and Finland on Sunday
having seen Cobham as a destination for so long
it surely had to feel good to live in one of England’s most exclusive neighbourhoods
Yet it probably says everything about Colwill that he has chosen to leave the Cobham bubble
where many of his teammates live and hang out
and return to live with his family in Southampton
The 21-year-old is back to doing that drive
even though it has to take him more than an hour in each direction
He feels enriched to be close to family and friends
some of whom he met at City Central Youth club where he took his early steps as a player
The off-field contentment has brought on-field benefits
“I recently moved back to Southampton so I’m around all the people I grew up with,” Colwill says
“Being connected with them again is what life is about for me
Growing up as a player at City Central with my mates was the best time of my life
“Being in the bubble when you’re at your club is great but when you come home it’s more of a peaceful
To be around them shows you their side of life and makes you appreciate yours so much more
“I’ve moved back into my family home and I do the travel in every day
Everyone thinks the drive is worse than it actually is
With Trent Alexander-Arnold pushing into midfield from right-back
Colwill was on the left of a back three in possession
He is asked whether people ought to stop being so obsessed with positional labels
“Football is changing in a way that you can play multiple positions in a game – in possession
I’ll play anywhere to help the team and the majority of the squad think like that.”
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Colwill cannot help but smile when he discusses his Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer, who is with him with England – and in red-hot form
“He’s not the same Cole Palmer against me [in training],” Colwill says
He’s so laid-back about it and it’s so frustrating at times because he’ll put it through your legs and score
Give him any chance outside the box or inside
It is no surprise to hear Colwill support Carsley’s claim to become the permanent England manager
Carsley having given Colwill all 11 of his England Under-21 caps
He counted on him in the summer of last year when the team won the European Under-21 Championship
More interesting is Colwill’s insight into Carsley
“He has a bit of arrogance about the team and himself in terms of: ‘We’ve got the best players in the world and we all believe that,’” Colwill says
“We can take it that next step to winning a huge competition
Cars focuses on how we are going to play and how we are going to hurt teams
which is the most important thing in football.”
Chelsea supporters who have been going through a difficult time are invited to Cobham for an exclusive experience
Matthew Yerosimou and Charlotte Pike began their visit with a question-and-answer session with Chelsea legend Carlo Cudicini
The group then made their way out to the training pitch to watch their heroes in action, with Zane particularly excited to be able to see his favourite players, Levi Colwill, Mykhailo Mudryk and Reece James
all guests were then able to meet the squad
who then posed for photos and signed memorabilia
Charlotte said: ‘Today has created such special memories for me and my family
and I’m so glad I’ve been able to experience this day.’
Matthew said: ‘It’s been such a brilliant day
Moments like this don’t come around often and these are experiences which money can’t buy
Alexandre said: ‘I’ve had an amazing day and I feel so grateful to have been able to meet the players, most of all Joao Felix and Pedro Neto.’
Through both in-class education sessions and on-pitch competition
the Primary Stars programme educates children through four core values:
Regional tournaments in both Mixed and Girls categories were held in London
with the winners and runners-up being rewarded with a place in the final at our Cobham training ground
The chance to represent the Chelsea Foundation at the national Premier League Primary Stars final at Wolves’ Molineux Stadium was the incentive for the winning schools
Before the event kicked off, Chelsea Academy players Leo Cardoso and Shaun Wade
who had both played in similar tournaments in primary school
held a Q&A with students to talk about their journey to becoming an academy player at a professional club
After playing six matches to reach the final of the event
Latchmere School defeated Honeywell School 1-0 in the Girls Competition
with West London School beating Ellingham 1-0 in the Mixed event
The winning schools were presented with the Chelsea shirts they will wear at Molineaux by Chelsea Women’s Academy players Sydney
Mr Joseph from West London School said: ‘The grounding rules of the Premier League Primary Stars about inspiration
working together and the core skills around respect and inclusivity is central
so building on the framework set by Chelsea where we put together out video blog
which talked about inspiration and empowerment
I’m proud of how the boys took that into consideration and from that framework they had the mindset of how to approach a game of football on the pitch.’
