Quantcast
Channel: Croydon Advertiser Latest Stories Feed
Viewing all 5354 articles
Browse latest View live

'My professional lads are too hot to handle'

0
0

PALACE briefly returned to the top of the Championship last Saturday after a well-deserved 3-0 win over arch-rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, Cardiff City beat Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday to go back to the summit thanks to a 1-0 win and the Welsh club are just one point ahead of the Eagles.

With both sets of supporters in good voice in SE25, Palace's afternoon was helped after just eight minutes when Brighton defender Lewis Dunk received a straight red card for bringing down man of the match Yannick Bolasie on the edge of the box.

But it was former Seagulls striker Glenn Murray who turned out to be the visitors' tormentor with his 16th and 17th goals of the season.

And Owen Garvan capped off a great day at the office with the third from the penalty spot after Murray had been fouled by Gordon Greer.

"I was glad I was in my dugout because obviously Gus [Poyet] would have been very disappointed with the way things went against his team, but I felt we earned that with the skills of some of my widemen," said Eagles boss Ian Holloway.

"What I'm learning about our two widemen is that you think you've got them and before you know it, they're past you.

"What pleased me more than anything was what we did after the sending-off. We actually controlled the game, which is very difficult against a team like Brighton and it took us a while because they are very good with the ball.

"But I was delighted with the professionalism of my lads. Some ten men can hurt you, but we managed to nullify that and looked ultra-professional.

"Glenn Murray was ill in the morning before the game and wasn't going to play, but we managed to get him out there.

"It was a fantastic cross, he got his eyebrows on it and before you know it, it's going to be a hard task for Brighton with ten men.

"The whole thing felt really good as that was a good team we managed to beat."

After a cautious start to the contest from both sides, the main talking point of the first half came courtesy of Dunk's sloppy ball control early in the game.

Right-back Bruno Saltor played a ball across to the centre-back outside the box, but his first touch was poor, which allowed Bolasie to nip in on goal, but the young stopper cut him down to size and was given his marching orders.

And from the resulting free-kick on the edge of the box, Garvan curled an effort over the wall but it struck the crossbar.

Bolasie then warmed the gloves of Tomasz Kuszczak with a thunderous shot on the right side of the box soon after, while Garvan went close again with a first time shot which went just wide.

Bolasie took aim again on 26 minutes when his long range effort took a huge deflection and looked to send Kuszczak the wrong way, but the ball just whistled past the post for a corner.

However, the deadlock was finally broken six minutes before the break. And you just knew who was going to come up with the goods.

A corner was whipped in with pace from Bolasie, and Murray rose above everyone else to glance a header home.

Just a minute into the second half, Brighton went extremely close to equalising when Ashley Barnes' through-ball beat the offside trap and found Mackail-Smith, who burst clear on goal but his shot struck the outside of the post.

It was a huge let-off for Palace as the visitors looked to start well, but their rhythm was interrupted on 53 minutes when the home side grabbed their second of the afternoon.

An attempted pass through the Brighton rearguard took a big deflection into Murray's path and as the striker went around Kuszczak, he was brought down by the custodian and awarded a penalty.

And the former Seagulls favourite stepped up to notch his 17th goal of the season with ease.

However, Murray opted against grabbing a hat-trick after 71 minutes when another penalty was given after he was nudged in the face by Greer as both jumped for the ball.

This time, Garvan stepped up and found the bottom corner despite former Manchester United reserve keeper Kuszczak going the right way.

Murray was then replaced by Aaron Wilbraham, but it was Damien Delaney who had the next chance when he scooped the ball over inside the box following Bolasie's cut-back down the left.

It proved to be the last chance of a pulsating encounter, and Palace claimed a worthy three points, before walking off to a huge ovation from the home faithful.

On Saturday, much of the focus will be on Holloway as his former employers Blackpool visit Selhurst Park (3pm).

'My professional lads are too hot to handle'


Fairfield Halls audience enjoys Whitgift School performance

0
0

MORE than a hundred staff and students from South Croydon's Whitgift School performed at its annual autumn concert last Thursday at Fairfield Halls.

The students from junior to senior years performed a series of mainly classical pieces to a packed audience of parents and staff.

The evening saw the premiere of Whitgift teacher Rosanna Whitfield's work for orchestra and choir, The Gift.

Some 80 boys of the Whitgift First Form Choir and the Elmhurst Senior Choir sung the uplifting piece, accompanied by the Whitgift Symphony Orchestra.

A suite from Heart of Darkness, a one-act chamber opera, started the second half of the show, with its libretto narrated by former Whitgift pupil Pip Burley.

