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Backroom staff glitch in Malky Mackay to Crystal Palace deal

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Rumours are rife late this afternoon that Crystal Palace's talks with Malky Mackay have hit a glitch. According to a number of sources, negotiations between both parties have stalled over a backroom staff issue. Palace want to keep Keith Millen and Ben Garner in their current positions. It is understood that Tim Sherwood wanted to bring in his own backroom staff, including Les Ferdinand and wasn't prepared to include the Eagles duo. Millen is Palace through and through having been born in Croydon and grew up up watching games at Selhurst Park. And Garner has been at the club for ten years, having worked his way up from the Academy to first team coach. Millen holds a press conference ahead of West Ham on Thursday at 1.30pm.

Backroom staff glitch in Malky Mackay to Crystal Palace deal


Travellers leave 'colossal' piles of rubbish in third Croydon park in less than two weeks

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TRAVELLERS have left a "colossal" amount of fly-tipping on a third Croydon playing field in less than a fortnight.

The group pitched up in John Ruskin Playing Field this week and left behind a large trail of building waste and refuse when they moved on.

In the last ten days the council has had to clear huge piles of rubbish left behind in Purley Way Playing Fields and then Ashburton Playing Fields, at a cost of around £30,000.

Stuart Collins, cabinet member for Clean Green Croydon, has accused the same group of travellers of causing each mess.

The Labour-led council, elected on the promise of tackling fly-tipping, has said it has been unable to act against the travellers because it did not have enough evidence.

Following this latest incident, Gavin Barwell, MP for Croydon Central, called for "clear action" to catch those responsible.

Speaking from John Ruskin Playing Field, in Selsdon, on a video posted on You Tube, Mr Barwell said: "You're witnessing yet another green space in Croydon that has been the victim of colossal fly-tipping by a group of travellers that were pitched here a few days ago.

"We've seen this all summer: several families, several groups, moving around parks and green space in the borough - moved on each time by the council but nothing being done to make the people clear up the mess that they have created or actually to charge and prosecute them for all the damage they are doing to our community.

"The new Labour council that was elected back in May rightly said that it was going to make a priority of trying to clean up Croydon. They've come up with this slogan, Don't Mess With Croydon.

"My message to Cllr Collins is what is he going to do to make sure the people that are responsible for this actually pay for the damage that they are doing to our environments? My constituents are sick and tired of site after site being treated in this way, the council spending a fortune moving these people on and then having to clean up all the mess.

"It's council tax payers that are paying for this. What we need from the council is clear action to hold the people that are causing this responsible. It's about time we saw that action."

A council spokesman said: "As it's the summer holidays the council arranged for bailiffs to remove an illegal encampment from the John Ruskin playing fields. 

"This was done as soon as possible after we were made aware of the problem. We're now in the process of arranging for many tonnes of dumped rubbish to be removed and we're keen for any information which could help us prosecute the individuals responsible."

Travellers leave 'colossal' piles of rubbish in third Croydon park in less than two weeks

GCSE RESULTS: Mixed news for Harris Federation as pupils across Croydon get exam results

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PUPILS in Croydon will discover how they did in their GCSEs this morning, with early stories of individual success but mixed results for the borough's schools.

There is mixed news for the Harris Federation, with results falling significantly at South Norwood and Crystal Palace but improvements at Upper Norwood and Purley. A number of schools have yet to publish their results. 

At Harris Academy South Norwood, the number of pupils achieving at least five A* to C Grades including English and maths - the government's minimum standard - fell by 12 points, from 78 per cent to 64 per cent. At Harris Academy Crystal Palace results were six per cent worse than in 2013.

Schools had been braced for "volatile" results following changes to the exam system, with a greater emphasis on final exams rather than modular units and coursework.

Woodcote High, in Purley, said it had "weathered" the storm despite posting overall results five per cent lower than last year.

Head teacher Mark Southworth said vulnerable pupils had suffered as a result of the exam changes. 

He explained: "While our results represent a real achievement for the vast majority of students, the changes in entry policy instigated by the government have meant that a number of our most vulnerable students have suffered from not being able to take their exams in smaller units and thus build up their confidence over the whole GCSE course." 

A number of schools have shown improvements, including Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College, Archbishop Tenison's and Oasis Academy Shirley Park. 

Archbishop Lanfranc School, in Mitcham Road, was the first to post its scores, with the proportion of students achieving at least five A* to C grades including English and maths increasing eight per cent to 47 per cent.

