birminghammail--2020-11-05--Piecing back together a broken Aston Villa and Man Utd wonderkid

There 's a brief moment when I worry I might have pushed Stephen Cooke too far .
It 's when the inevitable topic arises of where it all went wrong for an Aston Villa wonderkid , who 20 years ago really did seem to have the football world at his feet .
Only then does a true sense of Cooke 's emotional backstory really start to emerge .
It 's clear the 37-year-old Chasetown assistant manager has been wrestling with that very question himself for all of this time - after a claret and blue career that , despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of first team action , spread across four substitute cameos in six years .
What follows , though , after a measured pause for thought , is a man comfortable in his own skin , frustrated , disappointed , but without a hint of bitterness at the hand the fickle fates of football have dealt him .
`` I loved every minute of going into Aston Villa , '' says Cooke over Zoom after BirminghamLive 's Claret & Blue podcast tracks him down to finally share his story .
`` I enjoyed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything about Aston Villa Football Club .
`` But obviously you want to play , I 'd love to have had a long career there .
In those terms , yes , I underachieved in the goals I set out for myself , but it is frustrating because I ca n't pin it down to why it was .
`` Maybe I was n't good enough , sometimes you have to take that on the chin .
But I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved every minute . ''
To the uninitiated , Cooke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue quarters around the turn of the millennium .
Hailed as the next best thing to roll off the Bodymoor Heath production line , Villa 's hopes for him were higher than the Holte End as he starred for the youth and reserve teams in the late nineties and early noughties .
But his story starts way before then .
Cooke grew up as a Walsall lad and - whisper it softly - a fan of Manchester United , the team supported by his Dad , Stephen senior .
Schooled at St Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a prodigious talent with a ball at his feet and his hometown club Walsall FC soon came knocking , so impressed with the eight-year-old midfielder that they got him to train with the next age group up .
CHECK OUT OUR CLARET & BLUE YOUTUBE INTERVIEW WITH STEPHEN COOKE During his time at Bescot , the family regularly had to field calls from bigger football clubs wanting to snap up young Stephen and the true sign of his ability came when he was selected for the prestigious FA School of Excellence at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 14 .
`` It was a bit like Hogwarts , the actual building and the way it was set out , '' he explains .
`` Looking back it 's probably the best two years of my life .
`` I met some really good players who I am still in touch with them now and we won most weeks which was a bonus .
`` Basically it was what they thought were the best 16 players in the country at that age group .
The Midlands and national trials to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years . ''
The year above Cooke was a kid called Joe Cole .
Cooke 's room-mate was a boy named Jermain Defoe .
`` He was scoring loads of goals , '' smiles Cooke when asked what he remembers of a teenage striker , who has continued to score loads of goals for the likes of Bournemouth , West Ham , Tottenham , Portsmouth , Sunderland and even now , with Rangers .
`` In the trial games , you could just tell straight away he was superb .
We roomed together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group now so we still talk on there maybe once twice a week if anybody needs anything . ''
But enough about Defoe , let 's get back to the young Cooke .
It 's not just on senior international duty , it transpires , that heads get turned .
Many of Cooke 's Lilleshall peers were with big clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool and it was at the FA 's behest that Cooke should join them , advising him to swap little Walsall for mighty Manchester United .
Who was Cooke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to argue ?
A move to Manchester United beckoned - and Beckham-ed - and all of a sudden a lad with more than a sliver of self doubt was signing a contract in Sir Alex Ferguson 's office .
Not only that but the 1999 treble-winners wheeled out all of the trophies to seal the deal and he got to meet stars including David Beckham , Ryan Giggs and Roy Keane .
`` I had my picture took with Alex Ferguson when I signed the contract .
They let us watch the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met lots of the players in the dressing room afterwards .
`` For my dad with us being Man United fans as well , he was more over the moon than me .
I was just a young boy .
`` Alex Ferguson was just talking to me about the football club and what it means to play for Manchester United .
I was just really nervous and trying to take it all in . ''
That whirlwind first day was his Manchester United highlight .
Still training , playing and studying at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at United were few and far between .
Over a two year period on United 's books , Cooke only recalls playing for them three times ( ' I think we lost all three ! '
) and practice sessions with a youth team including Darren Fletcher were restricted to summer and school holiday meet ups .
In the year below him the likes of John O'Shea and Wes Brown were being groomed for eventual first team breakthroughs , but even with his family allegiances , Cooke was ready to move .
Cooke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jonathan Bewers who were already at the Bodymoor Heath academy and having broken an earlier promise to sign for Villa youth chief Bryan Jones he was finally true to his word at he age of 16 .
It was then that the chatter about this lad was really cranked into overdrive .
During our interview with Cooke we read him a quote from Aston Villa legend Gordon Cowans , one of the Villa academy coaching team purring about his potential .
`` Stephen is the best player I have seen in a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Cooke lets out an embarrassed chuckle before responding .
`` I was getting that kind of thing from people at the football club and those around it , '' he says .
`` My reputation was like that at the time , but then I was getting asked questions : 'If you 're that good then how come you 're not playing ? '
`` I 'd start to think what am I doing wrong ?
Gordon Cowans is a Villa legend is n't he ?
Probably the best player to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive influence on my career .
SIGN UP FOR OUR VILLA NEWSLETTER HERE '' It was just frustrating that people like that and others at the club wanted me to be playing and I just could n't seem to get that chance when I needed it . ''
Eventually , the first chance did come , albeit a fleeting one .
Villa were playing a home game at The Hawthorns - yes , the club had to call the stadium of rials West Bromwich Albion 'home ' briefly during the summer of 2000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back at Villa Park the Trinity Road Stand was being revamped - and Cooke , along with John McGrath and Michael Standing got drafted into the matchday squad by John Gregory .
While his fellow academy pals were left warming the bench for the 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo , Cooke got on as a 74th minute replacement for Julian Joachim .
`` I think on the morning a few players had pulled out injured , '' he explains .
`` Luc Nilis had just signed and he was a bit stiff so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gaffer said I 'd be involved .
`` I did n't expect to go on , I did n't even expect to be involved in the squad .
I was nervous but when I got on I was just excited and wanted to get a touch of the ball and get into it .
Because I was only on for a short time I wanted to do as much as I could .
`` John Gregory 's the best manager I had at Villa .
I think if he 'd have stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had me involved really early , training and travelling with the first team , maybe even when I was 16.
`` Gregory set the tone for an inclusive training ground where the academy kids were made to feel welcome by the senior pros .
When Cooke was not cleaning out the bootcage or hoovering the gym , he was polishing Dion Dublin 's boots and listening intently to the striker 's advice and that of his other elders .
Paul Merson was a big influence , delivering an emotional sermon to the teenagers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he battled to bring his drink , drugs and gambling demons under control .
`` He was great , '' Cooke remembers .
`` Obviously his problems are well documented .
He did a talk with the youth team just to make us aware of what he 'd been through and some of the dangers that you could fall into in football and in life and how he was getting by .
Just really good advice .
He did n't have to do that , but I think it helped him come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the stories and he was amazing to be fair . ''
Merson - 'the things he could do with the outside of his boot ' - and Benito Carbone - 'just his touch and his shot - he was only little but could hit it harder than Thomas Hitzlsperger ' - were the best players he ever trained with , and he also learned , rather randomly , that David Ginola was a whizz at paintball .
`` He was unbelievable , '' he laughs .
`` We went paintballing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not going to fancy it and he probably wo n't want to get dirty .
He was unbelievable .
He is the bushes , he was up trees , everything !
I thought he is n't even gon na turn up .
But he did to be fair , he was there , he loved it . ''
After his Villa debut in August 200 , it would be another two and a half years before Cooke made his next senior appearance in claret and blue .
By then Gregory had gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Cooke had impressed during his first loan spell at Bournemouth in League One .
His youth coaches continued to rave about him but Taylor needed more convincing , putting Cooke on a weight programme to bulk out his skinny frame and recommending a switch to the wing because of concerns he was too lightweight for centre midfield .
Over time Cooke impressed Taylor enough to give him another go with the first team , but not before Villa 's legendary manager had taken a slight dig at him during a reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He singled me out a little bit and just said how long am I going to have to wait for you to start doing what you need to do ?
I was a bit confused .
`` He said I want you to play wide but run the game .
I thought if you want me to run the game then play me in the middle of the park because that 's what I wanted to do .
`` It was quite hard to get my head round at first but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out wide and became an actual winger .
`` It just left me a bit baffled but I had a chat with him after and we cleared it up and in the end he did obviously give me some minutes , but I do n't think he was entirely convinced to be honest . ''
Cooke would go on to play three more times for Villa .
On top of his 16 minutes against Celta Vigo , he made three Premier League cameos under Taylor in early 2003 , getting two minutes against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 minutes at home to Manchester United and a further 16 minutes away at Leeds United .
A grand total of 45 minutes .
His Villa Park debut , which came in the final months of Taylor 's second spell at Villa involved a daunting initial involvement as an 88th minute replacement for Ulises de la Cruz .
`` It was Bolton at home , '' he says .
`` We got a corner and he just said right I 'll do it now .
I said to him where do you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said just take them .
I said 'Oh right ' , so I just had to run over and take the corner with my first touch .
`` It was in front of Holte , far side diagonally opposite the tunnel .
The fans applauded me .
It was good , it was surprising .
Obviously as a young lad you 're not too sure if the fans are familiar with you so it was nice . ''
His confidence surged during an end-of-season meeting with Taylor .
After an initial delay over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's agent rather than the player himself - Taylor made him a promise that left him buzzing .
But his excitement was shortlived .
`` I went in to see him and he said you 'll be starting next season , you 'll share that position , but you 'll get a lot more time .
And then he left . ''
Cooke smiles wryly at the memory .
On the way to the gym with a mate there was a moment of confusion when his pal said 'Have you heard Taylor 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ian the midfielder rather than Graham the manager .
`` I just said yeah we knew ages ago , '' says Cooke .
`` He said 'Bloody hell how have you kept it quiet ? '
.
`` When I realised he meant the manager I said 'Nah , you cant be right , I was there two days ago ' .
Then it all come out that he had left and David O'Leary got the job . ''
O'Leary never really took to Cooke , wanting to sort out the senior set-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players .
With Cooke approaching full fitness after a minor injury , he recommended the then 20-year-old go out on loan again .
It was back at Bournemouth that the telling blow to his hopes and his career was delivered , just weeks into his latest spell .
A two-footed , studs up tackle broke his ankle and while he bears no ill will towards his aggressor , he - somewhat harshly it seems - does hold himself responsible for not protecting himself better .
Surgery followed , but the bad news continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still fractured in two places .
`` I probably should have gone in sidefooted and got some weight behind it , although I did n't have a lot of weight behind me , '' he admits .
`` That just killed me .
In terms of my Villa career it did me . ''
Psychologically as well as physically , Cooke was indeed done .
In July 2005 , after a brief loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers , he finally called time on his Villa career and , at the age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-year deal , but even on the day he signed felt guilty , doubting whether his body would ever be able to justify his wages .
He went on the make around 50 appearances for the Cherries before his playing days fizzled out with brief spells at Weymouth , Torquay United and back in the West Midlands with Halesowen Town .
It was in 2010 , amidst the inauspicious surroundings of Sandwell Hospital in West Bromwich , that a doctor put him out of his misery with a final note which triggered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He just wrote me off , '' says Stephen matter-of-factly , explaining why he rejected any remaining salvage operations to transplant somebody else 's cartilage into his ankle - the procedures had such a minimal chance of success to render them a waste of time .
There were tentative offers to squeeze out a few more years playing in America , but instead , as he battled to get his head around the news , he became reclusive , temporarily cutting off contact with the football world .
To check out interviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin Laursen , you can subscribe to our Claret & Blue YouTube channel here .
`` The injuries had got into my head , '' he ackowledges .
`` I just thought I 'm just going to struggle .
I never recovered from it physically and mentally .
`` I think at the time when I first finished at 27 you 're trying to work out what to do with your life and you do n't really know what to say to people .
`` Without knowing it I probably was a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
I just wanted to take a step back , that 's what you 've got to do . ''
You can read about other Villa kids who failed to live up to their potential here Nowadays he gets his kicks as assistant boss of Chasetown in the BetVictor Northern Premier League South East Division and looking after daughter Charlie , 12 , sons Braiden , 7 , and Stephen junior , 4 , with his partner Toni .
`` I 'm definitely grateful for the memories I 've got , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'underachieved ' yes , but only because of people 's opinion of me .
`` Not me ever thinking I was this , I was that .
A lot of people had an opinion of me that they thought I was going to go on and be this player .
`` It did n't happen , but I am ever so grateful to Aston Villa Football Club for even giving me the opportunity to live the dream and be a part of the club . ''