His fellow Old Whitgiftian Tarik O'Regan wrote the opera, which is based on the 1899 Joseph Conrad novella of the same name. Mr O'Regan wrote the suite especially for the school.

The Whitgift Corps of Drums and solo violinist Sean Dunn were among the evening's other impressive performers.

The students had performed earlier in the day, also at Fairfield Halls, for more than 1,300 local primary school children.

Fairfield Halls audience enjoys Whitgift School performance

Family speaks of relief after son's acquittal for Rob Hughes attack

0
0

THE father of a man cleared of an attack on Croydon footballer Rob Hughes says his family are relieved their four-year ordeal is over.

Mike Herdman, 57, says son Ben is looking to rebuild his life following his acquittal in Greece last month.

Ben, 23, a trainee chartered accountant, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm, along with five friends, after Rob was kicked, stamped on and bottled in a horrific attack in Malia, on the island of Crete, in June 2008.

Four of the friends – Curtis Taylor, Daniel Bell and Sean Branton, all from Horley, and Joseph Bruckland, from Hookwood – were convicted and given four-year jail terms, which have been suspended pending an appeal.

But Ben, from Crawley, was acquitted after the court in Heraklion heard he walked away from the fight and played no part in it.

Mr Herdman said: "We are extremely relieved that Ben has finally been able to clear his name after four years.

"He should never have gone to trial as a defendant, he should have gone as a witness.

"Ben was further down the street when an argument escalated into a fight, but he didn't want to become involved and carried on walking.

"He's been caught up in this, as has his friend George Hollands (also acquitted), who was in the hotel asleep."

Mr Herdman added that her son is now doing well, saying: "Ben is a trainee chartered accountant. He managed to complete his degree in business studies despite this hanging over him. The problem is the stigma attached. That's been difficult for all of us."

Mr Herdman stressed that Rob and his family are in their thoughts.

Former Croydon Athletic and Sutton United player Rob was aged 27 at the time of the attack in Greece.

He was on the verge of signing from Bromley FC and opening up his own soccer school for children.

Meanwhile, Rob's mum Maggie says she will continue to campaign for victims' rights.

She said: "What we're trying to do is make our Government in the UK really look at how victims are treated."

And referring to Rob, now aged 32, she added: "We need to now concentrate on Robert a lot more. We need, especially, friends of Robert to come back into his life and spare a few moments to support him now. That's part of his rehabilitation – phone him, contact him."

Family speaks of relief after son's acquittal for Rob Hughes attack

Asda leaflet reveals plans for Thornton Heath store

0
0

ASDA has proposed a new neighbourhood store in a leaflet for residents.

Plans for the store, which would be in Peall Road, Thornton Heath, were set in motion last week.

The leaflet, which includes an artist's impression, is encouraging residents to share what they would like to see from the supermarket.

The leaflet focuses on the 200 jobs the supermarket will bring, stating: "Asda regularly works with Jobcentre Plus, local colleges and other community organisations to recruit and train colleagues for its stores."

The site was formerly occupied by MFI and Dreams and has been vacant for the past four years.

The building will be completely refurbished as part of the plans to create the new store.

The leaflet also states the store will have more than 100 parking spaces. On-street parking measures may also be considered.

It says: "The site of the proposed Asda store has been vacant for the past four years and has fallen into a state of disrepair.

"Although the proposals do not include making any major structural changes to the site, the building will be completely refurbished, both internally and externally to create a visually appealing new store for the local community."

For more information or to tell Asda your views, e-mail info@asdapeallroad.co.uk or call 0845 607 6008. You can also visit the website at www.asdapeallroad.co.uk

Asda leaflet reveals plans for Thornton Heath store

Football grounds should have standing area, says Croydon and Sutton GLA member

0
0

CREATING areas for fans to stand within football grounds should be looked at again, according to London Assembly Member Steve O'Connell.

Mr O'Connell, who represents Croydon and Sutton, described the Palace v Brighton match as having one of the best atmospheres he has seen for years. He pointed out that a large number of supporters remained on their feet during the derby.

Mr O'Connell has joined the calls for the Government to allow trials of safe standing areas in England.

He said: "It struck me on Saturday when probably half the ground were standing in a very safe environment and fantastic atmosphere. And I remember going back, for very good reasons, why all-seater stadiums were introduced because of all the tragedies around Hillsborough and elsewhere.

"I think football has moved on, peoples' behaviour has moved on and safety has moved on.

"No one wants to see a return to the hooliganism of the 1970s, but wouldn't it be great, within a controlled area, for fans who choose to, to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder again?"

In October, Crystal Palace Football Club backed calls for standing trials.

Co-chairman Stephen Browett said he "fully supported" proposals to pilot technology currently used in Germany.