Head teacher David Clark, who is leaving ahead of the school becoming an academy in September, said: "We had hoped to exceed 50 per cent so are therefore pleased with the improvement but also somewhat disappointed."

The school, which will now be run by the Coloma Trust, saw particular progress in English, where the proportion of A* to C grades went from before to 50 per cent to above 60 per cent. Pupils also achieved highly in physics, chemistry and sociology.

Lanfranc's success stories included Camille Leroyer (5 A* and 4 As) Gowthamy Nimalan (5 A* and 4As), Kusha Oza (6 A* and 2 As) and Puja Patel (6A* and 4 As).

There was better news for the Harris Federation at its Upper Norwood school - formerly Westwood Girls' College - which posted its first results since being converted into an academy last September.

The school had the lowest grades in the borough two years ago, with 35 per cent of pupils reaching the expected standard. This year 55 per cent achieved at least five 'good' GCSEs, up from 41 per cent in 2013.

Principal Sam Rainey said: "In our first year as an academy, we have gone from strength to strength.

"Year 11 have achieved very well and will be great role models for younger year groups to aspire to and look up to."

Harris Academy Purley, in South Croydon, secured its best ever GCSE results, with four in five students (79 per cent) reaching the expected standard.

It was also among the schools to post improved English Baccalaureate (EBacc) scores, a new performance measure showing the proportion of students who get good grades in maths, English, history or geography, the sciences and a language. Some 19 per cent hit that target, compared to 6 per cent last summer.

Executive principal Carol-Anne Alcock said: "This is a landmark year for us: not only do we have the first year group to have had their whole secondary education at the Academy, but we also have achieved our best ever results."

Oasis Academy Shirley Park, in Addiscombe, is among the schools to see improved results, with 69 per cent of pupils reaching the required level, five per cent more than last year.

Results at Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College, in Thornton Heath, also improved. Some 67 per cent of its students will leave with at least five A* to C grades, a two per cent increase.

Head teacher Amanda Compton said: "In spite of warnings that schools could expect a downturn in their results today, our students have bucked the trend."

The school was particularly proud of Mirali Patel who got 11 A*; Thulakshi Kumararatnam, who achieved 10 A*; Visha Arfan, who got 10 A*; and Chloe Lam, who leaves with 5 A* and 6 A grades.

Archbishop Tenison's School is also among those celebrating exam success.

The school's overall results went up by four per cent and 38 per cent of pupils achieved the EBacc, its highest ever score.

Among its high achieving pupils were James Haslam (8 A* and 3 A), Thomas Smith (6 A*, 2 A), Sarah-Jane Garner (5 A*, 4 A) and Hannah Fisher (4 A*, 6 A).

Head Richard Parrish said: "This a very encouraging set of results for a year group who have worked very hard and contributed well to the school in our 300th year. The consistency of results is impressive." 

There was a degree of disappointment at Quest Academy, in Selsdon, were the number of pupils reaching the government's benchmark fell from 62 per cent to 52 per cent.

However, the school achieved a 100 per cent A* to C rate in economics, health and social care and four separate languages. 

A number of pupils did particularly well, including Larry Hammer, who exceeded expectations with four A*s and 9 As.

Larry said: "I am to Quest from Germany and didn't even know how to speak English.

"We came here because my parents think that universities here are better. I'm going to stay on at Quest for A-levels and I'm hoping to get good enough results to go to Cambridge or another university."

Nadiya Mohamud also did very well, achieving 3 A*s and 7 As. 

"I can't believe it," she said. "I'm really happy with my French result. After the exam I thought I would get a C or D, then I opened it and saw I got an A*!" 

Students at Croydon's independent schools also picked up their results today, with Trinity School welcoming news that 99.6 per cent of all grades were between A* to Cs, with only five of its pupil's 1,381 papers graded less than a C. 

The school said 57 students had got five or more A*s, including Janarth Duraisingham who took home 10 A*s. 

He said: "It hasn't quite sunk in yet but I am overjoyed."

Old Palace School of John Whitgift celebrated a 100 per cent pass rate. Fifteen students achieved 10 A* or A grades. 

While Harris South Norwood's overall results fell significantly, some of its pupils excelled themselves such as Alex Poovathoor, who achieved 10 A*s. The school also posted improved EBacc scores.

