birminghammail--2020-04-28--Can Universal Credit cover your mortgage? This is how DWP decides if you qualify

Coronavirus lockdown is continuing and it 's led to many people being furloughed , getting pay cuts or losing their jobs .
In such cases , hundreds of thousands of people are applying for Universal Credit in the hope of support from the benefit system .
Self-employed people wo n't get access to the Government 's new income support scheme until June so they are being encouraged to apply for Universal Credit in the meantime .
Those who are renting a room or home have been told by the Government they can apply for Universal Credit as it may help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortgages ?
Can benefits cover that as well ?
The Government confirmed that Universal Credit may provide help towards the cost of your mortgage payments .
It may also be able to help with loans ( up to £200,000 ) you have taken out that use your property as security .
However , you can only get help with mortgage payments if you have been claiming Universal Credit for 39 weeks or more , with no breaks or earned income in that time .
So for those just starting to claim Universal Credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with mortgage costs .
Earned income can include earnings from paid work , statutory sick pay or tax rebates .
If you have moved to Universal Credit within one month of another benefit ending , time spent on the first benefit counts towards the 39 weeks .
You wo n't be eligible for help with mortgage payments on your own home if you receive earned income .
If you start receiving earned income while you are getting help with mortgage payments , this state support will stop .
If you have a break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will need to claim Universal Credit for a further 39 weeks with no breaks or earned income before you can receive help with mortgage payments .
How to claim mortgage help To get this help you will need to provide evidence of your mortgage or loan .
This could be : Help with mortgage payments or loans secured on your property is provided in the form of a loan .
However , you will only be asked to pay back this loan if the property it was claimed for is sold or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose to pay the loan back early if you wish .
The Department for Work and Pensions will check your evidence before paying Universal Credit housing costs .
Any delays in providing this evidence may mean delays in your Universal Credit housing costs being paid .
The amount you receive will depend on the amount of your outstanding mortgage or loans .
It is calculated using a standard interest rate , and it is usually paid straight to the bank , building society or lender .
You will be notified of your Universal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your online account .
Other help that is available Remember , there is also chance to apply for a mortgage holiday , meaning you wo n't need to make a payment for at least three months .
In this case , approach your mortgage lender and ask for a break from payments .
Most lenders have now set up an online application process to make this easier and to deal with the large number of people applying .
The interest over the period you do not make payments will be added to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out over that term .
This will make your repayments slightly higher when they resume .
The online application normally has examples of this to help you decide if this is the right thing for you to do .
But if you are in arrears on your mortgage , you wo n't be eligible for a payment holiday .
In this case , you should still get in touch with your lender .
They might still be able to come to an arrangement with you .
Lenders would rather make an agreement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if it is at a reduced rate .
It might also be worth shopping around for a cheaper mortgage deal to bring your payments down .

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Coronavirus lockdown is continuing and it's led to many people being furloughed, getting pay cuts or losing their jobs.
In such cases, hundreds of thousands of people are applying for Universal Credit in the hope of support from the benefit system.
Self-employed people won't get access to the Government's new income support scheme until June so they are being encouraged to apply for Universal Credit in the meantime.
Those who are renting a room or home have been told by the Government they can apply for Universal Credit as it may help towards the costs.
But what about mortgages? Can benefits cover that as well?
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Universal Credit and mortgages
The Government confirmed that Universal Credit may provide help towards the cost of your mortgage payments.
It may also be able to help with loans (up to £200,000) you have taken out that use your property as security.
However, you can only get help with mortgage payments if you have been claiming Universal Credit for 39 weeks or more, with no breaks or earned income in that time.
So for those just starting to claim Universal Credit, there will be no immediate help with mortgage costs.
Earned income can include earnings from paid work, statutory sick pay or tax rebates.
If you have moved to Universal Credit within one month of another benefit ending, time spent on the first benefit counts towards the 39 weeks.
You won't be eligible for help with mortgage payments on your own home if you receive earned income. If you start receiving earned income while you are getting help with mortgage payments, this state support will stop.
If you have a break in your claim or receive earned income you will need to claim Universal Credit for a further 39 weeks with no breaks or earned income before you can receive help with mortgage payments.
How to claim mortgage help
To get this help you will need to provide evidence of your mortgage or loan. This could be:
a mortgage agreement
a current mortgage statement
a loan agreement, or
bank statements showing the mortgage or loans
Help with mortgage payments or loans secured on your property is provided in the form of a loan.
However, you will only be asked to pay back this loan if the property it was claimed for is sold or transferred to someone else. You can choose to pay the loan back early if you wish.
The Department for Work and Pensions will check your evidence before paying Universal Credit housing costs. Any delays in providing this evidence may mean delays in your Universal Credit housing costs being paid.
The amount you receive will depend on the amount of your outstanding mortgage or loans.
It is calculated using a standard interest rate, and it is usually paid straight to the bank, building society or lender. You will be notified of your Universal Credit housing costs amount and payments through your online account.
Other help that is available
Remember, there is also chance to apply for a mortgage holiday, meaning you won't need to make a payment for at least three months.
In this case, approach your mortgage lender and ask for a break from payments.
Most lenders have now set up an online application process to make this easier and to deal with the large number of people applying.
The interest over the period you do not make payments will be added to the remaining balance of your mortgage and spread out over that term.
This will make your repayments slightly higher when they resume. The online application normally has examples of this to help you decide if this is the right thing for you to do.
But if you are in arrears on your mortgage, you won't be eligible for a payment holiday.
In this case, you should still get in touch with your lender. They might still be able to come to an arrangement with you.
Lenders would rather make an agreement that allows you to continue paying your mortgage even if it is at a reduced rate.
It might also be worth shopping around for a cheaper mortgage deal to bring your payments down.


birminghammail--2020-04-28--Life in lockdown: Tyrone Mings details Aston Villa training plan

Aston Villa 's star defender Tyrone Mings admits to putting weight on , revealing : `` I 'm banging Haribo , chocolate hobnobs and all sorts ! ''
The England man has n't exactly been piling on the pounds during lockdown - far from it - and is still a slender 93.5kg ( 14.7 stone ) .
Mings spoke to ex-teammate Micah Richards about life in lockdown and explained the training programme he 's been given by Villa .
`` A lot of it is down to football ( my physical shape ) , '' Mings said of his ripped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blessed .
I ca n't seem to put any weight on , no matter what I eat .
`` I 'm banging Haribo , chocolate hobnobs and all sorts , nothing affects me !
`` But when it comes to meal time I 'm quite strict with it , I 'm strict with supplements and I exercise a lot .
`` I 'm just banging the gym out of boredom .
I 've got a weight plan .
`` A big part of my training is just maintaining strength , I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I do n't want to be heavy when I go back .
`` My fighting weight , if you like , is 91.5kg and I 'm 93.5kg now . ''
Mings added : `` We 've got training plans , every club 's different .
People are doing Zoom calls as a team .
I 've got a fitness plan , kind of like a structure of the week on what days to do certain runs .
`` It 's not ideal , I 've got a local football pitch by me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's not ideal but it 's better than road running .
`` Every one will come back in different shapes and sizes .
It 's just so strange .
We do n't even have this amount of time off in the summer !
`` If you do n't have international football you get six weeks really .
Three weeks to do what you want and three weeks to get fit for pre-season .
`` You do n't ever get this amount of time .
It 's tough mentally , I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's tough for players who are single , with nothing to do , those who get bored easily and players who do n't like PlayStation . ''
Villa 's centre-back is currently learning the piano while confessing he 's not one to binge on box sets or movies .
`` It 's a strange time , '' he said .
`` It 's time you 're never going to get again as footballers .
You 'll never get a six , seven or eight-week break in season again .
`` It looks likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or form .
It just gives you time to do work on other things .
I 'm learning to play the piano .
It 's so hard , honestly .
`` I could learn a language , an instrument while a guitar seems just too aggressive .
I 've got a digital piano so I can turn the volume down if I mess up !
`` I 've not watched Netflix once since this lockdown .
I 'm not this box set or film kind of guy .
I 've just been banging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal , people just start playing out at the back wasting time ! ''