New Addington children learning about empathy with help from three-month-old baby

0
0

BABY Millie Lockett is only aged three months but she is already helping to teach young children at Wolsey Junior School in New Addington.

The school, in King Henry's Drive, is taking part in the Roots of Empathy programme.

It is a classroom-based programme aimed at fostering empathy and reducing levels of aggression and violence among schoolchildren.

The pupils are able to see Millie's feelings and reflect them upon their own.

Instructor Julie Boutle explained that if they see Millie is crying and upset about something, they can relate that to their classmate when the same situation occurs with them.

Karen Williams, deputy head, said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to be part in the roots of empathy programme.

"We strongly believe in developing pupils social and emotional skills at Wolsey Juniors."

Baby Millie will come into the school nine times over 27 weeks to visit the pupils aged seven and eight.

New Addington children learning about empathy with help from three-month-old baby

New Addington tram crash could have killed me, says car passenger

0
0

ONE of the borough's best-known restaurateurs, who was injured in a collision between a tram and a car, has told the Advertiser: "I should be in a wheelchair."

Antonio Zaidi was in the passenger seat of a vehicle that collided with a tram in Lodge Lane, New Addington, on Sunday afternoon.

Five people – four on the tram and the driver of the car – were hurt in the crash, which happened at about 2.30pm.

Mr Zaidi, known in the town for running the Mamma Mia restaurants in St George's Walk and, until recently, Purley, was not seriously injured.

But his friend, who was driving the car, had to be flown to hospital.

He has called for a review of the traffic lights at the junction with King Henry's Drive, following the crash.

Mr Zaidi said: "When we went across the road the lights were green. We looked and the tram was 250 yards away, it seemed fine. We went through and, before I knew it, a bright white light was there.

"I have never been more terrified. Since then I have been very scared. Every time I see someone in a wheelchair I think that could have been me.

"We could have died, we were very lucky."

The air ambulance was called to the scene and the driver had to be cut from the car while four people from the tram were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Mr Zaidi added: "I want to complain to the police because we have told them the light was green. They have said they need witnesses, but there were loads of witnesses.

"I have a business to run, I don't have time for this right now but as soon as Christmas is over I am going to sort it out.

"It was petrifying. I have two daughters, imagine if I had died; we were very lucky."

A TfL spokesman said: "All aspects that may have contributed to the cause of the accident are being investigated and it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage."

New Addington tram crash could have killed me, says car passenger

Crystal Palace Tramlink extension not backed by Boris Johnson despite manifesto

0
0

BORIS Johnson has failed to back plans to extend the Tramlink to Crystal Palace – despite including a pledge to do so in his election manifesto. The Mayor of London, who has also twice appeared in the borough posing next to a tram with the words "Crystal Palace" in the destination board, this week stands accused of going back on his word, by failing to deliver on commitments made before and after May's mayoral vote.

Even supporters within his own Conservative party, including Croydon Council leader Mike Fisher and Croydon's London Assembly member Steve O'Connell, have admitted the mayor has not come up trumps on what they believed were firm commitments.

Cllr Fisher this week expressed his disappointment in a letter to Mr Johnson, which said: "Based on earlier statements we had expected the inclusion of a tram extension to Crystal Palace within the TfL business plan."

Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the Labour opposition on Croydon Council, attacked the mayor for his tram U-turn.

He said: "To stand in front of a tram once and pledge support for something that is not going to be delivered is bad enough, but to do it twice is outrageous.

"He is taking the people of Croydon for granted."

Shortly after May's elections, Mr Johnson was pictured with Mr O'Connell in front of a new Croydon tram with "Crystal Palace" clearly emblazoned on its front.

The previous year he had done the same thing, as he announced the extension was back on his agenda.

His enthusiasm for the extension had led many people to believe the scheme he dropped in 2008, after being elected for the first time, was firmly back on track. But when the draft Transport for London (TfL) business plan covering the next ten years was published on Tuesday, there was no mention of the extension, though the plan does indicate funding being made available by 2015 to double the track between Croydon and Wimbledon and buy four new trams.

Traders and residents in Crystal Palace, who felt the Tramlink would bring a much-needed boost to the area, have been left angered.

Tim Sharville, chairman of Crystal Palace Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are very disappointed. We really did feel that the scheme would be in there this time."

Robert Gibson, a leading community activist in Upper Norwood, added: "Everyone will be bitterly disappointed.

"There could not have been more clear an indication of support than standing in front a brand new purple tram with 'Crystal Palace' on it."

Mr O'Connell told the Advertiser the business plan was "refreshed" annually and he would press the mayor to look at ways of helping finance an extension.

The mayor's office did not respond to requests for a comment as we went to press.