Oasis Academy Coulsdon said it was unable to confirm its overall results at this time. "We are still waiting for some results to be confirmed and will publish our final figures as soon as we can," said principal Andy Booth. 

The school was able to highlight some individual examples of success, including Kirsty Bailey from Coulsdon who got 9 A*s in maths, science, English literature, French, geography, religious education and humanities, as well as an a in English.

Daniel Benham, 16, from South Croydon, was the academy's top achieving boy and was thrilled with his five A*s in maths, biology chemistry, physics and geography. 

Although its overall results fell, Woodcote High School, in Purley, said it had "weathered the turbulence and volatility" of the changes to the exam system. 

The school saw 77 per cent of its pupils achieve at least five A* to C grades including English and maths, down five per cent from 2013. 

Student Charlie Francombe achieved the maximum point score at GCSE, with nine A*s and three A grades. 

Results so far (% of pupils with least five A* to C grades including English and maths)

School20142013
Old Palace    100   96
Trinity School    100   100
Harris Academy Purley    79   76
Harris Crystal Palace    77   83
Archbishop Tenison's CE High    72   68
Oasis Academy Shirley Park    69    64
Norbury Manor    67    65
Harris Academy S. Norwood   64    78
The Quest Academy    56    62
Harris Academy U. Norwood  55    41
Archbishop Lanfranc   47    39

*Oasis Academy Coulsdon unable to confirm overall results

GCSE RESULTS: Mixed news for Harris Federation as pupils across Croydon get exam results

Former Crystal Palace loan striker signs for Championship side

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Former Crystal Palace loan striker Cameron Jerome has signed for Norwich City for an undisclosed fee. The 28-year-old spent time with the Eagles for the whole of last season from Stoke City, scoring just two goals in 29 appearances in all competitions. Palace fans will remember him for his stunning strike against Everton in April. However, his work-rate, running off the ball and hold-up play was impressive and appreciated by his team-mates.

Former Crystal Palace loan striker signs for Championship side

Croydon losing five-goal thriller against Lingfield

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Southern Counties East Football League Croydon FC 2 Lingfield FC 3 IN theory this should have been a comfortable home win for the Trams, with Croydon having a perfect 3-0 record so far this season and the visitors Lingfield having had a nightmare start - losing all three of their matches. However, the hypothesis was tested to destruction as Lingfield played out of their skins and won the match by a one-goal margin that could easily have been greater but for some heroics from Croydon keeper Francis Ameyaw. The Trams started brightly enough and had three decent chances before Harry Simtim burst down the right in the eighth-minute and put in a cross shot that bounced out of Ameyaw's clutches and fell invitingly for Brendan Kiernan who tapped in from close range. It was Ameyaw's first mistake of the season and he made up for it later with some fine blocks and saves. Lingfield were rampant and Kiernan scored again in the 13th and 33rd minutes (the latter a penalty). While the visitors were worthy winners, tearing Croydon apart down the flanks, especially in the first half before Simtim limped off, the home side stuck at it and came back into the game through an 18th-minute header from Steve Cox and a long shot from Karl Douglin in the 70th. But the Trams' revival wasn't sufficient and even though the match was more evenly balanced in the seceond half, Lingfield had done enough to deserve their first victory of this campaign. Croydon: Francis Ameyaw; Junior Mitchell; James Jordan (Jamie Atkins 44); Adam Allen; Justin Hemmings (Lauris Chin 53); Marvin Hong (Ben Mankelow 45+2); Tristan Toney; Steve Cox; Dan Jupe; Karl Douglin; Badar Mohammed. Subs not used: Catalin Meresciu; Rhys Martin.

Crystal Palace boss latest: Tim Sherwood favourite again

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Tim Sherwood has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite again to become the new Crystal Palace manager. After talks between Malky Mackay and the Eagles broke down on Wednesday evening, Sherwood is believed to be back in the frame for the vacant position. The former Spurs man is as short as 4/7 to be named, with Martin Jol second and Steve Clarke third. Caretaker boss Keith Millen is fourth in the betting order. Outsiders included Neil Lennon, David Moyes and Chris Hughton.

Crystal Palace boss latest: Tim Sherwood favourite again

Sporting Director Iain Moody resigns from Crystal Palace

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Crystal Palace's sporting director Iain Moody has resigned from his position.

Moody has allegedly been caught up in a racist, sexist and homophobic scandal with Malky Mackay, who looked set to become the club's new manager on Wednesday.

