Crystal Palace drawn against West Bromwich Albion in FA Cup

December 8, 2013, 8:47 am

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CRYSTAL Palace have been drawn against West Bromwich Albion in the third round of the FA Cup. Just five weeks ago, the Eagles came away from the Hawthorns with a 2-0 defeat in league action, but a lot has changed since then with Tony Pulis now in charge. Palace face Norwich City in the Premier League on New Year's Day and they'll be hoping to continue a good start to 2014 in the world's most famous cup competition. The match will take place on the weekend of January 4/5.

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Croydon's Rough Copy out of X Factor

December 8, 2013, 12:45 pm

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CROYDON band Rough Copy reached the semi-final of X Factor but will progress no further. The trio were voted out by the public after a sing-off with Luke Friend tonight. The decision was made by the public after a deadlock amongst the judges. Gary Barlow, Rough Copy's mentor, sent his own act through as did Nicole Sherzinger. But with Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne voting for Luke, it was left to the public vote. On this evening's show Rough Copy performed End of the Road by Boyz II Men - an act they had been compared to by Sharon Osbourne the previous night. The trio had won plaudits on Saturday for their performances of Survivor by Destiny's Child and Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.

Crystal Palace defender: I don't mind a bit of left-back

December 9, 2013, 12:55 am

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CRYSTAL Palace defender Joel Ward was delighted to keep another clean sheet and admits he didn't mind moving to left-back during the first half of Saturday's 2-0 win over Cardiff City. Dean Moxey had to come off with what is believed to be a hamstring injury after 25 minutes, so Eagles boss Tony Pulis brought on Adrian Mariappa to right-back and moved Ward across. And when questioned, the former Portsmouth agreed that Palace dominated the contest from start to finish. "We created the best chances and on a better day we may have taken a couple more better chances," said Ward. "I'm delighted for the lads, that we put in a great shift and came away with the three points again. "We played well and we dominated the majority of the game. "We started slightly slow and they (Cardiff) had a great chance, but we bounced back, got ourselves together and I thought from the moment on, we went on comfortably to win the game. "My preferred place is right-back but I can go over there (to left-back) and do a job. At the end of the day, it's for the team and I was just happy to keep a clean sheet." Meanwhile, Ward believes the fixture list wasn't too kind to Palace at the start of the season, but after picking up some recent form, there seems to be a new-found confidence within the squad, added to the arrival of new manager Pulis. "We'll keep taking the momentum and keep on believing," he said. "In the last five games we've picked up a few points and we're pleased with that, but to also keep on building on that. "It was a tough start to the season. I think our run-in was a lot harder than other teams and these games (against Hull, West Ham and Cardiff) are six-pointers you need to pick up points from." And the stopper praised strike duo Cameron Jerome and Marouane Chamakh for getting the goals which lifted the Eagles on to 13 points following their goals in either half on Saturday. Ward said: "I was delighted for him (Jerome). He and Cham put in a massive shift and it was great for both of them to get the rewards."

PICTURES: Crystal Palace vs Cardiff City

December 9, 2013, 1:09 am

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ANOTHER game, another victory for Crystal Palace. The Eagles are getting into the winning habit under Tony Pulis, with goals from Cameron Jerome and Marouane Chamakh earning them a second home success inside a week under their new boss. The 2-0 Saturday win over Cardiff City was arguably Palace's best performance of the season, as they dominated the game from start to finish. Here are some of the highlights of the game, as captured by Palace club photographer Neil Everitt.