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There's a brief moment when I worry I might have pushed Stephen Cooke too far. It's when the inevitable topic arises of where it all went wrong for an Aston Villa wonderkid, who 20 years ago really did seem to have the football world at his feet.
Only then does a true sense of Cooke's emotional backstory really start to emerge. It's clear the 39-year-old football coach has been wrestling with that very question himself for all of this time - after a claret and blue career that, despite the hype, amounted to just 45 minutes of first team action, spread across four substitute cameos in six years.
What follows, though, after a measured pause for thought, is a man comfortable in his own skin, frustrated, disappointed, but without a hint of bitterness at the hand the fickle fates of football have dealt him.
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"I loved every minute of going into Aston Villa," says Cooke over Zoom after BirminghamLive's Claret & Blue podcast tracks him down to finally share his story.
"I enjoyed it immensely and I wouldn't have changed anything about Aston Villa Football Club.
"But obviously you want to play, I'd love to have had a long career there. In those terms, yes, I underachieved in the goals I set out for myself, but it is frustrating because I can't pin it down to why it was.
"Maybe I wasn't good enough, sometimes you have to take that on the chin. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved every minute."
To the uninitiated, Cooke was a big deal in claret and blue quarters around the turn of the millennium.
Hailed as the next best thing to roll off the Bodymoor Heath production line, Villa's hopes for him were higher than the Holte End as he starred for the youth and reserve teams in the late nineties and early noughties.
But his story starts way before then.
Cooke grew up as a Walsall lad and - whisper it softly - a fan of Manchester United, the team supported by his Dad, Stephen senior.
Schooled at St Francis School in Aldridge it became clear he was a prodigious talent with a ball at his feet and his hometown club Walsall FC soon came knocking, so impressed with the eight-year-old midfielder that they got him to train with the next age group up.
CHECK OUT OUR CLARET & BLUE YOUTUBE INTERVIEW WITH STEPHEN COOKE
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During his time at Bescot, the family regularly had to field calls from bigger football clubs wanting to snap up young Stephen and the true sign of his ability came when he was selected for the prestigious FA School of Excellence at Lilleshall, in Shropshire at the age of 14.
"It was a bit like Hogwarts, the actual building and the way it was set out," he explains. "Looking back it's probably the best two years of my life.
"I met some really good players who I am still in touch with them now and we won most weeks which was a bonus.
"Basically it was what they thought were the best 16 players in the country at that age group. The Midlands and national trials to get in there went on for about two years."
The year above Cooke was a kid called Joe Cole. Cooke's room-mate was a boy named Jermain Defoe.
"He was scoring loads of goals," smiles Cooke when asked what he remembers of a teenage striker, who has continued to score loads of goals for the likes of Bournemouth, West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Sunderland and even now, with Rangers.
"In the trial games, you could just tell straight away he was superb. We roomed together. We're all in a WhatsApp group now so we still talk on there maybe once twice a week if anybody needs anything."
But enough about Defoe, let's get back to the young Cooke.
It's not just on senior international duty, it transpires, that heads get turned. Many of Cooke's Lilleshall peers were with big clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool and it was at the FA's behest that Cooke should join them, advising him to swap little Walsall for mighty Manchester United.
Who was Cooke, and his Old Trafford loving old man to argue?
A move to Manchester United beckoned - and Beckham-ed - and all of a sudden a lad with more than a sliver of self doubt was signing a contract in Sir Alex Ferguson's office.
Not only that but the 1999 treble-winners wheeled out all of the trophies to seal the deal and he got to meet stars including David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Roy Keane.
"I had my picture took with Alex Ferguson when I signed the contract. They let us watch the game, gave us a meal and I met lots of the players in the dressing room afterwards.
"For my dad with us being Man United fans as well, he was more over the moon than me. I was just a young boy.
"Alex Ferguson was just talking to me about the football club and what it means to play for Manchester United. I was just really nervous and trying to take it all in."
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That whirlwind first day was his Manchester United highlight.
Still training, playing and studying at Lilleshall, his experiences of actually being at United were few and far between.
Over a two year period on United's books, Cooke only recalls playing for them three times ('I think we lost all three!') and practice sessions with a youth team including Darren Fletcher were restricted to summer and school holiday meet ups.
In the year below him the likes of John O'Shea and Wes Brown were being groomed for eventual first team breakthroughs, but even with his family allegiances, Cooke was ready to move.
Cooke was close mates with Rob Edwards and Jonathan Bewers who were already at the Bodymoor Heath academy and having broken an earlier promise to sign for Villa youth chief Bryan Jones he was finally true to his word at he age of 16.
It was then that the chatter about this lad was really cranked into overdrive.
During our interview with Cooke we read him a quote from Aston Villa legend Gordon Cowans, one of the Villa academy coaching team purring about his potential.
"Stephen is the best player I have seen in a long time, he is an outstanding talent."
Cooke lets out an embarrassed chuckle before responding.
"I was getting that kind of thing from people at the football club and those around it," he says. "My reputation was like that at the time, but then I was getting asked questions: 'If you're that good then how come you're not playing?'
"I'd start to think what am I doing wrong? Gordon Cowans is a Villa legend isn't he? Probably the best player to have played for the club, a massive influence on my career.
"It was just frustrating that people like that and others at the club wanted me to be playing and I just couldn't seem to get that chance when I needed it."
Eventually, the first chance did come, albeit a fleeting one.
Villa were playing a home game at The Hawthorns - yes, the club had to call the stadium of rials West Bromwich Albion 'home' briefly during the summer of 2000 to fulfil their Intertoto Cup fixtures because back at Villa Park the Trinity Road Stand was being revamped - and Cooke, along with John McGrath and Michael Standing got drafted into the matchday squad by John Gregory. While his fellow academy pals were left warming the bench for the 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo, Cooke got on as a 74th minute replacement for Julian Joachim.
"I think on the morning a few players had pulled out injured," he explains. "Luc Nilis had just signed and he was a bit stiff so it wasn't until about lunchtime that the gaffer said I'd be involved.
"I didn't expect to go on, I didn't even expect to be involved in the squad. I was nervous but when I got on I was just excited and wanted to get a touch of the ball and get into it. Because I was only on for a short time I wanted to do as much as I could.
"John Gregory's the best manager I had at Villa. I think if he'd have stayed things might have been different. He had me involved really early, training and travelling with the first team, maybe even when I was 16. "
Gregory set the tone for an inclusive training ground where the academy kids were made to feel welcome by the senior pros. When Cooke was not cleaning out the bootcage or hoovering the gym, he was polishing Dion Dublin's boots and listening intently to the striker's advice and that of his other elders.