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Aston Villa's star defender Tyrone Mings admits to putting weight on, revealing: "I'm banging Haribo, chocolate hobnobs and all sorts!"
The England man hasn't exactly been piling on the pounds during lockdown - far from it - and is still a slender 93.5kg (14.7 stone).
Mings spoke to ex-teammate Micah Richards about life in lockdown and explained the training programme he's been given by Villa.
"A lot of it is down to football (my physical shape)," Mings said of his ripped physique. "Gene-wise I'm quite blessed. I can't seem to put any weight on, no matter what I eat.
"I'm banging Haribo, chocolate hobnobs and all sorts, nothing affects me!
"But when it comes to meal time I'm quite strict with it, I'm strict with supplements and I exercise a lot.
"I'm just banging the gym out of boredom. I've got a weight plan.
"A big part of my training is just maintaining strength, I don't want to put too much weight on because I don't want to be heavy when I go back.
"My fighting weight, if you like, is 91.5kg and I'm 93.5kg now."
Mings added: "We've got training plans, every club's different. People are doing Zoom calls as a team. I've got a fitness plan, kind of like a structure of the week on what days to do certain runs.
"It's not ideal, I've got a local football pitch by me so I just do it on there. It's not ideal but it's better than road running.
"Every one will come back in different shapes and sizes. It's just so strange. We don't even have this amount of time off in the summer!
"If you don't have international football you get six weeks really. Three weeks to do what you want and three weeks to get fit for pre-season.
"You don't ever get this amount of time. It's tough mentally, I'm not going to lie.
"It's tough for players who are single, with nothing to do, those who get bored easily and players who don't like PlayStation."
Villa's centre-back is currently learning the piano while confessing he's not one to binge on box sets or movies.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
"It's a strange time," he said. "It's time you're never going to get again as footballers. You'll never get a six, seven or eight-week break in season again.
"It looks likely football will continue in some way shape or form. It just gives you time to do work on other things. I'm learning to play the piano. It's so hard, honestly.
"I could learn a language, an instrument while a guitar seems just too aggressive. I've got a digital piano so I can turn the volume down if I mess up!
"I've not watched Netflix once since this lockdown. I'm not this box set or film kind of guy. I've just been banging Call of Duty. FIFA's too personal, people just start playing out at the back wasting time!"


birminghammail--2020-04-28--How fraudsters using cute puppy pictures to con buyers

Cruel fraudsters are luring would-be pet owners with adorable puppy pictures - and stealing hundreds of pounds .
People trying to buy a new furry friend during the Covid-19 isolation period are handing over up to £400 for a pet they will never receive .
The kittens and pups are advertised for sale online , but scammers claim they ca n't show potential buyers in person due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Instead , they are sent a cute picture and persuaded into bank transferring over sums - from £100 to nearly £400 .
But they never receive the pet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Within the last two weeks alone , ten victims have reported the scam to West Midlands Police .
The force is now urging people to be aware of online scams targeting residents seeking a pet to help them through the coronavirus isolation period .
Kloe Burrows , from our Economic Crime Unit ( ECU ) said : `` These con-artists are preying on insecurities during the Covid-19 outbreak .
People may be feeling lonely due to the lockdown and seeking some companionship ; some may want the fresh focus of caring for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take advantage of this and it ’ s important to take precautions to make sure you ’ re dealing with a reputable seller and not become a fraud victim . ''
• Be wary of offers that look too good to be true • Research the seller and their history and reviews on the website • Do not be convinced by pictures , they may have been taken from somewhere else on the internet , you can check photos using reverse image search online • Ask for documentation from the owner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have fallen victim of a scam and sent money via a bank transfer make sure you contact your bank in the first instance It comes after a number of cons emerged during the lockdown , including online shoppers who have ordered protective face masks , hand sanitiser and Covid-19 testing kits which never arrive .
Police are also investigating a sextortion scam where people are coerced into paying a Bitcoin ransom after being threatened with sharing a video of them visiting porn sites .
Officers have warned the public to be on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a telephone call claiming to be from their bank or the police .
They then trick their target , usually vulnerable or elderly , into handing over their bank cards and revealing their PIN or withdrawing cash and putting it into an envelope for collection .
• Your bank will never send a courier to your home • Your bank and the police will never collect your bank card • Your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN • If you receive one of these calls , end it immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Live Chat on our website or go to the Action Fraud website .

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Cruel fraudsters are luring would-be pet owners with adorable puppy pictures - and stealing hundreds of pounds.
People trying to buy a new furry friend during the Covid-19 isolation period are handing over up to £400 for a pet they will never receive.
The kittens and pups are advertised for sale online, but scammers claim they can't show potential buyers in person due to the coronavirus outbreak.
(Image: WMP)
Instead, they are sent a cute picture and persuaded into bank transferring over sums - from £100 to nearly £400.
But they never receive the pet, the police force has warned.
Within the last two weeks alone, ten victims have reported the scam to West Midlands Police.
The force is now urging people to be aware of online scams targeting residents seeking a pet to help them through the coronavirus isolation period.
Kloe Burrows, from our Economic Crime Unit (ECU) said: "These con-artists are preying on insecurities during the Covid-19 outbreak. People may be feeling lonely due to the lockdown and seeking some companionship; some may want the fresh focus of caring for a new pet.
"These scammers want to take advantage of this and it’s important to take precautions to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable seller and not become a fraud victim."
The police advice is:
Be wary of offers that look too good to be true
Research the seller and their history and reviews on the website
Do not be convinced by pictures, they may have been taken from somewhere else on the internet, you can check photos using reverse image search online
Ask for documentation from the owner of the puppy or kitten
If you have fallen victim of a scam and sent money via a bank transfer make sure you contact your bank in the first instance
It comes after a number of cons emerged during the lockdown, including online shoppers who have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser and Covid-19 testing kits which never arrive.
Police are also investigating a sextortion scam where people are coerced into paying a Bitcoin ransom after being threatened with sharing a video of them visiting porn sites.
Officers have warned the public to be on their guard against courier fraud where tricksters make a telephone call claiming to be from their bank or the police.
They then trick their target, usually vulnerable or elderly, into handing over their bank cards and revealing their PIN or withdrawing cash and putting it into an envelope for collection.
Your bank will never send a courier to your home
Your bank and the police will never collect your bank card
Your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN
If you receive one of these calls, end it immediately
To report suspicious activity message us via Live Chat on our website or go to the Action Fraud website.


birminghammail--2020-04-28--Aston Villa fans criticise UEFA update over Premier League season

Aston Villa fans have criticised UEFA 's move to set the Premier League a May deadline to confirm plans to resume the season .
The football suspension has been in place for seven weeks , leaving Villa 's battle for top-flight survival in limbo .
Germany 's Bundesliga has put in place plans to restart the campaign in May , leading to calls for the Premier League to follow suit .
It remains committed to fulfilling the remaining fixtures when it is safe to do so with possible solutions including playing matches behind-closed-doors and at neutral venues .
Have you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and YouTube channel ?
What are you waiting for ?
!
Claret & Blue : An Aston Villa Podcast is available via the following platforms , subscribe and download here : iTunes , Spotify and Acast .
Mat Kendrick , Ashley Preece , Dan Rolinson and James Rushton provide a fun-filled mixture of analysis , interviews , debate and , yes , a fair amount of nonsense !
BirminghamLive has also launched its new YouTube channel to run alongside Claret & Blue .
You can view our page - make sure you subscribe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Villa have 10 matches left to play , sitting two points inside the relegation zone with a game in hand .
And UEFA have now set a deadline for plans to be finalised as they want to know how the leagues are planning to finish the season following the coronavirus crisis .
The latest release from UEFA reads : “ National Associations and/or Leagues should be in a position to communicate to UEFA by May 25 , 2020 , the planned restart of their domestic competitions — including the date of restart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Villa fans had to say : Danny Barker : Wealth before health at its finest !
Lockdown in place for 2 more weeks ?
Social distancing still in place ?
How can you train with that in place ?
Then you have got match fitness .
Players haven ’ t had a game in 12 weeks by the 1st June .
Just going to take one player from any team to contract the virus and you are back to square one !
Rob Haynes : Spitting is in their DNA so players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Can ’ t believe they ’ re even contemplating it .
Sheila Lewis : How can 'behind closed doors ' be fair to Aston Villa ?
Home form is so much better than away form !
90 % of that is down to crowd not home 'familiarity ' and we also have more home games than away games left .
Jonathan Bird : They should now just follow suit of other leagues and cancel till August / September .
Will give time for the country to heal .
Jill Jones : Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other when scores what if someone gets injured and needs medical attention ?

