Archives for January 2009
Zog on the Tyne?
Charles N'Zogbia will not play for Newcastle under Joe Kinnear - that's what his agent told us on Breakfast this morning.
It's because he's unhappy at being called Charles "insomnia" by his manager after their match against Manchester City on Wednesday.
"Insomnia" is what he is called by rival Sunderland fans.
His agent Franck Peslerbe told Vassos that his client was not too happy.
Listen back to the interview from this morning in our Football Player
It was widely thought that N'Zogbia had wanted out of Newcastle, and that's what Kinnear is putting this tiff down to, but as you heard there his agent disagrees.
Aston Villa, Tottenham, Arsenal and Lyon thought to be interested in the French player and Vassos reckons a deal could happen to take him away from Newcastle.
Is this Newcastle trying to push a player out the doors or a player trying to engineer a move away? Newcastle fans - is this keeping you awake at night?
How to save your jobs? It's your call
How do we save British jobs? What are you having to do to save yours?
2800 staff at the Honda plant in Swindon are working their last shift for four months today. Some will loose as much as 3-hundred pounds a month. Oil refinery workers in North Lincolnshire are on strike because they are not happy Italian and Portuguese workers have been given jobs ahead of British workers.
This morning, Nicky spoke to our correspondent Danny Savage, who was outside the Lindsey Oil Refinery:
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So how do we save British jobs? What are you having to do to save yours?
Nicky's taking calls on this from 9-10am on 0500 909 693 - you can text 85058 or you can post your thoughts here...
Exclusive! Our new TV trail
The Breakfast phone-in with Nicky Campbell is going to be trailed on BBC television in the coming weeks. But you can see it here, now.
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Booze ban for under-15s? It's your call
If you're under 15 - then you shouldn't be drinking.
Who says so? Well England's Chief Medical Officer.
Sir Liam Donaldson is issuing new guidance and thinks no-one of that age should be drinking, even at home.
Shelagh heard from Stephen Chittenden this morning, who's been speaking to some 14 and 15 year-olds about their experiences of alcohol; and she spoke to Professor Ian Gilmour, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chairman of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance.
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Nicky's taking calls on this - you can listen back to the phone-in by going to the column on the right of this page and signing up for the podcast.
You can also keep the debate going here.
Tony McCoy - a sporting legend?
The word legend is used too often to "big up" certain sportspeople in newspapers, on TV and on radio - this usage is common journalistic hyperbole.
The dictionary definition of "legend" is: a traditional story that some people think of as being historical, but which is not authenticated.
I'm a sports journalist so I'm going to stick to journalistic hyperbole, although looking online I can find one definition of "legend" as: a person whose fame makes him or her seem exceptional.
That'll do.
Every so often in professional sport we are blessed with watching someone dominate. Pete Sampras did it in men's tennis, then Federer. In golf, Tiger Woods had to have a knee operation in order to open up the playing field - in fact he still won the US Open last year whilst using his clubs as a walking stick to get around the course. Michael Schumacher also ruled Formula 1 for what seemed like 149 years. They all make their particular sport look easy and can make fellow professionals look like novices.
Jump Jockey Tony McCoy falls into that category. He is within touching distance of riding his 3000th national hunt winner and was hoping to achieve it at Leicester today where he was booked in for 4 races.
We spoke to Tony on Breakfast this morning and, as you'll hear midway through the interview, we had to break it to him that his record breaking would have to wait for another day.
Can Mandy save the car industry? It's your call
Lord Mandelson's going to be telling car manufacturers about his plans to help the industry this morning.
He's already outlined his cunning plan - which involves guaranteeing loans in the hope that companies can see out the worst of the downturn. These are difficult times.
But is he doing enough to get punters back into the showrooms and buying cars? And could other industries benefit from something similar?
This is our lead story on 5 live Breakfast this morning - you can hear more from Shelagh and Nicky below, in conversation with Andy Verity, a car industry expert and Mark Prisk, the shadow minister for business:
Nicky's taking calls on this at 9 - you can subscribe to the podcast by clicking on the right.
Read all about it - Chav-free hols
Readers of BBC News website loved our story this morning about "chav-free" holidays .
At the time of posting this, it's the most read story on the News site...follow the link above to read the story and hear our interview.
Shelagh Fogarty's first kebab
Following the shock revelation that Shelagh had never had a kebab, we packed her off with Stephen Chittenden to the nearest kebab house we could find to remedy the situation.