Paul Merson was a big influence, delivering an emotional sermon to the teenagers on how to conduct themselves professionally as he battled to bring his drink, drugs and gambling demons under control.
"He was great," Cooke remembers. "Obviously his problems are well documented. He did a talk with the youth team just to make us aware of what he'd been through and some of the dangers that you could fall into in football and in life and how he was getting by. Just really good advice. He didn't have to do that, but I think it helped him come to terms with it. He told us some of the stories and he was amazing to be fair."
Merson - 'the things he could do with the outside of his boot' - and Benito Carbone - 'just his touch and his shot - he was only little but could hit it harder than Thomas Hitzlsperger' - were the best players he ever trained with, and he also learned, rather randomly, that David Ginola was a whizz at paintball.
"He was unbelievable," he laughs. "We went paintballing for our Christmas party and everybody thought he's not going to fancy it and he probably won't want to get dirty. He was unbelievable. He is the bushes, he was up trees, everything! I thought he isn't even gonna turn up. But he did to be fair, he was there, he loved it."
After his Villa debut in August 200, it would be another two and a half years before Cooke made his next senior appearance in claret and blue. By then Gregory had gone, to be replaced by Graham Taylor, and Cooke had impressed during his first loan spell at Bournemouth in League One.
His youth coaches continued to rave about him but Taylor needed more convincing, putting Cooke on a weight programme to bulk out his skinny frame and recommending a switch to the wing because of concerns he was too lightweight for centre midfield.
Over time Cooke impressed Taylor enough to give him another go with the first team, but not before Villa's legendary manager had taken a slight dig at him during a reserve and first team meeting at Bodymoor Heath.
"He singled me out a little bit and just said how long am I going to have to wait for you to start doing what you need to do? I was a bit confused.
"He said I want you to play wide but run the game. I thought if you want me to run the game then play me in the middle of the park because that's what I wanted to do.
"It was quite hard to get my head round at first but in the end I just started staying out wide and became an actual winger.
"It just left me a bit baffled but I had a chat with him after and we cleared it up and in the end he did obviously give me some minutes, but I don't think he was entirely convinced to be honest."
Cooke would go on to play three more times for Villa. On top of his 16 minutes against Celta Vigo, he made three Premier League cameos under Taylor in early 2003, getting two minutes against Bolton on his Villa Park debut, 11 minutes at home to Manchester United and a further 16 minutes away at Leeds United. A grand total of 45 minutes.
His Villa Park debut, which came in the final months of Taylor's second spell at Villa involved a daunting initial involvement as an 88th minute replacement for Ulises de la Cruz.
"It was Bolton at home," he says. "We got a corner and he just said right I'll do it now. I said to him where do you want me to go on setpieces and he said just take them. I said 'Oh right', so I just had to run over and take the corner with my first touch.
"It was in front of Holte, far side diagonally opposite the tunnel. The fans applauded me. It was good, it was surprising. Obviously as a young lad you're not too sure if the fans are familiar with you so it was nice."
His confidence surged during an end-of-season meeting with Taylor. After an initial delay over a new contract - prompted by Cooke's agent rather than the player himself - Taylor made him a promise that left him buzzing. But his excitement was shortlived.
"I went in to see him and he said you'll be starting next season, you'll share that position, but you'll get a lot more time. And then he left."
Cooke smiles wryly at the memory. On the way to the gym with a mate there was a moment of confusion when his pal said 'Have you heard Taylor's left' and Cooke thought he meant Ian the midfielder rather than Graham the manager.
"I just said yeah we knew ages ago," says Cooke. "He said 'Bloody hell how have you kept it quiet?' .
"When I realised he meant the manager I said 'Nah, you cant be right, I was there two days ago'. Then it all come out that he had left and David O'Leary got the job."
O'Leary never really took to Cooke, wanting to sort out the senior set-up rather than being distracted by the youth players. With Cooke approaching full fitness after a minor injury, he recommended the then 20-year-old go out on loan again.
It was back at Bournemouth that the telling blow to his hopes and his career was delivered, just weeks into his latest spell. A two-footed, studs up tackle broke his ankle and while he bears no ill will towards his aggressor, he - somewhat harshly it seems - does hold himself responsible for not protecting himself better.
Surgery followed, but the bad news continued when a post-op scan revealed the joint was still fractured in two places.
"I probably should have gone in sidefooted and got some weight behind it, although I didn't have a lot of weight behind me," he admits.
"That just killed me. In terms of my Villa career it did me."
Psychologically as well as physically, Cooke was indeed done. In July 2005, after a brief loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers, he finally called time on his Villa career and, at the age of 22, moved to Bournemouth on a two-year deal, but even on the day he signed felt guilty, doubting whether his body would ever be able to justify his wages.
He went on the make around 50 appearances for the Cherries before his playing days fizzled out with brief spells at Weymouth, Torquay United and back in the West Midlands with Halesowen Town.
It was in 2010, amidst the inauspicious surroundings of Sandwell Hospital in West Bromwich, that a doctor put him out of his misery with a final note which triggered a curtain-closing insurance pay-out from the PFA.
"He just wrote me off," says Stephen matter-of-factly, explaining why he rejected any remaining salvage operations to transplant somebody else's cartilage into his ankle - the procedures had such a minimal chance of success to render them a waste of time.
There were tentative offers to squeeze out a few more years playing in America, but instead, as he battled to get his head around the news, he became reclusive, temporarily cutting off contact with the football world.
To check out interviews with Gabby Agbonlahor, Barry Bannan and Martin Laursen, you can subscribe to our Claret & Blue YouTube channel here .
"The injuries had got into my head," he ackowledges. "I just thought I'm just going to struggle. I never recovered from it physically and mentally.
"I think at the time when I first finished at 27 you're trying to work out what to do with your life and you don't really know what to say to people.
"Without knowing it I probably was a little bit depressed when I came out of it. I just wanted to take a step back, that's what you've got to do."
You can read about other Villa kids who failed to live up to their potential here
Nowadays he gets his kicks as a football coach and looking after his daughter Charlie, sons Braiden, and Stephen junior, with his partner Toni.
"I'm definitely grateful for the memories I've got," adds Cooke. "I'd say 'underachieved' yes, but only because of people's opinion of me.
"Not me ever thinking I was this, I was that. A lot of people had an opinion of me that they thought I was going to go on and be this player.
"It didn't happen, but I am ever so grateful to Aston Villa Football Club for even giving me the opportunity to live the dream and be a part of the club."
Let us know what you thought of this interview in the comments below.
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Michael Owen and Paul Scholes agree on Ollie Watkins 'problem' for Aston Villa