Crystal Palace Tramlink extension not backed by Boris Johnson despite manifesto


Glenn Murray is one of the best footballers I've worked with, says Crystal Palace manager

0
0

IAN HOLLOWAY says that Palace striker Glenn Murray is one of the best players he's ever worked with.

The Eagles boss watched the former Brighton & Hove Albion striker score his 16th and 17th goals of the season against his former employers last Saturday and hailed his opening goal after 39 minutes.

"He's a fantastic footballer," he said. "His football brain is as good as anybody I've worked with.

"He knows the timing and his eye for getting on the end of a cross is completely awesome.

"I've had some great players in my time, and I've been fortunate to work with some fantastic lads, but to be honest, Glenn's right up there with all of them.

"That's nine goals in six games, which is quite awesome.

"He's very clever and I love clever footballers. They try to improve their brain and I'm thoroughly enjoying it and this group deserves all sorts of credit."

Holloway didn't know too much about the rivalry between the two clubs and revealed that striker Glenn Murray was a doubt before the game on Saturday morning.

But the former Seagulls striker hit back to ensure Palace hit the 40-point barrier.

"I'm pleased as punch as I've experienced a wonderful thing in this local derby, and apparently it was a must-win game," said Holloway. "Unless you work for Chelsea, you don't normally have those, do you? It was a fantastic day for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"I thought the atmosphere the crowd created was superb, including the Brighton fans, and hopefully everyone went home happy.

"We spoke about getting it wide and interchanging and moving, but what we really needed was Glenn Murray with his header.

"He was ill in the morning before the game and wasn't going to play, but we managed to get him out there.

"It was a fantastic cross, he got his eyebrows on it, and before you know it, it's going to be a hard task for Brighton with ten men.

"The way we win the ball back and set those two widemen off the way that Glenn actually capitalises on, and the timing of what he does is really good because it's difficult to know when it's coming into the box."

Meanwhile, the 49-year-old paid tribute to his opposite number in the Brighton dugout, admitting he admires the Seagulls' style of play.

"Gus is a fantastic manager," he said.

"He tries to dominate the ball and pass it. But once they went a man short, that gave us the impetus and we managed to grab it.

"They're a terrific team, I've got the utmost respect for that man and the way he tries to play, and we're both trying to get on with our jobs.

"Gus has got every right to say whatever he thinks is right because he's got a great bunch of lads there.

"You won't catch me talking down about anybody else's player and I'm sure he wouldn't about mine, so good luck to him and what he's trying to do.

"I actually like him, so if that spoils the rivalry, I don't really care. I think football is a wonderful thing and the way Gus' side play, they were hampered with the sending off.

"It really did knock them out of their stride and we capitalised on it.

"Never once did they drop their hands, never once did they stop, and even when I took Mile Jedinak off, they still had the fight at the end.

"I'm sure they'll have their day because they're a good side."

Glenn Murray is one of the best footballers I've worked with, says Crystal Palace manager

Bid to halt Croydon libraries handover is defeated

0
0

NEGOTIATIONS to finalise the contract which will see Laing Integrated Services take over the running of Croydon's libraries are to resume.

They were put on hold after a decision by the council's corporate services committee to choose Laing as the preferred bidder for the eight year contract was called in for consideration by the scrutiny committee.

Call-ins came from both the Conservative and Labour groups but Wednesday's scrutiny committee agreed that both should simply be noted, putting negotiations back on track.

The Labour call-in, dealt with in a closed session of the committee, centred on opposition to privatisation and why Laing had been chosen over Greenwich Leisure Services, whose bid would save the council more money over the contract's life.

The Greenwich bid was rejected because an officer's report said it did not meet staffing standards demanded by Croydon.

The Conservative call-in, held in public, allowed cabinet member for finance, Councillor Steve O'Connell, to tell members staff would be transferred under existing terms and conditions, no libraries would be closed, and opening hours would remain the same.

He also said the contract could be terminated, if Laing breached its terms.

Councillor Steve Hollands, chair of scrutiny, said after the meeting: "This is the only way we can keep the service together as it currently is.

Earlier in the week, at Monday's full council meeting, a Labour bid to get the council to drop plans to hand the running of libraries to Laing failed.

The motion was put forward by Labour's shadow cabinet member for culture and sport, Timothy Godfrey.

Millen: Squad players need to be ready over Christmas period

0
0
PALACE assistant manager Keith Millen says the club's squad players that aren't getting too much game-time at the moment need to be on their toes ready to step in throughout the Christmas period coming up.

Millen said he and manager Ian Holloway decided to give the squad a rest at the start of the week but wants every single player to be ready to take their chance if presented.