And to prove that, yes, she did indeed break her duck with the doner, we gave Stephen a camera to record the moment and Shelagh's reaction to her first taste of one of Britain's culinary staples. You can watch the results below.
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Shelagh meets Doner
Shelagh admitted on air she'd never eaten a doner kebab.
That has now changed.
Come back later for more details.
Rumour of the day: Arshavin to Arsenal?
Vassos claims that he gets text messages from listeners claiming that he is an Arsenal fan because of some of the rumours he broadcasts... therefore to dampen speculation Vassos has opted for a possible Arsenal purchase!
He gives 6 out of 10 for Andrei Arshavin to move from Zenit St Petersburg to Arsenal for around £15million.
For what it's worth I am 100% certain that he is not an Arsenal supporter...
Should absent parents lose their passports?
Should absent parents who don't pay child support have their passports and driving licences taken away - without being taken to court?
It's the Government's latest plan to crack down on a hard core of non-payers - though the Department of Work and Pensions has said that it's a "last resort".
Nicky spoke this morning to Liz Cowell, a member of the family law group Resolution:
But will it work? Is it a gimmick, or is it just the ticket to target non-payers? Nicky's taking your calls this morning from 9am or you can react on here.
Gaza appeal - what's your view?
The BBC says broadcasting the Disasters Emergency Committee film would put its reputation for impartiality at risk. But there has been widespread criticism from 11,000 viewers and listeners, Archbishops, government ministers, and charity leaders. More than 50 MPs have said they'll back a motion urging the BBC to change its mind.
What do you think? Should the BBC broadcast the appeal?
Shelagh spoke this morning to our media correspondent, Torin Douglas, who had more on this story (click the arrow to listen):
Nicky's taking your calls this morning at 9am.
How can we beat the recession? It's your call...
The recession will be made official at 9.30 this morning. And some predict it's going to a long, drawn-out affair.
To try to find some answers, we brought together our own panel of experts -- Conservative MP Michael Portillo who was also Chief Secretary to the Treasury - Comedian Andy Zaltzman who wrote the book "Does Anything Eat Bankers? And 53 Other Indispensable Questions for the Credit Crunched"; and Deborah Orr who is a columnist with the Independent.

They gave us some tips - some serious, some not so serious - for how we might fight our way out of a recession. Have a listen to their discussion below.
So what do you think we can do to beat the slump? Spend? Save? Or are you too scared to do either? How is this recession hitting you and how do you think you can beat it?
Nicky is taking your calls at 9 - or you can debate the subject here.
Are you glad Ross is back? It's your call
Jonathan Ross is back to work today after his three months suspension. He will film his Friday Night show today with Tom Cruise, Stephen Fry and comedian Lee Evans the guests, and his live Radio 2 show returns at 10am on Saturday.
BBC bosses have promised to keep a close eye on him - as our entertainment reporter Colin Paterson told Shelagh this morning. We also heard from Tom Cruise himself, on what he felt about appearing on Ross's first show back:
But have you forgiven Ross? Will you welcome him back on the air? Maybe you think he shouldn't have been suspended in the first place. Nicky's taking your calls on this on the Breakfast phone-in.
Rumour of the day - Bent to Everton?
I used to play football to a fairly decent level as a kid, but heading was never my forte. In front of goal my usual composure disappeared. The seemingly unmissable became regularly missed - a mental block followed and shortly after I was not allowed to progress beyond the halfway line whilst my team was on the attack.
I was criticised by my manager as having a head like a twenty pence piece.
I therefore felt for Tottenham's Darren Bent, who was criticised by Harry Redknapp for missing an absolute sitter against Portsmouth the other day. Harry even said that his wife Sandra could have scored... ouch.
At least I was a defender though, or became one as a result.
It seems that my manager was more forgiving than Harry though, as Darren Bent could be on his way out of White Hart Lane if today's rumour is to be believed.
Here's Vassos:
Are you worried about your job?
New jobs figures are out today and thousands are losing their jobs.
Unemployment is already at its highest level for more than a decade.
So if you're faced with redundancy -- what can you do? And what sort of protection do you have? We spoke this morning to Michael Ord who is an employment lawyer - listen to the interview below.
So have you lost your job? Nicky will be taking your calls on this from 9am this morning on 5 live.
If so, how did it happen? How has it affected your life? What hopes do you have?
Did Milan bottle it?
