KING ERIC CANTONA JOKES WITH ALEX MCLEISH OVER SCOTTISH DEFEAT

The King Eric Cantona in the meantime sported a rather fetching number to his Street Soccer event at the Hilton.
Footballing giant Eric had popped out in the afternoon for a stroll and a fitting before the big bash.
I met him before he changed into the outfit and said a wee Bonsoir to him. I studied French and management at Glasgow uni so it was nice to try a bit of my Oral French on him! The other journos there were a tad bemused.Eric and Scotland manager Alex McLeish had a good laugh as Alex reminded Eric that he scored two goals out of three in a France Scotland match. Alex delighted in saying that the shoe was on the other foot when the French came to Scotland and we beat them.
Mark Hateley was amongst the guests too and told me Eric was a ‘controversial genius who lives on the edge.’ He recalled that he played against him in Monaco when he was a really young boy.
Eric who helped to raise over 190,000 for the Street Soccer Charity, was loving his kilt and even popped downstairs for a wee drink while wearing it.
One enthusiastic fan showed him old pics of Charles Aznavor and Johnny Halliday and Eric joked that they were all known as the French Collection.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON GIVES HILTON GLASGOW STAFF A SOFT BLOW DRY

SIR Alex Ferguson might be known for his famed hairdryer treatment but he ended up giving Hilton staff in Glasgow more of a gentle blow dry as he held an impromptu coaching session with them after a big night out.
It was like a scene from the half time dressing room as the former Manchester United manager volunteered to give one of his famous motivational sessions to staff at the city centre hotel the morning after he had hosted a charity dinner there.
And managers and front of house staff couldn't believe it as the famous Scot sat down with them at their breakfast debrief meeting to talk about teamwork.
The Glasgow Hilton which celebrates 25 years of being in business this year had donated its services to host a charity night for Street Soccer with Sir Alex.
The charity provide a range of football-related development and training programmes to socially disadvantaged people, including the homeless.
The following morning he was chatting at breakfast with management who told him they were about to have a debrief from the night before.
Sir Alex, who was officially off duty, then offered to attend the meeting so he could give staff some extra motivation.
William Hume Restaurant Manager said: " I have met Sir Alex on many occasions and he is indeed a great friend of Hilton, Glasgow. After breakfast Sir Alex joined the breakfast team for the debrief. He felt it very important the stance we were taking in listening to the guests and staff.”
An insider added: "He might be famed for his Hairdryer treatment with players like Rooney and Rio but underneath the scary demeanour is a golden heart who wanted to take some time out to help and support young kids."
Sir Alex spent an hour with the hard working staff and gave them advice they'll never forget.
The insider continued: "During Sir Alex's chat he talked about the importance of strong leadership. He said we are all leaders and each and every one of you has a role to play. He also talked about the importance of teamwork, listening and sharing information and having an appreciation of each individuals contribution. He told us that when we are leaders in an organisation we should get to know everyone’s name and make them feel valued, irrespective of station or rank.
Sir Alex also talked about the proud history of Glasgow and especially his love of Govan, and the legacy of Jimmy Reed in the political life of Glasgow.
The insider added: "Sir Alex spoke of the famous “Rat Race” speech made by Jimmy Reed when he was made Rector of Glasgow University in 1972. He then answered questions from the breakfast team and talked about his love of tattie scones."
New GM, Calum Ross, who has made a series of changes and is really behind the positive changes to install “teamwork” across the whole hotel both front of house and behind the scene said: "Sir Alex talked about the importance of 'TEAM' - that’s something we are also passionate about. He was here for the Street Soccer event and then surprised us all by coming to our staff meeting."
Sent from Scotland with Love - theshowbizlion.com
Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Sunday Post.

BOYZLIFE AND NICHOLAS MCDONALD COLLABORATE AT GLASGOW CHARITY BASH

BOYZLIFE singers Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy surprised partygoers by inviting Scots singer Nicholas McDonald on stage to perform at a Scots fundraising ball.


The Irish heartthrobs from Westlife and Boyzone were secret guests at the Donna Mortimer Ballantyner Trust ball and had already told punters and sporting celebs including Jamie Walker, Walter Smith and Scott Allan: "This isn't a job. This is f***ing great" as they performed hits including Picture of You, Mandy and Uptown Girl."