Film screening shows riot scars yet to heal

December 9, 2013, 1:18 am

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THE £1 billion scheme to redevelop Croydon town centre must not leave behind areas most affected by the 2011 riots. That was the message from community group West Croydon Voice at the last public screening of a youth-led film about the disorder. Around 100 people turned out to watch Riot From Wrong at Fairfield Halls last Thursday night. The film, produced by a group of young people, featured alternative perspectives of the riots and looting that swept across the country, including interviews with community leaders, victims and some of those who took part. Following the screening, West Croydon Voice founder Bushra Ahmed told the audience that the borough was in danger of allowing a brand new shopping centre, approved last month by the council, to be built next to areas which have seen little of the investment promised two years ago. "There's no doubt Westfield will be great for the town but my worry, and the reason I wanted to bring people together and show this film, is about the people living around it," she said. "They are still going to face the same issues that caused the riots in the first place because very little has changed." Mrs Ahmed, whose family dry-cleaning business in London Road was destroyed, added: "After the riots an independent panel suggested things that should be done to make sure it doesn't happen again. "I don't know how many of them have been put in place. There was a recommendation to have a police station on London Road, which has not been followed through. To my mind, that's short-sighted. "I for one never want to see [the riots] happen again, but unless you do something about it, what's going to stop the anger from building up again?" West Croydon Voice represents riot victims who have yet to be fully compensated after losing their home or business. Charlene Munro, who lost everything she owned when her flat burnt down but received just £2,450, joined Mrs Ahmed on the post-film discussion panel, alongside members of Fully Focused Productions, the makers of Riot From Wrong. Director and co-founder Teddy Nygh said: "The fact that Bushra and Charlene had to come together and create an organisation like West Croydon Voice to campaign for their own compensation shows the position people are still in, even two and a half years down the line." The film, featuring interviews shot on the fourth day of the riots, aimed to give a voice to people the group felt had not been heard in the mainstream media. It focused on the underlying social causes and, for the most part, downplayed the criminality focused on by the authorities. "What you can see is that a lot of youths – a lot of people – are very angry," said Fidel Kenny, a member of Fully Focused. "There's a lot of underlying anger in a lot of communities about the way they are treated by the system, by the police and other organisations. "If they aren't towing the line, they get shut down. The mainstream media only want to hear what they want to hear. "We didn't set out to make a provocative film. We set out to make an open and honest film. If fingers were pointed, it's because that's how people felt." Among the audience were nearly a dozen Labour politicians, including Croydon North MP Steve Reed, but no one from the Conservative group. Vidhi Mohan, cabinet member for communities, said he had spoken at a regeneration conference in Canary Wharf that evening. Asked whether he felt someone from the party should have attended, he said it was not a "party political" event. Talk following the meeting was that senior figures within Town Hall had misgivings about the screening, with organisers put under pressure to drop Carol Duggan, the aunt of Mark Duggan, from the panel. The first 20 minutes of the film focused on the death of her nephew, whose shooting by police sparked the initial rioting in Tottenham. For legal reasons The Advertiser is unable to repeat large parts of what she said that evening due to an ongoing inquest into Mr Duggan's death, but the panel defended her involvement on the night. Teddy said: "When someone is killed in your family, there is no right and wrong. What is important is that you can express yourself and try and get through your journey. With the strength of 10,000 lions that is what Carole is doing." Fidel said: "We had a screening in which Michael Mansfield QC [representing the Duggan family at the inquest] sat on the panel but wouldn't answer any questions on the inquest because he was directly involved. "I tweet from the inquest. I don't think there's anything wrong in commenting on it. I don't think we're prejudging the outcome." Carole said she had attended the Fairfield screening, and others, to address the "smear campaign" waged against her family by the police and media. "The way the media described Mark initially, that wasn't Mark, it was not who he was," she said. "We know Mark better than anyone else.I will always fight for him because I know he is innocent." Researcher Suzanne Hyde, sitting in the audience, said: "It seems to me it's the people most hurt by the riots who are still talking about it. "For Carol Duggan to be here, with the hurt she must be feeling while the inquest going on is very moving." Before the screening Mr Reed raid out a personal message to West Croydon Voice from Labour leader Ed Miliband. Mr Reed added: "In the aftermath of the riots there was a big negative reaction to young people in general. "That was really wrong because the media tried to demonise young people and too many politicians jumped on the same bandwagon. They were calling on everyone to be locked up. "While you can't excuse criminal behaviour I do think we need to understand what it was we have been doing to our young people that led those things to happen. "That's why a screening of a film like this is important. "Having the opportunity to watch the film and discuss what happened is part of the healing, moving on and understanding what we all need to do to ensure our young people have more opportunities than they feel they have at the moment."