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Aston Villa fans have criticised UEFA's move to set the Premier League a May deadline to confirm plans to resume the season.
The football suspension has been in place for seven weeks, leaving Villa's battle for top-flight survival in limbo.
Germany's Bundesliga has put in place plans to restart the campaign in May, leading to calls for the Premier League to follow suit.
It remains committed to fulfilling the remaining fixtures when it is safe to do so with possible solutions including playing matches behind-closed-doors and at neutral venues.
Claret & Blue podcast Have you tried our Claret & Blue podcast out? Claret & Blue is our expanded look at everything Aston Villa - and you can find it on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube, as well as your podcast service of choice. Our writers will bring you the latest from Villa Park in their own unique style, taking a deeper look at the Villans while having a lot of fun along the way. What can you expect? Well,analysis, news, interviews and debate along with, yes, a fair amount of nonsense! That's not all though, you can find the podcast on Twitter here, and as a newsletter which you can subscribe to here. In our newsletter you'll get original articles like this and exclusive interviews before anyone else has access. What are you waiting for?
Dean Smith's Villa have 10 matches left to play, sitting two points inside the relegation zone with a game in hand.
And UEFA have now set a deadline for plans to be finalised as they want to know how the leagues are planning to finish the season following the coronavirus crisis.
The latest release from UEFA reads: “National Associations and/or Leagues should be in a position to communicate to UEFA by May 25, 2020, the planned restart of their domestic competitions — including the date of restart and the competition format.”
Here's what Villa fans had to say:
Danny Barker: Wealth before health at its finest! Lockdown in place for 2 more weeks? Social distancing still in place? How can you train with that in place? Then you have got match fitness. Players haven’t had a game in 12 weeks by the 1st June. Just going to take one player from any team to contract the virus and you are back to square one!
Rob Haynes: Spitting is in their DNA so players potentially sliding through this is really dangerous. Can’t believe they’re even contemplating it.
Sheila Lewis: How can 'behind closed doors' be fair to Aston Villa? Home form is so much better than away form! 90% of that is down to crowd not home 'familiarity' and we also have more home games than away games left.
Jonathan Bird: They should now just follow suit of other leagues and cancel till August / September. Will give time for the country to heal.
Jill Jones: Will they be able to tackle jump on each other when scores what if someone gets injured and needs medical attention?


birminghammail--2020-04-28--'My whole future has been ripped away' - tribute to murder victim

Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a loving dad who was allegedly stabbed to death in Smethwick .
Tragically , nothing could be done to save the 31-year-old and he was pronounced dead at the scene .
Distressing videos showing Karl 's final moments had been circulating online , despite West Midlands Police warning people they could face prosecution for sharing the footage .
In an emotional Facebook post , one women - who described Karl as her `` soul mate '' - pleaded for people to think twice before posting .
The heartfelt tribute , which has been shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To those of you sharing that horrible video can you please think about the people who might end up seeing it .
“ To you it ’ s just some man being murdered , but he was so much more than that .
He was a dad , he was a son , he was a brother , he was a cousin , and to me he was the whole world .
“ My whole future has been ripped away as quickly as you have shared that video .
“ Karl , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explain how heartbroken we are , you were my best friend , my soul mate , my happily ever after .
My forever and always .
In a statement issued via police , his family added : `` Karl was a very dearly loved son , brother , nephew , cousin and partner .
He was also a proud and loving father .
`` His friends and family are devastated . ''
Bouquets of flowers have been left at the murder scene , while others paid tribute via social media .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will never be forgotten , '' one post read .
Another said : `` RIP Karl , you will forever be in our hearts . ''
Overnight , eight men were arrested following Karl 's murder .
Two men aged 19 , as well as a 21-year-old and a 20-year-old have been arrested on suspicion of murder , while three others aged , 20 , 21 and 22 , have been held on suspicion of assisting an offender .
Another man , aged 24 , was held on suspicion of obstructing police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with information has been asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk , or 101 .

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Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a loving dad who was allegedly stabbed to death in Smethwick.
Karl Gallagher suffered fatal knife wounds outside West Cross Shopping Centre on Sunday, April 26.
Tragically, nothing could be done to save the 31-year-old and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Distressing videos showing Karl's final moments had been circulating online, despite West Midlands Police warning people they could face prosecution for sharing the footage.
In an emotional Facebook post, one women - who described Karl as her "soul mate" - pleaded for people to think twice before posting.
(Image: WMP)
The heartfelt tribute, which has been shared almost 9,000 times, said: “To those of you sharing that horrible video can you please think about the people who might end up seeing it.
“To you it’s just some man being murdered, but he was so much more than that. He was a dad, he was a son, he was a brother, he was a cousin, and to me he was the whole world.
“My whole future has been ripped away as quickly as you have shared that video.
“Karl, I don’t have the words to explain how heartbroken we are, you were my best friend, my soul mate, my happily ever after. My forever and always.
“Until we meet again. I love you.”
In a statement issued via police, his family added: "Karl was a very dearly loved son, brother, nephew, cousin and partner. He was also a proud and loving father.
"His friends and family are devastated."
Bouquets of flowers have been left at the murder scene, while others paid tribute via social media.
"He really was such a lovely guy and he will never be forgotten," one post read.
Another said: "RIP Karl, you will forever be in our hearts."
Overnight, eight men were arrested following Karl's murder.
Two men aged 19, as well as a 21-year-old and a 20-year-old have been arrested on suspicion of murder, while three others aged , 20, 21 and 22, have been held on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Another man, aged 24, was held on suspicion of obstructing police.
As the investigation continues, anyone with information has been asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, or 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


birminghammail--2020-04-28--Wolves striker Raul Jimenez receives Tottenham transfer warning

Raul Jimenez has been warned against moving to Tottenham because of the pressure to fill the void left by Harry Kane .
The form of Jimenez has been one of the many highlights of a terrific campaign for Wolves , who are sixth in the table and in the last 16 of the Europa League .
The Mexico international has scored 22 goals in his first season as a permanent Wolves player , having had his loan from Benfica upgraded for £32.6m last year .
He has been linked with Spurs as a potential replacement for Kane , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But ESPN pundit Alejandro Moreno believes it would be a huge risk to try and follow in Kane 's footsteps .
Moreno , a former Venezeula forward , said : `` I do n't see a scenario where Kane walks out of the door and Spurs say 'do n't worry , we 've got the solution - Raul Jimenez ' .
`` I do n't think Raul Jimenez is at that level .
As much as I like him as a player , and I appreciate the things he 's done for Wolves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elite level of a guy like Harry Kane .
`` He might fit in through the door , but Kane is going to leave a lot of space in that door .
`` The shadow and demand that is Harry Kane at Spurs is so much bigger than what Raul Jimenez can bring in .
`` Even if he 's producing , the moment he stops for a couple of games , [ everyone will say ] well , Harry would have put that in .
You do n't want to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

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Raul Jimenez has been warned against moving to Tottenham because of the pressure to fill the void left by Harry Kane.
The form of Jimenez has been one of the many highlights of a terrific campaign for Wolves, who are sixth in the table and in the last 16 of the Europa League.
The Mexico international has scored 22 goals in his first season as a permanent Wolves player, having had his loan from Benfica upgraded for £32.6m last year.
He has been linked with Spurs as a potential replacement for Kane, who is reportedly on Manchester United's wishlist.
But ESPN pundit Alejandro Moreno believes it would be a huge risk to try and follow in Kane's footsteps.
Moreno, a former Venezeula forward, said: "I don't see a scenario where Kane walks out of the door and Spurs say 'don't worry, we've got the solution - Raul Jimenez'.
"I don't think Raul Jimenez is at that level. As much as I like him as a player, and I appreciate the things he's done for Wolves, he's not quite at the elite level of a guy like Harry Kane.
"He might fit in through the door, but Kane is going to leave a lot of space in that door.
"The shadow and demand that is Harry Kane at Spurs is so much bigger than what Raul Jimenez can bring in.
"Even if he's producing, the moment he stops for a couple of games, [everyone will say] well, Harry would have put that in. You don't want to be the guy who follows the club legend."


birminghammail--2020-04-28--Barry Bannan and his compelling Aston Villa backstory

