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Thomas says the pressure is off away

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JEROME THOMAS is ready to help Palace gain three points at Southampton tomorrow and believes playing away in the Premier League may relieve pressure on some of the new players.

Five Eagles made their home debut in the top flight last Sunday against Swansea City, including Thomas, but the winger has kept an eye on Palace's upcoming fixtures.

The Eagles travel to West Bromwich Albion, Hull City and Norwich City, while they face Everton at home.

"Looking at the fixtures, I think our biggest month is November," Thomas said.

"There are a lot of points there up for grabs. Liverpool away next week, those games are always good because it's a challenge for the players who haven't played in the Premier League before. It's also a win-win because no one really expects us to go to Anfield and get something, but you can as Southampton have proven.

"If we can put a good performance in and get something this weekend, that will give us the confidence for Liverpool.

"I think sometimes it helps to be away at this level because it takes a lot of the pressure off the players."

On the number of new signings in the squad, Thomas knows they will need to gel quickly if they are to move away from the bottom of the table.

"It's going to take time, but most teams are in the same boat," he said. "Time isn't a luxury we have though, so we have to find a balance of the players who are looking good and know what the gaffer wants already.

"We might have been top for the amount of players we brought in out of all the teams in the Premier League.

"Different players, different positions, different nationalities, and at the same time you've got a coach in Ian Holloway who is trying to implement things they're probably not used to."

Thomas says the pressure is off away


'I'm Usain Bolt's body double'

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HASSAN Reese's big break in modelling was less catwalk, more sprint, after he was chosen to be the body double for the fastest man on the planet.

The 30-year-old was picked from dozens of hopefuls to stand in for sprint sensation Usain Bolt during the Visa advert displayed on billboards and television before London 2012.

The part-time model, who lives in Norbury, was then selected to be the Jamaican superstar's body double for a waxwork at Madame Tussauds.

It is fair to say being compared with one of the world's most recognisable faces came as a bolt from the blue.

"I had the odd person telling me I looked like him but I know for a fact I looked nothing like him – he's quite a bit taller than me for a start," said Hassan.

"So I never imagined I would be his double, especially because there were so many people at the casting but for some reason they chose me.

"Even after I did the advert I didn't have a clue it was going to be that big.

"I didn't realise it was going to be a big Olympic advert."

The commercial was partly filmed at Gatwick Airport and it was while on set that Hassan got to meet the double Olympic champion.

"Usain was exactly the same [as he is on television]," said Hassan.

"He comes across very well. He's very calm, very cool. Sometimes he's quiet but all of a sudden you get a joke and you're not expecting it.

"He did have a big white trailer which was the size of a bus. Apart from that, he was very down to earth."

And in proof that lightning does strike twice, a few weeks later Hassan was asked to play the role of the world record-holder once again, for a waxwork commissioned by Madame Tussauds.

"I had to stand in a studio in my boxer shorts with five women standing around me taking every kind of measurement imaginable," he said.

"I stood in the Usain Bolt lightning pose which was probably one of the most painful things I've done.

"I did it over two days and, even though I would stand in the same position for about five minutes at a time, it was really tough.

"At the end of it I felt like I had a three-hour workout."

Having been given his first modelling contract when he was 28, Hassan was a relative latecomer to the industry.

"Some of the younger lads call me uncle," he laughed.

"When I was a teenager, if someone had said I was going to be a model, I would have said they were taking the mickey.

"A few years ago people started saying I would be good so I thought why not give it a go. So I took a photograph of myself, googled 'male models' and sent my picture to a few agencies. It snowballed from there."

Despite his success, Hassan said he has no intention of dropping his day-job as a caseworker for the General Dental Council.

He said: "I've been able to strike the balance between work and modelling pretty well so I don't see a reason to change."

'I'm Usain Bolt's body double'

Purley Way cruisers could be sent to jail

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DRIVERS who take part in the Purley Way "cruise" have been warned they could be sent to prison, after the council secured an injunction from the High Court.