Mr Ayers from Latchmere School said: ‘The Premier League Primary Stars
with the four key values of the competition
it is really important to install that in the students and doing that through the means of sport is fantastic
From an organisation and logistical perspective
it has been brilliant working with Chelsea Foundation
Both the children and school staff have loved it.’
senior schools education officer at Chelsea Foundation
added: ‘Giving the students the chance to compete at a world-class facility like the Cobham training ground whilst instilling the core values of Premier League Primary Stars is a powerful educational tool
All schools involved have showed great understanding of the values both in the classroom and on the pitch
Congratulations to West London and Latchmere Schools and good luck at Molineux!’
The Twentieth Century Society has made a bid to protect the former Camden studio of David Chipperfield Architects – a modernist 1989 office building set to be redeveloped into homes
loft-like studio spaces and inspired by Japanese architecture
1 Cobham Mews in north London was the practice’s debut new-build project in the UK and could become Chipperfield’s first project to be nationally listed
who was knighted in 2010 and who was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2023
has thrown his weight behind the listing bid
describing the studio on the one-time scrapyard site off Agar Grove as ‘an important early project for our practice’
the office was David Chipperfield Architects’ first home and was occupied by the practice for more than 20 years before it relocated to Waterloo in 2011
It then became the studio of landscape architects Gustafson Porter + Bowman
a sister company of Gustafson Porter + Bowman
is behind the current planning application to convert the building into four homes
The design and access statement submitted last year to Camden Council states: ‘Given the residential character of the area in which the building is placed and the need to bring the building up to current standards of insulation and carbon-free heating
it has been decided to apply for a change of use from Category E office use to Category C3 dwelling house use
for which the building’s form and character is eminently suited and requires very little change in its external appearance.’
The Twentieth Century Society has said that
although it supports the conversion in principle
a listing assessment ‘that results in a designation’ would ensure any changes were sympathetic to the heritage of the building
The application has already prompted a number of objections from neighbours
who have raised concerns about the impact of the conversion on the building’s architectural integrity
their privacy and potential issues with overlooking
Looking back at the history of the building
Chipperfield said: ‘We found the opportunity [at Cobham Mews] and introduced it to the developer
who then commissioned us to design the building
During the process we agreed to rent one half of the building as our studio.’
The architect said the site was ‘completely landlocked’ by the gardens of neighbouring buildings and
the ‘design and realisation of the building was totally determined by this condition’
having to protect the roots of trees in the neighbours’ gardens
Chipperfield added: ‘The lack of aspect meant that the building had to receive most of its daylight from rooflights or via small courtyards
The inspirations for the building were the typical Victorian artists’ studios in London and the normal small-scale industrial buildings of the area
The building provided us with a very comfortable working space for many years.’
Twentieth Century Society director Catherine Croft believes the small-scale
tucked-away gem is a valuable marker of the qualities and approach for whichChipperfield has become famous for in his better-known projects
She said: ‘Before the Neues Museum and the Hepworth Wakefield
we can see early evidence of the rigour and meticulous attention to detail that would later become hallmarks of David Chipperfield’s work.’
She added: ‘Historic England’s listing guidance for residential buildings recommends “particular credit where architects are designing for themselves”
‘We’d contend that this also applies to architects’ places of work
where the intimacy of the working environment and the values of the practice are manifest.’
