As the Geordie Connection I have had the chance to meet through both business and pleasure some of Englands' finest. Gentlemen take a bow.

Reggie Kray. I first met Reg in the early nineties in Gartree Prison after striking up a pen-pal relationship with him behind bars. The Reg i met on that first visit is the Reg i will always like to remember him as. He was well built for a man in his fifties with a vice like handshake and mentally as sharp as a razor. Always thinking of new ways to make money and putting me in touch with people who could help me put his ideas into practise. I visited Reg for ten unforgettable years and his death was like the loss of a family member to me.

Ronnie Kray. After my initial visit to Reg he urged me to meet his twin brother in the confines of Broadmoor in Crowthorne Berkshire. I was apprehensive, but after reassurances from both Reg and my family i visited Ron two weeks after Reg. Ron was a gentleman. He was a sharp dresser and in many ways was still living the life of a gangland boss in the corridors of Broadmoor. Ron had piercing black eyes and a wicked sense of humor, and ironically passed away on the day of Comic Relief...having the last laugh was the way Ron would have wanted it.I visited Ron for five years.

Charlie Kray. The twins elder brother was introduced to me at a party in Hackney and we got on like a house on fire. Charlie was always the perfect host and always had a smile on his face and a drink in his hand. We worked together on merchandise for the twins and arranging a lot of the Kray parties. I was a character witness for Charlie at his drugs trial and subsequently a regular visitor to him in prison until he passed away in 2000.

Freddie Foreman. I first met Fred at the wake for Ronnie Krays' funeral. Charlie Kray introduced him to me and we are still very good friends today. We have worked together on fundraisers the length and breadth of the country.

Joe Pyle Snr. I met Joe at the Monday Club just off the Old Kent Road. Joe is a well respected businessman and a good friend to all the chaps. His son, Joe Junior is now a well respected boxing promoter. Check out our links page for more information.

Tony Lambrianou. I met Tony on the same day that i met Freddie Foreman,and i have had the pleasure of meeting his brothers Nicky and Chris.On a visit to Tyneside i helped locate Tonys' mothers grave and took him there to pay his respects. Tony has also helped me on many fundraising projects.

Dave Courtney. Dave is known as the yellow pages of crime and it is a well deserved title. Now a retired gangster, Dave is making his money from his books films and videos.I first met Dave through Charlie Kray at a charity bash in the East End and have worked for him as part of his security team at Ronnie Krays' funeral.

Roy Shaw.Roy is best known for his fighting career where he adopted the title 'The Machine.'I met Roy for the first time at his book launch and we got on well. A lot of people have tried to stir up trouble for me with Roy as we both had the same love interest a few years back. The lies and untruths have now been proved unfounded and we remain friends.

Lennie McLean. Lennie was Roy Shaws biggest rival on the fight scene and adopted the title 'The Guv'nor'. I met Lennie a few times at his pub 'The Guv'ners'through Dave Courtney. He was a huge man and it was devastating to see him pass away with cancer.

Frank Fraser. 'Mad' Frank was the first man to see the opportunity to make money from being a celebrity gangster. I met Frank and his wife Marilyn on quite a few occasions in a casino in Leicester Square for a meal with all the chaps.Smaller than you would perhaps imagine but you can see the aura around him when you meet him, and understand why they call him 'Mad' Frank.

Charlie Richardson. I met Charlie at Dave Courtneys' 40th birthday.The meeting was brief, but we chatted about my visits to the twins and Charlie. Charlie is now a succesful South London businessman.

Eric Mason. Eric is a one off. Now living in the North West i have met him only once but he is a genuine fella. He tells it how it was and still is and is frightened of no man. He has been invaluable to us in the production of our book 'The Krays The Geordie Connection.'

Laurie 0'Leary. A close friend of the twins, and someone who genuinely can call himself a family friend. I have met Laurie on a few occasions over the years, but we only sat down at the latter part of 2001 and chatted to each other. A true gentleman, and a man of honour.

Bruce Reynolds. The man behind 'The Great Train Robbery' in the sixties. I met Bruce in London whilst visiting his son Nick. Subsequently Bruce has visited me in Newcastle and sampled a good old geordie night out.He is still recovering!

Tommy Wisbey. I met Tommy in the Monday club in London. He was one of the gang members on the train robbery. He is the father of Frankie Frasers wife Marilyn.

Christian Simpson. My closest friend and ally.A kiwi and staunch Liverpool fan who is one of the most well respected and connected men in the world. He is the proud father of a beautiful daughter Grace and is and always will be like a brother to me.

Scott Mytton and Andy Gravonor. Both good friends of both Reggie and Charlie.They are both from Birmingham and are well known in the Krays' inner circle. I have met up with the lads on many social occasions.

Alan and Colin Fanning. The lads often mistaken for twins themselves were both good friends of the Kray family, and remain close friends with all of the chaps.I met the brothers through Reggie Kray at a celebrity party in London.

"Welsh Bernie" . Known as 'Agent Number 10' Bernie hails from the Welsh valleys. I met Bernie and his good lady Steph through Dave Courtney. We have worked together in the security game, and he is certainly one man i value as a true friend.

'Margate Marcus'. Marcus lives suprisingly in Margate. I met him through Dave Courtney. He runs most of the doors of the pubs and clubs in Margate and is a man mountain. He is in the process of putting together his life story.

'Mad Pete'. I met Pete three years ago whilst he was awaiting sentencing at Southend Crown Court. Dave once again introduced me to this geezer and he is a top bloke. His main attribute is his driving skills, Nigel Mansell eat your heart out.

Les Martin. Les is the unsung hero of the Krays story. He has devoted his life to petitioning the Government for the fair treatment and release of all three Kray Brothers. The twins and Charlie respected this man, and so do i.