1 week agoBlogsComments Off on Leicester City part company with first team coaches in brief statement with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side looking doomed
LEICESTER CITY have parted company with two first-team coaches after their relegation fears deepened over the weekend.
The Foxes are currently sat in 19th place in the Premier League and five points adrift of safety.
GettyTwo members of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s backroom staff have been sacked at Leicester as relegation looms[/caption]
GettyFirst team coach Ben Dawson and goalkeeping coach Danny Alcock both left in a brief joint statement[/caption]
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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Your home’s equity is the difference between the market value of your home and the amount you still owe on your mortgage or any secured loans.
If for example your house is worth £250,000 and you have £40,000 left on your mortgage and no loans secured against your home, you have £210,000 in equity.
When you’ve fully repaid your mortgage or any secured loans, your equity is equal to the value of your house.
The amount of equity in your home is based on the market value of your home then, and not when you purchased it.
Over the past 10 years, average house prices in the UK have increased by 42% according to Nationwide House Price data as of the end of 2024.
This means that the typical house, valued at £189,002 at the end of 2014, has risen to £268,518 at the end of 2024.
So, if you’ve owned your home for several years, the value of your property could have increased, and you may have more equity in your property than you think.
How can I access my home’s equity?
Equity release is just one of the ways you could access the cash tied up in your home, alternatives include remortgaging or downsizing to free up some of your property value.
As advice is required before going ahead with equity release, an advisor will explore alternative options with you to see which is right for your circumstances.
Some people may want to stay in the home they love without making required monthly mortgage repayments, and this is where equity release could be right for the homeowner.
Accessing your home’s equity
Equity release allows you to unlock from a minimum of £10,000 up to 58% of the value of your property.
How much you can unlock depends on the age of the youngest homeowner, if you’re a joint or single applicant, the value of your home and your individual needs.
There are two main types of equity release plans, a lifetime mortgage and a home reversion plan.
A lifetime mortgage allows you to continue owning 100% of your property.
It is secured against your property, and any money released, plus accrued interest, is repaid upon death or moving into long-term care.
With this type of plan, you’re not required to make any regular repayments if you do not wish to, meaning you could reduce your committed monthly expenses compared to if you had a regular mortgage where monthly payments were required.
GettyFind the right equity release plan for your needs[/caption]
Another type of equity release is a home reversion plan, which involves selling part of your home to a lender.
You can continue living in your home, typically rent-free, until you die or move into long-term care.
Both types of plans will reduce the value of your estate and impact funding long-term care, which is why it’s good to discuss your decision with your family first.
What should I consider before releasing equity?
It’s essential to carefully consider the features and risks of each option to access the equity in your home before deciding which is most suitable for your needs.
At Age Partnership, a specialist advisor can talk you through the different options to help you find out which option, if any, is best for you.
Initial advice is provided for free and without obligation. Only if your case is completed would an advice fee of £1,895 be payable. Other lender and solicitor fees may apply.
Age Partnership is a trading name of Age Partnership Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA registered number 425432. Company registered in England and Wales No. 5265969. VAT registration number 162 9355 92. Registered address, 2200 Century Way, Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8ZB.
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on I was ‘an hour from death’ after my haemorrhoids turned into flesh-eating disease
A DAD’S haemorrhoids turned out to be a dangerous flesh-eating disease that left him “an hour from death”.
Keith Jones, 40, went to his doctor last summer complaining of a high temperature and what he suspected was infected haemorrhoids.
SWNSKeith Jones, 40, spent nearly six months in hospital fighting for his life after a suspected haemorrhoid issue turned out to be a flesh-eating disease[/caption]
SWNSKeith was rushed into emergency surgery after seeing his GP[/caption]
SWNSKeith Jones with his daughter Paige – he spent over three weeks in a coma and has a long recovery ahead[/caption]
But the chef, from Whitstable, Kent, was rushed to hospital where medical staff told him the haemorrhoids had developed into necrotising fasciitis – a flesh-eating disease – and sepsis.
The dad-of-four told that if he’d waited a little longer before seeking medical attention he might not have survived – being getting his first of eight emergency surgeries at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, Kent.
Keith said: “I was told if I’d left it an hour or two longer I would probably already be dead.
“I had to have surgery but that’s pretty much the last thing I remember before waking up from the coma.
“I had eight surgeries to remove all the flesh from the area down below and I had mass organ failure and my kidneys, liver, lungs and stomach failed.