The order prohibits car cruises, where drivers meet to race and perform stunts, in Imperial Way, Lysander Road and Pegasus Road.

Anyone caught speeding, driving in convoy, racing or sounding horns – or even dropping litter, shouting or swearing – could face up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine.

The council said it wanted to take "tougher action" after a series of police dispersal orders failed to solve the problem.

Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety and public protection, said the measures had fallen short because they needed to be enforced by the police – even though the injunction must be as well.

"If police are at the end of Imperial Way stopping people going in then it was fine," he said.

"But every time they were pulled away to do other jobs, it would go around the internet and the cruisers would turn up again.

"Of course the police need to be there for the injunction, but it's a stronger penalty.

"If the police do them for it, that will make anyone convicted, and their friends, think again."

Police have tried a number of different tactics to stop cruise meetings, usually held on Thursday and Sunday evenings, which attract hundreds of people and involve wheel-spinning, handbrake turns and high-speed races.

Dispersal orders, giving officers the power to disperse the crowds, have been renewed every six months, but have proved to be an ineffective long-term solution. Fines have been handed out and cars have been seized, but the problems have remained.

Sergeant Paul Harrison, from the Waddon safer neighbourhoods team, said the area had suffered antisocial behaviour for "too long".

"Anyone breaching the terms of the injunction can expect to be prosecuted and those that are could be facing a prison sentence," he added.

Cllr Hoar said: "This isn't just a few lads doing wheel-spins and not doing anyone any harm. It's damaging business, there have been burglaries linked to it, and there's all the antisocial behaviour as well.

"The injunction means potential prison time. We're hoping they will take it more seriously, particularly if someone is prosecuted for it and spends time in jail."

Purley Way cruisers could be sent to jail

Gospel choir nominated for a MOBO award

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A GOSPEL choir has been nominated for its first Music Of Black Origin award after almost 20 years of performing together.

The IDMC Choir is up for Best Gospel Act at this year's MOBO awards in Glasgow on October 19.

The choir was set up by John Fisher, from Thornton Heath, in 1994, and has performed with Stevie Wonder, toured with Michael Buble and sung for Pavarotti on his birthday.

And John, 46, is delighted their growth as an act has been recognised.

He said: "We've been going for a long time now and we are probably one of the most recorded choirs in the country.

"It's really rare for a choir to be nominated for a MOBO; the last time it happened was over ten years ago so it's a real honour."

The choir run singing workshops around Croydon and co-host the annual We Sing U Sing gospel music festival at Fairfield Halls, with their 600-piece gospel children's choir.

Gospel choir nominated for a  MOBO award

Boost for drivers as Highways Agency moves to keep traffic moving

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DRIVERS have been given a boost as the Highways Agency announces it is moving to keep roads moving with more patrol officers. The executive agency of the Department for Transport (DfT) is looking to increase the number of traffic officers for road networks across the south east. Clearing stray animals and debris from the motorway, removing damaged and abandoned vehicles, helping in the aftermath of a serious incident or managing traffic after huge spills of anything from diesel to ketchup, can all be in a day's work for a traffic officer. During road collisions and incidents Highways Agency traffic officers help to coordinate emergency services resources, manage traffic and are the people who re-open routes when it is safe to do so. These officers are recognisable patrolling motorways in high visibility marked vehicles. Highways Agency's head of on-road patrol John McTaggart said: "Patrolling the region's motorways and key roads offers real rewards and job satisfaction and the chance to work closely with partners such as the police and other emergency services." The Traffic Officer Service has been in existence for nearly a decade and celebrates its tenth anniversary next year. In this time it has changed and evolved into the service of today, where traffic officers are trained to a high standard in everything from safety to dealing with road users, traffic management and the use of technology. More than 1,450 traffic officers manage and patrol England's network of motorways and trunk roads. They operate from seven regional control centres and 33 outstations around the country, working around the clock 365 days a year. For more information visit http://www.highways.gov.uk