A former press officer, and player liaison officer for Watford Football Club, Moody was brought to Palace last November to assist in transfer dealings.

He had been sacked by Cardiff City the previous month.

Mackay continued as Bluebirds boss for another month before he then departed the Welsh club.

Both men have known each other for years and have been described as "best friends".

Now Moody is out of work as Palace step up their manager search.

Caretaker boss Keith Millen and first team coach Ben Garner will take charge of Saturday's game against West Ham at Selhurst Park.

Sporting Director Iain Moody resigns from Crystal Palace

Legendary commentator to come out of retirement at Crystal Palace

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Legendary BBC commentator Barry Davies is to make a one-off special return to the commentary box this weekend as part of Match of the Day's 50th anniversary.

The 76-year-old retired from the show in 2004, but will make a special return this weekend and he will be voicing the action between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park.

Davies will be returning to Selhurst Park - the scene of his first ever commentary for the BBC in 1969 - when he was thrown into action, taking the show's main match - Palace against Manchester United - when David Coleman and Kenneth Wolstenholme were both taken ill.

Davies, who still does commentary work for the BBC's Wimbledon tennis coverage, has been responsible for some wonderful pieces of commentary during an illustrious career.

He started out working for British Forces Broadcasting while in the Army and worked for the Times newspaper before taking a job with ITV ahead of the 1966 World Cup.

He made the move to BBC and Match of the Day in 1969, spending 35 years there.

Legendary commentator to come out of retirement at Crystal Palace


FAN VIEW: Crystal Palace should bite the bullet and appoint Keith Millen as manager

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CRYSTAL Palace fan and Advertiser columnist ALEX WHITE backs the caretaker to take the Eagles manager's job on a more permanent basis...

YOU can take our manager but you can't take our pride. What an unbelievably spirited performance we saw at the Emirates last week, I couldn't criticise one player for their performance that day.

To lose your boss, your leader and your friend just two days before a game without knowing why must absolutely appalling for a player. Pulis had set up all week in training for this game before bailing out on both the players and the fans two days prior to kick off, it wasn't easy as a fan but to try to pick yourself up as a player in that situation, to remain so cool headed and professional is testament to both the squad of players we possess and the spirit of the club in general. We conceded two goals from set-pieces which is uncharacteristic of us but I think many saw a drubbing coming from this one after the events leading up to the big kick off.

What a mess! It seemed that Malky Mackay was taking over the reins at Selhurst Park but now all eyes are on former Spurs gaffer Tim Sherwood. I certainly love the passion that Tim has for the game but some of the scenes we saw at Spurs last season were quite shocking. As a club we are so reliant on our spirit and team cohesion to get us points on the board and you'd think if Sherwood was to openly criticise our players and question their spirit it could be massively destructive. I had begun to settle to the idea of Mackay taking charge as he seemed the best of a bad bunch and we shouldn't be trying to settle but looking for the 'right man'.

I fear a completely new man might want to change the whole team philosophy on the pitch. We don't have time in this division to experiment and change things - we need points and now. I believe it essential Millen stays on to help continue the success. Hopefully at the very least Keith can be kept as part of the coaching staff. He has remained calm and professional in what is such a tricky moment to deal with. Last season Millen took charge and played a massive influence in keeping us up. Millen helped bring back that die hard Palace attitude to things back and without him in caretaker charge for that month.

Personally Millen is my choice as gaffer; he knows the players inside out and already has their respect. Palace were on the rise under Pulis and under Millen I think he can continue the work Tony was implementing. Sherwood is a more glamorous and well-known name but half a season in the Premier League doesn't make you a top manager and he is just as inexperienced as Millen himself. Millen is Palace born and bred and maybe that is what we need right now to ensure we have a 'solid' season. Millen has had the luxury of the whole of pre-season and working with the boys for the last two seasons which means there would be little integration.

I will stand by any appointment made by CPFC2010 and I will completely back any manager who is in charge of this club. We have struggled to find our man and maybe that is destiny? Keith Millen's red 'n' blue army sounds kind of right.

FAN VIEW: Crystal Palace should bite the bullet and appoint Keith Millen as manager

THE ADVERTISER SAYS: Crystal Palace's darkest day? Don't be ridiculous

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"THIS is the darkest day in Crystal Palace's history."

Even by the ridiculously overblown standards of modern-day football, this was a daft, bordering on mildly offensive, statement.