VIDEO: Trinity School defeat Harrow in front of England U18 rugby squad

December 9, 2013, 2:48 am

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TRINITY School made it through to Round 7 of the Natwest Cup last week after a dramatic win against Harrow School. Playing away at Harrow, the game started on the next pitch to where England U18s were playing Australia U18s, and it made for a healthy crowd, especially in the second half when the England game had finished. After a decent start from the Croydon school, Trinity in the early stages, it was Harrow who opened the scoring after a turnover and some quick hands and very good offloading seeing them go over in the corner. Two penalties from George Jackson after some good Trinity pressure pegged the score back to 6-7, and then a fantastic try by Callum Dougall after multiple phases put Trinity 11-7 up. The game continued to ebb and flow and it finished 14-14 at half-time after another penalty from Trinity and another try from Harrow. A typically physical encounter ensued after the break, with both sides playing some very good rugby. and after a try and penalty apiece, the game was finely balanced at 24-24. At this point, Harrow would have advanced in the competition as they had scored three tries to Trinity's two. Trinity knew they had to score next and time was running out. With two minutes to go, Jackson had an opportunity to put Trinity ahead but pushed it to the right of the posts ensuring a nervous last few phases. With the last play of the game, Trinity were awarded a penalty which gave Jackson another opportunity to win the match. And he took the kick magnificently and it just crept over the crossbar for an exceptional victory.WATCH THE WINNING KICK FROM GEORGE JACKSON HERE

Man admits flashing 16-year-old girl on West Croydon train

December 9, 2013, 3:30 am

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A MAN has admitted exposing himself to a 16-year-old girl on a train. Mark Ferguson, 48, flashed the teenager on a train at West Croydon station on October 22. Ferguson, of Edmeston Road, Hackney, appeared at Croydon Crown Court last Friday and admitted indecent exposure and breaching a sexual offences prevention order made in August 2008. The court had previously been told that Ferguson deliberately "targeted" the teenager, asking her where the Victoria-bound train was heading before exposing himself. Ferguson, originally from the United States, will be sentenced on January 17. He was released on bail, the conditions of which were that he must reside at his home address; not travel on public transport including bus, train or tram; and report to Stoke Newington police station five days a week.

GRAPHIC: How Croydon town centre is changing

December 9, 2013, 4:31 am

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CENTRAL Croydon is undergoing a huge period of change, with a string of either completed or proposed developments set to transform the town's landscape. The changes are being led by the proposed £1bn redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre, by Westfield and Hammerson, but include a series of other residential, commercial, and transport transformations. This map, put together for last month's Develop Croydon conference, puts together those plans and maps how Croydon might look in the future.