Garry Cook - Manchester City's Executive Chairman - told us this morning that AC Milan had "bottled it" over the transfer of Kaka to Eastlands, and that he didn't know where British transfer record signing Robinho was after he absconded from City's training camp in Tenerife yesterday.
Manchester City were the envy of fans worldwide when they were bought by an investment arm of the Abu Dhabi Royal family and immediately sent shockwaves around world football by signing Brazilian Robinho from under the noses of Chelsea on transfer deadline day for £32.5 million.
Their intent seemed clear: money's no object and we intend to create a real-life fantasy football team.
Their audacious target for this transfer window was AC Milan's Kaka. But despite offering over £100 million for the player and wages that only Bill Gates could match, Kaka decided that his happiness at Milan was priceless. Last night the deal fell through, followed by reports this morning that Robinho had fallen out with Mark Hughes and left the club.
Here is Nicky's interview with City's executive chairman Garry Cook:
Have a listen in the 5 live Football Player
What do you make of what is going on at Eastlands?
Will Obama change the world? It's your call.
This afternoon he'll become the 44th President of the United States - the first African American to hold the position, but what expectations do you have for Barack Obama? Can he really make a difference?
Nicky's taking calls this morning - and this afternoon Anita Anand will be presenting coverage of the inauguration in front of a crowd expected to run into millions in Washington DC.
Anita's been in Georgetown, meeting some of the locals to hear what they think of Barack Obama's inauguration and finding out how celebratory merchandise is selling outside Ben's Chili Bowl, a well-known Washington eatery. Have a look at the video below.
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Fantasy football - RoTD
I hope Jermaine Jenas hasn't started taking Italian lessons in preparation for a transfer abroad. The Spurs midfielder was linked with a move to Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, but it looks like the rumour mongers were taking things a bit too seriously when Jose popped Jenas in his Fantasy Football team.
The Special-One said about the story:
"In my squad I put Jenas and others. Six months later the market reopens and it comes out I like these players.
"I like them, otherwise I wouldn't have put them in my squad, but that's a transfer market without rules.....it seems to me that someone wants a player from Inter and seeing that they know I like another player, they've brought out this story," he added.
Jenas, however did not last long in Mourinho's team while Spurs team-mate Gareth Bale was also "transferred out" in December.
Vassos gives the chances of this happening 2 out of 10.
Your money - OUR banks?
Are you happy for MORE of your money being used to bail out the banks?
The Government's unveiling another package of measures to boost lending by banks, all to try to get credit flowing through our crisis-hit economy, but it could cost us as much as £200 billion.
Essentially, taxpayers will be offering to insure banks against a risk that no private insurer would touch. The banks will pay for that insurance policy underwritten by the taxpayer - either in cash, or in shares, reducing their independence.
To get more details on this we spoke to Ralph Silva, a Research director at Tower Group, who provides advice to the banks on how to spend their money. Have a listen to him below.
You can find out more on this issue by downloading the Wake Up To Money business podcast.
Nicky's taking your calls on the phone-in this morning... do you approve of the effective nationalisation of some of our banks?
Out-of-date food

How much attention do you pay to the use-by dates on the food you buy?
This morning we were talking about a company called Approved Foods which is doing great business selling on food which is approaching its end date.
You appeared to agree that use-by dates didn't spell the end of the road for a variety of foodstuffs. Here's a selection of your views:
"When you buy bread, vegetables, meat etc. from small independent shops there are no dates on anything so you have to use your own judgement so why not rely on that same judgement with packaged foods? Karen, Nailsworth, Glos."
"I own a village store in North Yorkshire and me and my family have lived on out-of-date stock for the last seventeen year with no detrimental effects. I reckon its really just a case of using common sense. Anway just off to make a bacon butty with bacon that's a week past its use by date. Cheers. Ian."
Not everyone was convinced however. Here's what David in Huntingdon thought: "Of course - the folks who died from food poisoning from eating out-dated food haven't been able to text you!!"
Rachel spoke to microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington to find out what the official line is:
Let us know what you think about the usefulness of use-by dates.
Rumour of the day - Pennant to Madrid?
The whole Christiano Ronaldo will-he-won't-he go to Real Madrid saga has gone on for long enough. Whenever it's mentioned in the sports newsroom eyes roll, swear words are muttered and things are thrown... sometimes people are hurt.
It's about as frustrating as young children in the back of a car on a long journey.
Young child: "Are we there yet?"
Parents: "No."
Young child: "Are we there yet?"
Parents: "No."