“Sepsis was killing me and a ‘do not resuscitate’ order was put in place as there was nothing more to be done.
“The kids were rushed from school to say goodbye to me because they didn’t think I was going to make it through the night.
“However, by some miracle, over the weekend my body started fighting back and I began breathing for myself.”
Necrotising fasciitis is a rare and life-threatening infection that can happen if a wound gets infected, causing damage to deep layers of the skin.
It can cause intense pain or loss of feeling near the cut or wound, as well as swelling and flu-like symptoms like, high temperature, headache and tiredness.
NHS advice says symptoms can develop quickly within hours or over a few days and symptoms need to be treated in hospital straight away.
Keith was rushed to hospital on August 22 and was in a coma for three-and-a-half weeks – missing his 40th birthday – before he was eventually woken up.
He spent further time in intensive care recovering and had to have physiotherapy after losing the ability to move his arms and legs.
While he has now regained control of most of his body, he has been told it is unlikely he will ever walk again unaided due to the irreversible nerve damage to his feet.
I lost all feeling in my hands, arms, legs and feet.
I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t drink, I couldn’t feed myself, I couldn’t do anything
Keith Jones
But, after months of fighting in hospital, Keith was finally well enough to go back to his home in coastal Seasalter, Kent, which he shares with his fiancée, Lauren, and their four children – Eiyla, Paige, Francesca and Jake.
Keith said: “I lost all feeling in my hands, arms, legs and feet.
“I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t drink, I couldn’t feed myself, I couldn’t do anything.
“I can’t raise my left arm above my shoulder but I can use my hands and my arms now.
“From my ankles down, my feet are completely gone. I can’t wiggle my toes, I can’t control them, they’re just numb.
“I can’t walk around the house, I have a bed in the living room so I can be at home and I can transfer from bed to chair using a frame or crutches.
“I’m adapting and adjusting to my life now.”
What is necrotising fasciitis?
Necrotising fasciitis, also called the “flesh-eating disease”, is a rare and life-threatening infection.
It can happen when bacteria enters the body through an open wound, like a cut or burn.
The infection spreads quickly and aggressively, causes tissue death and can be deadly if not treated right away.
The signs and symptoms to know:
Symptoms of necrotising fasciitis can develop quickly within hours or over a few days.
At first, you may have:
Intense pain or loss of feeling near to a cut or wound – the pain may seem much worse than you would usually expect from a cut or wound
Swelling of the skin around the affected area
Flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headache and tiredness
Later symptoms can include:
Being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea
Confusion
Black, purple or grey blotches and blisters on the skin (these may be less obvious on black or brown skin)
Typical treatment:
Necrotising fasciitis gets worse very quickly and can kill.
This is why it must be treated in hospital as soon as possible.
Sufferers will usually be given antibiotics to fight off the infection or in some cases, surgery to remove the affected area
Even after successful treatment, there may be long-term changes in how the body looks. Some people require further surgery and physiotherapy to help recover.
To aid his adjustment and quality of life, Keith’s sister, Sarah Jones, has launched a fundraiser in the hopes of raising enough to buy mobility aids such as a wheelchair and mobility scooter to help him regain independence.
In a statement on the JustGiving page, Sarah said: “My brother has been through hell and back.
“He has already defied the odds, but we want to give him the tools he needs to keep fighting and rebuild his life.
“We are so grateful for his strength, the love of his family, and his determination to move forward. He truly is a fighter.”
So far, the page has raised £355 of the £5,000 target.
Previously a head chef at The Monument Pub in Whitstable, Keith is currently unable to work and has a long road ahead for his recovery.
It is not currently clear if he will ever be back to being his normal self or be able to work again, but Keith says he is grateful just to have a second chance at life.
Keith lost feeling in his limbs and doctors are unsure if he’ll walk again unaidedSWNSSWNSKeith with his fiance Lauren[/caption]
‘Lucky to be here’
He is now sharing his story to encourage more people to seek medical help, and not put off going to the doctors if they need help.
“I nearly died and I’m lucky to be here,” he said.
“People don’t realise how serious sepsis is.
“I now can’t walk far due to it. But I’m alive. And it really has changed my life.
“I feel like a new man and my goal in life is to be the best version of me for everyone.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
SEPSIS is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that happens when your immune system overreacts and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs.
Symptoms of sepsis in an adult include:
Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
Symptoms in a child include:
Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
A weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
Being sleepier than normal or having difficulty waking
They may not have all these symptoms.