Boost for drivers as Highways Agency moves to keep traffic moving

TRAVEL: Queues on M25 due to earlier accident

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QUEUES are building on the M25 following an earlier accident this morning (Friday). Slow moving traffic is reported on the M25 clockwise at Junction 8, A217 (Reigate), because of an accident. The damaged vehicle has now been moved onto the hard shoulder. There is also heavy traffic further along the motorway between Junction 10, A3 (Wisley Interchange) and Junction 11, A317 (Chertsey). Traffic is moving slowly southbound on A23 Brighton Road in Coulsdon at the Hollymeoak Road junction. Heavy traffic is being reported on A24 Morden Road northbound in Morden from the A297 Morden Hall Road junction to the A219 Merton Road junction. For drivers heading south the Highways Agency traffic cameras so both carriageways on the M23 at Junction 10 moving freely. Southern Rail is reporting a good service across its network but some trains have been reduced from 12 carriages to 4. For those people heading into London a good service is reported across the majority of the Tube network. There are minor delays on the Circle Line due to an earlier signalling problem at Tower Hill.

TRAVEL: Queues on M25 due to earlier accident

Steve Harley - on the road again

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Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Thursday, November 21, 8pm For tickets, priced £23, call 0208 688 9291 or visit www.fairfield.co.uk

A JOURNALIST once called Steve Harley 'happy go lucky' and he's never forgotten it.

This is, after all, the man who penned the lyrics to Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me), which actually leaves the listener with little to smile about.

"You can't write the dark, brooding romance that I write and be happy go lucky," Steve insists. "I'm still writing that sort of thing now and I do have some dark thoughts."

Steve cites his childhood illness as one of the reasons for the way he is today. He contracted polio in 1953 and spent a total of four years in hospital between the ages of three and 16.

"People ask if that affected me," he said. "Of course it affected me. I learnt how to be alone and solitary. My whole life was kept in a wooden cabinet beside the bed. Early trauma like that makes you the man you are.

"I am lucky it was just physical. Apart from that I had a wonderful childhood."

He started writing and listening to music seriously at age 12, while recovering from surgery.

Steve went on to become one of the best known singer-songwriters in the country as part of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, with worldwide hits including Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me), Judy Teen, Mr Raffles and a cover of Here Comes The Sun.

With 13 albums to his name and an unfailing love of performing live, Steve rarely has a year when he doesn't take to the stage.

He's just started a 13-date tour of the UK which takes in Croydon, where he'll be trying to sing at least one track from every one of his albums.

"This show pretty much spans my whole career," Steve said. "I do have a set list but I rarely stick to the order.

"The band and the lighting department have to jump through hoops but they know me well enough to know what's coming next. It keeps them all on their toes. But because I mix things up I sometimes miss an album and then the hardcore fans get upset."

Steve has no problem with the overriding success of the song that everyone knows him for – Make Me Smile. He knows that's often the one song that the crowd are desperate to hear.

"I don't mind because I wrote it, my big hits are not bubblegum tunes," he said. "I like these songs. Make Me Smile is never the same twice. People sing it with me from beat one. Why wouldn't I like it?

"We were performing in Dublin a few years ago and there was a woman at the front who kept shouting at me 'Play Make Me Smile Steve', and it was only 20 minutes in. So after a while I stopped and looked down at her and said 'Look, if you've paid £25 just to hear that one song then I suggest you go for a walk, get a burger and come back in an hour and a half's time, then you can hear it.' She loved it and the audience were in fits."

As well as the tour, Steve has recently released a live DVD and 2 CD album, recorded at his special one-off show at the Birmingham Symphony Hall in November 2012. It features one of his performances of a lifetime, singing all of the tracks from The Human Menagerie and The Psychomodo albums, back to back and in sequence, accompanied by a band, orchestra and choir.

After the tour, Steve has a busy year ahead. He and the band will perform their annual Christmas gig at the Picturedrome in Holmfirth, Yorkshire. Then there's another live performance complete with orchestra and choir in Manchester in April.

After that he'll be heading over to Norway to record new songs in a renovated warehouse on a fjord.