It was a view offered by a Sky Sports News HQ (stupid name) reporter on Wednesday night, as news of the alleged Malky Mackay and Iain Moody text messages began to cause shockwaves in the football world.

Palace fans on social media showed a little more restraint bordering on gallows humour - "Typical Palace" "soap opera" and "it's never dull following our club" were the most common threads.

Let's just step back from this for a second, take a deep breath and give some context to the situation.

Firstly, it's absolute nonsense to say this is a dark day for Palace. This is a club, lest we forget, that almost went out of business just four years ago, and on at least two occasions since the turn of the century was nearly relegated to the third tier of English football.

Almost, but not quite, employing Malky Mackay as manager hardly comes close to almost, but not quite, losing an entire football club.

Then, look at more recent history - namely around 10 months ago, when Steve Parish and his board were looking to replace Ian Holloway.

The search took a month but felt like an eternity. Names were linked, odds tumbled and the indecision felt final. The longer it dragged on, the more 'Palace in Crisis' headlines were written and the more fans complained their club was destined for certain relegation.

But Steve Parish kept a cool head, got his man and the rest, as they say, is history.

Yes the transfer deadline is looming and yes it's key that a new appointment is made soon.

But one game into the season isn't a time to panic. Keith Millen can provide a steady hand on the tiller and, whether the Malky Mackay allegations are true or false, Palace have dodged a huge bullet by not getting any more embroiled in the controversy by employing the Scotsman.

For now, we urge Eagles fans to remember the summer of 2010, learn lessons from the autumn of 2013 and keep calm.

And in the words of John Lennon (almost), let's give Keith a chance.

THE ADVERTISER SAYS: Crystal Palace's darkest day? Don't be ridiculous

Jonny Williams set to be available for Crystal Palace on Saturday

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KEITH Millen says the Crystal Palace squad are feeling "lively" ahead of Saturday's game against West Ham. The caretaker boss has also confirmed that fans' favourite Jonny Williams is set to be part of the matchday squad, while the likes of Adrian Mariappa and Jerome Thomas are also in contention. And Scott Dann, who limped off against Arsenal last weekend, will take a late fitness test ahead of the clash at Selhurst Park. "Scott will be assessed again tomorrow, he's got an outside chance," Millen told the Advertiser. "Everyone else is fit. Jonny Williams is back in the squad, as is Jerome Thomas, plus Adrian Mariappa has trained today. "We're almost at full strength and we'll see how Scott is. "We have got two or three options to replace Puncheon, and the players are waiting for a new manager to come in, so it's a fresh start. "They have been lively in the last couple of days."Follow your Crystal Palace reporter on Twitter @MR_LWMedia for news and interviews, while you can follow our general sports account at @AdvertiserSport.

Jonny Williams set to be available for Crystal Palace on Saturday

Keith Millen: My Crystal Palace players are fine mentally for West Ham

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KEITH Millen says the players are "fine" ahead of Saturday's game against West Ham despite losing Tony Pulis and then learning of the allegations against Malky Mackay and Iain Moody. The squad had their usual day off on Wednesday before training at Selhurst Park today to get used to the new pitch. "Each day something has involved, stories have come out, so it's been difficult," Millen said. "Wednesday was the day off for all the players and we've come in today and trained. "I had a brief chat with them about staying focused for the game on Saturday, because it's a huge game, it's our first home game. "The lads have been fine, the group are resilient. They have been through some times together over the last year and a half. "They will be fine come Saturday." Moody has today resigned from his sporting director role following allegations of a sexism, racism and homophobic scandal. And Millen says he isn't sure whether co-chairman Steve Parish will replace Moody in a similar position. "Iain was brought in to recruit and scout players, so the chairman felt there was a position there for someone, and Iain was experienced at that job," said the caretaker boss. "The chairman now will have to look at that situation to see if he needs to bring someone else in."Follow your Crystal Palace reporter on Twitter @MR_LWMedia for news and interviews, while you can follow our general sports account at @AdvertiserSport.