Gustafson Porter + Bowman has been contacted for comment
1 Cobham Mews by David Chipperfield Architects
bounded by the back gardens of surrounding properties on all three sides
the building has only one visible elevation
The geometry of the site and a planning condition that stipulated avoidance of overlooking neighbours
Chipperfield has stated that the ‘controlled views’ of the building drew inspiration from Victorian artists’ studios and the traditions of Japanese architecture
The main studio spaces are externally represented by two double-height glass block screens
redolent of the Maison du Verre in Paris (Pierre Chareau and Bernard Bijvoet
These symmetrical screens are separated by a spine wall of exposed in-situ concrete
with two substantial oak doors located at either side
which runs up along the spine wall to studio space on the mezzanine level
The stairs have exposed concrete treads and each has a slender metal handrail
with a profile that references that at Le Corbusier’s Maisons Jaoul (Paris
Overall the interiors are composed of simple
high-quality materials; an early example of what would later become known as a hallmark of Chipperfield’s work
Derwent’s David Rosen and Simon Silver worked on the project
David Chipperfield was the partner in charge and Michael Cullinan the project architect
Price & Myers was the structural engineer
We understand that the building survives in excellent condition
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gated mansions and enough high-level professional footballers to create the United Kingdom’s most dominant five-a-side league
‘Elmbridge Borough Council welcomes you to Cobham’
the sign reads as you enter the village made famous by Chelsea Football Club
whose training ground named after this place is a four-minute drive from its high street (and actually in nearby Stoke d’Abernon)
near Heathrow Airport on the western outskirts of the city
have become home to footballers past and present
the streets — many of them private roads — lined by multi-million-pound mansions hidden behind security gates
Over the past two decades, residents have become accustomed to seeing Premier League footballers wandering down the high street (Belgium international Eden Hazard was a regular in the village’s high-end Waitrose supermarket during his 2012-19 spell at Stamford Bridge)
stopping for a coffee or enjoying a meal in one of the restaurants
Even on the gloomy September morning when The Athletic visits
an array of fancy cars — Land Rover Defenders dominate — are passing through or pulling over to park outside one of the local stores
Just over 20 miles south-west from central London
but away from the glare living in the UK capital would bring
Cobham and Oxshott are two of the most desirable — and expensive — locations in the country
where houses regularly sell for millions of pounds
It is the south of England’s answer to the north’s ‘Golden Triangle’ of villages — Hale
Alderley Edge and Wilmslow — which is home to many Manchester City and Manchester United footballers.
Welcome to the 'goldplated' villages the Premier League elite call home
Nicknamed the ‘Beverly Hills of Britain’ due to the number of celebrities who now call it home
this area has long been popular among London-based stockbrokers and hedge-fund managers
Pilates studios and yoga classes at the disposal of players and their families
founder of property company The Private Office Real Estate
sums up what life is like as a Premier League footballer based around here: “If you go to Grappelli on a Saturday night then
there is always someone more famous than you in the room.”
an Italian restaurant only a couple of hundred yards away from The Ivy Cobham Garden
is known for its ebullient front-of-house manager
During Eddy’s chat with The Athletic over coffee, several passers-by stop to say hello, while Chelsea player Cesare Casadei parks his Mercedes on the other side of the road before disappearing into a shop
“Most of the footballers that come here are Chelsea players,” Eddy says
“Lots of old players still live in the area
Ashley Cole… they are regulars and good friends with the owner
but I started following it because I needed to know who they are!”
But with the most prominent players away on international duty at the moment
this is a relatively quiet morning in Cobham
A post shared by A-STAR (@astarbarbers)
but it has all the right fundamentals of what makes up a great community and environment,” Kearney says of the area
there was a mandate that the players need to live in a two-and-a-half-mile radius of the training ground
so that meant Cobham and Oxshott has seen a new breed and type of buyer.
but it was already headed in that direction
Kearney estimates that around 100 footballers are living in this part of the county of Surrey
including the towns of Weybridge and Esher a few miles to the north
particularly those of a Chelsea persuasion
“Chelsea moved here and then other players at different clubs, let’s say (their west London neighbours) Fulham, who didn’t want to be in central London, saw everyone was in Oxshott or Cobham and moved there instead,” Kearney says. “It’s the same at (south Londoners) Crystal Palace
let’s say at Bournemouth (on the south coast)
you would live in Cobham or Oxshott and commute
I had two friends playing for Stoke City (in the Midlands
north of Birmingham) who lived in Oxshott and got the train there because the family didn’t want to move as it was the perfect area for them
“That shows the allure and pull of the area.”