"It's so idyllic there, I can't even tell you," he said. "I'm writing the new material now but it's hard to write new lyrics when you're on tour, singing the old ones every night."

Harley's lyrics have always been one of his strengths however, with Rod Stewart calling him "one of the finest lyricists the UK has ever produced."

Clare Youell

Steve Harley - on the road again

Croydon Village Outlet boss denies staff have gone unpaid

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THE man behind Croydon's newest department store has rubbished rumours the business is struggling and staff have not been paid. The Advertiser understands some Croydon Village Outlet (CVO) staff did not get paid at the end of October. When they were, earlier this month, some did not receive the full amount. Chief executive Marco Cash said the store, which directly employs more than 200 people, was doing "okay" and that the only wage issue was staff had, in fact, been paid too much. He explained: "As far as I'm concerned – as far as everyone is concerned – 100 per cent of staff have been paid. "Last month's wages were overpaid by £22,000. That's overpaid, not underpaid and it's categorical. The person who was dealing with the wages has left the company since then. It was an admin error. "So 100 per cent of the people who were supposed to have been paid, have been paid. "There's no outstanding wage issue at the present at all. I phoned the financial controller and he confirmed that." However, a well-placed source told the Advertiser: "The majority of staff weren't paid in October and when they were paid, it wasn't the full amount. "Subsequently they have been paid, but I don't know whether they will be capable of paying them this month." CVO has been through a difficult few months since it opened in the former Allders building in September. The store, self-styled as the 'Harrods of Croydon', endured a nightmare opening, closing after an hour due to a fault with the tills. It remained closed the following day. Shoppers have also complained about the absence of advertised designer brands. A number of the concessions, particularly in the food hall, have left. Mr Cash said he had "booted out" around 12 concessions because they weren't performing. "Under-performing concessions, in any department store, get booted out. It's called retail," he said. "That's exactly what department stores do. If you look around Harrods, Debenhams or House of Fraser, it's ever-changing. If [concessions] don't cut the mustard they are out. "It's in the contract. It's not as if someone can pack up and go. That cannot happen." Privately a number of business leaders expressed concerns about CVO's future during the Develop Croydon conference on Wednesday. Many had heard rumours the store was struggling and agreed that its closure, so soon after opening, would not be bad news for the town. When asked whether CVO was in trouble, Mr Cash said: "Of course [business] is good. We're coming into the busiest season. "If you read the financial press you will see that retail is down. It's not CVO, it's retail. "Things are going okay. Retail is very tough at the minute."

Croydon Village Outlet boss denies staff have gone unpaid


Petrescu latest: Is Dan the man to finally take Crystal Palace job?

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Former Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday defender Dan Petrescu is reportedly in advanced talks with Crystal Palace about becoming their new manager. Palace have been tracking the right candidate since Ian Holloway's departure last month and according to Sky Sports, it looks like 45-year-old Petrescu is that man. Bookmakers have also suspended betting on the 45-year-old Dynamo Moscow boss becoming Palace's new manager. The only stumbling block appears to be that Petrescu is holding out for a three-year deal.

Petrescu latest: Is Dan the man to finally take Crystal Palace job?

Murder investigation launched after body is found in a Warlingham well

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A MURDER investigation has been launched after a body was found in a well in Warlingham this afternoon (Friday). Police were called to the discovery outside an address in Audley Drive at around 1.50pm. The Met Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command is investigating. The body, which is an adult, is currently unidentified. It has not been disclosed whether it is a male or female. The Met says a post mortem examination will be arranged "in due course". Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call the police incident room on 020 8721 4961 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Murder investigation launched after body is found in a Warlingham well