If you think you or someone else has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on Serial-winning Cheltenham Festival horse halves in odds amid rumours of big-money buy
A SERIAL-WINNING Cheltenham Festival horse has halved in odds amid rumours of a big-money buy.
Seven-year-old gelding Willitgoahead has won four of his past five races for Irish trainer Sean Thomas Doyle.
Willitgoahead was an easy winner last time out and looks a progressive horse possibly being aimed at the Hunters’ Chase for a rumoured new owner
He was last seen disposing of the ex-Willie Mullins-trained Festival regular Ramillies by three lengths in a Hunters’ Chase at Thurles in Ireland last month.
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The ‘impressive’ winner was eased down over the line and was quickly put up as a 14-1 tip for the Foxhunters by racing legend Jamie Codd.
The ex-jockey, who has a reputation for putting up Festival winners at a price, said: “I thought Willitgoahead bolted up in the Hunter Chase at Thurles and I’d love a bit of 14-1 about him for the big one at Cheltenham.
“He’s an up-and-coming horse in the division, and I think he’ll be really suited by a bigger field, stronger pace and nicer ground at the Festival.”
Those odds have more than halved since and he is as short as 5-1 to win the penultimate race of next month’s meeting.
Punters can expect that price to contract shorter if his rumoured new owner is confirmed as part of tomorrow’s entries.
He already has half the favourites for Cheltenham, but whispers suggest billionaire Irish racing supremo JP McManus has dipped into his pockets for Willitgoahead.
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Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
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1 week agoBlogsComments Off on EastEnders fans can’t stop crying at emotional aftermath of Martin Fowler’s death
EASTENDERS fans cannot stop crying at the emotional aftermath of Martin Fowler’s death in today’s episode of the soap.
The fruit and veg flogger – who was played by actor Jame Bye in the BBC soap – died saving ex Stacey Slater in the Queen Vic collapse.
BBCStacey was forced to tell her children that Martin had died in the incident[/caption]
BBCStacey tried desperately to comfort her children[/caption]
BBCLily couldn’t believe her dad had died[/caption]
Stacey was struggling to come to terms with what had happened and couldn’t bring herself to tell the kids.
She got support from Kathy and Ian, and then from Sonia who gave her the strength to go home and tell the kids that Martin was gone.
Finally able to accept what had happened, Stacey sat down with her children and broke the devastating news.
“He was brave your dad,” she said.
“We talked about lots of things, we talked about you, all three of you. And how much he loved you.”
“Is daddy OK now?” asked Hope.
But before Stacey could get the words out, Lily said: “He’s dead, isn’t he?”
“Yes, yes darling,” Stacey said sobbing.
“Lil, he knew how loved he was. He knew how loved he was right to the end.”
The heartbreaking scenes left viewers sobbing at home.
One wrote: “That was one of the saddest episode’s I have ever watched.
“I cried from start to finish. I’m glad we saw Sonia and Stacey telling Martin’s children.
“It was heartbreaking. I’d watch again but I’ve got no tears left for now.”
A second said: “Lacey Turner is breaking my heart. It’s too early to be this emotional!”
BBCMartin died in the wreckage of the Queen Vic last week[/caption]
Another addd: “I should not have watched this at 6am.
“Broke my heart. So many amazing moments. Thought the kids did very well at the end of the episode especially Lily who is one amazing little actress.”
Soaps are no stranger to dramatic stunts in the storylines. Not only do these moments create a spectacle for viewers, they also fundamentally change characters’ lives.
Here is a look at some of the biggest soap stunts from over the years.
CORONATION STREET
Tram crash (2010): The ITV soap marked its 50th anniversary with a intense tram crash – and live episode to boot. Overall, the crash and its effects were broadcast across a week in December 2010. Its resulting chaos saw regular characters Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) die.
Richard Hillman tries to kill the Platts (2003): Of all the men unlucky-in-love Gail tied the knot with, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) is probably the one she regrets most in hindsight. In 2003, murderer Richard tried to kill his step-family: first by gassing them with car fumes and then driving Gail (Helen Worth), Sarah (Tina O’Brien), David (Jack P. Shepherd) and Bethany (Amy and Emily Walton) into a canal.
EASTENDERS
Queen Vic fire (2010): In September 2010, EastEnders bid farewell to matriarch Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) as a permanent fixture on the soap – she returned as a guest before the character’s death in 2016. In the build-up to her initial exit, Peggy had trapped crack cocaine-addicted son Phil (Steve McFadden) in the Queen Vic. However, he escaped and set the boozer on fire.