Keith Millen: My Crystal Palace players are fine mentally for West Ham

I'm in with a shout if we beat West Ham, says Crystal Palace's Keith Millen

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CRYSTAL Palace caretaker boss Keith Millen has admitted that should his side win against West Ham on Saturday, it puts him firmly in the frame for the managerial vacancy. Millen is set to be assisted by Ben Garner and Gerry Francis at Selhurst Park. And the Croydon man has been backed by co-chairman Steve Parish to take the side once again, one week on from Arsenal, and that it all depends on what direction the supremo wants to take. "I have spoken to the chairman, we've had conversations every day," said Millen. "That will remain private, but if we can get a result and three points on Saturday the obviously my case becomes stronger. "The chairman has said all along he will go out there and see what's available and then he'll make a decision on who he feels is the best person for the job. "I have been encouraged by the response of the players and the fans are fantastic. They will definitely support us on Saturday. "The chairman knows what I can do. It's just whether he feels now is the right time and who else is involved with other candidates." On Thursday afternoon, it was understood that Parish had contacted Chelsea to speak to their international head coach Dermot Drummy. But Millen is focusing on his own job and wants to impress Parish. "I have just seen what's coming up on the television, so that's news to me," he said on Drummy. "The good thing is, the chairman feels he doesn't need to rush and panic to appointing someone. "He has confidence in myself to do the job, so he has got time. He wants to make sure he gets the right person."Follow your Crystal Palace reporter on Twitter @MR_LWMedia for news and interviews, while you can follow our general sports account at @AdvertiserSport.

I'm in with a shout if we beat West Ham, says Crystal Palace's Keith Millen

Cat seriously injured after being thrown from fifth floor window in Croydon

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A CAT suffered serious injuries after being thrown from a window on the fifth floor of a block of flats in Croydon. 

The male tabby was found on the pavement outside Dartmouth House, in Elmwood Road, at 5.30pm last Sunday (August 17).

He had suffered a collapsed lung, broken femur and shattered rear legs. 

The person who contacted the RSPCA said the cat had been hurled from the window on the fifth floor of Dartmouth House.

He was taken to an animal hospital in Putney and the charity is now trying to trace his owner, as the cat has no microchip or name tag. 

Nick Wheelhouse, an RSPCA inspector, urged witnesses to come forward. 

"Understandably this poor cat is in a really bad way and we would really like to trace the owner as soon as possible," he said. 

"It is amazing he has survived but he has broken legs and is in a bad way.

"He is in such a sorry state we feared the worst for him. He must be someone's pet and they may be wondering where he is. When he was found he had no microchip or tag, just a blue flea collar.

"We would also like anyone with information about this incident to come forward. 

"This would've been an extremely distressing incident for the cat and he has been left in a lot of pain with very serious injuries."

Anyone with information about the incident or who recognises his description and knows his owner can contact Inspector Wheelhouse on the RSPCA appeal line - 0300 123 8018.

Cat seriously injured after being thrown from fifth floor window in Croydon

WATCH: Crystal Palace star Jason Puncheon gets a soaking in Ice Bucket Challenge

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CRYSTAL Palace wide-man Jason Puncheon has become the latest star to get a soaking while taking part in the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Puncheon was drenched while he sat in the stands at Selhurst Park by fellow Eagles Fraizer Campbell and Barry Bannan.

Celebs across the world - from David Beckham to Britney Spears - have been taking part in the craze, which is supposed to raise money and awareness for motor neurone disease - also known as ALS.

Those nominated must have a bucket of ice-cold water poured over their head within 24 hours and name three others to take part.

Puncheon tasked fellow footballers Luke Shaw, Bradley Johnson and Liam Best, among others, to take part on his Instagram page.

See the video below:

WATCH: Crystal Palace star Jason Puncheon gets a soaking in Ice Bucket Challenge


Malky Mackay's alleged sexist and racist texts were just 'banter', say the League Managers Association

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THE League Managers Association have this evening defended Malky Mackay - saying the former Cardiff boss was guilty of nothing more than "friendly text message banter".

Crystal Palace reportedly pulled out of a deal to make Mackay their new boss yesterday, after newspaper reports revealed a dossier of evidence sent by Cardiff to the FA included alleged racist, sexist and homophobic texts sent by Mackay and ex-Cardiff director of football Iain Moody.

Despite widespread condemnation from the football world, the LMA said in a statement released on Thursday night that Mackay had "sent a couple of one line texts that were, with the benefit of hindsight, very regrettable and disrespectful of other cultures."

The statement continued: "These were two text messages sent in private at a time Malky felt under great pressure and when he was letting off steam to a friend during some friendly text message banter. That said, Malky believes he could and should have conducted himself better on these two isolated occasions."