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1. Delta Point Developer: Mapeley/Fortress Investments Group Status: Approved 2. Interchange Developer: Canmoor and CarVal Investors Interchange is a 180,000 sq ft Grade A office building located close to West and East Croydon stations and the Whitgift Centre. It offers 18,000 sq ft flexible, modern floor plates accessed through a large atrium and over 400 secure parking spaces. Status: Under way 3. Saffron Square n Developer: Berkeley A high-quality, mixed-use development of 792 new homes incorporating an iconic 43-storey tower. Saffron Square is designed around a one-acre public square complete with water features and overlooked by a residents' gym, business lounge, 24-hour concierge and a selection of shops and cafes. Status: Under way 4. Quest House Developer: Family Mosaic Status: Approved 5. Morello Quarter Developer: Menta-Redrow Ltd Located on Cherry Orchard Road, adjacent to East Croydon Station, the 30,000 sq m development will deliver 290 one, two and three-bed apartments. The scheme has been designed as a garland of four low to mid-rise buildings linked as pairs at lower levels. The joint venture development by Menta and Redrow Homes starts on site in April 2014 and is scheduled for occupation in 2016. Status: Under way 6. Cherry Orchard Road Developer: Menta Menta has secured planning consent for a mixed tenure development of 71 residential units and a community centre, public square and shops in Cherry Orchard Road. A mix of town houses and apartments predominantly focused at the affordable end of the market will complement the new station environment being created by the Galaxy House proposals and the Morello Tower. Status: Approved 7. Morello Developer: Menta Morello is a mixed-use scheme by Menta which includes a landmark 55-storey residential tower. The tower creates a 'vertical street' comprising 424 residential units, ground and first-floor retail spaces and a series of communal amenity spaces. A 17-storey, four-star boutique hotel sits adjacent to the tower and will become a new commercial and community hub. Work is scheduled to start in 2014. Status: Approved 8. East Croydon Bridge Developer: Network Rail Status: Recently completed 9. Royal Mail Developer: Deloitte LLP Status: Proposed 10. Eco Developer: Berwick Hill Status: Under way 11. Ruskin Square Developer: Schroders Investment Management Ltd and Stanhope plc The total residential scheme comprises 600 homes, and the wider site includes 1.5 million sq ft of Grade A office space, as well as shops, restaurants, and extensive new landscaped public realm. The first phase of 161 apartments will be delivered in partnership with Places for People. Status: Under way 12. Premier Inn Developer: Peveril Securities Status: Recently completed 13. Renaissance Developer: Abstract Group Construction recently finished of a new five-storey, 100,628sq ft, Grade A office scheme in Dingwall Road, adjacent to East Croydon Station, that achieves the BREEAM 2011 Excellent rating for environmental efficiency. The building is partially let with 58,230 sq ft still available off an initial rental from £22 per sq ft. Status: Recently completed 14. One Lansdowne Road Developer: Guildhouse Rosepride LLP This mixed use development by Guildhouse Rosepride LLP has planning consent for 397 luxury apartments, a 217-bedroom 4/5-star hotel, 180,000 sq ft (16,750 sq m) Grade A office space, members' health club, restaurants, cafes and bars. Designed by Piers Gough, of CZWG Architects, the main tower of the scheme will be one of the tallest residential buildings in the UK at a height of 200 metres – the focal point of south London's skyline. Status: Approved 15. St Anne's House Developer: Redefine International Status: Approved 16. Chroma Developer: Terrace Hill Located in East Croydon opposite the third busiest rail interchange in London, Chroma is an office development with a consented scheme of 258,000 sq ft over 17 floors. Interest is invited from 50,000 sq ft upwards. Status: Approved 17. 96 George Street Developer: Freshwater Status: Proposed 18. Fair Field Masterplan Developer: TBC Status: Proposed 19. St George's House Developer: Legal & General Status: Approved 20. Taberner House Developer: CCURV Residential-led development and regeneration of Queen's Gardens. The proposed scheme will provide approximately 420 residential units and 6,000 sq ft of ground floor space that will have active frontages to Queen's Gardens to include a mixture of leisure and retail uses. Programmed for start on site in January 2014. Status: Proposed 21. Bernard Weatherill House Developer: CCURV CCURV completed building Bernard Weatherill House in September. The development is a 240,000 sq ft BREEAM excellent office building which houses Croydon Council and a range of local service providers. Status: Recently completed 22. Edridge Road Developer: Sloane International Development Status: Approved 23. Scarbrook Road Developer: Durkan Durkan worked closely with the London Borough of Croydon to unlock the development of 98 new homes at 19 Scarbrook Road. The 13-storey tower will include one, two and three-bedroom apartments at the heart of Croydon with all the benefits the town centre offers. Work started on site in March and, with completion due March 2015, Durkan is looking forward to launching sales in 2014. Status: Under way 24. The Whitgift Centre Developer: The Croydon Partnership In 2013, Westfield and Hammerson entered into a joint venture to redevelop the retail centre of Croydon. The London Borough of Croydon recently resolved to grant planning for the £1 billion scheme which will transform Croydon's town centre into a 1.5 million sq ft state-of-the-art retail, leisure and restaurant destination, together with new public realm and up to 600 new residential units including affordable housing. Status: Approved 25. St Michael Street, West Croydon Developer: Barratt Homes Status: Proposed 26. New South Quarter Developer: Barratt Homes Barratt is building a residential development of 923 contemporary apartments located in South Croydon. This landmark scheme consisting of studios, one and two-bedroom apartments (many with balconies and terraces) is set out around the River Wandle, adjacent to Wandle Park and close to good transport links, with a wealth of shops, bars and restaurants nearby. Status: Under way 27. Cane Hill Developer: Barratt Homes Barratt and Ward Homes are finalising plans for the redevelopment of the former Cane Hill Hospital site in Coulsdon. Subject to planning, the development will consist of up to 675 new homes, 25 per cent of which will be affordable, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses. The proposals seek the retention of existing buildings with the provision of new commercial facilities close to the town centre. n Status: Proposed