birminghammail--2020-11-05--Hunt to fund ‘racist’ robber who attacked taxi driver

A ‘ racist ’ robber has hurled abuse at a Worcestershire taxi driver and then attacked him in a sickening robbery .
The attack took place in Radford Avenue in the Broadwaters area of Kidderminster last Thursday ( October 29 ) at around 2pm .
After the man was dropped off an argument took place and the attacker allegedly made ‘ racist comments ’ towards the driver .
He has then hit the taxi driver and stolen cash , before running off in the direction of Baxter Avenue .
West Mercia Police is appealing for help to trace the perpetrator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward PC Jordan Unitt from the force said : “ As the man left the taxi it is believed that he made racist comments before entering the taxi again through the passenger side .
He then hit the driver and took a small bag of money from the vehicle before running off towards Baxter Avenue .
“ No-one should have to tolerate this disgusting behaviour whilst doing their job and we are investigating this matter .
The man was dropped off on a busy street corner at around lunchtime so I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contact us.
” Police described the suspect as a white man , in his early 20s , around 6ft tall , and of a large build .
He was wearing a black jacket .
Anyone with information is asked to report it online on the police website here or contact 101 quoting crime reference : 22/92726/20 .
They can also give information without giving their name by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 .

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A ‘racist’ robber has hurled abuse at a Worcestershire taxi driver and then attacked him in a sickening robbery.
The attack took place in Radford Avenue in the Broadwaters area of Kidderminster last Thursday (October 29) at around 2pm.
After the man was dropped off an argument took place and the attacker allegedly made ‘racist comments’ towards the driver. He has then hit the taxi driver and stolen cash, before running off in the direction of Baxter Avenue.
West Mercia Police is appealing for help to trace the perpetrator and is asking for witnesses to come forward
PC Jordan Unitt from the force said: “As the man left the taxi it is believed that he made racist comments before entering the taxi again through the passenger side. He then hit the driver and took a small bag of money from the vehicle before running off towards Baxter Avenue.
“No-one should have to tolerate this disgusting behaviour whilst doing their job and we are investigating this matter. The man was dropped off on a busy street corner at around lunchtime so I’m appealing for anyone who saw this incident to contact us.”
Police described the suspect as a white man, in his early 20s, around 6ft tall, and of a large build. He was wearing a black jacket.
Anyone with information is asked to report it online on the police website here or contact 101 quoting crime reference: 22/92726/20. They can also give information without giving their name by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


birminghammail--2020-11-05--The three things which will re-open first after 2nd lockdown ends

Gyms , swimming pools and golf courses will be at the `` front of the queue '' to return when the second lockdown in England is lifted , according to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden .
Conservative Rob Butler said Aylesbury constituents have made requests to keep the facilities open to help maintain their physical and mental health , asking : `` What can ( Mr Dowden ) do to convince the Cabinet Office to consider this ? ''
Mr Dowden replied in the Commons : `` I can assure him I 'm working closely with other ministers across Government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the queue to return when these restrictions expire . ''
Non-essential shops , leisure and entertainment venues must all close from Thursday November 5 , with restrictions set to last until December 2. Leisure includes bowling alleys , leisure centres and gyms , sports facilities including swimming pools , golf courses and driving ranges , dance studios , stables and riding centres , soft play facilities , climbing walls and climbing centres , archery and shooting ranges , water and theme parks .
Theatres , concert halls , cinemas , museums and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and arcades , bingo halls , zoos and other animal attractions will close .
Mr Dowden declined to give a date for the full return of live music and other live performances when pressed by Labour .
Shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens asked : `` Could he give an indicative date to allow businesses to plan ahead and take the decisions they need to allow our world-class creative professionals to get back to what they do best ? ''
Mr Dowden replied : `` Once we 're through this lockdown period I very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to return . ''
He highlighted financial support to the sector before adding : `` I do very much want to give that date for return .
`` At the moment I hope she 'll appreciate , given the wider context , it 's very difficult to give an accurate date - as soon as we can I want to be able to do that . ''
Mr Dowden also confirmed rehearsals for productions `` can continue behind closed doors '' during the second lockdown period .

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Gyms, swimming pools and golf courses will be at the "front of the queue" to return when the second lockdown in England is lifted, according to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
Conservative Rob Butler said Aylesbury constituents have made requests to keep the facilities open to help maintain their physical and mental health, asking: "What can (Mr Dowden) do to convince the Cabinet Office to consider this?"
Mr Dowden replied in the Commons: "I can assure him I'm working closely with other ministers across Government to ensure they will be at the front of the queue to return when these restrictions expire."
Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues must all close from Thursday November 5, with restrictions set to last until December 2.
Non-essential retail includes clothing and electronics stores, car showrooms, travel agents, betting shops, auction houses, tailors, car washes, tobacco and vape shops.
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Leisure includes bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, stables and riding centres, soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centres, archery and shooting ranges, water and theme parks.
Theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, adult gaming centres and arcades, bingo halls, zoos and other animal attractions will close.
Mr Dowden declined to give a date for the full return of live music and other live performances when pressed by Labour.
Shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens asked: "Could he give an indicative date to allow businesses to plan ahead and take the decisions they need to allow our world-class creative professionals to get back to what they do best?"
Mr Dowden replied: "Once we're through this lockdown period I very much hope that socially distanced performances will be able to return."
He highlighted financial support to the sector before adding: "I do very much want to give that date for return.
"At the moment I hope she'll appreciate, given the wider context, it's very difficult to give an accurate date - as soon as we can I want to be able to do that."
Mr Dowden also confirmed rehearsals for productions "can continue behind closed doors" during the second lockdown period.


birminghammail--2020-11-05--Ikea issues urgent message to customers over stores in lockdown

Whilst Ikea ’ s Wednesbury store is temporarily closed due to lockdown , the retailer will be offering a range of services to enable shoppers to still purchase their products and assist their home furnishing needs .
This includes a new contactless Click & Collect ( free for purchases over £300 ) ; Click & Deliver to DPD pick up points ( from £2 ) ; home delivery from £4 , and complementary remote Kitchen , Wardrobe and Living Room Storage Planning appointments .
The Swedish Food Markets and takeaway services will remain open , whilst all in-home services remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services remain in operation as usual .
These include ‘ room of choice ’ delivery , Task Rabbit assembly and kitchen measuring and installation services .
The health and safety of our customers and co-workers have been our primary concern since the start of the pandemic and we closely follow the ‘ Working Safely in Other People ’ s Homes ’ guidance .
Peter Jelkeby , Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer , said : “ COVID has forced all of us to adapt and adjust in extraordinary circumstances .
`` Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our efforts into keeping our customers and co-workers safe and enabling our customers to continue to shop with us in new and convenient ways , including our Click & Collect and delivery services .
`` Once again , we want to thank all our customers for their support and our co-workers for their amazing agility and togetherness .
`` We look forward to continuing to support customers through our digital channels and welcoming everyone back into our stores soon.
” Stores in Scotland and Northern Ireland will remain open , in-line with local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday 9th November when the Welsh Government ’ s fire break lockdown ends .
Where stores are open , extensive safety measures – including protective screens , extra cleaning , hand sanitizing stations throughout the store , cashless payment only , and additional queuing systems – will remain in place .
IKEA asks customers to continue to help keep each other safe by wearing a mask , coming ready prepared with shopping lists , and following the guidelines in place in stores .

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Whilst Ikea’s Wednesbury store is temporarily closed due to lockdown, the retailer will be offering a range of services to enable shoppers to still purchase their products and assist their home furnishing needs.
This includes a new contactless Click & Collect (free for purchases over £300); Click & Deliver to DPD pick up points (from £2); home delivery from £4, and complementary remote Kitchen, Wardrobe and Living Room Storage Planning appointments.
All in-home services remain in operation as usual.
These include ‘room of choice’ delivery, Task Rabbit assembly and kitchen measuring and installation services.
Ikea says: "The health and safety of our customers and co-workers have been our primary concern since the start of the pandemic and we closely follow the ‘Working Safely in Other People’s Homes’ guidance."
The following stores will not be operating their Swedish Food Market or offering Take away food services:
IKEA Exeter
IKEA Bristol
IKEA Leeds
IKEA Birmingham
IKEA Reading
IKEA Manchester
IKEA Milton Keynes
IKEA Sheffield
IKEA Southampton
Peter Jelkeby, Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer, said: “COVID has forced all of us to adapt and adjust in extraordinary circumstances.
"Since the first lockdown we have put all our efforts into keeping our customers and co-workers safe and enabling our customers to continue to shop with us in new and convenient ways, including our Click & Collect and delivery services.
"Once again, we want to thank all our customers for their support and our co-workers for their amazing agility and togetherness.
(Image: Darren Pepe)
"We look forward to continuing to support customers through our digital channels and welcoming everyone back into our stores soon.”
Stores in Scotland and Northern Ireland will remain open, in-line with local regulations. IKEA Cardiff will reopen on Monday 9th November when the Welsh Government’s fire break lockdown ends.
Where stores are open, extensive safety measures – including protective screens, extra cleaning, hand sanitizing stations throughout the store, cashless payment only, and additional queuing systems – will remain in place. IKEA asks customers to continue to help keep each other safe by wearing a mask, coming ready prepared with shopping lists, and following the guidelines in place in stores.


birminghammail--2020-11-05--Donald Trump's awkward Aston Villa chuckle as random clip emerges