"We gave the lads an extra day of rest on Monday after a lot of travelling recently, but the important thing from my point of view is, because we haven't changed the team very often on the back of doing so well, the fringe players start missing out on game-time," he told Advertiser Sport.

"We need to make sure they're really fit and ready for when their chance comes, because in the Christmas period coming up you're going to need the whole squad to be match-fit.

"Quite often when you've had a lot of travelling, the subs have been there and you want to look after them, so we just want to make sure their fitness levels are topped up.

"We've just got to monitor each individual as to who needs a rest and who needs extra work, but they understand that and the reasons why.

"They have got to be ready when their chance comes."

The contents of this article must not be reproduced without the permission of the Croydon Advertiser.


Follow me on Twitter for the latest news, exclusives and live match updates @AdvertiserSport

If you're on Facebook, please 'Like' our page at www.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport

And now you can watch our exclusive away video clips on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport

Crystal Palace hope for victory over Holloway's former club

0
0

LAST weekend, the focus was on a big rivalry. This weekend, the attention switches towards an individual.

Palace boss Ian Holloway, who spent three-and-a-half successful years at Blackpool before joining the Eagles just over a month ago, is set to welcome his former employers to Selhurst Park tomorrow in what will be two attacking teams looking to put on a good show.

And assistant boss Keith Millen will also be looking forward to seeing a few old faces, after a brief time as head of coaching and development at Bloomfield Road.

Last weekend, Holloway admitted he didn't know too much about the rivalry with the Seagulls, but he'll certainly know what to expect when the Tangerines come to town.

The Eagles and Cardiff City are setting the pace nicely at the top of the Championship at the moment, but they'll be wary that teams as far down as 15th position are in the hunt for a play-off position.

Blackpool have found some form again in recent weeks and star player Thomas Ince seems to be back on the goal trail again after going five games without scoring in September and October.

In fact, he's scored seven goals in his last seven games, four of which have come from the penalty spot.

It will be interesting to see what formation the visitors play, as Ince can operate behind one or two strikers, or down the left flank, but with the way Palace have been defending recently, you'd expect them to be fairly confident of keeping their eighth clean sheet of the season.

The Eagles rearguard of Joel Ward, Peter Ramage, Damien Delaney and Jonathan Parr, who have performed very well as a unit, are likely to keep their places, but then so should the rest of the starting line-up if the past few weeks are anything to go by.

Andre Moritz shrugged off a knee complaint to make an appearance from the substitutes' bench last Saturday and he is probably the one who is pushing for a start the most.

In recent games, Aaron Wilbraham has come off the bench and looked good in attack, but is unlikely to replace the man-of-the-moment, Glenn Murray, who will be gunning for his 18th goal of the season against Michael Appleton's side.

Holloway, who claimed Murray is one of the best strikers he's ever worked with (see page 59), revealed that his goal machine was ill before last Saturday's game, so hopefully he'll be 100 per cent tomorrow, which will be a concern for the visitors.

The next three games are against sides currently mid-table and below before a mouth-watering clash away to Cardiff on Boxing Day, but no game in this division is easy as we know.

However, Palace have made it look easy over the past few months and with five games of 2012 left, I think if they can hit the 50 points by the time Wolverhampton Wanderers arrive in SE25 on New Year's Day, that's a great return.

Looking at this weekend's fixtures, play-off hopefuls Watford and Hull City face each other, third-placed Middlesbrough travel to bottom side Peterborough United, Leicester City host Barnsley, while Millwall travel to a rejuvenated Ipswich Town side that have now climbed out of the relegation zone after some better results recently.

You would expect both Leicester and Middlesbrough to take all three points in their games to keep up with the Eagles.

Cardiff play tonight at Blackburn Rovers, and that won't be easy for Malkay Mackay's men, so if they were to slip up, Palace could return to the top of the table with a win come 5pm tomorrow.

Crystal Palace hope for victory over Holloway's former club

Palace striker: I witnessed Ince talent years ago

0
0
CRYSTAL Palace forward Aaron Wilbraham believes Blackpool star Thomas Ince was always going to make it as a professional footballer after witnessing his talent from a young age.

The attacking midfielder has taken this season by storm with 13 goals so far and the 20-year-old is set to play for the Tangerines on Saturday when they arrive at Selhurst Park.

However, Wilbraham revealed that the youngster's father, former England midfielder Paul, used to bring him along to training at Milton Keynes Dons.

"When Paul Ince was my manager at MK Dons, he used to bring him to training when he was a 14-year-old kid and he used to join in with us back then," Wilbraham told Advertiser Sport.

"You could see he was going to be a good player, so he'll be one we'll have to keep our eye on, but obviously we'll be concentrating on what our attacking players can do to them rather than what their players can do to us."