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Andrew Pelling falls at first hurdle in bid to become Labour MP

December 9, 2013, 4:52 am

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ANDREW Pelling has failed in a bid to return to national politics only months after being selected to run in next May's local elections. The ex-Conservative MP made the shortlist to run for Labour in Carshalton & Wallington but was beaten by Hackney teacher Siobhan Tate from Islington. Mr Pelling's former party said the attempt raised questions about his commitment to Waddon, where he was selected to stand last June. Labour leader Tony Newman told the Advertiser he had no issue with Mr Pelling's decision and claimed the Conservatives were "running scared" of the former Croydon Central MP. Mr Pelling finished second in the two-strong shortlist put before party members in Carshalton & Wallington last Wednesday. Ms Tate will now stand against Liberal Democrat Tom Brake. Dick Smith, spokesman for the constituency, said: "It was a difficult decision for the selection committee. There were two very strong candidates but we selected Siobhan. "Whoever ends up with Andrew Pelling will be doing very well." The Advertiser understands that, had he been selected, Mr Pelling hoped to be both a Croydon councillor as well as an MP. He has been an active campaigner in Sutton since joining Labour in March 2011 and the borough borders Waddon, sharing issues such as the planned incinerator in Beddington Lane. Mr Newman, who said he had not been consulted before Mr Pelling stood, said: "I know Andrew felt that, because of the cross-border issues, [being an MP] would be an extra platform in terms of the campaign. "From what he said to me he thought combining the two would add to his voice." Cllr Phil Thomas, deputy chairman of Croydon Conservatives, said his former colleague had betrayed his priorities. He said: "Andrew Pelling is a career politician. He is only interested in furthering his own career. "This shows he is not interested or committed to representing the people of Waddon. If he was, he would not be putting his name forward for Parliamentary seats in other parts of London. "I'm sure the people of Waddon won't be impressed with his latest antics." Mr Newman replied: "The Conservatives are running scared in Waddon and they are terrified of Andrew's candidacy. "If it was a seat up in Manchester or Cambridge then maybe, but the fact it was parallel to Croydon and there are a number of issues that cross the border then I think a strong case could be made for combining the two. "When I look at the work our 'dream team' are doing and the results they are getting on the doorsteps of Waddon I'm not surprised the Conservatives are running scared and clutching at straws." In a statement emailed to the Advertiser today (Monday) Mr Pelling praised Ms Tate, adding that she would "bring back a lot of Labour voters to the fold".

VIDEO: Relive Rough Copy's best moments on the X Factor

December 9, 2013, 5:00 am

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ROUGH Copy were voted out of X Factor last night after a sing-off with Luke Friend. Here is a look back at some of their finest performances. Who could forget their bold audition with their own twist on Jessie J's Do It Like A Dude? For the first week of the live finals they wowed the audience with the Phil Collins classic, In The Air Tonight. In week four they got their disco on with a version of September by Earth, Wind and Fire. In week seven they took on En Vogue's Don't Let Go. Last week the boys made their way to the semi-final with this epic performance of R Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly. And here is their final song - ironically a rendition of End of the Road by Boyz II Men, a band Sharon Osbourne had compared them to the night before.