It later goes on to say: "If Malky has caused any offence by these two isolated matters he would, however, wish to sincerely apologise.

"Malky finds it strange that these matters were only raised with the FA and in the media now, 8 months after his employment ended and the day before he was reported as being offered the opportunity to become manager of Crystal Palace FC."

Malky Mackay's alleged sexist and racist texts were just 'banter', say the League Managers Association

TWO sets of triplets born within 24 HOURS at Croydon University Hospital

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TWO families celebrated their own little miracles at Croydon University Hospital when two sets of triplets were born just 24 hours apart.

The incredibly rare coincidence left staff, who had "never seen anything like it" at the hospital, amazed as only around 200 sets of triplets are born across the UK each year.

First-time parents Kevin and Farahnaz Field beat odds of 8,000 to one when they discovered they were having natural triplets.

Their non-identical girls, Shanaya, Zahra and Katrina, were born by a scheduled caesarean just before 11am on Thursday, June 5.

And exactly 24 hours after the Field family welcomed the arrival of their three new members, Manda and Ken Johnston, from South Croydon, had three of their own to celebrate.

Proud dad Kevin, 43, showed pictures of his three new daughters to Manda, who was in hospital as a precaution – but she wasn't expected to have her boys for another two weeks.

"I saw the pictures of them, which was really lovely," said Manda, 36. "Then I laid down and started to read my book. My waters broke and I thought 'Uh oh, I think I need to press the buzzer'."

Toby, Luke and Elliott were all delivered by emergency caesarean the next morning at just 32 weeks old – eight weeks premature and two weeks earlier than normal for triplets.

Little Luke was just 2lb 13oz when he arrived and doctors fought to help him after he suffered complications with his breathing.

Manda said: "He was quite ill when he was born. He had a collapsed lung three times in the first couple of days and had to have three chest drains.

"He's just needed a little bit of oxygen to help since but now he's doing very, very well.

"It was quite hard because I wasn't able to hold him until he was two weeks old, but now he screams even louder than his two brothers."

All the babies spent time in the hospital's specialist neonatal care unit before being allowed home at the start of July – the Fields back to Ringwood Avenue, Broad Green, and the Johnstons to South Croydon.

Ken, 39, said he was "loving" being a new dad. "It's tough when I go to work but when I get home I take over so Manda can have a good rest," he said.

Both dads insisted they were doing their bit with the nappy changes.

"When you've got three there's no way that you can get away with it. It needs more than one pair of hands to change them, sometimes even two pairs isn't enough," said Kevin, who works for the RAC. The two families have now vowed to keep in touch via Facebook, Kevin added.

Gina Brockwell, consultant midwife at Croydon University Hospital, said staff were "amazed" at the coincidence. "We might get triplets maybe once a year, so no-one has ever seen anything like this before here," she said.

"When the girls were born on the Thursday it was lovely and all the staff were very pleased and happy that they came as planned and all was well, but we weren't quite expecting Manda to have the boys so soon.

"It was just a case of carrying on

and making sure she and the boys had the same care as Farahnaz and the girls had.

"Chris Vickery, our neonatal nurse, even came in on her day off to make sure everything went smoothly. She just shows the dedication when our staff will come in to ensure everything the families needed was here."

Happiness after heartbreak

KEVIN met Farahnaz in 2012, shortly after she moved to the UK from Mauritius and the couple married later that year.

They suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage in March 2013 but tried again for children. By November, they had the happy news: Farahnaz was pregnant again.

"When we went to the clinic, the face of lady who did the scan suddenly changed and she said 'wow, I've never seen this before'," said Kevin. "We didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she said there were three. Obviously, being our first children we didn't know what to expect."

Shanaya, Zahra and Katrina were all allowed home after 21 days in the specialist care unit.

Stay-at-home mum Farahnaz, 37, said her daughters were keeping her busy and sleep had become a precious commodity.

"Sometimes it's difficult if they all wake up together – they make a bit of a racket when they're all upset at the same time," she said.

"It's really quite hard work when they're all hungry. It takes about two hours to feed them all."

The triplets were all starting to show their own little personalities, she added.

"Zahra is the quietest, but Katrina we nicknamed 'patience' because she hasn't got any."

IVF treatment pays off

KEN and Manda Johnston went through a tough time trying for children, Manda eventually conceiving after IVF treatment.