Kids: "Are we there yet?"
Parents: "Give it a break."
That's how I feel having to write about this rumour as it's inextricably linked.
Vassos's rumour of the day is regarding the Spanish giants making a move for Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant as a stop-gap before they sign the World Player of the Year.
As you might have heard Vassos reckons this won't happen... what about you?
An unbelievable escape
It's being hailed as "miraculous" - and may convince more of us to pay very close attention to the safety demonstration on flights in future...
All 155 passengers on board the US Airways Airbus A320 survived, after it crashed into the Hudson River just after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City yesterday.

It's thought that the plane hit a flock of birds shortly after takeoff. This morning, we spoke to Terry Tozer, a retired British Airways captain who now writes about aviation safety. You can hear the interview below.
Is this the week football finally lost the plot? It's your call
Is this the week football lost touch with reality? That's what we are asking on the Breakfast phone-in.
Manchester City are getting closer to signing the Brazilian, Kaka - or Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite to give him his full name. But at what price? A £108m deal with AC Milan, and as much as £600,000 a week in wages? The Sun reckons the whole deal is worth £243m. Phew.
Is this Ka-Ka Krazy, or in these days of gloom, doom and destruction, is this the stuff of dreams we need to pull us through?
Here's what Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's been saying "On one hand you have the economic situation, which is worrying. It goes against the economic situation and I don't feel in connection with that, because we are at a club where we live in the real world. We live with three incomes: the gates, the sponsors and the television money. That is the real world of football, the rest is exceptional. It is a special income with unlimited resources. Good luck to them. But it's not the real world. The rules allow it so you cannot say it is cheating. It is unfair competition maybe."
Rumour of the Day: Jones to Spurs?
Jermaine Defoe's already back under the guidance of Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane, but it looks like the boss could still be looking for a big in-yer-face target man.
His main strikers - Roman Pavlyuchenko, Darren Bent, and Jermaine Defoe have cost Spurs over £45million pounds and as a team they've only scored 7 goals at home - that's the worst in the league.
Admittedly Defoe hasn't had too many opportunities to lend a hand having only just transferred from Portsmouth but it's still a good stat and i'm not going to let that get in the way.
To put it in perspective West Brom are bottom of the league and they've scored 13 at The Hawthorns.
If today's rumour of the day goes through, that strike-force total could notch closer to £60million as Spurs try to land Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones for about £14million.
Here's Vassos's take on it.
He's been a good player for Sunderland but is he really worth £15million?
More on this and other transfers and transfer rumours in "Window Shopping" with Brian Alexander during 5live Sport tonight from 7.
Paying for music - details
We spoke about a story involving a man running a garage in Essex who says he faces court because he won't buy a licence to listen to the radio while he works.
Lots of folk asked what it meant for them - if you want details go here - it's the PRS site .
Great for Britain or bad for the planet? It's your call
We expect the government to say that a third runway at Heathrow Airport will go ahead. The claim is that it will create thousands of jobs and be vital for the British economy.
That of course is hotly disputed . Those against say it'll be an environmental disaster - and that the growth of air travel is threatening the environment.
At a local level, one cost will be the destruction of the village of Sipson.
Our reporter Stephen Chittenden is in Sipson this morning, and spoke to locals there - click below to listen to the audio:
So will a third runway be great for Britain? Is this plane crazy, or will it help the country take off? Nicky is going to be taking calls on this from 9-10 on 5 live.
Rumour of the day: Brazil nuts?
The transfer to break all transfers is splashed across all the back pages this morning as Manchester City once again flex their monetary muscles. It's reported they have made a 100 million Euro bid (£91m) for Brazilian play-maker Kaka, a 26 year old who currently plays for AC Milan.
This would more than double the £48m that Real Madrid paid Juventus for Zinadine Zidane back in 2001.
It's also reported that he would be on wages of about £260,000 a week.
That's £37,143 a day.
He could earn nearly £14,000 if he sleeps a good 9 hours.
On Breakfast this morning we spoke to Gabrielle Marcotti, the European Football Correspondent for the Times and Shelagh asked him what he knew.
Shelagh also asked about another Brazilian - Inter Milan's Adriano - and a possible move to Spurs. This was in fact Vassos' rumour of the day. Will this happen? Vassos gives it 6 out of 10.
The ghost towns of Britain
Is your town in danger of becoming a ghost town?