Match-fixing investigation: Croydon footballers sacked by club

December 9, 2013, 7:22 am

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TWO non-league footballers from Croydon charged as part of an investigation into match fixing have been sacked by their club. Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, 22, were charged with conspiracy to defraud last Thursday following an ongoing investigation by the National Crime Agency. The following day their club, Brighton-based Whitehawk FC, issued a statement announcing the players had both been dismissed for bringing the Conference South club into "disrepute". Director Mark Turner said: "The board are disappointed by these allegations and have taken steps to protect the club." He added that the board, coaching staff and other players had been "completely unaware" of their alleged actions, and asked supporters to "rally-round" the team. Mr Adelakun is a former Crystal Palace youth player who went on to play for Carshalton Athletic before signing for Whitehawk. Mr Boateng formerly played for Newport County, Bristol Rovers and Sutton United. The National Crime Agency has been investigating an alleged international betting syndicate. Two other men, one Singaporean and the other with dual UK-Singapore nationality, were charged last month. Chann Sankaran and Krishna Ganeshan were charged on November 28 and are currently remanded in custody. Mr Adelakun and Mr Boateng are charged with conspiring together with Mr Sankaran and Mr Ganeshan, and others, to "defraud bookmakers by influencing the course of football matches and placing bets thereon". They have been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on December 11.

'We can compete with Croydon' insists Crawley amid Westfield/Hammerson fears

December 9, 2013, 8:03 am

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CRAWLEY will be able to compete with Croydon as a shopping destination even when Westfield/Hammerson's £1 billion project is complete. That is the bullish view of Crawley councillors amid fears that Croydon's new shopping complex will draw crowds away from the town. They hoped John Lewis would anchor their own, more modest, regeneration plans. The retail giant is now being linked to the prime spot in Croydon. Bob Lanzer, Crawley Borough Council's cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: "We have got a rising population in the south east so I think there is still a place for Crawley (as a shopping venue). "There are a lot of affluent areas in and around Crawley and people do not want to travel to Croydon and have to lug their shopping back here." The second phase of Crawley's regeneration scheme was due to be underway but the plan was put back by at least six months in June due to the failure to secure a store to build the project around. Westfield/Hammerson's plans for Croydon will replace the Whitgift Centre with 1.4 million sq ft of shopping space, leisure facilities and between 400 and 600 new homes. Peter Smith, Crawley's shadow cabinet member for planning and economic development, said Croydon's plans were a "potential issue" and has urged the council to keep pace. Ian Harper, of Crawley and Gatwick Chamber of Commerce, believes Crawley should focus on what it has to offer rather than worrying about what could soon be on offer in Croydon. He said: "Crawley needs to focus on its own local area and clearly explain to the likes of John Lewis, and the other names which have been mentioned previously, what Crawley has to offer." Croydon Council has given outline planning permission to the Westfield/Hammerson scheme, a decision later ratified by Mayor of London Boris Johnson. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles will have the final say, with a decision expected after Christmas.Additional reporting by Dave Comeau

New trial date set for vicar accused of sham marriages

December 9, 2013, 8:36 am

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A NEW trial date has been set for a vicar accused of up to 492 sham marriages. The Reverend Nathan Ntege, 53, is charged with 14 immigration offences relating to hundreds of marriages held over a 15-month period at the Church of St Jude's and St Aidan's in Thornton Heath. Verger Brian Miller, 79, of Owl Close, Selsdon, is charged with the same offences. Galina Petkova, 50, is alleged to have acted as a "fixer" for a number of weddings, as well as allegedly being married in one of the ceremonies herself, is charged with conspiracy and five counts of assisting illegal entry. The trio, who have yet to formally enter pleas, appeared at Inner London Crown Court for what was due to be a case management last Friday. A further case management hearing has been scheduled for January 20 ahead of a trial which is due to begin on January 27. Home Office investigators are not certain how many of the marriages, conducted between December 2009 and March 2011, were valid.