Nine-year-old Selhurst boy's tribute to dad who died in crash

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A BOY whose father was killed in a motorcycle crash has written a heartbreaking note to say: "Love you daddy." Shawn Swaby died after coming off his motorbike last Saturday morning in Roman Way. The 38-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene despite paramedics' efforts to save him. Hours later his ex-partner Charlene Smith found herself breaking the news to their children, Tshawn Swaby, 9, and Tanarj'e Swaby, 12. After being told what had happened, Tshawn wrote a letter to his dad which read: "RIP daddy. We love you. You will always be [in] our hearts so RIP. Love you daddy." Miss Smith, from Selhurst, said their daughter had struggled to take in the tragic news. Mr Swaby is thought to have been on his way to work, as a financial adviser, when he came off his motorcycle at around 9.30am. It was initially thought that he had collided with a tarmac truck. However, Lafarge Tarmac said its truck did not come into contact with the motorcycle. It was the company's driver who called for an ambulance. Officers from the Met's Road Death Investigation Unit, based in Catford, are appealing to anybody who witnessed the incident to call 020 8285 1574.

Nine-year-old Selhurst boy's tribute to dad who died in crash

FANS VIEW: New Crystal Palace boss will have to dance to Moody's tune

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SINCE Ian Holloway resigned from his position, bookmakers have seen a huge number of favourites climb to the top of their odds table, with each option ranging in managerial prowess and coaching ability.

We've seen the coming and going of Tony Pulis as a potential boss. We then saw Martin O'Neill become second favourite until he turned the job down (or perhaps refused to discuss it) in favour of the Ireland job.

We've seen Chris Coleman work the market to give himself a better negotiating position in his contract talks with the Welsh FA and we've seen Neil Warnock and Steve Coppell get honourable mentions.

New candidates for the favourite position now include Burnley boss Sean Dyche, former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen (until he took a job at Fulham on Wednesday) and even our favourite bald eagle, Atilio Lombardo.

All of this speculation is indicative of one thing – since Steve Parish and the rest of CPFC2010 bought the club, we rarely find out exactly what is going on until either the announcement is made or the final contracts are being signed. In other words, the club rarely indulge in the kind of speculation that the national media (and the bookmakers) thrive on.

What is certain is that, whether the new manager is experienced or not, they will have to work within a newly-established structure – and with Karanka, Dyche and Lombardo linked to the managerial position, an experienced manager might not actually be what the club are looking for.

Iain Moody's appointment as sporting director (an astute one given his success at Watford and Cardiff) signals the club have possibly had a change of attitudes towards the new appointment.

A more experienced boss is unlikely to feel as comfortable to work within a structure where he might report to a director – the likes of Pulis prefer an autonomous approach to management.

Moody's appointment is a great step in the right direction.

While managers will change frequently (it is rare for a manager to stay at the same club for three years or more) having a technical director can ensure a smooth transition between bosses and a defined policy in terms of squad building and long-term planning.

So, while the odds keep changing, one thing is for certain – whoever comes in will have to be willing to work with Moody.

FANS VIEW: New Crystal Palace boss will have to dance to Moody's tune

Rugby world cup anthem composed by Croydon trio

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FOR a sport as northern as Yorkshire pudding, you may be surprised to hear the Rugby League World Cup soundtrack is by a trio of Croydon musicians.

Steve Boyce, Eric Olley and Simon Tindle recorded We Will Be Kings for charity, but have since seen their song picked up as the tournament's official song.

The anthem is being played on a number of radio stations up north, as well as in the stadiums before games.

Steve, 55, recorded the track as a collaboration with Eric Olley, 54, and Simon Tindle, 44, in his home studio in Whyteleafe.

The trio, who met in a pub about five years ago, are hoping the exposure they receive will propel them into the commercial music industry.

Steve, who admits he is not a huge rugby fan, said: "The song is not necessarily like all my music but this job came in and we thought we should write something anthemic that would be good to chant along to.

"We've had lots of messages of support for the track and it's all for charity, so we're hopeful it will do quite well."

The Rugby League World Cup is taking place at huge stadiums, including the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wembley and Old Trafford.

Professional musician, Steve, who plays regular gigs around Croydon at venues like The Earl of Eldon, in Brighton Road, has yet to play the track live.

But there is a possibility the group will be asked to play the song, which is available on iTunes, before the final at the Old Trafford on November 30.

