Octopus of Odstock

Colin McDonald, chosen by two teams, is the former England international footballer, not the Australian cricketer who died a few years ago.

Mokhtar Hasni, part of the Tunisian 1978 squad, has died, aged 71 - https://www.dhnet.be/regions/centre/2024/01/22/lancien-joueur-de-la-raal-international-tunisien-et-commercant-louvierois-bien-connu-mokhtar-hasni-est-decede-D633E6QFUNGYPNZKJXNPZEUBGM/ Didn't end up coming off the bench though, so saw no game time in Argentina.

Tawl Ross, guitarist who was once a member of Funkadelic untl 1971, died 3rd January 2024 - https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=909397630544508&set=a.279010520249892

Not as well known as Baldwin or Riva, but Jim McCusker, former Bradford City and Stockport County goalkeeper, has died, aged 84. link from the Book of Face

Confirmation via the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2024/01/21/graham-bright-conservative-mp-john-major-margaret-thatcher/

The Alan Jones listed for Formula Fatality's team should be the former F1 World Champion, not the Australian rugby coach that he is currently listed under. I'd be happy to help - albeit later in the year - with a lot of these bios (updating them, putting dates and places of birth in) if that would help.

Alex South has died, Liverpool's 2nd oldest living player: https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/rest-peace-alex-south But the Everton side, I read on X, that Bert Harris, 92, is going to give an interview to a fan website, so he's still got some marbles.

Remember him well, a decent man. Sorry to hear of this.

So disappointed about Tu Youyou's entry is so bland and doesn't mention Chucklevision and her sister Tu Meemee

Zvi Zamir QO - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/zvi-zamir-7fnc96twq

Suicide attempt from depression was what I read. Then kept in to assess his mental well being thereafter.

Bill Krause, one time Indy 500 attemptee, two-times winning mechanic of the Indy 500 (1981 and 1982) and an extremely able sportscar driver (winner of the 1958 and 1960 Riverside Grand Prix's, which attracted some of the best drivers at the time - Behra, Hill, Ginther etc.), died last week, due to complications of dementia and strokes. I'm sure a legacy.com type obit will follow, not sure how much US motorsport media will pick this one up in truth. Just turned 91 at the start of the year. Bit more about his racing here - http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/BillKrause.html

Picked by far less teams than I thought for the DDP so not quite the impact not picking Barczyk was (who I thought was not as sick as he was).

Ditto. Fantastic work.

Pleat looks very frail here, older than his 78 years. I can't upload the photo for some reason, so here's the link https://m.facebook.com/100064934911901/

Well, you haven't focused on the main bit of interest to us: his cancer had returned. Sharing the tragic news with his fans, he said: "Despite all the wonderful efforts by the medical and nursing teams at Medway, Guys, and Kings College hospitals, the lung cancer has returned. I thought I had a painful groin strain a couple of months ago, unfortunately that turned out to be the cancer getting into my pelvis and leg bones." He added: "It has also entered my lymphatic system. What about the good news? I had radiology treatment last week and my oncologist is fairly confident this will stop the leg pain, and I will be up and about again. Another positive is my consultant. He is confident that the chemo will keep things in check for months and even years I'm getting Linda Nolan vibes here...

Newcastle's oldest living player, Arnold Woollard died in October 2023. https://www.royalgazette.com/obituaries/news/article/20231101/arnold-woollard-1930-2023-islands-first-professional-footballer/ Bill Punton, 90, this year, now appears to be the oldest.

Mel Blyth, a FA Cup winner with Southampton in 1976 and long-time Crystal Palace player, has died. https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/saints-mourn-passing-of-mel-blyth

John Webb, long-time owner of Brands Hatch, has died at the age of 92. Long obituary here that explains more of the man and the influence he had on the sport; https://www.autosport.com/national/news/john-webb-obituary-former-brands-hatch-circuit-boss-dies-aged-92/10565201/?_ga=2.84911260.464471007.1679088488-1098475106.1679088488

My only reason for not picking Battersby (he was a sub) was because I didn't think he would get drop 40. Judging by the teams entered, that looks to be the case. I'm sure the initial QO's will all be Beckinsale centered, but hopefully there's enough obits who concentrate on his very fine body of work.

He was in my final 40, but as he seemed active and the blood cancer was under some level of control, I thought against it. I'm surprised he didn't make it on someone's list, especially a theme team. One of those rare beasts, a dedicated MP to his consistency and by all accounts, a decent chap. Sorry to read this.

The Duke of Kent perhaps? He was a nephew to the King, the only one at the time, if I'm correct. But given the very different attitudes to Royal publicity then and now, I'm not sure how many people would've been aware of him as a wee lad.

James said on Instagram that his cancer is 'terminal but manageable'. https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/mashd-n-kutcher-matt-james-its-alright-interview-53459/

Sorry, skim read it only, my fault.

I am trying to work out if that means Judy Loe has been hospitalised or if Battersby is near the end (or both)