Octopus of Odstock

Hans Hass, according to spiegel.de is dead. Strange, as only last night, he was one of four people I was deliberating about whether theyd get a Uk obit. Haas, I felt would, but like Rocha and Summitt, he's off my list now

I've decided to drop 2 good candidates for 2014 as I don't want to fall victim to another Jack Pardee (as I fear I will). But both have a chance - the first depends entirely on when he dies (during World Cup might help chances), the 2nd might be in the Daily Mail but in short, I don't think they will get a relevant obit in the probable likely event that they die. Pedro Rocha b. 1942, Uruguayan footballer. Played in four successive World Cups between 1962-1974. As Wiki says; Today he suffers from mesencephalic atrophy, a serious degenerative illness that affected his speak and his movements, paralyzing part of his body and confining him to a wheelchair. Pat Summitt b. 1952. American basketball coach of an university female basketball team. Surely too obscure? But she has had phenomonal success, but then so did Pardee. There's more than enough in her life to get widespread US coverage, but UK - again guess it depends if she dies "In-season" as it were. She has early onset dementia.

Well, to be fair, hes got both assistance and a walking stick to hand and has gained a lot of weight, both of which are news to me. But I doubt he's on death's door just yet.

Engineer, in response to your query Iain Dave Notaguest Banned 3 times But I think he's the alter ego of an once regular poster which is why the admins are unable to block his ip address., which surely would solve the issue?

Just discovered another death post-78, Vojacek, who played for Czechoslovakia in two games (including versus England) in 1982, died in 2006. Last post updated for him and Flohe.

Until 2013, he was in brilliant health. He may not be on the TV much, but he attends every major historic festival going and is very involved with the historic racing world, which is where I'm involved, and where our paths have crossed. He no longer drives, but didn't need a walking stick, wasn't frail and his memory is top-notch. But we'll have to see what happens.

I always had respect for him, but having now met him on a number of occasions recently having an extended period of time in his company (and in one case working in his company), I really do have deep affection for him, like a favourite uncle. I'm not sure, now, that I'll see him this year, but if I do, I'll post an update.

Fingers crossed. Poor Murray. He sounds hopeful, but he's nearly 90 and things like this take it out of you.

Doubt it. Neil Platt died in 2009.

In the end Heinz Flohe is the next to join the 1978 list. A former DDP pick as well. Ottmar Walter from the 1954 winning German side alsi died this weekend.

Is he ill?

No, because there's a Costa Rica reserve goalie from 2006 who killed himself shortly after the tournament.

No, a bit earlier than that, 1974 & 1978. He's the most likely candidate I'm aware of who could join the 1978 list. All of the other ill footballers are from yonder, although there's a few '74 alumni struggling.

Spade wanted an update, so the masses have spoken, and an update we shall have. New "entries" in bold There are no survivor players of the first 3 World Cup's in the 1930's, though French squad member Rene Llense is still alive from the 1934 World Cup

He looks superbly well, almost as if he hasn't aged in 60 years.

By the way Meizhen has a UK Obit, nothing for Kozak - Meizhen obit here - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10114520/Chinese-woman-aged-127-dies.html

Although I can't read Japanese, the date seems to refer to the 28th December 2012 on the link. I'm not saying he's not dead, just that I'm not sure about that link. That day was the day that Luo Meizhen appeared in a host of news outlets and Meizhen, as stated above has died. So it is Meizhen that's gone and they've mentioned Kimura, rather than Kimura going? Either way, with Kozak gone, Grace Jones is now in the top 10!

Cancer-free by taking marijuana - http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/tommy-chong-says-he-s-beaten-cancer-using-marijuana-112034266.html

Now claiming she is cancer free. That was quick.

"Do you think that's wise" as Uncle Albert used to say, as she is cancer-free - http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/celebrity-gossip/manisha-yuvraj-kylie-and-stars-who-beat-cancer-2013-06-06-1.509245

Cancer free (or to a large extent) - http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/8760121/Legend-Martin-Crowe-recovered-from-cancer

Ahem.. I feel almost ashamed to be on topic... The following, mostly mentioned here, are now cancer-free (apparently); Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural Steve Perry Angie Everhart Tommy Chong Manisha Koirala Tammy Sytch David Bookbinder Martin Crowe Worth taking off your 2014 lists if you believe their respective announcements.