Bus crash (2017): In April 2017, a total of 11 Albert Square residents had their lives at risk in a terrifying bus crash. The stunt saw a double decker bus – the 764 to Barking – lose control and crash through the Albert Square market before hitting a low-level bridge. Notable passengers at the time included Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper).
EMMERDALE
James Barton’s death (2016): Interestingly about James’ (Bill Ward) death was that it came in a spiral of events. After wife Emma (Gillian Kearney) locked James up in a jealous rage, he escaped and they tussled on a bridge over the bypass. Emma pushed him and James fell into traffic, in turn causing a 12-vehicle pile up, As well as James dying, key characters including Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) were injured.
A fourth commented: “Devastating, powerful, heart-wrenching.
“I do think killing off Martin is VERY short-sighted, but the aftermath is pulling punch after punch and is exactly how a death for a character like Martin should impact the characters.”
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on I’m an SPFL star who beat cancer aged 20 – I used to think I was invincible, but I wouldn’t change a thing
JOHN KOUTROUMBIS had to wait eight long months to make his first start as a Well player.
Plenty of footballers would have thrown the toys out of the pram before now.
Andrew BarrJohn Koutroumbis made his long-awaited debut over the weekend[/caption]
Andrew BarrHe faced Dundee United at Tannadice[/caption]
But when you’ve overcome cancer at the age of 20, life takes on a different perspective.
Back in 2018, the Australian right-back was struck down with stage one thyroid cancer.
Then at Newcastle Jets, he was ruled out indefinitely until eventually being given the all clear to begin the long road back.
So when an injury sidelines you at a new club, in a new country and you barely get a look-in for over half a season?
It’s maybe easier to understand why Koutroumbis took things in his stride.
The Aussie, who joined Well last June but didn’t make his full debut until this latest loss to Dundee United, said: “The cancer stuff? It was shocking.
“As a young 20-year-old, you never imagine yourself having to say you have cancer. You think you’re invincible, especially at that stage.
“It was quite an eye-opener. I say to people I wouldn’t have changed a thing because it’s taught me many lessons.
“Maybe those lessons would have been learned later in life, but I was fortunate to learn them earlier. My perspective on life changed earlier on.
“I was privileged enough that it was discovered early. Some people don’t get that lucky, unfortunately.
“That’s one thing I do think of when I reflect on that time.
“It could have been a lot worse and people do have it a lot worse. You’ve just got to stay humble, keep grounded.
“The good times come but then there are bad times. Then bad times are over and then there are good times. It’s just a big cycle.
“But I know now there are even the small things you can’t take for granted. I’m in a beautiful country like Scotland. I’m living away from home.
“Not many people can say they have done that in their lives. That’s the joy of football and it’s my outlook on life.”
Former Well boss Stuart Kettlewell raved about Koutroumbis when he arrived last year, yet only used him twice as a substitute.
The Adelaide-born defender, now 26, added: “I was very excited to start my campaign here. Unfortunately I was then out for a couple of months with a torn calf in the first week of pre-season.
“That’s not something you plan for and you’re behind everyone who’s done pre- season. They kicked on with the season and cup games prior.
“You start a bit behind in that position. That’s just the game. Injuries and other issues are part of it.
“It really is a test of character whether you push through and you stay consistent.
“It’s important to not get within your own head. We’re all human and it’s each hurdle day by day.
“There’s always frustration when you’re not playing and you’re available to play.
“Unfortunately, there’s a squad of between 20 and 30 players at Motherwell and only 11 starters.
Kenny RamsayHe never got the nod to start under previous boss Stuart Kettlewell[/caption]
“That’s the nature of the game. The important thing for me, and what was going through my head, was just to keep fit and be ready for that opportunity to come.
“I spoke to the previous manager and he clarified a lot. We had multiple conversations.
“It was just about getting back to the same level as the boys who were playing.
“My fitness was down and at that period we were winning, then we started losing games. He didn’t want to change much because players were playing well.
“Did it ever reach the point where I was thinking the move wasn’t working and I might have to leave?
“That’s where an agent helps and makes those decisions. I’m not really into that sort of thing, where I want to look for it somewhere else.
“I signed for Motherwell and I wanted to play for them.
“If it then doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. That’s up to my agent to decide.”
The arrival of new gaffer Michael Wimmer saw Koutroumbis fast-tracked into the team at Tannadice.