Ince, who was released by Liverpool in 2011, has had to revive his career in the Championship at Bloomfield Road, but Wilbraham says sometimes you've got to drop down a level in order to make it back to the top.

"Sometimes if you're at a club like Liverpool where you've got a lot of players from all different countries, you have to take one step backwards to get yourself noticed rather than being stuck in Liverpool's reserves," he said.

"It's good to go and prove yourself in the Championship, which is obviously still a good level and there's not much difference – I think the gaps getting closer every year.

"Looking at the teams we played last year when I was Norwich, there's a not a lot of difference.

"Obviously you've got the top four or five, but apart from that, if you can prove yourself in the Championship, you'll definitely get a chance to prove yourself in the Premier League."

The contents of this article must not be reproduced without the permission of the Croydon Advertiser.

For a full-page exclusive interview with Wilbraham, who talks about Glenn Murray's fantastic form this season and the influence Ian Holloway has had on the squad since his arrival, do not miss today's Croydon Advertiser.

Follow me on Twitter for the latest news, exclusives and live match updates @AdvertiserSport

If you're on Facebook, please 'Like' our page at www.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport

And now you can watch our exclusive away video clips on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport

Palace assistant boss tells Blackpool: Never forget what Holloway did for you

0
0
PALACE assistant boss Keith Millen hopes the Blackpool fans give Ian Holloway a good reception at Selhurst Park tomorrow as they both get ready to face their former employers.

Millen was only at Bloomfield Road for a brief time since August, but Holloway had an incredible three-and-a-half years with the Tangerines, leading them to the Premier League for the first time in the club's history.

Both men arrived in SE25 just over a month ago and Millen believes Holloway will want to 'get one over' his former club despite his deep affection for them.

"He's very proud of what he achieved in the three years he was up there – it was the best journey Blackpool fans have ever been on, and that's the same with Ian," Millen told Advertiser Sport.

"That will never change, and I think just because on Saturday when we play against each other, the rivalry gets heightened, but deep down, I'm sure all Blackpool fans and players, and Ian himself, will all love the time they were together.

"I wasn't there as long as Ian but it's unbelievable how it turns around.

"We are looking forward to the game and it will be nice to see the players and the staff there.

"Obviously, Ian had a great time at the club and I hope the fans at Blackpool appreciate what he did there.

"I think the majority of them will but they're going to want to beat us and there's always that extra edge (of facing your former club).

"Ian will be desperate to get one over them and I'm sure Blackpool will be desperate to get one over Ian, so there will definitely be an edge to Saturday's game.

"Eventually you have to move on, and you do get the banter and the stick on match days but I'm sure everyone appreciates the great time they had in those three years especially."

The contents of this article must not be reproduced without the permission of the Croydon Advertiser.


Follow me on Twitter for the latest news, exclusives and live match updates @AdvertiserSport

If you're on Facebook, please 'Like' our page at www.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport

And now you can watch our exclusive away video clips on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport

Croydon Council chief executive: 'This will be a different meeting if the press are here'

0
0
THE press were banned from a West Croydon public meeting after council chief executive Jon Rouse said he felt 'uncomfortable' answering questions in their presence. Mr Rouse - who earned a basic salary of £179,529 in the last financial year - had been invited to talk about a host of topics affecting the area, including a lack of parking and the progress on getting a police shop-front established on the London Road. But before answering the pre-prepared questions he admitted to being confused that the Croydon Advertiser was in the audience, unaware that it was an open meeting, and said it wasn't appropriate for an officer to be placed in such a position. One audience member walked out in disgust when the press were asked to leave, labelling the situation as 'out of order'. The open meeting was organised by the West Croydon Community Forum (WCCF) at the CVA Resource Centre in London Road, West Croydon, last Thursday night (December 6). Mr Rouse told the audience: "It's going to be a very different meeting if the press are here because I'm going to give very factual and very closed answers. "It's isn't my job or my officers' to place ourselves in a position which is rightly the position of democratically elected politicians. "We will have a meeting but it's going to be quite stilted." Mr Rouse argued there wouldn't be an open dialogue, and said scrutiny meetings consider issues of accountability. "If you want to have an open forum and an open debate with the press present than that is actually the role of the politically elected members," he added. "That's why (in) the Croydon Advertiser every week you see the elected members regularly quoted." A reporter from the Advertiser explained that the paper was there to write a story for the community, many of whom may not have been able to attend due to the meeting being scheduled at 4pm. A public vote was taken among the gathering and it was narrowly decided the press should leave. But Nitin Mehta, who runs a business on the London Road, felt so strongly about the treatment of the press that he left too. Speaking afterwards, the 58-year-old said: "I really felt bad that somebody who is there is then asked to leave without any genuine reason. I thought that it was out of order. "I had to show my support and walk out. "I cannot understand the logic behind it. I could understand if it was a really difficult or controversial subject we were going to talk about. "But it was just a small meeting talking about how we're going forward and making things better. "It was nothing top secret that the press shouldn't be there." Mr Mehta added he was disappointed with the show of hands asking for the press to leave. He added: "It all happened so quickly, I don't think a lot of people were able to give a thought about it."