The thing is, even though I have 12 hits and 95 points, I don't feel at all confident about winning or even finishing in the top 10, such is the strength this year. When you look at the leading challengers, there's not really enough of a cushion. Godot, I'm sure would excel in my left brain thinking, but here's how I see the challengers; OoO's remaining picks: Bryan, Suarez, Porcaro could go any time. Granger, I think, will go before 2014, but she's putting up a hell of a fight. Athaiya appears to be recovering, Fielding was recovering but has been suspiciously quiet recently, whereas Ian Farmer, who has cancer, has sold all his shares, quit his job and not been seen since he quit last Summer. I still expect perhaps 3 of them to go, whilst if Pardee is going to happen, it won't happen until the NFL season is back. Going Underground (11 points behind); Bernie Nolan is likely to be my big miss. GU has picked her. Edrich seems to have things under control, likewise Frederiksen and O'Neal. Fowley is a good pick and one I think will pass away, Kyoung-hui is intriguing, Castro, Bush and Madeley don't show signs of immediately going, but could quite reasonably pass away. Katherine Crowe, I felt, was a long-term terminally ill, i.e. late 2014/early 2015. The Living End (13 points behind); Still the one to fear. However, Farmer and Granger are both picked by myself. George is in remission, so that's a blow for DDT, but Daniel, De Bruin, Jardine (especially so), Jaruzelski, Mandela (on death's door, it seems), Misch, Price are all quite likely, whereas Crowe has already been mentioned. Thomas Jefferson Survives (15 points behind)- bar DDT, I think the most likely. Jardine, Nolan, Jaruzelski, Superstar B.Graham are all likely hits. Al-Assad probably not now, I think he'll find a way out of it. Borgonovo is likely to go, but obit chances?, Franz not sure about his health, Gadaffi seems to be on the land of the living for now, Clive James I think should be here come 2014, whilst Thorson was Spade Cooley's trick gambit. David Quantick's Showbiz Pals (24 points behind) - Spade has Jardine as his joker and this is why he is a serious contender. Duff, Mandela, Kalashnikov, Pran are very good picks, Young too, but there is the obit factor with him. Although Spade also has Pardee, he's gone for Metsu and Buell - the latter seems better, the former less so. But it all hinges on Jardine. Daniel Faraday's Notebook (26 points behind) - has two really good picks not already covered, Rubin Carter and Joost van der Westhuizen. Other picks not mentioned already are Dole (seems better now), Marshall (hard to make out really how ill or not she is) and Robbo. Also picked Buell, Crowe, C James, Jardine, Nolan, Pardee and Thorson, a strong line up. Heading Nowhere (26 points behind) - Has Rex Barnett but he seems recovered and obit chances are dubious (see Dennis James). Woodhead is not as vocal as before so could be a good pick, Hallenga seems blessed with her battle, but for how long? Chopper Read seems okay now, but likewise if some of his bollocks is true, he's a goner. Also picked; Bush, Crowe, George, Superstar Graham, C James, Jardine, Nolan, Strassman Golden Slumbers (29 points behind) - At the moment, the last of the main contenders, but I would say any of the top 20 would be contenders potentially - the trick is getting two obits - Dennis James & Pardee. That would reduce the deficit to 20 points straight out. Selebi and Willis are excellent picks, Mackintosh & Ford I'm not aware of, Granger has been picked as well. Borgonovo and Carter are already discussed, Buell is the joker and the key to Golden Slumbers hopes of winning - if Pardee and James get obits and Buell dies, serious, serious contenders.

Im a friend of DDLM and have been to her house a few times, she's a good lass. She's done a lot but I can assure you she has never worked as a secretary for the Pope or any cardinal. She doesnt live in the Vatican or Argentina but in fact within spitting distance of Tring.

A unique hit for Not Gone Yet, but Still Forgotten - Fiona Gore, Countess of Arran, has died - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10106930/The-Countess-of-Arran.html