On a patch of grass a three-year-old boy threads a football through a small gap between two trees .
Each time he succeeds , his father picks him up , moves him back another five yards , plonks him down again and points to the target .
Then another five yards and another until eventually , over time , the wee boy has the passing range of the best ball player outside the top flight .
That boy was Barry Bannan and his old man , James , was a tough taskmaster , the archetypal competitive Dad , determined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his youngest lad on that small park near Airdrie , in Scotland .
Just look at how he taught Baz to cushion a ball on that sweet left foot .
`` He was always hard on me , '' recalls Bannan , in conversation with Claret & Blue , BirminghamLive 's Aston Villa podcast .
You can listen to the podcast here '' We used to live in flats as well .
We were at the top flats .
I used to shout up to him to throw the ball and he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I never trapped it dead he would n't let me play until I did it properly .
He was quite tough on me , but I think that 's helped me to where I 've got to today . ''
Bannan senior 's own crack at professional football was over before it started when Celtic coaches knocking on his door to offer him a trial were told he was down the pub .
`` My gran 's killed him there be honest , '' smiles the Sheffield Wednesday midfielder .
`` She did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say they never came back . ''
They came back for Barry , though plenty of times .
Bannan trained once a week with Celtic , but the boyhood Bhoys fan resisted constant attempts to get him to commit further because he wanted to win trophies .
Back then , he says , a tweak to the academy system in Scotland meant that a competitive element had been removed for young hopefuls with professional clubs .
Instead he stayed with his Sunday league side Lenzie , enjoying playing with his mates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player-of-the-season accolades .
Lenzie 's strong associations with Aston Villa extended to the Scottish boys club having Villa 's rampant lion on their crest and between them team manager Ian Stevenson and Villa scout George Grace got Bannan a trial at Bodymoor Heath .
Celtic pushed harder knowing that a lad who adored Henrik Larsson and Celtic 's class of the late nineties/early noughties was slipping from their grasp , but James Bannan had other ideas .
`` My Dad played a massive part in me going to Villa because the area I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of all went the other way , '' admits Bannan .
`` He did n't want that to happen to me so we decided to move from Scotland when I was 13 after I had a successful trial at Villa .
I 'd just done my first year at high school in Scotland and was starting to go to school discos and parties on Fridays .
I was just starting to enjoy that side of it and my Dad made me move .
I did n't take too kindly to it at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the best thing I 've ever done . ''
It was ice-skating , not proper parties , Bannan adds when Claret & Blue suggests that they start them early up there .
By the time Bannan , Dad James , Mum Kathleen and his younger sister relocated to Birmingham the future Scottish international had already been causing ripples north of the border .
You can watch to the podcast here During his final years at primary school Bannan was in the youth set up at Albion Rovers and despite the club operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first team players and always volunteered for ball boy duties on a Saturday afternoon , at Cliftonhill just 10 minutes from his home .
Not least because it honed his reputation as a crowd-pleaser .
`` As a young kid growing up I used to think they were like superstars , '' he recalls .
`` I was just ball-boying one of the games and the ball came and I forgot it was a professional game .
I got carried away and was playing with the ball , forgetting that I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was coming behind the goal to get the ball and - it was just something that I would do if I was in the park with my Dad or my mates - I just flicked the ball over his head and forgot completely .
The fans - there was only about 300 of them - found the funny side of it , but I do n't think the goalkeeper did ! ''
Birmingham was a home from home for the Bannans .
They had family in Harborne and Sutton Coldfield and had spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second City even before making it their permanent base , but the move still took some getting used to .
Bannan used the universal language of football to fit in on the schoolyard at St Edmund Campion , in Erdington , but his sister found the adjustment a lot tougher , even though now , all these years on , she talks with a Brummie accent .
`` Luckily one of my aunties had a flat for us to move into straight away , '' he explains .
`` It was just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the living room on a blow up bed with my sister .
For the first couple of months when I moved down here we lived above a pet shop .
It was just for a while so my Dad could find a job .
That was all we could afford at the time and then as my dad started getting jobs and working we then moved to somewhere else in Erdington , just off Tyburn Road by Spaghetti Junction . ''
When Bannan signed his first really big contract at Villa , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents back near Coatbridge in Scotland , where they were originally from .
They lasted six months up there before returning to Erdington where they still live to this day .
Bannan , his girlfriend Chloe and baby daughter Elsie are n't too far away .
`` This is home now , '' he admits .
Before long Bannan felt at home at Bodymoor Heath too .
Nurtured by fellow Scots Kevin MacDonald and Tony McAndrew as well as like-minded pass master Gordon Cowans , the midfielder was a regular as Villa 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title double in the same year .
Even so it remained touch and go whether he would get a pro deal .
The question of his diminutive height was a factor when that call was eventually made .
Bannan explains : `` It was Martin O'Neill who had the final decision .
I got glowing reports from academy boss Bryan Jones , Sid Cowans , Kevin and and Tony .
I got a good report from all of the academy staff but it was down to the gaffer , Martin O'Neill .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we went into the meeting that he 'd mentioned about my height , that was his only query about me .
But when I made my debut in Hamburg I remember him saying that my height would n't be a problem because I had a good heart , I had the heart the size of a lion .
From that day on when there was a question about my height it made me work that much harder , especially because I 'd been touch and go for my pro deal . ''
Bannan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rushed to hospital after complications at birth he had four operations before he was eight and cites those early challenges , his upbringing on a rough estate and those writing him off as too small as the reasons for his stubborn , combative winning mentality .
He never did quite hit the heights with Villa .
He bears no grudge towards O'Neill for not affording him more than two brief substitute cameos in the UEFA Cup and admits few managers would have promoted an unproven teenager to a team knocking on the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is thankful a boss he grew up hero-worshipping at Celtic , gave him a pro deal and a debut .
It was a week after O'Neill 's departure , however , when Bannan had returned from a 'making of me ' loan spell at Derby County that his claret and blue highlight of a decade at Villa arrived .
The sudden nature of O'Neill 's exit , five days before the 2010-11 season kicked off , left Bannan 's youth team mentors MacDonald and McAndrew in caretaker charge and after a Premier League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substitute in an opening day victory over West Ham United at Villa Park , Bannan was handed his first start in a Europa League qualifier at Rapid Vienna .
`` That 's my favourite memory , '' he grins .
`` Kev and Tony were the people who had basically made me who I was and they were the managers for that game .
I scored and there 's a video that I remember really well of Tony McAndrew jumping and smacking his head off the bench .
They were just over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 've nurtured through has scored for them in a Europa League game for the first team .
I always look back on that because that was me repaying them for their hard work really . ''
The hostile atmosphere inside the stadium only added to the teenage Bannan 's delight .
`` It was crazy , '' he says .
`` I remember Andi Weimann did his ankle .
That was obviously his boyhood team , he 'd grown up and come through the ranks there .
They had these mad ultra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting stretchered off in pain - I think he was out for four months after that - they were throwing coins and everything at him and he was one of their own .
It was mental , it was hostile so that made it even better scoring there as well .
I 'd probably say that was my greatest moment at Villa and the victory at Anfield when we won 3-1 . ''
The 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Villa Park in November 2010 is right up there too .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day were from the Bodymoor Heath academy .
Bannan , Marc Albrighton , Jonathan Hogg and Gabby Agbonlahor started , while Eric Lichaj , Chris Herd and Nathan Delfouneso stepped off the bench and Shane Lowry , Isaiah Osborne and Daniel Johnson were unused substitutes .
( On the subject of Hogg , Bannan credits him with the funniest ever prank he 's ever known - but you 'll have to listen to the podcast for that ! )
.
Gerard 's juniors - by now Liverpool legend Houllier was in charge - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-goal lead and Bannan knows why .
`` It was crazy . ''
he says .
`` I just remember - probably when we were 2-0 up - looking around and thinking this is mental .
My teammates that I 've grown up with through the youth we 're playing against the best team that 's been in England for the last 10 years and we 're 2-0 up .
I think that was probably the downfall , we let that kick in and they ended up coming back and scoring two .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were six or seven of us in or around it or featuring majorly .
That 's the bond we had .
I think that helped that day because growing up together you 're like family really .
We fought for each other on the pitch , that 's what happened that day , we just put in a great performance and it was a proud moment looking around and seeing the people that had been with you growing up and fighting for what you all want . ''
From cleaning the boots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nigel Reo-Coker and helping out with kit skips on matchdays for sneaky selfie opportunities in the tunnel ( `` I got my picture taken with Cristiano Ronaldo once '' ) , it was under Houllier 's tutelage that Bannan finally felt like a proper player at Villa .
Houllier not only rated him highly , but actually mentioned him in the same breath as Barcelona 's dream double act Xavi and Andres Iniesta .
`` That was the end of me that was ! ''
jokes Bannan .
`` Obviously my family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they see things like that .
But coming from a manager like that if they 're saying good things about you it 's a positve .
Little things like that you try not to read too much into it but people are texting you and saying look what he 's saying about you and all that .
He 's managed top players in the past , so it was brilliant to hear .
It 's just to keep you going , if you 're going through a good patch or a bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try and keep your confidence up .
I was doing well at the time if I recall rightly and I think he was just trying to get that bit extra out me , and by saying that he thought it could have happened .
No doubt he did n't mean it because they 're two of the best players to have ever played in my lifetime . ''
It was a sad day when heart problems prematurely ended Houllier 's claret and blue revolution - but the arrivals of two Scottish football legends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - initially softened the blow when Bannan , by now a first team regular , continued to get plenty of games under Alex McLeish and then Paul Lambert .
His drink driving offence temporarily ended his run of matches under McLeish in 2011-12 and after impressing Lambert early on , he knew his time was up at the 2012-13 campaign neared its conclusion .
From being starstruck upon meeting Lambert , he was eventually Bomb-Squadded ( banished to train with the reserves ) by the Celtic legend .
`` That was a hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a troublemaker or anything .
I 'd come in , worked hard in training , done what I had to do , but for whatever reason I was n't going to feature in the plans .
But what I did n't like was I had to train with the reserve team and stuff like that .
I remember saying that day would it be alright if I could train with the first team until I got something but he was like 'No , I want my squad that 's going ahead next season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get moves , elsewhere ' .
`` I was like 'fair enough ' .
We never argued , it kind of ended amicably , but it could have been dealt with better .
When I signed for Palace I think they took over my last year , so I would have been going into my last season at Villa .
I would have had the following season left .
Looking back now , I went to Palace , I would n't say I regretted it , but Alan Hutton was in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in .
I did n't want to leave , I was happy , my family were here , all my friends were here , obviously I was at the club that I wanted to be at .
So I do n't know if I 'd have maybe have stayed around I might have got in as the season went on , but he made it obvious that I was n't going to be part of it . ''
After two years at Palace , broken up by a brief loan spell at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his home at Sheffield Wednesday .
He 's been there five years now , is adored by the Hillsborough faithful and has made it his mission to get the Owls into the Premier League .
`` Once you get that feeling coming from the fans it makes you feel a hero , '' he beams .
`` I 've just connected with the club from day one .
I 've been there five years now which is a long time and I 've enjoyed every minute of it .
The only downside I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got the club to the Premier League yet .
That 's something I want to do before I finish my career .
`` You always see players that will find a club , that 's their home and that 's where they 'll be .
I think with my moves to Crystal Palace and things like that and when I was playing in the Premier League with Villa we were struggling in the league and it was more of a fight , which did n't really suit me .
It was a bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and out .
When I found Sheffield Wednesday it was a team that was dominating in that league and we were winning games every week .
I just seemed to slot into it perfectly and the last five years have probably been the best football that I 've played and the most I 've enjoyed football in my career so far . ''
That he never found that adulation at Villa is no longer a source of regret for Bannan .
Those claret and blue allegiances live on .
He raises his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stick from his mates and takes great delight from beating bitter rivals Birmingham City .
`` Yeah , I 'm still a Villa fan , of course , '' he adds .
`` From a young age the Blues-Villa derby has been a thing .
I played in a few myself .
They ( the Blues fans ) kind of carried it on to be honest .
I would n't say I was a major player like Gabby Agbonlahor or right now with Jack Grealish .
I was only there for a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main player .
When I started playing against them they would boo me , so I would think 'Oh right this is a bit weird ' .
Obviously me not liking them anyway from growing up as a kid it stays with you until you die really . ''
Now 30 - `` I look younger now I 've got rid of the beard '' - he is still an adopted Brummie , still takes great delight from winding up Blues and still supports Villa .
Oh and he can still thread a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too - and trap one dropped from the top of a block of flats .