Virgo Fidelis 'good and rapidly improving' says Ofsted

December 9, 2013, 9:20 am

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VIRGO Fidelis Convent Senior School is "good and rapidly improving", Ofsted has said. In an encouraging report, published this week, inspectors praised the Catholic school's leadership team and above average GCSE results. The education watchdog gave the school an overall rating of "good" - the second highest grade - following an inspection in November. The report reserved particular praise for the students "spiritual, moral, social and cultural" development, which it said was "exceptionally well promoted". Teaching was rated as good and improving. "Teachers are keen to make it better, and training is planned well to address any weak practice," the report added. Ofsted said head teacher Sister Bernadette must address the small amount of unsatisfactory teaching and better monitor pupils' progress in order to become an outstanding school.

PHOTO: Crystal Palace defender waiting on scan results

December 9, 2013, 9:40 am

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CRYSTAL Palace defender Dean Moxey faces an anxious wait to find out the extent of his hamstring injury. The left-back was forced off against Cardiff City after 25 minutes and replaced by Adrian Mariappa on Saturday. And it looks like he could miss this weekend's match at Chelsea. "I had a scan this morning and I'm waiting for the results," Moxey told the club's official website www.cpfc.co.uk. "Hopefully, short-term, I'll be back training. "Chelsea is one of the games you look for at the start of the season. Up until Saturday, I had played every second of every game so far, so it's disappointing to pick up an injury at this point of the season. "It's football, I've got to get on with it and get fit again." Moxey posted a photo of his leg raised on his Twitter account this evening (shown above).

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Crystal Palace youngster sends reminder to Tony Pulis after sensational double

December 9, 2013, 10:06 am

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A STUNNING strike from Sullay Kaikai produced Crystal Palace U21s a point at Bristol City this afternoon in a 2-2 draw. Kaikai beat Frank Fielding with a curling free-kick from 25 yards out for his first goal of the afternoon before unleashing a brilliant volley for his second. Bobby Reid replied before the interval and Stephen McLaughlin thought he had secured the win for Bristol City nine minutes from time. However, Kaikai's left-footed shot went into the top corner at the end. Palace's first chance of the afternoon came through Osman Sow's glancing header from Kaikai's corner. The referee awarded Palace a free-kick just outside the City box after Louis Carey had fouled Sow, allowing Kaikai to step up and bend the ball over the wall. City restored parity shortly after when the influential Reid guided his side-footed strike perfectly into the bottom corner. McLaughlin looked dangerous on the break and went close when he tried to find the far corner with a right-footed strike but it was comfortably saved. But nine minutes from time, McLaughlin thought he had grabbed the winner with a strike which went in off the underside of the crossbar. But Kaikai picked up the ball 30 yards from goal before unleashing a left-footed screamer into the top corner. The youngster was recently called up the first team squad for the trip to Norwich City, and this double will give him confidence to force his way into Tony Pulis' plans further.

You probably wouldn't find Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni doing this

December 10, 2013, 8:11 am

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CRYSTAL Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni carries out a number of different techniques in training every day, but it's doubtful he would take part in what a group of football fanatics in Slovenia have come up with. In the following video, they practice firing footballs at a goalkeeper with makeshift cannons. As you will see, the first shot is an easy save – but then the second one takes things up a notch. As one of the men light the second cannon, it blasts past the goalkeeper and nearly rips a hole in the net. And then the person in between the sticks decides enough is enough and misses the third try. Of course, if the goal was a bit further back, the goalkeeper may have a chance of saving, but at the distance it currently is in the video, it would certainly sharpen up any custodian's reflexes. Even if Speroni gave this a go, we're sure he'd save every single shot anyway. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