With Donald Trump well ingrained in a hotly-contested US election battle he looks set to lose , you can perhaps forgive the Republican for forgetting all about the Rumbelows League Cup in 1992 .
The incumbent US president was still in his 40s - minus the tan and bleached hair - when he was invited to do the cup draw alongside Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves , better known as Saint and Greavsie .
The pair shot to fame in the late 80s for their comedy-led football punditry shows on ITV between 1985 and 1992 .
Prior to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duo managed to pull off a bit of a coup by getting Trump to do the League Cup quarter-final draw live from his Trump Towers boardroom .
Then-Football League secretary David Dent oversaw the draw with Greaves picking the home teams and Trump picking the away sides .
`` I told you , did n't I , '' Greaves said with a smile during the clip that emerged overnight , making reference at landing Trump to conduct the draw .
The camera then panned to Trump smiling awkwardly after before Greaves shook hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding how it reminded him of a certain Doug Ellis 's back at Villa Park .
`` This is some pad you 've got here , is n't it , '' the brilliant Greaves said with a smile .
`` I tell you this is beautiful .
I have n't seen a boardroom like this since I was in Doug Ellis 's at Aston Villa . ''
That very Villa comment made Trump cackle with real amusement , almost as if he 'd previously sat in Ellis 's office in B6 himself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's a funny old game .
As for the clip above it resurfaced on Twitter when journalist Nick Harris uploaded the YouTube video with the caption : `` I preferred it when Donald Trump was just a jokey sidekick for Saint & Greavsie at the quarter-final draw for the 1992 Rumbelows League Cup . ''

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With Donald Trump well ingrained in a hotly-contested US election battle he looks set to lose, you can perhaps forgive the Republican for forgetting all about the Rumbelows League Cup in 1992.
The incumbent US president was still in his 40s - minus the tan and bleached hair - when he was invited to do the cup draw alongside Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves, better known as Saint and Greavsie.
The pair shot to fame in the late 80s for their comedy-led football punditry shows on ITV between 1985 and 1992. Prior to their TV show ending, though, the duo managed to pull off a bit of a coup by getting Trump to do the League Cup quarter-final draw live from his Trump Towers boardroom.
Then-Football League secretary David Dent oversaw the draw with Greaves picking the home teams and Trump picking the away sides.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
"I told you, didn't I," Greaves said with a smile during the clip that emerged overnight, making reference at landing Trump to conduct the draw.
The camera then panned to Trump smiling awkwardly after before Greaves shook hands and complimented Trump's office, while adding how it reminded him of a certain Doug Ellis's back at Villa Park.
"This is some pad you've got here, isn't it," the brilliant Greaves said with a smile. "I tell you this is beautiful. I haven't seen a boardroom like this since I was in Doug Ellis's at Aston Villa."
That very Villa comment made Trump cackle with real amusement, almost as if he'd previously sat in Ellis's office in B6 himself.
So, as Greavsie used to say, it's a funny old game.
As for the clip above it resurfaced on Twitter when journalist Nick Harris uploaded the YouTube video with the caption: "I preferred it when Donald Trump was just a jokey sidekick for Saint & Greavsie at the quarter-final draw for the 1992 Rumbelows League Cup."


birminghammail--2020-11-05--B&M fans rushing to buy £5 Xmas item - but some are disappointed

B & M fans have been going out and buying a new Christmas item that has hit the shelves but some are leaving dissapointed .
The popular retailer is remaining open during the second lockdown as it has been classed as an essential retailer by the Government .
Other retailers like Primark have been forced to close so many will be forced to flock to other places instead .
And now , customers have been trying to buy a new Christmas item at the store - but many of them ca n't find it .
The new £5 Heritage Heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at B & M and was previewed on the site 's Instagram .
It seemed very popular with B & M fans as it received thousands of likes and comments .
The only problem is that people claim that they ca n't find it in store perhaps due to it selling out .
One person said : `` I went to B & M this morning .
I ca n't find it '' while two others said there were `` none in the shops '' .
Despite the item not appearing in local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ item seemed very postive .
One person said : `` Feel very lucky I got the star version a few weeks ago , wish you had them back in stock .
I want more ! ''
And another person added : `` This looks lovely !
Hope I can find it but I haven ’ t seen that today in my B & M '' .
B & M fans recently went crazy over some new bedding that left everyone saying the same thing .
The 22 Chevron Fleece Sherpa Duvet Set was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have been trying to find it in their local stores .
If you want to find your local store , you can use the store locator here .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Chris  Harper)

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B&M fans have been going out and buying a new Christmas item that has hit the shelves but some are leaving dissapointed.
The popular retailer is remaining open during the second lockdown as it has been classed as an essential retailer by the Government.
Other retailers like Primark have been forced to close so many will be forced to flock to other places instead.
And now, customers have been trying to buy a new Christmas item at the store - but many of them can't find it.
The new £5 Heritage Heart Wooden Tealight Holder has gone on sale at B&M and was previewed on the site's Instagram.
It seemed very popular with B&M fans as it received thousands of likes and comments. The only problem is that people claim that they can't find it in store perhaps due to it selling out.
One person said: "I went to B&M this morning. I can't find it" while two others said there were "none in the shops".
Despite the item not appearing in local shops, the reaction to the popular item seemed very postive. One person said: "Feel very lucky I got the star version a few weeks ago, wish you had them back in stock. I want more!"
And another person added: "This looks lovely! Hope I can find it but I haven’t seen that today in my B&M".
B&M fans recently went crazy over some new bedding that left everyone saying the same thing.
The 22 Chevron Fleece Sherpa Duvet Set was said to be "amazing" and people have been trying to find it in their local stores.
If you want to find your local store, you can use the store locator here.


birminghammail--2020-11-05--Our verdict on Blues, San Jose and  Karanka's selection problem

An evening that looked as though it would herald a third successive victory , progress up the Championship table and genuine momentum ended in frustration for Birmingham City and historic celebrations for Wycombe Wanderers .
Aitor Karanka ’ s side led 1-0 and looked set to build on victories over Huddersfield and Preston until the visitors upped their tempo , equalised and grabbed a stoppage time winner to record their first ever away victory in the Championship .
Marc Roberts scored for the first time in two-and-a-half years , Scott Kashket equalised with a quarter of an hour to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Neil Etheridge ’ s walkabout , headed into his own goal and you almost hear the gas of self-belief hissing out of Blues ’ psychological balloon .
Here ’ s what stood out from Wednesday night ’ s wasted opportunity .
The manner of the defeat , coming so late and after so passive a second half only intensified the deflation at the end of the game .
Just 45 minutes earlier Blues had gone in at half time leading 1-0 , within a point of the play-offs and looking very comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karanka was on to something was high .
By the end though , the feeling was entirely the opposite – the truth has to be somewhere in the middle – as Karanka suggested afterwards : “ We are not as bad as we showed in the second-half and we are not as good as everybody would have thought we were if we ’ d won the game and been just one point below the play-off positions .
We are still building after two or three months.
” The middle line isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can ’ t lurch from promotion candidates to relegation fodder on a half-by-half basis .
We ’ re ten games in to what will hopefully be a long term progression .
However , there is no denying that both of Blues ’ extremes were on show at Wednesday evening .
It would be wrong to suggest that Wycombe were mere patsies in the first half , they did after all have a couple of bright moments through Joe Jacobson .
However , there were times when Blues were as electric as at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was burning Jack Grimmer , Mikel San Jose was sliding passes from wing to wing and threading them through the middle and Gary Gardner was effectively playing as a second striker .
They got one goal , they should have had two or three , with Gardner having three headed chances alone and Bela , San Jose and Ivan Sanchez also having openings .
Going forward those three have to be more clinical if Blues are going to take another step forward .
Sanchez in particular has had enough promising positions to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second period though , it was like there had been a power-cut .
While Wycombe were energised by their situation , Blues looked leaden-footed and leggy .
Lukas Jutkiewicz was left without support and Bela and Sanchez became fringe players .
Was it tactical ?
Physical ?
Psychological ?
Probably some of all three .
Yes way , no way Jose No single player manifested that contrast more than San Jose who was imperious in the opening 45 minutes and the game almost looked beneath him at times .
The Athletic Bilbao great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team , operating on a different plane to many Championship players – and in different positions too .
His anticipation and distribution of perfectly-weighted first time passes really are a cut above the norm .
And then the second half when he looked like a 31-year-old who had played six hours of football in little more than a fortnight .
Plodding , error prone and powerless to stop Fred Onyedinma skipping away from him for the equaliser .
With Blues struggling for a foothold – and for some more attacking options , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have been more effective .
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It is always up-to-date with the latest news from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and App Store The signing of San Jose raised eyebrows for a few reasons – and not only because Blues managed to tempt a Spain international and player of more than 300 La Liga matches to the Championship .
In truth they already looked pretty well stocked in central midfield with Gardner , Ivan Sunjic , Adam Clayton , Maikel Kieftenbeld and Caolan Boyd-Munce competing for game-time .
However , those options have thinned out as Karanka ’ s squad has started to take a few dents .
Clayton is out for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Sunjic will be suspended for the Bournemouth match meaning Karanka must either ask San Jose to dip into the energy resources again or introduce Boyd-Munce or Kieftenbeld into the starting line-up .
Or – and he has been more than happy to change formation – go with the five at the back and one holding midfielder system that served Blues well at Preston .
Whether it ’ s formation or personnel , expect more changes on Saturday .