On a patch of grass a three-year-old boy threads a football through a small gap between two trees. Each time he succeeds, his father picks him up, moves him back another five yards, plonks him down again and points to the target. Then another five yards and another until eventually, over time, the wee boy has the passing range of the best ball player outside the top flight.
That boy was Barry Bannan and his old man, James, was a tough taskmaster, the archetypal competitive Dad, determined to live out his own footballing dreams through his youngest lad on that small park near Airdrie, in Scotland. Just look at how he taught Baz to cushion a ball on that sweet left foot.
"He was always hard on me," recalls Bannan, in conversation with Claret & Blue, BirminghamLive's Aston Villa podcast.
You can listen to the podcast here
"We used to live in flats as well. We were at the top flats. I used to shout up to him to throw the ball and he would throw it off the balcony and if I never trapped it dead he wouldn't let me play until I did it properly. He was quite tough on me, but I think that's helped me to where I've got to today."
Bannan senior's own crack at professional football was over before it started when Celtic coaches knocking on his door to offer him a trial were told he was down the pub.
"My gran's killed him there be honest," smiles the Sheffield Wednesday midfielder. "She didn't know who they were - safe to say they never came back."
They came back for Barry, though plenty of times.
Bannan trained once a week with Celtic, but the boyhood Bhoys fan resisted constant attempts to get him to commit further because he wanted to win trophies. Back then, he says, a tweak to the academy system in Scotland meant that a competitive element had been removed for young hopefuls with professional clubs.
Instead he stayed with his Sunday league side Lenzie, enjoying playing with his mates and picking up shelf-loads of man-of-the-match awards and player-of-the-season accolades. Lenzie's strong associations with Aston Villa extended to the Scottish boys club having Villa's rampant lion on their crest and between them team manager Ian Stevenson and Villa scout George Grace got Bannan a trial at Bodymoor Heath.
Celtic pushed harder knowing that a lad who adored Henrik Larsson and Celtic's class of the late nineties/early noughties was slipping from their grasp, but James Bannan had other ideas.
"My Dad played a massive part in me going to Villa because the area I came from was rough and my mates kind of all went the other way," admits Bannan. "He didn't want that to happen to me so we decided to move from Scotland when I was 13 after I had a successful trial at Villa. I'd just done my first year at high school in Scotland and was starting to go to school discos and parties on Fridays. I was just starting to enjoy that side of it and my Dad made me move. I didn't take too kindly to it at the start, but looking back it's the best thing I've ever done."
It was ice-skating, not proper parties, Bannan adds when Claret & Blue suggests that they start them early up there.
By the time Bannan, Dad James, Mum Kathleen and his younger sister relocated to Birmingham the future Scottish international had already been causing ripples north of the border.
You can watch to the podcast here
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During his final years at primary school Bannan was in the youth set up at Albion Rovers and despite the club operating in the third tier, Bannan idolised the first team players and always volunteered for ball boy duties on a Saturday afternoon, at Cliftonhill just 10 minutes from his home.
Not least because it honed his reputation as a crowd-pleaser.
"As a young kid growing up I used to think they were like superstars," he recalls. "I was just ball-boying one of the games and the ball came and I forgot it was a professional game. I got carried away and was playing with the ball, forgetting that I had to give it back. The 'keeper was coming behind the goal to get the ball and - it was just something that I would do if I was in the park with my Dad or my mates - I just flicked the ball over his head and forgot completely. The fans - there was only about 300 of them - found the funny side of it, but I don't think the goalkeeper did!"
Birmingham was a home from home for the Bannans. They had family in Harborne and Sutton Coldfield and had spent many of their summer holidays in the Second City even before making it their permanent base, but the move still took some getting used to.
Bannan used the universal language of football to fit in on the schoolyard at St Edmund Campion, in Erdington, but his sister found the adjustment a lot tougher, even though now, all these years on, she talks with a Brummie accent.
"Luckily one of my aunties had a flat for us to move into straight away," he explains. "It was just a one bedroom. I was sleeping in the living room on a blow up bed with my sister. For the first couple of months when I moved down here we lived above a pet shop. It was just for a while so my Dad could find a job. That was all we could afford at the time and then as my dad started getting jobs and working we then moved to somewhere else in Erdington, just off Tyburn Road by Spaghetti Junction."
When Bannan signed his first really big contract at Villa, he splashed out on a house for his parents back near Coatbridge in Scotland, where they were originally from. They lasted six months up there before returning to Erdington where they still live to this day. Bannan, his girlfriend Chloe and baby daughter Elsie aren't too far away. "This is home now," he admits.
Before long Bannan felt at home at Bodymoor Heath too. Nurtured by fellow Scots Kevin MacDonald and Tony McAndrew as well as like-minded pass master Gordon Cowans, the midfielder was a regular as Villa's kids won an academy and reserve team title double in the same year. Even so it remained touch and go whether he would get a pro deal. The question of his diminutive height was a factor when that call was eventually made.
Bannan explains: "It was Martin O'Neill who had the final decision. I got glowing reports from academy boss Bryan Jones, Sid Cowans, Kevin and and Tony. I got a good report from all of the academy staff but it was down to the gaffer, Martin O'Neill. I remember my mum and dad saying when we went into the meeting that he'd mentioned about my height, that was his only query about me. But when I made my debut in Hamburg I remember him saying that my height wouldn't be a problem because I had a good heart, I had the heart the size of a lion. From that day on when there was a question about my height it made me work that much harder, especially because I'd been touch and go for my pro deal."
Bannan shrugs off the height thing now. Rushed to hospital after complications at birth he had four operations before he was eight and cites those early challenges, his upbringing on a rough estate and those writing him off as too small as the reasons for his stubborn, combative winning mentality. He never did quite hit the heights with Villa. He bears no grudge towards O'Neill for not affording him more than two brief substitute cameos in the UEFA Cup and admits few managers would have promoted an unproven teenager to a team knocking on the door of the Champions League. Instead he is thankful a boss he grew up hero-worshipping at Celtic, gave him a pro deal and a debut.
It was a week after O'Neill's departure, however, when Bannan had returned from a 'making of me' loan spell at Derby County that his claret and blue highlight of a decade at Villa arrived. The sudden nature of O'Neill's exit, five days before the 2010-11 season kicked off, left Bannan's youth team mentors MacDonald and McAndrew in caretaker charge and after a Premier League debut lasting one minute as a late substitute in an opening day victory over West Ham United at Villa Park, Bannan was handed his first start in a Europa League qualifier at Rapid Vienna.
"That's my favourite memory," he grins. "Kev and Tony were the people who had basically made me who I was and they were the managers for that game. I scored and there's a video that I remember really well of Tony McAndrew jumping and smacking his head off the bench. They were just over the moon. One of the boys that they've nurtured through has scored for them in a Europa League game for the first team. I always look back on that because that was me repaying them for their hard work really."
The hostile atmosphere inside the stadium only added to the teenage Bannan's delight.
"It was crazy," he says. "I remember Andi Weimann did his ankle. That was obviously his boyhood team, he'd grown up and come through the ranks there. They had these mad ultra fans behind the goal. He was getting stretchered off in pain - I think he was out for four months after that - they were throwing coins and everything at him and he was one of their own. It was mental, it was hostile so that made it even better scoring there as well. I'd probably say that was my greatest moment at Villa and the victory at Anfield when we won 3-1."
The 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Villa Park in November 2010 is right up there too. More than half of Villa's 18-man squad that day were from the Bodymoor Heath academy. Bannan, Marc Albrighton, Jonathan Hogg and Gabby Agbonlahor started, while Eric Lichaj, Chris Herd and Nathan Delfouneso stepped off the bench and Shane Lowry, Isaiah Osborne and Daniel Johnson were unused substitutes. (On the subject of Hogg, Bannan credits him with the funniest ever prank he's ever known - but you'll have to listen to the podcast for that!) .
Gerard's juniors - by now Liverpool legend Houllier was in charge - were 2-0 up, but blew a two-goal lead and Bannan knows why.
"It was crazy." he says. "I just remember - probably when we were 2-0 up - looking around and thinking this is mental. My teammates that I've grown up with through the youth we're playing against the best team that's been in England for the last 10 years and we're 2-0 up. I think that was probably the downfall, we let that kick in and they ended up coming back and scoring two.
"I remember that day well because there were six or seven of us in or around it or featuring majorly. That's the bond we had. I think that helped that day because growing up together you're like family really. We fought for each other on the pitch, that's what happened that day, we just put in a great performance and it was a proud moment looking around and seeing the people that had been with you growing up and fighting for what you all want."
From cleaning the boots of Patrick Berger, Stiliyan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker and helping out with kit skips on matchdays for sneaky selfie opportunities in the tunnel ("I got my picture taken with Cristiano Ronaldo once"), it was under Houllier's tutelage that Bannan finally felt like a proper player at Villa. Houllier not only rated him highly, but actually mentioned him in the same breath as Barcelona's dream double act Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
"That was the end of me that was!" jokes Bannan. "Obviously my family and mates are on the phone straight away when they see things like that. But coming from a manager like that if they're saying good things about you it's a positve. Little things like that you try not to read too much into it but people are texting you and saying look what he's saying about you and all that. He's managed top players in the past, so it was brilliant to hear. It's just to keep you going, if you're going through a good patch or a bad patch the manager will say things to try and keep your confidence up. I was doing well at the time if I recall rightly and I think he was just trying to get that bit extra out me, and by saying that he thought it could have happened. No doubt he didn't mean it because they're two of the best players to have ever played in my lifetime."
It was a sad day when heart problems prematurely ended Houllier's claret and blue revolution - but the arrivals of two Scottish football legends -from opposite sides of the Glasgow divide - initially softened the blow when Bannan, by now a first team regular, continued to get plenty of games under Alex McLeish and then Paul Lambert. His drink driving offence temporarily ended his run of matches under McLeish in 2011-12 and after impressing Lambert early on, he knew his time was up at the 2012-13 campaign neared its conclusion. From being starstruck upon meeting Lambert, he was eventually Bomb-Squadded (banished to train with the reserves) by the Celtic legend.
"That was a hard one to take because I wasn't a troublemaker or anything. I'd come in, worked hard in training, done what I had to do, but for whatever reason I wasn't going to feature in the plans. But what I didn't like was I had to train with the reserve team and stuff like that. I remember saying that day would it be alright if I could train with the first team until I got something but he was like 'No, I want my squad that's going ahead next season altogether and the other ones trying to get moves, elsewhere'.
"I was like 'fair enough'. We never argued, it kind of ended amicably, but it could have been dealt with better. When I signed for Palace I think they took over my last year, so I would have been going into my last season at Villa. I would have had the following season left. Looking back now, I went to Palace, I wouldn't say I regretted it, but Alan Hutton was in the same boat. He stuck around and got back in. I didn't want to leave, I was happy, my family were here, all my friends were here, obviously I was at the club that I wanted to be at. So I don't know if I'd have maybe have stayed around I might have got in as the season went on, but he made it obvious that I wasn't going to be part of it."
After two years at Palace, broken up by a brief loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, Bannan has finally found his home at Sheffield Wednesday. He's been there five years now, is adored by the Hillsborough faithful and has made it his mission to get the Owls into the Premier League.
"Once you get that feeling coming from the fans it makes you feel a hero," he beams. "I've just connected with the club from day one. I've been there five years now which is a long time and I've enjoyed every minute of it. The only downside I would say is that I've not got the club to the Premier League yet. That's something I want to do before I finish my career.
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"You always see players that will find a club, that's their home and that's where they'll be. I think with my moves to Crystal Palace and things like that and when I was playing in the Premier League with Villa we were struggling in the league and it was more of a fight, which didn't really suit me. It was a bad time in my career because I was in and out. When I found Sheffield Wednesday it was a team that was dominating in that league and we were winning games every week. I just seemed to slot into it perfectly and the last five years have probably been the best football that I've played and the most I've enjoyed football in my career so far."
That he never found that adulation at Villa is no longer a source of regret for Bannan. Those claret and blue allegiances live on. He raises his game whenever he faces Villa to avoid stick from his mates and takes great delight from beating bitter rivals Birmingham City.
"Yeah, I'm still a Villa fan, of course," he adds. "From a young age the Blues-Villa derby has been a thing. I played in a few myself. They (the Blues fans) kind of carried it on to be honest. I wouldn't say I was a major player like Gabby Agbonlahor or right now with Jack Grealish. I was only there for a bit and I wouldn't have been the main player. When I started playing against them they would boo me, so I would think 'Oh right this is a bit weird'. Obviously me not liking them anyway from growing up as a kid it stays with you until you die really."
Now 30 - "I look younger now I've got rid of the beard" - he is still an adopted Brummie, still takes great delight from winding up Blues and still supports Villa.
Oh and he can still thread a football between two trees from 50 yards too - and trap one dropped from the top of a block of flats.