FANS VIEW: Why Cameron Jerome has proved me wrong

December 10, 2013, 8:18 am

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THE signing of Cameron Jerome was something of an anti-climax for many Palace fans during the summer transfer window. After hopes were raised of an Andy Johnson return, the prospect of signing the former Stoke player did little to excite me or many other Palace fans. It hasn't really been until recent games that I have seen what Cameron Jerome could offer to the Palace striking force. Jerome ironically made a name for himself against last Saturday's opponents; Cardiff City, back in the 2005/06 season, before making a £4 million pound move to Birmingham City in the summer of 2006. After scoring 37 goals in 181 games and following Birmingham's relegation, he moved to Stoke to play under current Palace manager Tony Pulis. It is well known that Jerome's time at Stoke was anything but smooth. He spent two seasons being used mostly as a rotated player which frustrated him immensely, and this ultimately led to the well-publicised argument with the then Stoke boss. Understandably, the appointment of Pulis could have left the striker fearful of his place in the Palace side, with some reports stating that we were on the brink of sending him back to Stoke in January. But, the run of bad luck was about to change for Jerome. On the day of Pulis's appointment, first choice striker Marouane Chamakh was injured in a game against Hull. Jerome completely changed the game, creating chances and holding the ball up exceptionally well, which ultimately led to setting up Barry Bannan's winning goal, and Palace's first away Premier League win since 2004. Having now impressed in our away game at Norwich, a scrappy 1-0 win against West Ham, and scoring and playing a huge part in a 2-0 victory over Cardiff on Saturday, it looks like the tables are now turning for Jerome. The appointment of Pulis seems to be exactly what he needed; let's hope his work ethic continues and he can help lead us to safety.

Man arrested over crash death of 78-year-old

December 10, 2013, 9:35 am

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A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after a collision in which a 78-year-old man died. The 42-year-old was driving the vehicle involved in the fatal collision in Portland Road, South Norwood, on December 1, police said. He has also been charged with driving while uninsured and driving without a valid licence. He has been bailed to return to a south London police station in March 2014. A post-mortem has not established a cause of death for the 78-year-old.

EXCLUSIVE: Crystal Palace legend remembers Eagles trip to meet Nelson Mandela

December 10, 2013, 9:57 am

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CRYSTAL Palace legend Geoff Thomas has recalled how close he was to meeting Nelson Mandela. Thomas and his Eagles team-mates flew out to South Africa in 1992 to play a couple of friendly matches and expected to meet the former President, who sadly passed away last week. "I think Arsenal got invited out there, but for some reason they couldn't do it," Thomas exclusively told the Advertiser sports desk. "(Former Palace chairman) Ron Noades took the opportunity up, and it meant a lot to all of us really to go out there and to meet Nelson Mandela. "But it didn't happen unfortunately. I've been told he was called to a UN meeting, but at the time we were told there was a massacre. "I got told he was sent to sort something out, so sadly I didn't get to meet him. "I remember we played two games. We played Kaiser Chiefs in Johannesburg and then flew out to Durban and played Orlando Pirates. "I think we beat Kaiser Chiefs 4-0 and then I think we got beaten in Durban. We were probably a bit jet-lagged by then." And Thomas remembers the second game in particular for its intimidating atmosphere before kick-off too. He said: "I remember, especially in Durban, the Zulus in a Zulu area. They had them out doing a dance before the game, which was probably a little bit threatening – and probably why we lost the game! "Mark Bright was there, plus Gareth Southgate, Chris Coleman, Andy Thorn and Eric Young. I can't remember Ian Wright being there, maybe he had gone by then in pre-season." Mandela has been mourned by millions around the world since his death and Thomas was full of praise for him. But the former Palace skipper saw the effect Mandela had on the people of South Africa, once witnessing a professional footballer breaking down in tears. "When you just mention his name, Nelson Mandela is one of a few," said Thomas. "He's like a Martin Luther King sort of person, but without too much research, the man did so many fantastic things. "He changed history and has changed thousands and thousands of people. But he's been an inspiration to millions beyond that. "He was such a softly-spoken guy and brought everyone together. What really inspires you is the power of sport. "He used the power of Rugby Union with the World Cup in 1995 to bring people together. "I was at a dinner once and Stephen Pienaar, the Everton midfielder, spoke about that experience - his emotions just welled up in front of around 300 people. "Nelson Mandela was certainly one of the good guys."