Steve added: "That would obviously be fantastic but the logistics of it would be mad.

"If we're asked then it would be hard to turn down. Some members of the England squad have already said they love it, so I think we've got their support."

In 2008, Steve won a competition to open for Eric Clapton in front of 40,000 people in Hyde Park.

"That was a fascinating experience but once you start playing it doesn't really matter if there's thousands of people in front of you," he said.

The trio are unnamed but originally wanted to call themselves Fizzy Guinness.

And although they are enjoying the success of their track, they now believe their future is in producing music for television and films.

Eric, a huge Chelsea fan who lives in West Croydon, said: "We really like collaborating with each other and we have sent stuff to different agencies.

"There are thousands of people trying to do it but you never know what might crop up and if you get something successful there can be a lot of royalties in it. We can't really be bothered to go on a proper tour because we're getting a bit older.

"But we love just getting in a room and seeing what comes out of it."

Royalties made from We Will Be Kings will go to the tournament's Wooden Spoon children's charity.

Rugby world cup anthem composed by Croydon trio

UPDATE: 31-year-old woman found dead at house in Tanfield Road

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The death of a 31-year-old woman at a Croydon flat is being treated as unsuspicious, police have confirmed. London Ambulance Service (LAS) was called to the basement flat of a house in Tanfield Road just before 9am today (Friday). Paramedics found a woman who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are not treating the death as suspicious and no arrests were made. Asher Weston, 30, who lives above the flat, said: "I didn't hear anything during the night and my girlfriend usually wakes up at the sound of a pin drop. "There's usually loud, bass-heavy music coming from the flat. "I didn't know what had happened until after the police had been." Julian Walrond, 72, who lives in the house on Brafferton Road just behind the flat, said: "I've lived here since 1976 and I can't remember anything like this happening. "I didn't hear anything at first but my wife came back home and told me the police were blocking my driveway. "I would probably have only known if the house burned down but I can't say I heard anything this morning or last night."

UPDATE: 31-year-old woman found dead at house in Tanfield Road

CRYSTAL PALACE: Profiles of the three men in the frame for the Selhurst Park hot seat

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REPORTS this morning suggest the race to become the next Crystal Palace manager has entered the home straight - with three men in the running to take over from Ian Holloway. Romanian Dan Petrescu, former Eagles boss Iain Dowie, and ex-Stoke manager Tony Pulis are the trio who would be king. If you believe the bookies (and this comes with a cautionary note, bearing in mind how many odds-on favorites there have been for this job) Petrescu is the most likely to be appointed. A look through the various fans forums and social media posts also suggests the former Chelsea player and current manager of Dinamo Moscow would be a more popular and, in some views, more progressive choice. Yet the Advertiser understands Dowie - who guided the Eagles to promotion in 2004 - would jump at the chance of a return to SE25, and has been sounded out by the board. Pulis has the best CV when it comes to keeping a club in the top-flight, but many fans are put off by his style of football, while there are still also suggestions his salary will prove too expensive for Steve Parish and his board to stomach. Here's a profile of the three men up for the Palace job.
Dan Petrescu Best remembered by English football fans as a rampaging full-back cum wing-back in the late 1990s; first for Sheffield Wednesday and then, most famously, at Chelsea. He also had briefer spells at Southampton and Bradford City and, among his 95 caps for Romania, famously scored a late goal to defeat England in a 1998 World Cup game. His managerial career thus far has taken him to three countries - his native Romania, Russia, and Poland - and six clubs, with the highlight a Russian league title win at Kuban Krasnodar. In 2009, he was linked with the Scotland job eventually handed to Craig Levein, and has spoken in the past of a desire to return to British football. Known for his passionate touchline displays, Petrescu would be an intruiging choice - and popular with the fans.
Iain Dowie To say that Dowie has gone from god to the devil in Palace fans' eyes is perhaps overstating it a little. But the sour taste left by his first departure from SE25 means any return from the club wouldn't exacty meet with universal support. Dowie's first spell in the Selhurst dugout began in December 2003, with Eagles just above the Championship relegation spots. Six months later, he had guided Palace to the Premier League - with the remarkable turnaround completed with a 1-0 play-off final win in Cardiff against West Ham. After that, it all went sour. Palace were relegated the season after and Dowie soon left for arch-rivals Charlton, sparking a bitter dispute with chairman Simon Jordan, which ended up reaching the courts. His Charlton stint lasted just 15 league games though, and subsequent managerial spells at Charlton, QPR, Coventry, and Hull have met with mixed results. Dowie hasn't been in management for three years, instead working as a pundit on Sky's Soccer Saturday.
Tony Pulis The man who made Stoke City an established Premier League club was installed as the early favourite for the Palace job and, on paper, would appear to possess all the right credentials. He dragged Stoke from the middle of the Championship to the top ten of the Premier League, an FA Cup Final, and European football in his five-year spell at the Britannia Stadium. So, surely, the perfect man to lead Palace out of the relegation mire? Two nagging concerns make this, arguably, the least likely of the three potential appointments. Firstly, the Pulis brand of football isn't exactly 'the beautiful game'. He favours a direct, percentages-led method which won't please the purists. Secondly, having commanded over a million a year as Stoke boss, the Welshman won't come cheap. Petrescu, Dowie, or Pulis? Who would you like to see at Palace? Have your say below.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Profiles of the three men in the frame for the Selhurst Park hot seat