Nicholas who was in the audience with fellow X factor talent Caitlyn Van Beck who had earlier performed in memory of Donna who passed away from cancer couldn't wait to get up on stage.
He jumped up for a rendition of Westlife cover Swear It Again.

Keith said:"He was gagging to get up there. I couldn't turn him down."
The Boyzlife stars commented on the hundreds of mobile phones that were recording them, quipping: "We used to write some nice handwritten notes to one another."

Following the event which raised over a hundred thousand pounds for the charity at Glasgow's Doubletree Hilton, Keith sat in the bar downing tequila shots.
 Brian stayed up in his room after bringing his PE teacher girlfriend Danielle with him to Glasgow.

Posted with love from Scotland - theshowbizlion.com

Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Glasgow Evening Times

SCOTTISH BAR AND PUB AWARDS - THE WINNERS GO BRAZILIAN

A drinks serving robot and Brazilian dancing girls helped Scotland’s bars and pubs celebrate in style at the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.
The gongs were out in force as Scotland 's longest running licensed trade awards celebrated its twenty first anniversary last night (Tuesday August 16) into the Wee small hours with more than five hundred guests from the trade at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel.


Leith born businessman Kevin Doyle, owner of Edinburgh's Dome, who has over £100 million invested in the licensed trade, picked up the Flow Entrepreneur of the Year award while bars and pubs from around Scotland picked up the accolades, and received a bespoke Glencairn Crystal Trophy.

Joyce Arbuckle, director of sales at The Kingsmill in Inverness picked up the accolade Benromach Award for Success, while Glasgow’s Pot Still scooped the Wee Dram Whisky Bar of The Year.



Six other Glasgow establishments won awards too: Blue Dog's Matthew Ronald and Chris Ryder stealing Disaronno Cocktail Bar of the Year while Bar Bloc+ in Glasgow won Kopparberg Independent Bar of the Year and The Atlantic took the honours of The Wee Guide Best New Bar and Restaurant.

The Ben Nevis in Glasgow was highly commended in The Dram Dog Friendly category.

Loren MacGregor of The Busby Hotel in Glasgow was given the title of Mixxit Bar Apprentice of the Year while Boclair House in Bearsden, owned by Manorview, received the Glencairn Crystal award for Best New Venue.



Rose Woolen and Lewis Jenning of Manorview Hotel and Leisure Group, based in Howwood were also presented with the Bright Signals Social Media Award on the night.

Ayrshire bars also received recognition on the night with Stewarton's The Mill House picking up the BII Customer Service Award and Seamill Hydro in West Kilbride winning the Inverarity Wine By The Glass Award.

And Lanarkshire's Lisini Pub Co was awarded The Family Run Business of the year with Harry Hood, Lisa Wishart and the Lisini team collecting their trophy.

In Dundee, Gallery 48 took the title of Caledonian Brewery Innovative Business of the Year and nearby Kirriemuir bar The Airlie Arms was rewarded with the Tennent's Quality Award.

Speedwell, Old Anchor and The Royal Arch publican brothers Jeff and Jonathan Stewart from Dundee received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Sunday Mail Pub of the Year award also went to Broughty Ferry pub The Anchor and a delighted Jeff Stewart and his team collected their unique mirror prize.

Balquhidder business Mhor 84 celebrated winning Critic's Choice Gastro Pub of the Year and David Taylor and Jemma Anderson of The Wheel Inn in Scone received the Diageo Award for Social Responsibility and Community.

Lochgilphead venue Lord Of The Isles also barked with joy at receiving DRAM Dog Friendly Bar of the Year.

Molson Coors Craft Beer Bar of the Year went to Edinburgh bar Ox 184 and Isle of Arran Distillers awarded Island Bar of the Year to MacGochans of Mull.

Edinburgh cocktail bar Badger & Co was also highly commended in the Disaronno Cocktail Bar of the Year Category.


Four industry personalities were also inducted into the Scottish Licensed Trade HALL OF FAME - David Brown, Kathleen Hood, Alasdair Moore and Caroline Wright.

Said Awards organiser, Susan Young, “It was our 21st anniversary and we certainly managed to celebrate. The winners were voted for by customers and people in the trade, and each and every one deserved their accolades. Congratulations to them all.”



- Posted from Scotland with love - theshowbizlion.com