It became common for the players from other top clubs in London, such as Palace, to make Oxshott their home and they would frequently travel to the training ground together. A Palace contingent of Joel Ward
collecting team-mate Jason Puncheon at the nearby Reigate junction of London’s orbital M25 motorway along the way
According to data from Foxtons
the average price of a house in Cobham has doubled since Chelsea made this area their home in 2005
houses were selling for just over £600,000 then
The gated enclaves lining the private roads and populated by footballers are selling for much more than that latter figure
Kearney estimates that footballers are spending around “£4m to £7m” on a house
“What Oxshott has is the Crown Estate,” Kearney explains
“The Crown Estate was once Crown land (property of the Royal family) and has an incredibly high-end housing estate with values from £3m to £20m
roads that were run by management companies and it is a super-smart setup
“Oxshott was in that radius and it has an incredible school called Danes Hill
People were training in Cobham and a couple of minutes up the road is an amazing place to live
with knockout houses and a brilliant school
but not as big or as powerful as the Crown Estate
People who live in Oxshott would visit Cobham for the coffee spots
Players who choose to rent instead of buying
especially if they are arriving from a different country and are reluctant to commit to spending millions on a house
are spending anywhere from £15,000 to £30,000 a month
“The rental market is interesting because there isn’t enough good enough stock to come and rent,” Kearney says
“If I had a house that someone could move into today
When it comes to a player getting a mortgage
banks will consider their career and trajectory before deciding on the terms of a deal
Kearney notes how a lot of them can “very easily get high-leverage” mortgages
The majority of these are spread over the length of the individual’s club contract
although exceptions can be made if a player is more established or quite clearly on their way to becoming a superstar
along with a big enough garden to install a five-a-side pitch — Kearney says this is a more common request than you may think — the most important thing house-hunting footballers are looking for is safety and security
Footballers are often deemed easy targets by criminals who will know when a player is likely to be at training or playing in a match
maybe at the other end of the country or possibly overseas
due to their club’s schedule and fixture list
Chelsea and England forward Raheem Sterling’s home was broken into in December 2022, leading to him flying back from the World Cup in Qatar
Four men were jailed in July 2017 after targeting Terry’s home in Oxshott in February 2017, as reported by the BBC
with the former Chelsea defender being told by Judge Susan Tapping in court that it “might have been a mistake to post a family photograph on social media to show that he was away on holiday”
the convicted burglars stole more than £220,000 of jewellery and designer handbags worth £126,000
“His home was deliberately targeted and the master bedroom suite was ransacked,” Judge Tapping said
According to police.uk data
193 burglary offences were committed in Cobham and Oxshott
with the most prevalent crimes being violence and sexual offences (1,075) during the same period
“Safety and security is paramount,” Kearney says
“I’ve also got a company that is a security service around players and that works phenomenally well
they go in and make sure the basics are right
but also layering additional security depending on your needs.”
panic buttons and patrol dogs have become commonplace
with the best technology and security systems in their house,” Kearney says
Given the focus and attention placed on footballers
especially those playing at the highest level
living an ‘unaffected life’ almost seems implausible
Their fellow local residents have become used to seeing them on a daily basis
the Los Angeles district that is home to actors
a Premier League footballer can turn up to a supermarket or restaurant in Cobham and
there is a good chance they will not be the most famous person there
(Top photos: Daniel Sheldon/The Athletic; design: Eamonn Dalton for The Athletic)
Dan Sheldon is a football news correspondent for The Athletic. He has previously covered Manchester City, Manchester United and Southampton FC. Follow Dan on Twitter @Dan_Sheldon_
our Academy hosted its third consecutive special gathering in recognition of Ramadan
fostering a strong sense of community and inclusivity
we created a welcoming space for our Muslim Academy players and their families to connect
while celebrating the diversity within our Academy
We proudly support 16 Muslim players across all age groups
and this event provided a meaningful opportunity to strengthen those connections
The afternoon was filled with thoughtful discussions and moments of unity
We were also pleased to welcome the Chelsea Muslim Supporters Group as our guests
engaging in conversations and generously bringing gifts for our Academy players and their families
organised by our Player Care team and led by Yassin McLynn
played a key role in bringing the gathering to life
while players and their siblings participated in activities designed to bring families closer together before Maghrib Salah
Riz Rehman from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) also attended
highlighting the importance of Muslim representation in football and exploring ways to support players during Ramadan
contributed to meaningful discussions where experiences were shared
offering deeper insight into the dedication and challenges faced by fasting players
Academy Player Care Coordinator Yassin McLynn
reflected on its success and emphasised the importance of ensuring that every player and their family feels accepted
'We wanted to highlight the importance of educating those unfamiliar with Ramadan
helping them understand the experience of Muslim players - whether that means recognising why they might turn down food during training or simply being mindful of the challenges they face
'The most important aspect of the event was creating a sense of togetherness
It was an opportunity to celebrate our players' faith
and reinforce the values of inclusion and community within the club
'This event was a testament to the Academy’s commitment to supporting its players
fostering understandin and embracing the rich diversity that strengthens our club.'