In what quickly turned into a war of attrition, he played the full 90 minutes, but couldn’t help Well get anything from the game following Sam Dalby’s 11th-minute header.
After they dropped out of the top six for the first time since August last weekend, their fifth straight Premiership loss saw them tumble to tenth — just four points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
If he didn’t know it before, German coach Wimmer, Well’s first foreign boss since Finn Harri Kampman took over in 1998, now has a better idea of the task he has in front of him. Koutroumbis said: “Yes, there’s a clean slate with the new manager coming in now. He’s seen games, I assume, but he hadn’t seen it in person.
Andrew BarrKoutroumbis with new boss Michael Wimmer[/caption]
“For him to be there at training and seeing players, now it’s up to him to make the decision on game day.
“It’s a new opportunity for everyone, not only for players who were playing. They can show the manager they deserve to be in that spot.
“But players on the sideline have an opportunity to show the new coach there is something within that player.
“Whether or not the manager sees they have potential to play, it’s up to him.
“The game itself was a tough one. It was a bitter pill to swallow, really. It’s coming to that point of the season where points are crucial. We’ve seen how tight the league is.
“From fourth to almost last position, there’s only six or seven points. It’s getting to the business end of the season where points are so important.”
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on From Chelsea flop to not wanted by Klopp – can Mo Salah end Ballon d’Or hoodoo or will it be Madrid heartbreak again?
MO SALAH has spent his entire career proving people wrong.
Yet for Liverpool’s brilliant, 32-year-old talisman, to be crowned the best player on the planet would be his greatest achievement – for a variety of reasons.
ReutersMo Salah has been the star of the Premier League this season[/caption]
Action Images - ReutersHe flopped when he first came to England at Chelsea[/caption]
Sunday TimesJurgen Klopp originally was not keen on signing the Egyptian forward[/caption]
From being a Chelsea flop and then not wanted by Jurgen Klopp to becoming one of Liverpool’s greatest players while firing Arne Slot to a stunning debut season with 30 goals.
And we’re only in February.
It is inevitable that Salah will collect his second Premier League winners’ medal after Sunday’s 2-0 win at Manchester City but could he pip Real Madrid’s Viniscius Junior to the Ballon d’Or later this year?
It is difficult to believe that 11 years ago last month, Salah joined Chelsea from Basel for £11m but in his two years at Stamford Bridge made just six Premier League starts and scored only two goals.
This was because he spent most of his time away from Merseyside on loan at Fiorentina and Roma.
Although fingers have always pointed at Jose Mourinho, who was in charge for much of the time when Salah was a Chelsea player, the Portuguese coach said: “For a start, people try to identify me as the coach that sold Salah. I am the coach that bought Salah. It’s completely the wrong idea.
“I pushed the club to buy him and at the time we already had fantastic attacking players—Hazard, Willian, we had top talent there. But I told them to buy that kid.”
Salah was sold once Mourinho had left the club and proved to be a huge hit for Roma in a £12m move.
Mohamed Salah has been a constant star since his arrival at Anfield in 2017...
Appearances: 387
Goals: 241
Assists: 109
Trophies: Premier League x1, FA Cup x1, League Cup x2, Community Shield x1, Champions League x1, Uefa Super Cup x1, Fifa Club World Cup x1
Instead, Liverpool’s head of recruitment at the time Dave Fallows was the person who insisted on the club signing Salah.
Yet the Egyptian was an instant sensation, scoring 44 goals from 52 games.
Yet, he did not necessarily enjoy a close, warm relationship with Klopp. It was more professional and cordial than anything.
There were occasions during his spell on Merseyside when Salah was clearly hoping for a move to Spain, hence a couple of interviews with Spanish sports paper Marca.
This was a surprise because he has barely ever spoken to the English media apart from brief TV interviews directly after matches when, most of the time, he was handed the man-of-the-match award.
Afterwards, he said he claimed if he spoke “there will be fire” which clearly illustrated the relationship was not totally harmonious.
By then, Salah knew Klopp would be heading off into the sunset and few people would have expected the forward to shine like this season under new boss Slot.
Salah was one of the three musketeers alongside Bobby Firmino and Sadio Mane. Yet when his brilliant attacking unit started to break up, some Liverpool fans wanted to keep the other two.
Even at the start of this season, there were some supporters who felt that maybe, it was time for Salah to move on once his contract expired this summer.
