Here's one to keep all the bus and coach anoraks happy... Biglorryblog has ski-mad, laid-back Scania PR man Phil Sampson to thank for the news that local soccer squad Kirkby Stephen Girls Under 12s will travel in style this coming Sunday (1 March, kick-off: 10:00am) when they head up the M6 to their away match at the Jubilee Fields ground in Kendal to face South Lakes Girls' League opponents Ibis U12's Junior Girls. How so Biglorryblog I hear you ask? Well because their charabanc for the day is none other than the official Irizar England football team coach! The girls have been awarded the use of this prestigious vehicle for the day following Stobart Group employee Charles Bowman of Carlisle's win in a national competition organised by Stobart Group and Scania, the coach's manufacturer.
The competition, which was open to all Stobart Group employees, involved selecting an all-time Legends XI football team. (And click through to see what his squad was). As one of ten winners nationwide, Charles Bowman was invited to nominate any local youth soccer team (up to Under 14s) as the recipient of the main prize - the use of the England team coach, which is operated by Battersea-based Guideline Coaches London for a day.
Additionally, each member of the nominated team will receive a specially-commissioned kit, training top, kit bag and water bottle while their manager is rewarded with a weatherproof coat. The opponents will also receive training tops and water bottles as a memento of the day. As an added incentive for the Kirkby Stephens players, England team coach driver Joe Noctor will nominate and present a commemorative Stobart Scania 'Man of the Match' trophy. Errr... Shouldn't that be girl of the match Phil? Anyroadup click through here for that Legends XI and your own chance to participate in the fun...
"We had an overwhelming response to this competition which undoubtedly captured the imagination of would-be selectors and armchair managers from Land's End to John O'Groats," Chris Love, brand and communications manager for Scania Great Britain tells BLB. "Remarkably, despite the names of a huge variety of soccer stars past and present being put forward, there was one common factor in each winning entry: everyone wanted Pelé as a member of their squad!"
Charles Bowman's Legends XI team:
Strikers: Pelé, Diego Maradona
Midfielders: Johan Cruyff, Zinadine Zidane, Roy Keane, George Best
Defenders: Paolo Maldini, Bobby Moore, Franz Beckenbauer, Cafu
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel
OK so how about a Biglorryblog footie fan all-time 'Legends XI' team? Send in your nomination now! Or if you don't like footie make them trucks! Meanwhile, for all those people who keep asking me for the complete names of the Stobbie fleet all you have to do is visit the Stobart Fan Club website at and for a modest joining fee you can get all sorts of goodies including your own spotters book with a complete list of Stobart trucks and their names...
He's wrongly been given a Topline. Unless you are 'lucky' enough to drive a drawbar, Stobart drivers tramp all week in stripped-down Highlines'.
i won that man of the match trophy !!