Croydon Council chief executive: 'This will be a different meeting if the press are here'


TIA SHARP: BREAKING: Schoolgirl's grandmother cleared

0
0

TIA SHARP'S grandmother – Christine Sharp – has been cleared of any involvement in her granddaughter's murder.

Police today confirmed the 46-year-old of The Lindens, New Addington – where Tia was found in her home's loft – will face no further action after being arrested on suspicion of murder on August 10, the day the 12-year-old's body was discovered.

Neighbour Paul Meehan, 39, remains on bail after being arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Stuart Hazell, who lived with Christine, is charged with Tia's murder and is expected to enter a plea in March. He will stand trial in May.

TIA SHARP: BREAKING: Schoolgirl's grandmother cleared

Keith Millen: Thomas Ince is a major threat against us

0
0
CRYSTAL Palace assistant manager Keith Millen says Blackpool star Thomas Ince has added goals to his game this season, but believes he and Ian Holloway know enough about their former club ahead of the game at Selhurst Park tomorrow (3pm).

Ince has won a numbers of admirers so far this season with 13 goals and attracted interest from Premier League clubs at the start of the season.

And Millen says the Eagles' coaching staff are currently working on getting Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie to find the back of the net more often after helping Ince during pre-season at Bloomfield Road.

"He gets in dangerous areas and scores penalties as well, but in open play he's a major threat," he told Advertiser Sport.

"He's added goals to his game this year and he's got the ability where his movement now is very good.

"I think he lost his way at Liverpool for whatever reason, and the way Ian likes to play, it really helps improve the widemen's game – they don't just stay wide like the old-fashioned wingers used to, they like to be involved in the game for long periods.

"We like our widemen to come infield, get on the ball and join in, and certainly Tom and Matt Phillips at Blackpool have improved as players doing that.

"We have been talking to both Wilfried and Yannick as well about using their movement to score more goals because they've been brilliant.

"They can run at people and beat people, but we also want them involved in moves where they can actually score goals on the end of it, so that's what we're working on them with at the moment.

"The good thing is, though, we know a lot about Blackpool so hopefully that can help us get organised and be ready for them."

The contents of this article must not be reproduced without the permission of the Croydon Advertiser.


Follow me on Twitter for the latest news, exclusives and live match updates @AdvertiserSport

If you're on Facebook, please 'Like' our page at www.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport

And now you can watch our exclusive away video clips on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport

Sanderstead Osteopaths hunting for man who paid with fake £50

0
0

POLICE are hunting for a tattooed man accused of conning business owners – including an osteopath – with fake £50 notes.

David Ayres, of Sanderstead Osteopaths, has sent the Advertiser CCTV images of the suspect, who Mr Ayres claimed has also targeted shops in West Wickham.

On November 12 the osteopath was given the counterfeit money as payment.

Mr Ayres explained: "I had a knock at the door from a man requesting some treatment.

"He was very pleasant and friendly, which is why at the end of the treatment when he gave me the £50 note, I didn't trust my instinct that it was fake.

"I decided to let him leave as he was so nice, but when I went back to check the note it was an obvious fake. He might as well have given me monopoly money. I popped over to the shop next door who had a UV light and confirmed it wasn't real.

"I went to catch up with him but he had gone. I tried calling him on his mobile but it was a wrong number and the address he gave me was non-existent. I then spoke to a few people in West Wickham and was told six businesses had been targeted there too, with the same serial number.

"I want to warn people about him, £50 is a lot of money to be cheated out of. I suppose it's a lesson to learn about following your instincts, however nice someone is."

The suspect is white, in his mid 30s, approximately 5'10", bald, very well dressed and well spoken. He has a large scar on the back of his left hand and a tattoo of a large Celtic cross on the left side of his chest with the words "Love forever...Harry".

Police are appealing for anyone who recognises the man to call 101.

Sanderstead Osteopaths hunting for man who paid with fake £50

Crystal Palace striker Wilbraham happy to back up Murray

0
0

HE has come off the bench in his last six games and made big differences against Peterborough United and Hull City in particular away from home, but Palace striker Aaron Wilbraham is happy to watch Glenn Murray continue his hot streak in front of goal for the time being.