The couple, who have been together for 16 years, raised Manda's 16-year-old daughter Hannah Darke together, but wanted more children.

Manda said she suffered multiple complications while trying for children.

"We went through quite a lot, I had two miscarriages and three ectopic pregnancies," she explained.

Then family tragedy struck when Manda's father Ron died, but he left them a blessing in his will – money to pay for the IVF.

"When we went to the clinic for the scan, we had an idea there was more than one, but we certainly weren't expecting it to be three," said Manda.

"When we found out it was a bit of a shock, an amazing one, but still a shock," added Ken.

Because of her previous complications, Manda was admitted to Croydon University Hospital at 24 weeks pregnant, so when her boys decided to come two weeks early on June 6 she was in the right place.

She spent three days in hospital herself to recover from the emergency surgery while Luke was allowed home at 23 days, Toby at 28 days and finally Elliot at 35.

"In some ways we had it much easier than Farahnaz and Keith," said Manda. "They took them all home at the same time. I had a chance to get used to having the three one by one."

Hannah said it was "a bit scary" to suddenly have three little brothers.

"I'm getting locks on my bedroom door, and definitely soundproofing it all," she said.

TWO sets of triplets born within 24 HOURS at Croydon University Hospital

BISHOP OF CROYDON: When it comes to peace, we can all be leaders

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THE latest column from the Bishop of Croydon, the right reverend Jonathan Clark...

WE ARE united against Isis, against terrorism, against atrocity, against pain and suffering". A great sentiment, but even more so when I put the missing word back in: "We are Muslims united against Isis ..." That is a quote from the message produced by Muslim leaders in Britain of different groups, Sunni and Shia together. It was produced primarily for the Muslim community, but I think it's just as important for all of us. People of no faith may be tempted to blame religion for the violence presently being unleashed across Syria and Iraq by the so-called Islamic State. Christians, Hindus and others might even be tempted to think that Islam is an especially violent religion. Neither of those really works: there's plenty evidence of warfare among followers of all religions, and the 20th Century's greatest murderers were the atheists Stalin, Hitler and Pol Pot.

Violence isn't about religion, whether it's your own or anyone else's. It's something all human beings are capable of - every one of us. But we are also all capable of being peacemakers. At the heart of the world's great religions is that desire for peace, a desire shared by many of no faith at all. The message from Britain's Muslim leaders reminds us that we can't blame some other group, religious or not.

There's not a lot most of us can do about the conflict in the Middle East, except prayer for those of us who pray. But we can all be peacemakers in our own lives, families and communities. It's important that the word is peacemakers. It's not just about living a quiet life; peacemaking is an active thing. It means reaching out to those we might otherwise not meet, understanding their lives and allowing them to understand ours, and finding the common ground of our shared humanity. Leaders of the different faith communities in Croydon have recently started meeting together in order to get to know each other and to understand the lives of the different faith communities we represent. But when it comes to making peace, we can all be leaders.

BISHOP OF CROYDON: When it comes to peace, we can all be leaders

Croydon con artist Neelam Desai re-bailed over dating website scams

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A CONWOMAN suspected of committing a series of dating website scams in which men were tricked out of tens of thousands of pounds has been re-bailed until early 2015.

Neelam Desai, 34, was arrested in April on suspicion of ten counts of fraud by false representation following an investigation by the Advertiser.

A month later she was sentenced to 30 months for orchestrating separate frauds relating to her discount travel business.

Desai, of Beulah Grove, Selhurst, is currently in Bronzefield Prison, in Surrey, and this week answered bail in relation to the dating website scams.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed today (Friday) that she has been re-bailed until a date in mid-February next year.

Last month a confiscation hearing, to discern whether she has any assets which can be used to repay her travel business victims, was delayed until October

Croydon con artist Neelam Desai re-bailed over dating website scams

14-year-old from Croydon arrested on suspicion of raping woman at Reading Festival

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A 14-YEAR-OLD has been arrested on suspicion of raping a 19-year-old woman at Reading Festival.

The boy is currently in police custody alongside a 31-year-old man from London.

The woman reported she had been raped in a caravan in the traders' area of the festival on Thursday night.

It is understood she had earlier met a man and boy in one of the campsites.

Chief Inspector Dave Parker, of Thames Valley Police, said: "We take all allegations of this nature very seriously and we are conducting a full investigation."

14-year-old from Croydon arrested on suspicion of raping woman at Reading Festival

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