Pippa Middleton had a teenage crush on her "undeniably fanciable" hockey coach.
The brunette beauty, 29, - sister to the Duchess of Cambridge - studied at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, West England, and had a soft spot for coach Richard Markham, a former Welsh international hockey player who also taught history of art.
In her column, 'Confessions of a sporty schoolgirl' for Spectator magazine she wrote: "When I close my eyes and think about school sports, I envisage myself on the hockey pitch, stick in hand, a luminous gumshield locked on to my chops and a bandana across my forehead...I can also hear the booming voice of Mr Markham, our fierce but undeniably fanciable coach, urging us all on."
While Pippa was at school Richard was a relatively new teacher but he worked his way up the ladder to later become director of studies.
Earlier this year he left to take on the post of Principal at Hockerill Anglo-European College in Bishop's Stortford, Essex.
During her time at Marlborough College Pippa became captain of the hockey team and was aware that boys were watching her on the field.
She later added: "Did I mention the boys watching?"
However the man she most wanted to impress was her father, Michael Middleton, who was supportive of her efforts on the field.
She explained: "The other Mr M in my life [father and also coach] is on the sidelines, and I'm desperate to impress him most of all."
Pippa also enjoyed cross country and claims that the "Middleton girls" - which includes her sister known as Kate Middleton before she married into the royal family - were just as enthusiastic.
She added: "We Middleton girls were always at the starting line - albeit reluctantly - fuelled by Lucozade tablets and bananas."
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