CHEEKY Scousers nicked footie star Jamie Carragher’s 30th birthday cake as he partied with his family and pals.

And now they have sent a ransom note – with a photo of a slice of the red gateaux.

It says: “We cut this bit off. If you want to see the rest, phone XXXXXXX.” And it warned: “The cake gets it unless our demands are met.

“Further instructions will follow. Do not contact the cops.”

The Liverpool defender was presented with a red cake in the shape of his shirt – with “Carragher 30” written on the back in icing sugar.

The thieves carried it off – despite the presence of security staff at Liverpool’s Sir Thomas Hotel – while the guests were enjoying a knees-up.

The culprits claim to belong to a splinter group of the fans’ organisation Sons of Shankly – and that the theft was a protest aimed at the club’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Hotel boss Paul Flanaghan said: “The cake was put on two tables pushed together. Jamie’s family were next to it – and security were standing near it all night.



“ I’m just baffled by how someone could possibly have taken it without anyone else noticing.

“Jamie’s quite concerned and all I want is the cake to come back and everyone to share it.

“I’m worried about the cake’s well-being. We can only hope it’s still eatable.”

Jamie and childhood sweetheart Nicola Hart have two children – James and Mia.

Neil Atkinson, of Sons of Shankly, said: “We’re wondering if it’s going to come back with an American flag on top.”

The kidnappers have not been back in touch.

So spa so good
Nov 28 2007 by Susan Lee, Liverpool Echo

Susan Lee talks to Nicola Carragher about her new beauty salon and spa

BEAUTY is a serious business to footballer’s wife Nicola Carragher. As wife of Kop idol Jamie you may well expect her to have her own team of stylists on hand for those paparazzi moments.

In fact you’re more likely to find the mum of two buffing someone else’s nails than enjoying the luxury trappings of life as a WAG.

The 27-year-old has just opened her first venture, Little Day Spa, in Brighton le Sands near Crosby and business is booming.

“I’m not naive; I know there will be interest in the business because I am Jamie’s wife but it has to stand on its own feet,” she explains.

“I’m ambitious, this is something I have done on my own and I’m really proud of it.

“It’s quite funny, though. People ring for an appointment and say: ‘Will Nicola be in that day?’ They don’t understand I’m here every day!”

Proof that the business is rapidly becoming established came recently when she was invited to switch on the local Christmas lights later this week.

“They said: ‘Bring Jamie if you want, but we’re inviting you as a local businesswoman’. I was made up.”

The venture began last New Year’s Day when Nicola, originally from Bootle and now living in Blundellsands, got the keys to look around what would become her spa.

“Opening a beauty business had been in my mind for some time and I’d had my eye on this shop.

“It had been empty for ages and had no gas or anything but I just saw its potential.

“It’s in a lovely area and I wanted somewhere on the high street; somewhere girlie where women would feel comfortable and come back again and again.”

Nicola’s original background is in call centre training but after the birth of her son, James, five years ago she wanted a career which would fit around her life as a mum, especially after her daughter Mia, now three, arrived.

She began taking a series of training courses in all aspects of beauty, learning about products and techniques along the way.

“I always said I wanted a career. I suppose I could have stayed at home but there is only so much shopping and cleaning you can do, isn’t there?”

She admits the perception of life as a footballer’s wife can be as one long pampering session.

“But you’re more likely to find me doing my hair and make-up in the car on the way somewhere.

“I’m lucky, though, because I can go out of the house and not be recognised. I feel sorry some of the other girls who can’t.”

Although she says she and her fellow WAGS have ‘a right laugh’ when together she is adamant she hasn’t opened a spa just for them.

“I’d be thrilled if they came but it isn’t just a place for WAGS. I’ve done it for local people too who want somewhere lovely to go and be pampered.”

The business includes nail and hair spas, several treatment rooms for massages and facials as well as specialist rooms for brides – “we call that our Make Me A Missus room,” laughs Nicola – as well as mums-to-be.

She has also opened a satellite non surgical clinic above the Newz Bar in Water Street.

So will Jamie be popping in for a treatment?

“You’re joking! He won’t even put gel on his hair,” she laughs.

Jamie Carragher has been ruled out of this weekend's clash with Derby, though Rafa Benitez is hopeful of having his vice-captain back for the trip to Pompey in two weeks' time.
While Carra is still recovering from a broken rib, skipper Steven Gerrard is also likely to miss out because of a hairline fracture in his toe.

The midfielder was today selected in the England squad for the Euro qualifiers against Israel and Russia.

Benitez revealed Gerrard was eager to play, but any decision is likely to rest on discussions between the medical teams in both camps.

He said: "Carra is improving but he's not ready yet – maybe 10 days, though it could be 12 or 15. Aurelio and Kewell will carry on doing what they are doing but they are not ready yet.

"As for Gerrard, we don't want to take any risks. If we decided to use him tomorrow it would be with injections, so I think it's best we don't take the risk.

"We will be in contact with the national team because we want the same from them. He wants to play all the games but we have to be careful.

"I know how important England is for him. I will talk with Steve McClaren and the doctors will talk to the doctors."