Plan for 37-storey tower on Croydon College car park

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THE former developers of a notorious unfinished Croydon eyesore have unveiled plans to build another huge tower in the town centre.

The joint project between Phoenix Logistics, who sold the unfinished IYLO building in 2011, and Croydon College would be part hotel and part flats.

The "high-quality" development (artist's impression pictured right) would see a 37-storey tower of flats and a 15-storey hotel built on College Road.

The 37-storey block would contain 161 homes and incorporate a new pedestrian link to the site via a three-storey colonnade.

The new plans represent an upscale from a similar scheme by the college last year to build a 29-storey building on the same site.

Work on the IYLO building started in 2007, but stalled in 2009 after Phoenix Logistics' subsidiary St James' Croydon went into administration.

The building, on the junction of Wellesley Road and St James's Road, was sold on to another company in 2011, but work did not start again till this summer.

Phoenix, based in Norbury, still has the IYLO building listed as "coming soon" on its website.

The developers' new venture with Croydon College marks an escalation of the plans last year to build a 29-storey building.

The previous development would have provided a vocational college on the lower ten floors.

It is unclear at this stage what sort of educational facilities the new development will contain, but as the site is within the Fair Field Masterplan area, the development must include a "suitable" amount of teaching accommodation.

The project, which would be built on the site of the car park behind Croydon College, would also feature a café on the ground-floor lobby level.

Croydon Council is also seeking to make 20 per cent of all new homes within the Croydon Opportunity Area – which the proposed development lies in – to have three or more bedrooms for family housing.

The developers are not yet able to confirm the proposed breakdown of the units by size.

Plan for 37-storey tower on Croydon College car park

Man arrested in connection with death of Paula Newman is bailed

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A MAN arrested in connection with the death of 20-year-old Paula Newman in New Addington has been bailed. The 33-year-old was arrested when police and ambulance crews were called to Dunsfold Way, New Addington, on Tuesday morning to reports of a woman having a heart attack. Miss Newman, from Beckenham, was taken to Croydon University Hospital where she later died. A postmortem revealed her cause of death had been head injuries, which police believe she sustained falling from a BMW 325 somewhere on the estate the night before. The arrested man, who was the driver of the car, has been bailed until mid-January pending further investigation. Detectives can be contacted in the incident room on 020 8721 4005. If you wish to remain anonymous then call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Man arrested in connection with death of Paula Newman is bailed

New Addington MP wannabe told she should stick to shelf stacking

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A NEW Addington woman who wants to be Croydon's first female MP was told by a career advisor she should stick to stacking shelves.