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An evening that looked as though it would herald a third successive victory, progress up the Championship table and genuine momentum ended in frustration for Birmingham City and historic celebrations for Wycombe Wanderers.
Aitor Karanka ’s side led 1-0 and looked set to build on victories over Huddersfield and Preston until the visitors upped their tempo, equalised and grabbed a stoppage time winner to record their first ever away victory in the Championship.
Marc Roberts scored for the first time in two-and-a-half years, Scott Kashket equalised with a quarter of an hour to go and then Kristian Pedersen, not helped by Neil Etheridge’s walkabout, headed into his own goal and you almost hear the gas of self-belief hissing out of Blues ’ psychological balloon.
Here’s what stood out from Wednesday night’s wasted opportunity.
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Context
The manner of the defeat, coming so late and after so passive a second half only intensified the deflation at the end of the game.
Just 45 minutes earlier Blues had gone in at half time leading 1-0, within a point of the play-offs and looking very comfortable in their control of things. Confidence Karanka was on to something was high.
By the end though, the feeling was entirely the opposite – the truth has to be somewhere in the middle – as Karanka suggested afterwards:
“We are not as bad as we showed in the second-half and we are not as good as everybody would have thought we were if we’d won the game and been just one point below the play-off positions. We are still building after two or three months.”
The middle line isn’t the one that makes the headlines but we can’t lurch from promotion candidates to relegation fodder on a half-by-half basis.
We’re ten games in to what will hopefully be a long term progression.
A game of two halves
However, there is no denying that both of Blues’ extremes were on show at Wednesday evening.
It would be wrong to suggest that Wycombe were mere patsies in the first half, they did after all have a couple of bright moments through Joe Jacobson.
However, there were times when Blues were as electric as at any time in 2020. Jeremie Bela was burning Jack Grimmer, Mikel San Jose was sliding passes from wing to wing and threading them through the middle and Gary Gardner was effectively playing as a second striker.
They got one goal, they should have had two or three, with Gardner having three headed chances alone and Bela, San Jose and Ivan Sanchez also having openings. Going forward those three have to be more clinical if Blues are going to take another step forward. Sanchez in particular has had enough promising positions to have worked the goalkeeper more.
In the second period though, it was like there had been a power-cut. While Wycombe were energised by their situation, Blues looked leaden-footed and leggy. Lukas Jutkiewicz was left without support and Bela and Sanchez became fringe players.
Was it tactical? Physical? Psychological? Probably some of all three.
Yes way, no way Jose
No single player manifested that contrast more than San Jose who was imperious in the opening 45 minutes and the game almost looked beneath him at times.
The Athletic Bilbao great has looked masterful since his introduction into the team, operating on a different plane to many Championship players – and in different positions too.
His anticipation and distribution of perfectly-weighted first time passes really are a cut above the norm.
And then the second half when he looked like a 31-year-old who had played six hours of football in little more than a fortnight. Plodding, error prone and powerless to stop Fred Onyedinma skipping away from him for the equaliser.
With Blues struggling for a foothold – and for some more attacking options, taking off San Jose and not Gardner might have been more effective.
Sign up to our Birmingham City newsletter for the latest news and comment Why should you sign up? In our daily Birmingham City bulletin, we'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer features and comment pieces, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up here. If you decide later that you no longer wish to receive the emails, simply follow the unsubscribe link in one of the newsletters - but we don't think you'll want to. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store
Limited options
The signing of San Jose raised eyebrows for a few reasons – and not only because Blues managed to tempt a Spain international and player of more than 300 La Liga matches to the Championship.
In truth they already looked pretty well stocked in central midfield with Gardner, Ivan Sunjic, Adam Clayton, Maikel Kieftenbeld and Caolan Boyd-Munce competing for game-time.
However, those options have thinned out as Karanka’s squad has started to take a few dents.
Clayton is out for a few weeks with an ankle injury, while Sunjic will be suspended for the Bournemouth match meaning Karanka must either ask San Jose to dip into the energy resources again or introduce Boyd-Munce or Kieftenbeld into the starting line-up.
Or – and he has been more than happy to change formation – go with the five at the back and one holding midfielder system that served Blues well at Preston.
Whether it’s formation or personnel, expect more changes on Saturday.


birminghammail--2020-11-05--Full list of intu Merry Hill stores open during second lockdown

Shoppers will find many of intu Merry Hill 's big name brands have been forced to close during the second lockdown .
Shutters were pulled down after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered all non-essential stores to close in a desperate bid to stem the spread of coronavirus .
During the four-week shutdown , which started today ( November 5 ) , supermarkets will remain open , along with other 'essential ' stores like Superdrug and Boots , plus pet shops and banks .
A number of other shops , including Next and Pandora , will be offering a click and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre .
Here 's a list of the shops that will remain open during lockdown : Two by Two Stores that will be offering click-and-collect services : Food outlets offering take away or deliveries A spokesman for intu Merry Hill said : “ In line with Government guidelines from Thursday , November 5 , intu Merry Hill will be supporting the local community by providing access to essential services such as supermarkets , food shops , pharmacies , banks , post offices and opticians .
“ We will also be supporting stores that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are permitted to offer takeaway services will also be open .
All other non-essential shops and services will close .
“ Individual stores will have different opening times , so we suggest checking these before setting off for your journey .
You can also visit our website for the latest information and to help plan your visit .
“ We want to reassure all of our visitors that we continue to do everything we can to make sure intu Merry Hill is a safe place to visit and work '' Enhanced cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place across the centre , and we ask that all visitors do their part in keeping everyone safe by wearing face coverings , following marked routes and keeping their distance .
`` We know that the experience will feel different over the coming weeks , and we ’ d like to thank our hard-working teams and everyone else for their ongoing support as we can continue to serve our local communities during this time .
”

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Shoppers will find many of intu Merry Hill's big name brands have been forced to close during the second lockdown.
Shutters were pulled down after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered all non-essential stores to close in a desperate bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.
During the four-week shutdown, which started today (November 5), supermarkets will remain open, along with other 'essential' stores like Superdrug and Boots, plus pet shops and banks.
A number of other shops, including Next and Pandora, will be offering a click and collect service at the Brierley Hill shopping centre.
(Image: Birmingham Live)
Here's a list of the shops that will remain open during lockdown:
ASDA
B&M
Black Country Skills Workshop
Boots
Boots Opticians
Chuckling Cheese Company
Coventry Building Society
Halfords
Halifax
Holland & Barrett
Home Bargains
HSBC
Iceland
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Lloyds TSB
M&S Food Hall
Merry Cobbler
Metro Bank
Nationwide
Natwest
Onebelow
Pets at Home
Post Office
Poundland
The Range
Santander
Savers
Superdrug
Two by Two
Vision Express
West Bromwich Building Society
(Image: Birmingham Live)
Stores that will be offering click-and-collect services:
American Golf
Argos
Beaverbrooks
Body Shop
Electromist
Hobbycraft
The Entertainer
Ernest Jones
NM Money
Goldsmiths
Lush
Max Spielmann
Next
Oopsy Daisies
Pandora
The Perfume Shop
Food outlets offering take away or deliveries
Chopstrix
Costa
Frankie & Benny’s
Five Guys
Greggs
KFC
Krispy Kreme
Little Dessert Shop
McDonald's
Nando's
Pizza Hut
A spokesman for intu Merry Hill said: “In line with Government guidelines from Thursday, November 5, intu Merry Hill will be supporting the local community by providing access to essential services such as supermarkets, food shops, pharmacies, banks, post offices and opticians.
“We will also be supporting stores that are offering click-and-collect, and food outlets who are permitted to offer takeaway services will also be open. All other non-essential shops and services will close.
“Individual stores will have different opening times, so we suggest checking these before setting off for your journey. You can also visit our website for the latest information and to help plan your visit.
“We want to reassure all of our visitors that we continue to do everything we can to make sure intu Merry Hill is a safe place to visit and work
"Enhanced cleaning regimes and hand sanitation stations are in place across the centre, and we ask that all visitors do their part in keeping everyone safe by wearing face coverings, following marked routes and keeping their distance.
"We know that the experience will feel different over the coming weeks, and we’d like to thank our hard-working teams and everyone else for their ongoing support as we can continue to serve our local communities during this time.”


birminghammail--2020-11-05--The dangerous road ranked most in need of improvements across entire county

