SKINHEADS, OLIGARCHS, FOOTBALL AND PETER FOSTER

IN the news this week was an announcement that Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch and Putin pal, had been forced to sell Chelsea Football Club after 20 years of ownership.

Over the years the club has endured many trials and tribulations beside Roman’s ownership.

One of the most infamous times was when it was known as having some of the most violent supporters in the world. Skinhead fans of Chelsea with knuckle dusters, steel chains and spiked metal bars would lay in wait for rival fans to unleash some ultra-violence.

Despite all that, a recent book has claimed that the lowest point in the club’s illustrious history was the sponsorship in 1986 by Peter Foster and his Bai Lin Tea.

We contacted the man colloquially known as The Defendant and asked for a quote. “I did read that and I laughed. Even God can’t change the past and knowing that I am forever etched in their history, and that there’s not a damn thing they can do about it, makes me laugh all the louder.”

FOREVER KERRY AFTER COUNCIL AND NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS

WE caught up with the always entertaining former Gold Coast City councillor Kerry Salinger (or Smith as she was) this week. She is back living on the Gold Coast after 12 years away living mainly in New Zealand but also Italy and other places.

Although she mildly complains about the indignity of a few aches and pains, increasing

years and all that, she is still as intellectually robust as ever.

She laughed about her time in council and the fun she had “shaking things up”.

“Originally, I ran because I wanted the Broadbeach kindergarten, where my children went, to get sewerage. The first tilt didn’t work but I was elected in 1991 with Dawn Crichlow and Daphne Mcdonald.

“It was a boys’ club then and we really shook things up. I once bought my ironing board in and did the ironing while they were having a meeting. My reasoning was that I can do two things at once, unlike the men,” she laughed.

Separated from her third husband, Nobel prize winner Dr Jim Salinger, Kerry is looking forward to catching up with her many friends.

“My big focus now is on domestic violence. Since my return I have been shocked by the increase in cases locally, including some of my family and friends.”

In her heyday she was a walking headline with constant articles written about her antics and while she still wants to joust with windmills, Kerry wants to focus on family and things that truly matter.

Once a crusader always a crusader.