In many parts of the country, the grim economic news just keeps on coming. We've heard the British Retail Consortium say last December was the worst for fourteen years - and we know all about the end of some of the high street's biggest brands including Woolies, Zavvi, Adams and Whittards.
So what's your town centre looking like at the moment? A series of closing-down sales? Boarded-up, empty shops? Or has the downturn barely touched it?
We sent our reporters out to three towns across England and Wales to assess the effect of the credit crunch... and here are some of the pictures they took.
Stephen Chittenden was in Diss in Norfolk, and he observed that no self-respecting ghost town should be seen without an empty Woolies:

Rumour of the Day - Kaka to Man City?
Despite having deeper pockets than a wizard, Manchester City have still only brought in one player during the transfer window - Wayne Bridge.
So when are the wealthiest club in the world going to Sheikh (get it? shake) the rather slow transfer window into life?
One transfer that would do just that would be if they could land former World Player of the Year, the Brazilian Kaka.
Here's Vassos:
Is Britain a land of opportunity? It's your call.
So what have you had to go through to get where you are today?
Children in Britain are said to be less likely than those in other countries to move up the social ladder and get better jobs than their parents and today the Government's launches a plan to try to change that.
On plan unveiled already is to reward good teachers who work at some of England's most challenging schools
Could that make a difference? Nicky will be hosting the phone in from 9-10 this morning and will be asking how hard it was to get where you are today? Did your parents, your upbringing or the school you went to make a difference. Have you defied the odds - or been defied in trying to climb the ladder?
Rumour of the Day - Benjani to Portsmouth?
Could Benjani be making a return to the south coast? That's one of the rumours doing the rounds this morning.
With Roque Santa Cruz thought to be on his way to Man City from Blackburn, Banjani is going to be surplus to requirements to use a transfer-related cliche.
Have a listen below to hear our sports presenter's view.
Harry says sorry - is that enough? It's your call...
Prince Harry has apologised for his comments about a Pakistani colleague.
That's the subject of the new Breakfast phone-in. Muhammed Yaqoob Khan Abassi is the father of the cadet who was called "our little Paki friend" by the Prince. In the Daily Mail this morning he says the word used to describe Ahmed Raza Khan is a "hate word" and should never be used against any Pakistani.
Nicky's taking your calls from 9-10am this morning - and you can post your thoughts here.
Middle East conflict explained
The ongoing fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas fighers in Gaza is a challenging topic for journalists to explain within the parameters of a four or five minute interview.
This morning on Weekend Breakfast we attempted to go back to the roots of the conflict as a means to provide listeners with some context to the current situation. Not everyone agreed with everything that our guest, Professor Greg Harms, the author of "The Palestine Israel Conflict, A Brief Introduction", had to say.
Below you can listen to the interview and judge for yourselves as he takes Rachel Burden through some of the history of the conflict.
Breakfast at an Olympic boot camp
Vassos Alexander is at a training camp for our wannabee Olympians at Loughborough University. You can listen to his reports below and see some pictures from his morning.
Vassos spoke to Sue Campbell, Chair of the Youth Sport Trust, who are organising the event.

Vassos talking to Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener

Two voices of loss in Gaza
This morning we heard from two women who have both experienced loss as a result of the fighting in Gaza.
Ora Regev lives in northern Israel. Her 25-year-old son Nir was among 21 people killed in a suicide bombing in the coastal resort of Haifa in 2003. Manal Timraz is from Coventry. She's got a huge extended family living on the Gaza Strip. She found out this week that 15 of them have been killed during Israeli air raids.
You can listen to the discussion below.
It drew a strong response from you, judging by some of the text messages we received:
"Dear nicky + shelagh i have tears in my eyes over one news item"
"Thanks so much for that brave, painful broadcast with the Jewish mother/arab lady. Sony Award winning stuff. Maybe you could send a copy to the FCO/Brown." - Andy
"Listening two those two desperate ladies and their stories was very moving. My suggestion is that the next UN meeting should be held in the streets of Gaza. With the bombs raining down maybe we will get some real action."
"That was the most powerful radio I've heard in a long time. Maybe there is hope. Let the mothers do the talking to each other." - Mark in Chelmsford.
But not all of you were moved in the same way by the story. Here's a sample of the views of those texters who were critical of that part of the programme:
"Appalling appalling radio. How dare your radio station try and put up once persons loss against another persons loss. How can there be any comparison bet ween 2 so different scenarios"
"How typical of bbc liberals,they walk past & ignore own citizens sleeping freezing on streets,who have no voice, but r obsessed with plight of Palestinians" - John
Rumour of the day - Joey Barton to Portsmouth
"Midfield generals wanted"
That seems to be the theme of today's transfer rumours. Lee Bowyer from West Ham to Birmingham, Chris Boyd's on/off move from Rangers to Birmingham, and Alan Smith to Everton or Middlesbrough.