Shock figures rank a dangerous Tamworth road FIRST for intervention measures to be delivered across the entire county .
The most recent records of personal injury collision data ( 2017-19 ) supplied by Staffordshire Police show there have been 17 collisions on the B5000 Glascote Road between Kettlebrook Road and Marlborough Way , a main route in and out of the town centre , a 30mph zone .
A collision investigation report shows that in a five-year period there has been 37 collisions between January 2013 and December 2017 with 24 between January 2015 and December 2017 and five in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Twenty two of the 37 ( 59 per cent ) collisions involved vulnerable road users ( pedestrians , cyclists or motor cyclists ) .
Councillor Jeremy Oates said : “ I was shocked when I heard .
I genuinely had no idea there was this number of accidents on this stretch of road .
“ I know it is a busy road and there is a lot going on but I don ’ t think anyone had any idea of the level of accidents .
This just highlights that we have got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s highways safety team will be looking at different options that are available to them but we have already got a number of traffic lights down there , speed cameras and signage so the options are somewhat limited .
“ At the minute I don ’ t know what the outcome will be but I am confident they will come up with a scheme quite quickly .
We need to do something as soon as possible .
The question is what else can be done down there .
“ There are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number close together as you go through Glascote village and other things going on such as shops and pedestrian crossings and it is also the main arterial route into the town centre and a big chunk of the town .
“ We are in for darker nights and wetter weather but the data shows that actually accidents are happening at anytime of day in all types of weather so we can ’ t just pin it down on one particular cause.
” Highways improvements and traffic calming measures are now being planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Highways teams are proposing safety improvements on the B5000 Glascote Road between the Marlborough Way and Ankerdrive roundabouts in Tamworth .
The work will include the installation of traffic calming measures , including speed cushions along the stretch of road between both roundabouts , as well as improvements to part of the cycleway .
Work is expected to start in early 2021 and residents and businesses will be able to comment on the proposals in the next few weeks .
David Williams , Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways at Staffordshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are aware of the issue .
Keeping roads safe remains a top priority for the council and targeted investment in road improvements helps the county ’ s network continue to be amongst the safest in the country .
“ Glascote Road is a well-used section of road and unfortunately over the years we ’ ve seen a number of accidents .
“ We feel the measures we ’ re proposing will make a real difference to road safety in the area and hope to share the proposals with people very soon .
”

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Shock figures rank a dangerous Tamworth road FIRST for intervention measures to be delivered across the entire county.
The most recent records of personal injury collision data (2017-19) supplied by Staffordshire Police show there have been 17 collisions on the B5000 Glascote Road between Kettlebrook Road and Marlborough Way, a main route in and out of the town centre, a 30mph zone.
A collision investigation report shows that in a five-year period there has been 37 collisions between January 2013 and December 2017 with 24 between January 2015 and December 2017 and five in 2018, two of which were serious.
Twenty two of the 37 (59 per cent) collisions involved vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists or motor cyclists).
(Image: Google)
Councillor Jeremy Oates said: “I was shocked when I heard. I genuinely had no idea there was this number of accidents on this stretch of road.
“I know it is a busy road and there is a lot going on but I don’t think anyone had any idea of the level of accidents. This just highlights that we have got to make improvements.
“The council’s highways safety team will be looking at different options that are available to them but we have already got a number of traffic lights down there, speed cameras and signage so the options are somewhat limited.
“At the minute I don’t know what the outcome will be but I am confident they will come up with a scheme quite quickly. We need to do something as soon as possible. The question is what else can be done down there.
“There are a number of junctions on the road and a number close together as you go through Glascote village and other things going on such as shops and pedestrian crossings and it is also the main arterial route into the town centre and a big chunk of the town.
“We are in for darker nights and wetter weather but the data shows that actually accidents are happening at anytime of day in all types of weather so we can’t just pin it down on one particular cause.”
Highways improvements and traffic calming measures are now being planned for the road.
Staffordshire County Council’s Highways teams are proposing safety improvements on the B5000 Glascote Road between the Marlborough Way and Ankerdrive roundabouts in Tamworth.
The work will include the installation of traffic calming measures, including speed cushions along
the stretch of road between both roundabouts, as well as improvements to part of the cycleway.
Work is expected to start in early 2021 and residents and businesses will be able to comment on the proposals in the next few weeks.
David Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways at Staffordshire County Council, said: “We are aware of the issue. Keeping roads safe remains a top priority for the council and targeted investment in road improvements helps the county’s network continue to be amongst the safest in the country.
“Glascote Road is a well-used section of road and unfortunately over the years we’ve seen a number of accidents.
“We feel the measures we’re proposing will make a real difference to road safety in the area and hope to share the proposals with people very soon.”


birminghammail--2020-11-05--Leicester City aim playful dig at Wolves ahead of Premier League clash

Leicester City have aimed a cheeky dig at Wolverhampton Wanderers ahead of the weekend ’ s Premier League clash between the two teams .
Wolves travel to the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they look to continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League .
Nuno Espirito Santo ’ s men have not lost since the 4-0 defeat to West Ham United back in September , coming out as 2-0 winners over Crystal Palace in their next outing .
However , in Leicester , they face a team back in form , with the Foxes recording an impressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday night for their third win in a row in all competitions .
Ahead of the visit of Wolves , Leicester do though have their sights on their third Europa League group game of the season .
The Foxes host Portuguese side Braga in Group G of the competition , with both teams having identical records in the tournament so far .
The game is seen as the toughest test in the group stage of the competition for Leicester , with their opponents finishing in third place in the Portuguese league last season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leicester ’ s social media team didn ’ t let up on the chance to point to Wolves ’ connection with Portugal in looking forward to both games .
There 's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the Wolverhampton Wanderers news with our daily newsletter .
Delivered straight into your email inbox each day , the bulletins will feature the latest Wolves news , views , gossip and opinion .
All you have to do is punch your email in at the top of the article - it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's more , it 's absolutely free !
You can also get all the latest updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter .
We also have a free app which you can download .
It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store “ The first of two games against Portuguese opponents this week… ” the club posted on their Twitter account along with a picture of a player laughing .
Wolves have a number of Portuguese players in their squad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Podence .
The association with Portugal was strengthened further , with the club ’ s third kit compared to that of the international jersey of Portugal .
Wolves travel to Leicester in sixth place in the table , two points behind their opponents in second position .

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Leicester City have aimed a cheeky dig at Wolverhampton Wanderers ahead of the weekend’s Premier League clash between the two teams.
Wolves travel to the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they look to continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have not lost since the 4-0 defeat to West Ham United back in September, coming out as 2-0 winners over Crystal Palace in their next outing.
However, in Leicester, they face a team back in form, with the Foxes recording an impressive 4-1 away win over Leeds United on Monday night for their third win in a row in all competitions.
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Ahead of the visit of Wolves, Leicester do though have their sights on their third Europa League group game of the season.
The Foxes host Portuguese side Braga in Group G of the competition, with both teams having identical records in the tournament so far.
The game is seen as the toughest test in the group stage of the competition for Leicester, with their opponents finishing in third place in the Portuguese league last season.
Ahead of the European game, Leicester’s social media team didn’t let up on the chance to point to Wolves’ connection with Portugal in looking forward to both games.
Wolves daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox There's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the Wolverhampton Wanderers news with our daily newsletter. Delivered straight into your email inbox each day, the bulletins will feature the latest Wolves news, views, gossip and opinion. All you have to do is punch your email in at the top of the article - or sign up here. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store
“The first of two games against Portuguese opponents this week…” the club posted on their Twitter account along with a picture of a player laughing.
Wolves have a number of Portuguese players in their squad, including Rui Patricio, Joao Moutinho and Daniel Podence.
The association with Portugal was strengthened further, with the club’s third kit compared to that of the international jersey of Portugal.
Wolves travel to Leicester in sixth place in the table, two points behind their opponents in second position.


birminghammail--2020-11-05--Rowett hoping to strike Zohore deal with Albion in January

Gary Rowett says Millwall want to keep West Brom striker Kenneth Zohore for the rest of the season - and he has revealed that the Dane wants that , too .
Zohore moved to the New Den before the transfer window closed last month , leaving The Hawthorns knowing his opportunities would be heavily restricted .
Make sure you do n't miss a thing - click here to sign up to our Albion newsletter After a couple of substitute appearances , Zohore started his first competitive match since January in the recent win at Preston North End - and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move in the 2-0 win at the end of last month .
In the same game , however , he picked up a calf injury which in a desperate stroke of misfortune ; Zohore is likely to miss the majority of the remainder of his loan spell , which currently runs until the middle of January .
Millwall boss Rowett , though , is hoping that all parties can come together to agree an extension to that original arrangement .
“ We want to keep him [ Zohore ] down here if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work as hard as we can to get him back playing as quickly as we can within a safe period , ” Rowett told LondonNewsOnline .
“ He wants to commit to that as well .
I ’ m hoping he can come back with at least a month of his loan left .
Let ’ s see if we can get some game-time out of him and let ’ s see if he can be as effective as he was .
”