The 24-year-old joined the Blues on a four-and-a-half-year deal from San Diego Wave last week
a transfer which made her the most expensive women's player in the world
The defender has now spent her first day at our training base in Cobham
getting to work on the grass and in the gym as she looks to return to full fitness having been out of domestic action since her NWSL campaign ended in early November
'Everyone has been so friendly and so welcoming which has been great,' Girma said
The other players are just catching me up on where little things are and what I need to do
It feels like I've been waiting to get here
but the team here have been great and making sure they have a plan for me to get back quickly but safely
The USA international was unveiled as a Blue ahead of our London derby clash against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. It was an occasion to remember with her being announced, a record crowd for a WSL match in SW6 and Sonia Bompastor's side prevailing with a win
It made me even more excited to be a Chelsea player.'
It has been a rollercoaster week for Girma
making the move to play club football outside of the United States for the first time in her career
She admits being a Blue has not quite sunk in yet
but the defender is enjoying being at Cobham with her new team-mates
just having the kit on and coming into the facility
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These talented players have been selected to participate with the England Colleges representative teams
a prestigious programme that has been opening doors for young athletes to showcase their skills on an international stage for over 25 years
The England Colleges National Team programme represents the pinnacle of college football
providing a unique and exhilarating opportunity for male and female footballers to represent their country through domestic and international fixtures
Education & Employability Programme Manager
and William have all shown exceptional commitment and talent
“This is a fantastic opportunity for them to gain invaluable experience and represent Rochdale AFC on a national level
“We’re all immensely proud of their achievements and look forward to supporting them as they continue to grow and excel.”
“Each of these lads has put in countless hours of hard work and shown great resilience
“They fully deserve this opportunity
and I’m confident they’ll make the most of it
“This experience will be invaluable for their development
The entire Rochdale AFC community is incredibly proud of Thomas
and passion for the sport have earned them this incredible opportunity
and we look forward to following their journey and accomplishments
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Despite the Blues currently sitting in the Champions League places, Enzo Maresca has a job on his hands to secure a top five finish
and allow them to sign the top targets they have
No matter where they finish though, the club are safe in the knowledge that they will be adding Estevao Willian to their squad
with the Brazilian showing plenty of promise in the early stages of his career
The Blues will also be bringing in Kendry Paez after agreeing a deal to sign him before he turned 18. However, the latest prediction from Fabrizio Romano is that Paez will leave on loan next season
As Chelsea continue to look towards the future
they are continuing to offer trials to some of the most promising youngsters in the game in order to try and capture their services before any other top sides get their hand on him
The latest name to be added to that list is Abel Cedergren
the Norwegian has just concluded a week’s trial at Cobham
however will not be able to sign for the club until he turns 18
🚨 EXCL – 15-Year-Old Abel Cedergren has been on trial at Chelsea this week. The striker wouldn’t be able to sign until he’s 18, but could move to a partner club like Strasbourg at 16. Last season he bagged 45 goals scored in 39 matches. 😳 pic.twitter.com/4wdiSLVC7l
Despite needing to sign players who strengthen the first team squad
it seems there is still an appetite to strengthen their hand for the future as well
Playing at striker and right-winger in is youth career
Cedergreen certainly has an eye for goal that would be appealing for the Blues
the youngster scored 45 goals in 39 matches last season
The attacker has made appearances for his national team at both Under 15 and Under 16 level
with him clearly having a very promising future
It remains to be seen if the Blues look to continue the teenager’s time at the club
or if he did not impress to the required level at his trial
It will serve as a central part of the new Lower School Village
a new modern dining hall and purpose-built classrooms
Students will also be able to benefit from bespoke playgrounds and football pitches
Robert Crowther said: “I’m delighted to be able to open our new
innovative Lower School Village with the transformation of Heywood House
“These state-of-the-art facilities will enable our students to fulfil their potential
“Our Early Childhood team have already achieved a lot of success
and we are excited to build on that further in the following weeks
It was made possible by a £10 million investment by ACS International Schools and builds on the success of the existing Lower School
the early childhood team were awarded the Pearson Bronze award for Early Years Team of the Year 2024
which dates back to 1206 when the Heiwude family owned the land
After changing ownership throughout the centuries
the House was eventually owned by King Leopold of the Belgians
before being bought by ACS International Schools in 1975
a parent of a child who attends the school
said: “Developing a love of learning in young children is so important
and this is something that ACS Cobham truly values and is demonstrated by the teachers and the experiences that they create every day.”
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