But the one that caught the eye of Vassos this morning was of controversial footballer Joey Barton from Newcastle to Portsmouth.
Pompey boss Tony Adams has money to spend after Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra were sold to Spurs and Real Madrid respectively.
So, what is Vassos' verdict? Listen below
Rumour of the day - Franco Semioli to Blackburn
Manchester City tend to be the focus for a lot of transfer rumours, and with a new rich list out today you can see why they have the cash to splash.
A new football rich list shows that Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is twice as wealthy as Chelsea's Roman Abramovich.
But in support of the less wealthy teams who have to really wheel and deal, here is Vassos' transfer rumour of the day:
Rumour of the Day - Nico Kranjcar to Arsenal
This one has a "whiff of truth about it" according to our sports presenter Vassos.
Arsenal are short of a midfield playmaker now that Cesc Fabregas is out injured with a crocked knee and the Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has tried to sign the Croatian and Portsmouth player before.
He didn't get his man last year but that was last year and things at Fratton park are a bit different now. Harry Redknapp's gone to Spurs, Jermaine Defoe looks like he might follow and Lassana Diarra has already left for Real Madrid for about £20m.
For about £10m, Arsenal could bag themselves one the most creative midfielders in the league.
Chances of it happening? Vassos gives it 7 out of 10.
Your cold weather pix
My van display. Paul the electrician from Oxford.

John Kelly sent this - not taken this morning. It's Pen y Fan in south Wales.

Rumour of the Day - Downing to Spurs?
It's time to blow away the cobwebs by opening the January transfer window, and there have already been a few movers and shakers.
Man United have signed Toran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade.....only to loan Ljajic straight back to his club, and Wayne Bridge has left Chelsea to join the blue half of Manchester.
But today's transfer rumour is about Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing. The Press Association say that the England winger is expected to put in a transfer request today with Spurs maintaining their interest in the England winger.
However a £6million offer from Spurs has been called "derisory" by middlesbrough as Downing only signed a new 5 year deal 11 months ago, and their owner Steve Gibson has said that he's not for sale.
But can you keep a player whose head has been turned? Villa would say so, they kept their captain Gareth Barry.
The Magic of the Cup
It's FA Cup 3rd Round Day and as the excitement mounts 5 Live is the place to be for all the build-up and the action.
This morning on Breakfast we wanted your favourite FA Cup memories and were flooded with texts and emails, and indeed after 8, calls.
Here are a few of your ideas:
"My favourite fa cup memory was- 4th of jan 2003. Shrewsbury 2- 1 Everton. That season Everton finished 5th and Shrewsbury went out off the league."
"Never mind the good memories. The worst day of my life was 1993 fa cup final replay when in the last minute of xtra time andy linighan scored a header to break my heart and that of 30,000 other Sheffield Wednesday fans. And my renault 5 gt turbo had been smashed up when i got back 2 stanmore. Gutted. Jim, Sheffield. "
"Bunked off school '54ish to watch Blyth Spartans beat Boston 5-4 in the 1st round. Saw us in 78 in the 5th round. Go Blyth. Patricia, Norfolk."
"I was 15 in 1987 when i saw coventry won the cup. My two brothers and i arrived at wembley at 7pm the night before. We played a "jumpers for goalposts" game in the wembley car park. My brother missed a penalty, the first to be missed in a Wembley final I believe. Leo in Lewes."
Keep those memories coming with your Comments. And the Transfer Rumour of the Day is that Manchester City will now make a £32m move for three top players...
The Sun reckons Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will move for two strikers and a midfielder: Roque Santa Cruz, Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker heading to Eastlands in a triple deal they hope will be done by the end of next week.
"I just couldn't take any more....."
It's 40 years old, but still a hit with rugby fans, Karaoke singers and now 5 live listeners!
Tom Jones' classic song Delilah - which reached no.2 in 1968 - has been voted the Best Ever Chorus in our competition, narrowly beating All You Need is Love by the Beatles.
Thanks to all of you who took part.
Did you know the song was actually written by Les Reed and Barry Mason? Listen to our interview with Les here...


~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~00~RS~)