birminghammail--2020-04-28--£40k raised in 24hrs for tragic dad who wants to cuddle newborn

A dad-to-be battling terminal cancer who wants to cuddle his newborn child has been inundated with loving messages - and £40,000 of donations in just 24hrs .
PE teacher and football coach Jamie Hunter and pregnant partner Beccy are bringing forward the birth so he can cradle his child .
The couple , from Sutton Coldfield , were over the moon to find they were expecting their first child at the end of May 2020 .
But in October last year Jamie started to suffer a crippling pain in his side and , after tests and scans he was diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month later , aged just 38 , he was given the devastating news that the cancer had spread to his liver and there was no cure .
The brave couple have made the decision to deliver their baby on May 10 in the hope Jamie can have the chance to meet and cuddle his newborn .
Now , after a JustGiving appeal was launched by friends and shared by BirminghamLive and Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish , almost £40,000 has been donated to the family .
The money will go to help support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby Hunter .
And the couple were flooded with kind messages from school friends and generous parents whose children were taught by him at John Wilmott School .
One wrote : `` Shocked and saddened , A big guy with a big heart , always had time for anyone . ''
Another said : `` I remember Mr Hunter from school and he always had a smile on his face , I hope his baby gets to see that smile and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lovely man who taught my son and helped him get to where he is today . ''
Friends Phil Taylor and Chad Duggan launched the crowdfunding page in a bid to raise £100,000 for the family .
The appeal read : `` Jamie will never be able to celebrate his baby ’ s first birthday , teach them to ride a bike and learn to swim or be there for their first day at school , '' said his best friend Phil , who met Jamie around 15 years ago when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` These are the things we take for granted .
As if life isn ’ t cruel enough , Beccy may have to face childbirth without Jamie , as his health is deteriorating every day . ''
`` They were over the moon about having a baby , it was everything he 's wanted , '' added Phil , who is a plumber .
`` He 's always put himself out for everyone else before himself .
`` He has managed two under-sevens teams right through to under-16s and onto adult teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United fan with a massive heart , who has dedicated his life to football and teaching . ''
He added : `` He 's godfather to my daughter and my best friend .
I know the money we raise is n't going to keep him here .
If it could , I 'd give it all back .
But I thought we should do whatever we can to support Beccy and the baby . ''
Jamie , who works as a PE teacher at John Wilmott School in Sutton Coldfield , joined Sutton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a manager and coach after deciding to stop playing in 2018 .
Phil said : `` He has taken teams from six and seven years of age all the way through to adult football .
Jamie loved this so much he did it twice ! ''
He added : `` As a PE teacher , he has touched so many lives and has been an outstanding role model , developing young people through all walks of life .
The kids love him at school , He 's always helping kids .
`` Alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the club 's first team . ''
The friends hope to raise £100,000 for Jamie and his family and have pledged a donation would be made to John Taylor Hospice , which has been supporting the couple , who met through football .
You can make a donation to the JustGiving page here Phil said : `` We will be organising a calendar of planned events over the next year which will include football tournaments , charity football matches , running & cycling challenges and many other events bringing Jamie ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's an awfully bleak situation , but Jamie will be the first to tell you that this is n't over just yet .
There are so many amazing things to say about Jamie , that no words can do him justice . ''

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Zoe Chamberlain, Stephanie Balloo)