Rosina St James, 23, went to Addington High School when it was struggling under the inadequate ratings given by Ofsted.

Rosina, pictured right, said: "The school had a bad image, that pupils who went there would never achieve," she said.

"People would say girls like me just get pregnant young and never get good grades.

"When I went to a career advisor and told her I wanted to be a politician, she said to me I should work as a shop assistant or stack shelves in supermarkets."

Rosina, who went on to study at London School of Economics, be president of the Afro-Caribbean Society and vice-chair of the British Youth Council, said the meeting was one of the defining moments of her life.

"It was really crushing but I just thought 'No way, I have ambitions and I will chase them'," she said.

During school and university since the age of 14, she volunteered for Croydon Council as a youth worker and then worked for the anti-gang group Safer London Foundation.

She also set up a business to empower women and is now about to launch a new project resettling ex-offenders back into the community.

She said: "Statistically the age group 18 to 25 is the one most likely to re-offend but it is also the most likely to desist from crime altogether, so it's important to catch young people early. Youth centres and activities for young people are being closed down in Croydon and nothing is being created to replace them.

"I think my generation want to be involved in their community and make a difference.

"They need more job opportunities and opportunities to put something back into society.

"There are 70,000 young people in Croydon and there is a lack of confidence and opportunity, people do not expect much from them. I want to change that."

In the future, Rosina said she would like to become a Croydon councillor before running to become the first female MP in one of the three seats.

On Saturday, Rosina will be speaking at a Technology Entertainment Design-inspired event at the BRIT School along with 12 others to discuss the consequences of the 2011 riots and inspire youngsters to create a platform for new ideas.

The TEDx programme has been launched to allow communities to run their own talks at a local level.

"Young voices are not being heard and this is a good opportunity to make people sit up and listen," Rosina said.

For more details, visit tedxyouthcroydon.com.

New Addington MP wannabe told she should stick to shelf stacking

Seven arrested in murder probe after body found in a well on the Croydon/Surrey border

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SEVEN people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was found in a well on the Croydon/Surrey border yesterday. Police were called to the garden of a three-bedroomed cottage in Audley Drive, Warlingham, at around 1.50pm yesterday (Friday). Gardeners were clearing half an acre of land when they looked down the garden's well and spotted what they thought was a body. Officers were called to the scene where they still remain today, along with the Metropolitan Police's underwater and confined space search team. The body has yet to be recovered from the four feet of water in the well, and police have said the cause of death is not yet known, nor is the age or gender of the body. Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call the police incident room on 020 8721 4961 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Seven arrested in murder probe after body found in a well on the Croydon/Surrey border

FANS VIEW: Crystal Palace defence deserve some plaudits

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IN RECENT weeks our defence have certainly taken their fair share of criticism.

It is an area which should have been strengthened during the summer. With Ramage being loaned out to Barnsley and Parr injured, we haven't had much choice as far as defence has gone. But I really think credit needs to go to our back four for their efforts in last Saturday's game against Everton.

Joel Ward, for me, has been our player of the season so far. During games where we have looked awful, Ward has been so consistent, and I think he has been one of the best right-backs we have had at this club for some time.

I went to Portsmouth University and therefore knew many Pompey supporters. When we signed Ward from them for a mere £400,000, at the time when Portsmouth were going through deep financial struggles, Pompey fans were admittedly gutted to see him go and said to me we had got ourselves a great defender and was a real bargain.

And they were right. To come from League One to a Championship side, and then straight into the Premier League and not look out of place against some of the world's best strikers is phenomenal.

At only 24, I think Ward will go on to be a force in the Premier League for years to come.

Credit must also be given to Moxey, Delaney and Gabiddon. Moxey is superb at running down the wing, which in turn created so many chances for us.

I wasn't Gabbidon's biggest fan last season, but I think we have really benefited from his experience in the Premier League this year, and playing alongside Delaney, we have formed a formidable defensive unit in the last few games

FANS VIEW: Crystal Palace defence deserve some plaudits

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