Now, though, there is not a single person connected with the club who wants their talisman to leave. Despite the mega money offers from Saudi Arabia, Salah – surely – will remain a Liverpool player.
So that means he will still be on Merseyside when we have the Ballon d’Or awards later this year.
There was a huge outcry in Madrid when Manchester City midfielder Rodri pipped Viniscius to the award last October. The weird thing was that everyone in Spain seemed to forget that it was actually Jude Bellingham who won the La Liga player-of-the-year award.
But Real officials made the decision to boycott the awards. And because they have made such a fuss, you would expect Brazilian star VIniscius to be a firm favourite for this year, albeit for the wrong reasons.
So if Salah is to win the accolade this year, he might actually have to lead Liverpool to success in the Champions League final in Munich on May 31.
It seems a bit unfair but that is what he is facing. But equally, anyone betting against this remarkable footballer could be proved wrong.
Furthermore, United U18s were denied the chance to play at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup fifth round.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first year at Man Utd
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…
December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington
January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added
March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move
March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football
March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford
March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December
April 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled
April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton
May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanliness
May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof
May 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish
May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy
May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket
May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed
May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result
June 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground
June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into office
June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team
July 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board
July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125
July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie
August 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window
August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet
October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson
October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled
October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause
November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim
November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings
November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association
December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century”
December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director
December 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
December 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth
December 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two stars
December 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity
After the match, head coach Amorim admitted he does not know how to fix the club’s current crisis.
He said: “I don’t know what I need to do to bring more consistency. If I knew, I would change it.
“We have to continue to think in the next game, everything we do in the week we have to use it in the game.
“If we do that, we are near to winning games like we did in the second half. In this moment we need to focus on day by day.
“We need to survive this season, and then to think ahead. We have so many problems.
“Then when we go to the game and let the time pass, it’s really hard. I don’t want to just say the negative part, the second half was so much better in the belief. In the end we were near to winning this game.”
GettyRuben Amorim says he has the ‘worst team in the history of Manchester United’[/caption]
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on Shaun Murphy hits ‘most underwhelming 147 of all time’ after travel chaos almost KO’d his tournament
SHAUN MURPHY hit the most “underwhelming” 147 break of his life – following the most overwhelming travel chaos experience.
The Magician celebrated a maximum break in the final frame of his 5-0 victory over China’s Zhou Jinhao in the first round of the World Open.
https://twitter.com/eurosport/status/1893949407181066600
EurosportShaun Murphy hit the ‘most underwhelming’ 147 break of all time[/caption]
AlamyIt was the tenth max break of his career and said he was ‘delighted’ by it[/caption]
It is the tenth perfect break of his career and only Ronnie O’Sullivan (15), John Higgins (13) and Stephen Hendry (11) have made more.
Yet the 214th official maximum in snookerhistory – and 12th of the season – was not seen by many people in Yushan.
Murphy, in line for the £5,000 high-break prize, said: “I did a show in Ormskirk a couple of weeks ago.
“When I got there, the promoter was keen to tell me that the last player they’d had there made a 147 in the first frame.
“So, I did one there as well! Listen, I don’t know, maybe there’s something in the water but I’m delighted. Absolutely delighted.
“I must say it was an early session, an early start, there weren’t many fans in the arena this morning.
“It’s probably the most underwhelming 147 of all time. But they are all special.
“I’ve made snooker look very difficult at times – when it goes well, I’m really pleased.
“You just get used to patterns. It was very, very similar to the 147 I made in the Shoot Out, where the blue moved off the break.
“I just thought that the black was available and ‘let’s see how far I can get’. So, I was trying to get it from the first shot. I didn’t think I would actually do it. I can’t believe it. I’m blown away.”
Murphy – who fired in a 147 on his run to winning the Masters at Ally Pally in January – also notched in scores of 127 and 119 as Jinhao potted only 53 points across five frames.
His next assignment will be Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the Last 32 as he chases the £175,000 top pot.
But the world No.8 almost never made it on time after flight problems en route to the Far East.
Murphy explained: “It was amazing. We taxied to the runway at Heathrow. The pilot came over and said: ‘I’m really sorry, we have got a problem, no power in the engines.’
“We were like: ‘Right, that sounds like a problem.’ Of course, there was a three-hour delay. By the time I got to Dubai I’d missed my connection to Shanghai.
“That meant a night in Shanghai. I then got an early bullet train.
“What should have taken a day took four days to get here. A bit of a mission. Seems like it has been worthwhile so far.”
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