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A dad-to-be battling terminal cancer who wants to cuddle his newborn child has been inundated with loving messages - and £40,000 of donations in just 24hrs.
PE teacher and football coach Jamie Hunter and pregnant partner Beccy are bringing forward the birth so he can cradle his child.
The couple, from Sutton Coldfield, were over the moon to find they were expecting their first child at the end of May 2020.
But in October last year Jamie started to suffer a crippling pain in his side and, after tests and scans he was diagnosed with kidney cancer in March.
A month later, aged just 38, he was given the devastating news that the cancer had spread to his liver and there was no cure.
The brave couple have made the decision to deliver their baby on May 10 in the hope Jamie can have the chance to meet and cuddle his newborn.
Now, after a JustGiving appeal was launched by friends and shared by BirminghamLive and Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, almost £40,000 has been donated to the family.
The money will go to help support Jamie's care, his family and baby Hunter.
And the couple were flooded with kind messages from school friends and generous parents whose children were taught by him at John Wilmott School.
One wrote: "Shocked and saddened, A big guy with a big heart, always had time for anyone."
Another said: "I remember Mr Hunter from school and he always had a smile on his face, I hope his baby gets to see that smile and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."
A third commented: "Such a lovely man who taught my son and helped him get to where he is today."
Friends Phil Taylor and Chad Duggan launched the crowdfunding page in a bid to raise £100,000 for the family.
The appeal read: "Jamie will never be able to celebrate his baby’s first birthday, teach them to ride a bike and learn to swim or be there for their first day at school," said his best friend Phil, who met Jamie around 15 years ago when they both played for Sutton United Football Club.
"These are the things we take for granted. As if life isn’t cruel enough, Beccy may have to face childbirth without Jamie, as his health is deteriorating every day."
"They were over the moon about having a baby, it was everything he's wanted," added Phil, who is a plumber.
"He's always put himself out for everyone else before himself.
"He has managed two under-sevens teams right through to under-16s and onto adult teams. Jamie is also a huge Manchester United fan with a massive heart, who has dedicated his life to football and teaching."
He added: "He's godfather to my daughter and my best friend. I know the money we raise isn't going to keep him here. If it could, I'd give it all back. But I thought we should do whatever we can to support Beccy and the baby."
Jamie, who works as a PE teacher at John Wilmott School in Sutton Coldfield, joined Sutton United as a teenager and returned as a manager and coach after deciding to stop playing in 2018.
Phil said: "He has taken teams from six and seven years of age all the way through to adult football. Jamie loved this so much he did it twice!"
He added: "As a PE teacher, he has touched so many lives and has been an outstanding role model, developing young people through all walks of life. The kids love him at school, He's always helping kids.
"Alongside his amazing coaching efforts he also played for the club's first team."
The friends hope to raise £100,000 for Jamie and his family and have pledged a donation would be made to John Taylor Hospice, which has been supporting the couple, who met through football. You can make a donation to the JustGiving page here
Phil said: "We will be organising a calendar of planned events over the next year which will include football tournaments, charity football matches, running & cycling challenges and many other events bringing Jamie’s whole extended family together.
"It's an awfully bleak situation, but Jamie will be the first to tell you that this isn't over just yet. There are so many amazing things to say about Jamie, that no words can do him justice."


birminghammail--2020-04-28--Government 'are looking at' ending the lockdown faster in some regions

Heath Secretary Matt Hancock has revealed the Government is considering whether to end or reduce the lockdown in some regions earlier than others .
The Health Secretary was asked at the daily Downing Street press conference whether the lockdown could end sooner in specific regions .
He replied : `` That is a question that we are looking at . ''
But he added : `` There was a big benefit , as we bought in the lockdown measures , of the whole country moving together . ''
He revealed that the Government initially considered imposing the lockdown on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
But Ministers decided the same rules should apply across the whole country - so that people knew we were all in it together .
In the early stages of the pandemic in the UK , London and the Midlands had more cases than other regions of England or Northern Ireland , Scotland and Wales .
London still has far more , but the North West now has the second highest number , with the Midlands third most affected .
Mr Hancock said : `` We did think about moving with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were more advanced in terms of the number of cases .
`` But we decided that we are really in this together . ''
Professor Angela McLean , the deputy chief scientific adviser , told the oress conference : `` The question of whether or not we should have regional policies is a really inteersting one . ''
She added : `` There 's always a trade off ... between making sure you do things that are incredibly , beautifully tailored to each part of the population , and on the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all being in this together . ''
Regional leaders including West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have previously warned against having different rules in different parts of the country .

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Heath Secretary Matt Hancock has revealed the Government is considering whether to end or reduce the lockdown in some regions earlier than others.
The Health Secretary was asked at the daily Downing Street press conference whether the lockdown could end sooner in specific regions. He replied: "That is a question that we are looking at."
But he added: "There was a big benefit, as we bought in the lockdown measures, of the whole country moving together."
He revealed that the Government initially considered imposing the lockdown on the Midlands and London before the rest of the country.
But Ministers decided the same rules should apply across the whole country - so that people knew we were all in it together.
In the early stages of the pandemic in the UK, London and the Midlands had more cases than other regions of England or Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. London still has far more, but the North West now has the second highest number, with the Midlands third most affected.
Mr Hancock said: "We did think about moving with London and the Midlands first, because they were more advanced in terms of the number of cases.
"But we decided that we are really in this together."
Professor Angela McLean, the deputy chief scientific adviser, told the oress conference: "The question of whether or not we should have regional policies is a really inteersting one."
She added: "There's always a trade off ... between making sure you do things that are incredibly, beautifully tailored to each part of the population, and on the other hand keeping things simple and carrying on all being in this together."
Regional leaders including West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have previously warned against having different rules in different parts of the country.


birminghammail--2020-04-28--First 10 days of Ramadan 2020 - what must be done in first ashra of holy month

Ramadan requires daily fasting - no food , drink , smoking , sex or sinful behaviour - on each day between early morning and sunset , for an entire month .
And those 30 days are divided into three stages .
During the month there are prayers as well as an early morning meal ( suhoor ) before fasting begins and an evening meal ( iftar ) when it ends .
For Muslims , it 's one of the most blessed months in the Islamic calendar because it 's when the Qur'an was revealed to the prophet Muhammad .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of ten days with each stage called an Ashra , a word meaning 'ten ' in Arabic .
So what happens in the three Ashras of Ramadan ?
Each Ashra has its own dua - a specific prayer that calls out to Allah - and Muslims are expected to recite this as well as practising specific activities linked to that particular stage of Ramadan .
In 2020 , Ramadan began either on May 24 or May 25 , depending which announcement a congregation is following .
This is called Rehmat , meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first ten days are also known as the Days of Mercy .
This is the time when every Muslim must seek mercy and blessings from Allah .
The dua for this part of the month is : ' O My Lord forgive and have Mercy and you are the best of Merciful . '
Another similar prayer that can be said is : ' O Ever Living , the Everlasting I seek your help through your Mercy . '
In line with these prayers and the meaning of this Ashra , all Muslims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by treating others well and helping people whenever they can .
So these are also known as the Days of Forgiveness .
This is the time when every Muslim must ask for forgiveness and peace from Allah .
They should apologise for all their mistakes , change their ways and forgive those who have done them wrong .
The dua for this Ashra is : ' I ask forgiveness of my sins from Allah who is my Lord and I turn towards Him . '
These are also known as the Days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the month is about seeking sanctuary from the fires of Hell .
Fasting itself is said to be a shield from Hellfire that 's as effective as any physical shield used in battle .
And the dua for this part of the month is ' O Almighty Allah , save me from the fire of Hell . '
These last ten days of Ramadan are very significant as they are when Laylat al-Qadr takes place .
Variously translated as Night of Power , Night of Destiny and other names , it commemorates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed to Muhammad .
Although the prophet did not mention a specific date for the Night of Power , he did say to `` seek it in the last 10 days on the odd nights . ''
So Laylat al-Qadr is thought to fall on one of the odd-numbered nights in the final ten days of Ramadan .
Many Muslims take part in the practice of Itikaf , which means staying in the mosque for several days and devoting themselves to secluded worship , away from the distraction of all worldly affairs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten days of the month .
However , with mosques closed during the coronavirus lockdown , itikaf and all other practices usually performed at places of worship will need to be done within people 's own homes .