The 33-year-old believes it would be a hard task for any striker to take Murray's place in the starting XI on the back of the 17 goals the forward has scored so far this season.

"He's been on fire, scoring lots of goals and working really hard for the team," Wilbraham told Advertiser Sport.

"The way we play with one target man up front and an attacking midfielder in the hole behind, it would be difficult for any striker to replace him.

"He's a great striker and he moans a lot in training! But he's a good lad and I've got on well with him since I signed.

"He's not got bad banter, but he comes in everyday and works hard like the rest of us, but I think everyone in the squad comes in and doesn't just go through the motions – if we're not at it in training, we're not going to be in the squad on a matchday.

"We've got a big squad and we've got a lot of lads who don't even get on the bench every week, so everyone is sticking together and I think we've got a great team spirit."

However, if given the chance, Wilbraham believes if the formation was to change with two strikers up front, he'd be confident of striking up a good understanding with Murray.

"I've always played well when I've played up front with a big man – someone like Grant Holt last season at Norwich City," he said.

"I link up well with Glenn in training and I think that would be a good partnership as well, but obviously the formation we're playing at the moment is really working for us so we'd be stupid to change that.

"But I think all the strikers at the club are quite experienced and we all know how to play up front with a different strike partner."

When Murray was suspended for the recent away trip to Hull, quite a few of the fans expected Wilbraham to take his place from the start, but manager Ian Holloway opted to go with Jermaine Easter instead.

However, after his introduction 16 minutes into the second-half, Palace looked more of a threat and could have nicked it towards the end through Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie on the back of Wilbraham's link-up play.

"I've got to be patient really," he said. "I wanted to play at Hull but it's the manager's decision. I came on and felt like I did well, but the manager spoke to me and said I'm a big part of his plans.

"I've just got to do my bit for the team when I come on late on in a game, but I'm enjoying it, we're doing really well and the spirit is always good when you're doing well.

"No matter whether I start or come off the bench, I'll always give 100 per cent. I've been around the leagues, I know what football is about and you've just got to give your best at all times."

And what does he think of the new manager since he took over at the start of November?

"He's given everyone a lift," said Wilbraham. "The enthusiasm he's got rubs off on everyone and he's just come in and told us all to stay positive and that he doesn't want any negativity.

"No matter what happens, we've just got to keep playing the we're playing and the results will come – since he's joined, it's really gone well."

Former Eagles boss Dougie Freedman brought Wilbraham to the club in the summer on a free transfer, and even though the striker says they are different in certain ways, he thinks they're both similar when it comes to coaching.

"They are different but they're both really hands-on," he said.

"Sometimes you get football clubs where the assistant manager does a lot of the coaching, but both of them like to get involved and take quite a bit of the training as well as their coaches do, so they're similar in that way.

"But I think Ian Holloway's enthusiasm has given the lads a lift since he took over and he has banter with us. I think when he took over, he didn't want to make drastic changes and I think he's just come in and added his bits to it and it's working well."

Tomorrow, Palace welcome Holloway's former employers Blackpool to Selhurst Park just weeks after leaving Bloomfield Road to make the switch south, and despite his affection for the club, Wilbraham says there will only be one thing on the manager's mind.

He said: "He'll be looking to get the right result for us. He took Blackpool on leaps and bounds from when he took over there. It will be a big day for him on Saturday because he'll still have a lot of respect for the players that he left there and the fans as well."

Crystal Palace striker Wilbraham happy to back up Murray

Freedom of the Borough given to former Croydon North MP at meeting

0
0

FREEDOM of the borough was formally bestowed on former Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks at a special meeting of Croydon Council on Monday.

Mr Wicks, who died in September at the age of 65, is the first person to be granted the honour posthumously.

He had been an MP in Croydon for 20 years.

At the ceremony his widow Margaret told councillors: "Malcolm would have been very pleased and proud of this great honour that has been conferred on him today."

She said she and her children, Roger, Sarah and Caroline, had been very moved by the respect that had been shown to Mr Wicks by the council.

Proposing the honour, council leader Mike Fisher described Mr Wicks as "a truly great servant of the borough" and a pragmatic and sensible politician."

Councillor Fisher added: "He was always a champion of the underdog. Throughout his life he had been dedicated to helping others and serving his constituents."

Seconding the motion, Labour opposition leader Tony Newman praised Mr Wicks' support for the town.

He said: "After the riots last year Malcolm stood up and fought for his constituents like never before."

He added: "For a politician to be so respected both locally and nationally is rare but for a politician to be so loved and still so missed after 20 years in office is unparalleled."

Freedom of the Borough given to former Croydon North MP at meeting

Viewing all 5354 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images