Rory Aitken

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@GNRailUK Ridiculous. Every other train passing in both directions. Any no information being communicated to passengers on this train.

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Toto Schillaci – a tribute. Schillaci, who has passed away aged 59, was the comet that tore across Italia 90, helping light up an unforgettable World Cup. The Sicilian’s eyes burned with intensity, and his whole body exuded a passion for goals, for the game and for his country.

Schillaci scored six times to take the Golden Boot and Golden Ball and what made the fairy-tale even more special was that it was largely a tale of the unexpected. It didn't simply feel that Schillaci stepped from the substitutes' bench, but from the terraces such was his utter determination to make an impact. He was a good player for Juventus, but down the Azzurri pecking order.

he made his debut for Italy only on March 31, 1990 and 70 days later he was rescuing his country against Austria in Rome. Within three minutes of coming on, Schillaci headed in a wonderful cross from Gianluca Vialli, another taken from us far too early. Schillaci’s eyes-aflame, arms-aloft celebration carried echoes of Marco Tardelli, Italy was smitten and the world began to fall in love with this whole-hearted goal poacher with his uncanny knack of taking up the right positions.

Italia 90 is a tournament indelibly etched in English hearts and minds. Gazza’s skills and tears, Platt’s volley, Lineker’s finishing, penalty heartache, proud Bobby, and Nessun Dorma and that’s why there’s been such grief on these shores at today’s sad news. Schillaci will forever be associated with a tournament where England’s world was in motion. Italia 90 and Schillaci glamourised football in many English eyes, helped by ground-breaking TV coverage which seemed to treat every game in Italy as a night at the opera. Within two years, the mood was right for the Premier League.

Schillaci’s story transcended sport. He was the understudy who seized his chance to become the star on the grand stage. Yet he never behaved as an egotistical star. Humility defined him and that came across in interviews. That’s why he was so liked and loved. And also he kept scoring and settling games. He started Italy’s third group game against Czechoslovakia and scored within nine minutes. He scored against Uruguay in the round of 16. These were Italy’s “Notti Magiche”, the nights of magic and Schillaci was the international apprentice who became the sorcerer.

He knocked out the Republic of Ireland in the quarters, following up clinically after Packie Bonner pushed out Roberto Donadoni’s shot, yet their nemesis was admired in the Emerald Isle. When news emerged of Schillaci’s passing, the Irish national team posted their condolences to his family and friends, adding that Schillaci “will always be a part of Irish football folklore’’. That shows the sporting nature of the Irish as well as how widely liked Schillaci was.

He even appeared in a 2002 ad for the Kilkenny beer, Smithwick’s. Two Irish drinkers in a pub pretended to be Ray Houghton and David O’Leary to show off to a couple of Italian visitors. One of the two Italians says, “Sorry, I forgot to introduce my other friend, Toto, Toto Schillaci”. And the great man appears, much to the shock of the Irish duo. “It was a good goal,” one eventually mumbles. Schillaci flashes his famous smile. “Thank you very much,” he says politely.

It was a good goal, capturing his confidence, and he then scored against Argentina in the Naples semi-final before Italy succumbed in the shootout. Schillaci sat in the dressing-room afterwards, smoking and crying. His summer adventure hadn’t quite finished, as he put a penalty past Peter Shilton, four minutes from time to settle the third-place play-off against England in Bari.

There were still some special club moments, not least a majestic overhead kick for Juventus against Verona in 1992. He went on to Inter Milan, then Japan, before retiring and heading back to Palermo where he ran an academy, giving hope to young players, just as he gave hope to a nation one summer. Rest In Peace, Toto Schillaci.

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@tomparkerbowles Eric’s in Thornham, Norfolk 👍

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@Fhotec @PhillipsPOBrien Hastings has always been overly pessimistic about UA’s prospects, and strangely doesn’t seem to acknowledge the chaotic state of the Russian military.

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@LNER Morning. Are there still delays between Peterborough and London? Getting the 0813 from Peterborough

[Paramount+ UK & Ireland @ParamountPlusUK]

Cancel your plans tonight and do this instead:

✅ Grab a cup of something warm
✅ Wear your comfiest PJs
✅ Stream The Flatshare 💕

#TheFlatshare is now streaming on #ParamountPlusUK 💙

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@Andr6wMale Office Space

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@PhillipsPOBrien Sky. Never understood why you pay a lot every month to subscribe but also have ads, unlike HBO, Netflix etc.

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@nadhimzahawi When you sent Boris a letter 3 months ago asking him to stand down you used a word which you haven’t used here - integrity.

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@DavidSacks During the Cold War, the USSR didn’t invade another country. Appeasing authoritarian dictators supports authoritarian dictators. That doesn’t end well.

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@elonmusk @EliClifton @DavidSacks Call it by its name - appeasement. And it doesn’t end well. Check history.

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@elonmusk @RenataKonkoly Appeasement of dictators doesn’t end well, as history will show you @elonmusk

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@EHunterChristie To be fair, a good way to start more widespread protests and possible insurrection is to get out on the streets and start protesting, even if small at first, to give confidence to others to join. It’s not nothing.

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@harrismonkey CVV c bjjnbbvcc da a

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@harrismonkey qwertyuuPljhfcvb

[Chief Supt Chris Casey @BTPCasey]

Thank you to Beatrice & Eloise who gave us these beautiful cards whilst patrolling Parsons Green this morning. Very much appreciated 7364

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

Proud of this man @edskrein. Tough thing to do but it makes an important point eloquently. https://t.co/M6TLPi5WeZ

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@edgarwright Really glad you liked it. Thanks for coming to see it and supporting it.

[Rory Aitken @roryaitken]

@cricketbetting Hi Ed. This is Rory Aitken, I'm a film and TV producer. Could you follow me, so I can DM you about something?