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Gary Rowett says Millwall want to keep West Brom striker Kenneth Zohore for the rest of the season - and he has revealed that the Dane wants that, too.
Zohore moved to the New Den before the transfer window closed last month, leaving The Hawthorns knowing his opportunities would be heavily restricted.
Make sure you don't miss a thing - click here to sign up to our Albion newsletter
After a couple of substitute appearances, Zohore started his first competitive match since January in the recent win at Preston North End - and he duly scored, finishing off a fine move in the 2-0 win at the end of last month.
In the same game, however, he picked up a calf injury which in a desperate stroke of misfortune; Zohore is likely to miss the majority of the remainder of his loan spell, which currently runs until the middle of January.
Millwall boss Rowett, though, is hoping that all parties can come together to agree an extension to that original arrangement.
“We want to keep him [Zohore] down here if we can, we want to try and work as hard as we can to get him back playing as quickly as we can within a safe period,” Rowett told LondonNewsOnline.
“He wants to commit to that as well. I’m hoping he can come back with at least a month of his loan left. Let’s see if we can get some game-time out of him and let’s see if he can be as effective as he was.”


birminghammail--2020-11-05--Gogglebox viewers bombard Ofcom with Strictly comment complaints

Gogglebox fans have queued up to complain to Ofcom after a cutting remark made by one of the cast members on Friday .
The sofa favourite is airing each Friday night on Channel 4 from 9pm , with many of its most popular cast members returning this year .
Giles and Mary are two of the most featured stars , but it was a comment from posh Giles which sparked fury among some viewers .
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has received complaints from angry viewers after a comment he made about Bill Bailey .
Bill is partnered with Oti Mabuse for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC One .
The Sun reports that a chunk of viewers contacted broadcasting watchdog Ofcom to complain about Giles ' damning review of Bill 's Cha Cha .
Giles was not impressed , and said he looked like a `` sex tourist '' , a comment that some viewers felt was homophobic .
Giles turned to wife Mary , saying of the comic : `` He looks like a sex tourist .
Look at that movement , Mary . ''
Ofcom is said to have told the newspaper that complaints `` were mainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Giles ' description of Bill Bailey as a 'sex tourist ' . ''
Gogglebox returns to Channel 4 from 9pm on Friday with Strictly airing each Saturday night on BBC One .
Strictly Come Dancing is available to catch up on BBC IPlayer , with results shows airing each Sunday evening .
Gogglebox , similarly , is available to catch up on demand too , with episodes streaming on the All 4 on demand hub online and on tablets .

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Gogglebox fans have queued up to complain to Ofcom after a cutting remark made by one of the cast members on Friday.
The sofa favourite is airing each Friday night on Channel 4 from 9pm, with many of its most popular cast members returning this year.
Giles and Mary are two of the most featured stars, but it was a comment from posh Giles which sparked fury among some viewers.
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has received complaints from angry viewers after a comment he made about Bill Bailey.
Bill is partnered with Oti Mabuse for this year's Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One.
The Sun reports that a chunk of viewers contacted broadcasting watchdog Ofcom to complain about Giles' damning review of Bill's Cha Cha.
Giles was not impressed, and said he looked like a "sex tourist", a comment that some viewers felt was homophobic.
Giles turned to wife Mary, saying of the comic: "He looks like a sex tourist. Look at that movement, Mary."
Ofcom is said to have told the newspaper that complaints "were mainly about alleged homophobic comments and two complaints about Giles' description of Bill Bailey as a 'sex tourist'."
Gogglebox returns to Channel 4 from 9pm on Friday with Strictly airing each Saturday night on BBC One.
Strictly Come Dancing is available to catch up on BBC IPlayer, with results shows airing each Sunday evening.
Gogglebox, similarly, is available to catch up on demand too, with episodes streaming on the All 4 on demand hub online and on tablets.


birminghammail--2020-11-05--Tesco and Waitrose reveal ban on certain shoppers entering stores

Tesco and Waitrose have joined Sainsbury 's in banning couples and families from shopping together .
Britain 's biggest grocer Tesco joined its rival Sainsbury 's in issuing new rules to customers and shoppers as a new lockdown takes hold .
Tesco operates stores across Birmingham , from Express and Metro stores in the city centre to larger supermarkets further afield , in places like Ladywood and Hodge Hill .
Tesco asked that `` only one person from each household comes in-store to do their shopping '' .
Waitrose is also encouraging shoppers to visit alone , saying this will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in our shops by sending only one member of the household to do their shopping . ''
The guidance adds : `` While this won ’ t be possible for everybody , we are very grateful for our customers ’ support during this time of uncertainty . ''
Previously , Sainsbury 's has asked people to shop alone where possible in a bid to reduce the number of people inside its stores at any one time .
The supermarket retailer operates branches across Birmingham and the wider Midlands .
A message on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have limited the number of people in our stores and at our ATMs at any one time .
`` We have also put queuing systems in place outside stores and ask you to queue at a safe distance of two metres apart . ''

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Tesco and Waitrose have joined Sainsbury's in banning couples and families from shopping together.
Britain's biggest grocer Tesco joined its rival Sainsbury's in issuing new rules to customers and shoppers as a new lockdown takes hold.
Tesco operates stores across Birmingham, from Express and Metro stores in the city centre to larger supermarkets further afield, in places like Ladywood and Hodge Hill.
Posh, upmarket retailer Waitrose has matched their moves.
Tesco asked that "only one person from each household comes in-store to do their shopping".
Waitrose is also encouraging shoppers to visit alone, saying this will "help us manage the number of people in our shops by sending only one member of the household to do their shopping."
The guidance adds: "While this won’t be possible for everybody, we are very grateful for our customers’ support during this time of uncertainty."
Previously, Sainsbury's has asked people to shop alone where possible in a bid to reduce the number of people inside its stores at any one time.
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The supermarket retailer operates branches across Birmingham and the wider Midlands.
A message on the Sainsbury's website reads: "We have limited the number of people in our stores and at our ATMs at any one time.
"We have also put queuing systems in place outside stores and ask you to queue at a safe distance of two metres apart."


birminghammail--2020-11-05--Phil Schofield reveals moment he came out - while making Christmas dinner

Phillip Schofield has revealed the moment he came out as gay to his in-laws - while making Christmas dinner .
In February , the This Morning presenter announced he was gay during an emotional interview on the ITV1 daytime TV favourite , being consoled by Holly Willoughby throughout .
And now , silver-haired Schofe has shed light on his decision to disclose his sexuality , after revealing all to family members last Christmas .
Phil , 58 , who presents the show alongside Holly , was making Christmas dinner at the time .
The 58-year-old has spoken out over how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he felt he could not accept .
Speaking on the Chris Evans podcast How To Wow , Phil explained : `` Just before Christmas , well during Christmas , I was cleaning – I clean , when I 'm stressed , I tidy up – so I was cleaning a surface at Christmas , wiping it down .
`` And Jill , my wonderful mother-in-law , said , 'You are the perfect man , you know ' .
`` And I just said , 'No Jill , no I 'm not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to say . ''
Phil then read out a message from John , which said : `` I may be your pa-in-law but think of me as your surrogate pa , and long may it continue .
`` As long as Steph 's OK we do n't have a problem . ''
Then Chris revealed Phil 's response to the message , which said : `` Then you text him back , 'Thank you so much , Captain , I 'm so very deeply sorry to disappoint you . '
'' To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sorry for here son so cheer up ! ''

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Phillip Schofield has revealed the moment he came out as gay to his in-laws - while making Christmas dinner.
In February, the This Morning presenter announced he was gay during an emotional interview on the ITV1 daytime TV favourite, being consoled by Holly Willoughby throughout.
And now, silver-haired Schofe has shed light on his decision to disclose his sexuality, after revealing all to family members last Christmas.
Phil, 58, who presents the show alongside Holly, was making Christmas dinner at the time.
(Image: PA)
The 58-year-old has spoken out over how his mother-in-law Jill paid him a compliment, which he felt he could not accept.
Speaking on the Chris Evans podcast How To Wow, Phil explained: "Just before Christmas, well during Christmas, I was cleaning – I clean, when I'm stressed, I tidy up – so I was cleaning a surface at Christmas, wiping it down.
"And Jill, my wonderful mother-in-law, said, 'You are the perfect man, you know'.
"And I just said, 'No Jill, no I'm not', but it was the sweetest thing to say."
Phil then read out a message from John, which said: "I may be your pa-in-law but think of me as your surrogate pa, and long may it continue.
"As long as Steph's OK we don't have a problem."
Then Chris revealed Phil's response to the message, which said: "Then you text him back, 'Thank you so much, Captain, I'm so very deeply sorry to disappoint you.'"
To which John replied: "Nothing to be sorry for here son so cheer up!"