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Ramadan requires daily fasting - no food, drink, smoking, sex or sinful behaviour - on each day between early morning and sunset, for an entire month.
And those 30 days are divided into three stages.
During the month there are prayers as well as an early morning meal (suhoor) before fasting begins and an evening meal (iftar) when it ends.
For Muslims, it's one of the most blessed months in the Islamic calendar because it's when the Qur'an was revealed to the prophet Muhammad.
The month of Ramadan is divided into three parts of ten days with each stage called an Ashra, a word meaning 'ten' in Arabic.
So what happens in the three Ashras of Ramadan?
Each Ashra has its own dua - a specific prayer that calls out to Allah - and Muslims are expected to recite this as well as practising specific activities linked to that particular stage of Ramadan.
In 2020, Ramadan began either on May 24 or May 25, depending which announcement a congregation is following.
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
First Ashra - Days of Mercy
This is called Rehmat, meaning 'mercy of Allah.'
So these first ten days are also known as the Days of Mercy.
This is the time when every Muslim must seek mercy and blessings from Allah.
The dua for this part of the month is: 'O My Lord forgive and have Mercy and you are the best of Merciful.'
Another similar prayer that can be said is: 'O Ever Living, the Everlasting I seek your help through your Mercy.'
In line with these prayers and the meaning of this Ashra, all Muslims should display mercy through acts of charity, by treating others well and helping people whenever they can.
(Image: AP)
Second Ashra - Days of Forgiveness
This is called Maghfirah, meaning 'forgiveness.'
So these are also known as the Days of Forgiveness.
This is the time when every Muslim must ask for forgiveness and peace from Allah.
They should apologise for all their mistakes, change their ways and forgive those who have done them wrong.
The dua for this Ashra is: 'I ask forgiveness of my sins from Allah who is my Lord and I turn towards Him.'
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
Third Ashra - Days of Seeking Refuge
This is called Nijaat, meaning 'salvation.'
These are also known as the Days of Seeking Refuge.
This final stage of the month is about seeking sanctuary from the fires of Hell.
Fasting itself is said to be a shield from Hellfire that's as effective as any physical shield used in battle.
And the dua for this part of the month is 'O Almighty Allah, save me from the fire of Hell.'
These last ten days of Ramadan are very significant as they are when Laylat al-Qadr takes place.
Variously translated as Night of Power, Night of Destiny and other names, it commemorates the night when the Qur'an was first revealed to Muhammad.
Although the prophet did not mention a specific date for the Night of Power, he did say to "seek it in the last 10 days on the odd nights."
So Laylat al-Qadr is thought to fall on one of the odd-numbered nights in the final ten days of Ramadan.
Many Muslims take part in the practice of Itikaf, which means staying in the mosque for several days and devoting themselves to secluded worship, away from the distraction of all worldly affairs.
Some also practice Itikaf in the first ten days of the month.
However, with mosques closed during the coronavirus lockdown, itikaf and all other practices usually performed at places of worship will need to be done within people's own homes.


birminghammail--2020-04-28--Paul Ince tells Man Utd to move on from Villa captain Jack Grealish

Paul Ince has told Manchester United they need to prioritise other targets over Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish .
The Villa skipper is wanted at Old Trafford in the next transfer window having impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with his performances in the Premier League this season .
With nine goals and eight assists in all competitions , Grealish has been the beating heart of Dean Smith 's side and United are reportedly willing to spend up to £70m to complete a deal .
But Ince believes his former side have a more urgent need to bring in a defensive midfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star : “ Do I see him as a United player ?
Well , I could also see him at Manchester City or Liverpool .
Tottenham also wanted him not so long ago .
“ There will be plenty of suitors for Grealish .
We ’ re all saying United , but he ’ d fit in with any team in the top five .
“ But all this talk of creative players , you ’ ve got to be careful about getting the balance – you still need a defensive block .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ space – like an N ’ Golo Kante or Roy Keane .
Look at what ( Jurgen ) Klopp has done with Liverpool , he ’ s got things in perfect harmony .
“ That ’ s what Solskjaer is now trying to do .
You always need that defensive element in there .
I ’ m just happy United are now in the market for these types of players again .
“ But will they challenge next season ?
I ’ m still not sure .
”

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Paul Ince has told Manchester United they need to prioritise other targets over Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish.
The Villa skipper is wanted at Old Trafford in the next transfer window having impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with his performances in the Premier League this season.
With nine goals and eight assists in all competitions, Grealish has been the beating heart of Dean Smith's side and United are reportedly willing to spend up to £70m to complete a deal.
But Ince believes his former side have a more urgent need to bring in a defensive midfield player instead.
He told the Daily Star: “Do I see him as a United player? Well, I could also see him at Manchester City or Liverpool. Tottenham also wanted him not so long ago.
“There will be plenty of suitors for Grealish. We’re all saying United, but he’d fit in with any team in the top five.
“But all this talk of creative players, you’ve got to be careful about getting the balance – you still need a defensive block.
“They need someone who can cover space – like an N’Golo Kante or Roy Keane. Look at what (Jurgen) Klopp has done with Liverpool, he’s got things in perfect harmony.
“That’s what Solskjaer is now trying to do. You always need that defensive element in there. I’m just happy United are now in the market for these types of players again.
“But will they challenge next season? I’m still not sure.”


birminghammail--2020-04-28--Police up patrols after fatal stabbing and machete attack

Police have stepped up patrols in Smethwick after the town was rocked by a fatal stabbing and machete attack .
A 31-year-old was knifed in the chest outside West Cross Shopping Centre on Sunday , April 26 .
The victim , who has been named as Karl Gallagher , was tragically pronounced dead at the scene .
Eight men have since been arrested by officers investigating his murder .
An unrelated incident saw police called to a machete attack at a car garage in Oldbury Road , just before 6pm on Monday , April 27 .
It 's believed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men , when a 22-year-old man was struck with the weapon .
He was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries , which are not believed to be life-threatening .
The group left the scene in a BMW , which was later traced to a property on St Paul ’ s Road .
The vehicle has since been recovered for forensic examination .
A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage .
A further four men , aged between 23 and 59 , were arrested on suspicion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all remain in police custody today ( Tuesday , April 28 ) .
CCTV enquiries are ongoing as the investigation continues .
Supt Martin Hurcomb , from the Sandwell local policing unit , said : “ This is the second serious incident in Smethwick in a matter of days and we want to reassure the public we take crimes of this nature very seriously .
“ We quickly arrested five people in relation to this stabbing and detectives are reviewing CCTV to establish exactly what happened .
“ Overnight a number of men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Karl Gallagher , who was fatally stabbed at West Cross Shopping Centre on Sunday .
“ These incidents are not linked , but we want to reassure the community we have increased our police presence in the area today and we are doing all we can to protect the public and investigate these crimes .
”

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Police have stepped up patrols in Smethwick after the town was rocked by a fatal stabbing and machete attack.
A 31-year-old was knifed in the chest outside West Cross Shopping Centre on Sunday, April 26.
The victim, who has been named as Karl Gallagher, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Eight men have since been arrested by officers investigating his murder.
(Image: Mark Jaff)
An unrelated incident saw police called to a machete attack at a car garage in Oldbury Road, just before 6pm on Monday, April 27.
It's believed an argument took place between a group of men, when a 22-year-old man was struck with the weapon.
He was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.
The group left the scene in a BMW, which was later traced to a property on St Paul’s Road. The vehicle has since been recovered for forensic examination.
(Image: Bearded Broz)
A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage. A further four men, aged between 23 and 59, were arrested on suspicion of wounding and firearms offences. They all remain in police custody today (Tuesday, April 28).
CCTV enquiries are ongoing as the investigation continues.
Supt Martin Hurcomb, from the Sandwell local policing unit, said: “This is the second serious incident in Smethwick in a matter of days and we want to reassure the public we take crimes of this nature very seriously.
“We quickly arrested five people in relation to this stabbing and detectives are reviewing CCTV to establish exactly what happened.
“Overnight a number of men were arrested in relation to the murder on Karl Gallagher, who was fatally stabbed at West Cross Shopping Centre on Sunday.
“These incidents are not linked, but we want to reassure the community we have increased our police presence in the area today and we are doing all we can to protect the public and investigate these crimes.”


birminghammail--2020-04-28--Arrest after break in at Walsall Leather Museum

A man was arrested following an early-hours break-in at the Walsall Leather Museum .
The museum in Littleton Street - which has been closed since mid March due to the coronavirus crisis - was targeted just before 1am this morning ( Tuesday , April 28 ) .
Police were called after an alarm was triggered and a 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of burglary .
He has since been released , pending further investigation .
West Midlands Police is now appealing for anyone with information that may assist the investigation to come forward .
Join our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be alerted to any suspicious or criminal behaviour happening in your area .
A spokesman for the force told Black Country Live : `` We are investigating a burglary at the Walsall Leather Museum on Littleton Street just before 1am this morning .
`` A 39-year-old man who was detained at the scene and arrested on suspicion of burglary has been released pending further investigation . ''
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight .
People are asked to quote crime reference 20WS/99318D/20 @ @ @ @ @

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A man was arrested following an early-hours break-in at the Walsall Leather Museum.
The museum in Littleton Street - which has been closed since mid March due to the coronavirus crisis - was targeted just before 1am this morning (Tuesday, April 28).
Police were called after an alarm was triggered and a 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of burglary.
He has since been released, pending further investigation.
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West Midlands Police is now appealing for anyone with information that may assist the investigation to come forward.
Join our Black Country Crime Watch Facebook group to be alerted to any suspicious or criminal behaviour happening in your area.
A spokesman for the force told Black Country Live: "We are investigating a burglary at the Walsall Leather Museum on Littleton Street just before 1am this morning.
"A 39-year-old man who was detained at the scene and arrested on suspicion of burglary has been released pending further investigation."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight.
Alternatively, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
People are asked to quote crime reference 20WS/99318D/20 when passing on information.