birminghammail--2020-05-29--Under-threat £1m football club facilities backed at Willenhall ground

A football club has finally staved off the threat of having to rip out more a £1 million worth of improvements at its Willenhall ground .
Members of Walsall Council 's planning committee have backed recommendations that will enable Sporting Khalsa to retain a number of new features at the Aspray 24 Arena in Noose Lane .
The club had been threatened with enforcement action last year when it emerged a number of improvements had been carried out without the necessary planning permission .
Breaches included the installation of a 3G artificial pitch , spectator stand , hospitality suite and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what they had permission for .
The biggest concern came over the stability of a mineshaft based under the new 3G pitch and the need for work to make it safe .
But officers said representatives have worked closely with the authority to be in a position to gain the green light retrospectively , subject to some car parking conditions being finalised with officers .
Walsall Council leader and chairman of the planning committee Mike Bird told the meeting on Thursday ( May 28 ) the club was a big part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The issues led to an enforcement order to get them around the table but I think we have now what appears to be a satisfactory solution .
`` They do offer a very valuable service to the community . ''
Planning officer Alison Ives added : `` A lot of works have been undertaken at this site and the applicants have worked with the local authority to try to regularise those .
`` It did come about as part of an investigation from an enforcement angle but they have negotiated with us and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are now in a position to support those proposals to retain all the structures on the site . ''
The Midland Football Premier League club has a number of men 's , women 's and children 's teams playing at the Aspray .
This new permission means the facility has formal permission to operate as a football club , martial arts club and bar and lounge .
In 2018 , Sporting Khalsa unveiled its new £1 million facilities – which was supported by £579,564 grant funding from the Premier League & The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England .

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A football club has finally staved off the threat of having to rip out more a £1 million worth of improvements at its Willenhall ground.
Members of Walsall Council's planning committee have backed recommendations that will enable Sporting Khalsa to retain a number of new features at the Aspray 24 Arena in Noose Lane.
The club had been threatened with enforcement action last year when it emerged a number of improvements had been carried out without the necessary planning permission.
Breaches included the installation of a 3G artificial pitch, spectator stand, hospitality suite and locating changing rooms in a different place to what they had permission for.
The biggest concern came over the stability of a mineshaft based under the new 3G pitch and the need for work to make it safe.
But officers said representatives have worked closely with the authority to be in a position to gain the green light retrospectively, subject to some car parking conditions being finalised with officers.
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Walsall Council leader and chairman of the planning committee Mike Bird told the meeting on Thursday (May 28) the club was a big part of the community.
He said: "The issues led to an enforcement order to get them around the table but I think we have now what appears to be a satisfactory solution.
"They do offer a very valuable service to the community."
Planning officer Alison Ives added: "A lot of works have been undertaken at this site and the applicants have worked with the local authority to try to regularise those.
"It did come about as part of an investigation from an enforcement angle but they have negotiated with us and worked with us well and we feel we are now in a position to support those proposals to retain all the structures on the site."
The Midland Football Premier League club has a number of men's, women's and children's teams playing at the Aspray.
This new permission means the facility has formal permission to operate as a football club, martial arts club and bar and lounge.
In 2018, Sporting Khalsa unveiled its new £1 million facilities – which was supported by £579,564 grant funding from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund and £75,000 from Sport England.


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Man dies from Covid-19 after assault by serial burglar who targeted elderly

A drug addicted burglar has been jailed after attacking a pensioner - who later died of coronavirus .
A 77-year-old man died from Covid 19 after he was assaulted by a drug addict who targeted the elderly during a series of burglaries .
During a six week long spree Matthew Moore got into victim 's homes using their key safes while wearing a clown mask or skull embossed scarf .
Moore , 35 , of Barlands Croft , Shard End , who admitted six charges of burglary , one of theft and attempted burglary , was jailed for six years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shard End , suffered from arthritis and skin cancer .
The defendant had done some gardening work for him and had also pestered him for money .
At around 4am on January 30 this year Moore , who was wearing a mask , broke into the victim 's property using sheers to force patio doors open .
Mr Colgan was asleep in a bedroom upstairs but was awoken by the defendant who demanded money .
Moore then began to ransack the room and the pensioner tried to stop him .
He struggled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mouth , causing a cut lip .
Mr Colgan told Moore that his wallet , which contained about £100 , was downstairs to distract him from taking more important items and the defendant took it and left .
Mark Phillips , prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court , said the defendant left a hoodie behind and that police later found his DNA on it .
He said Mr Colgan had been distressed because the wallet had contained personal photos .
His health subsequently deteriorated and after being taken to Heartlands hospital he succumbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a statement his brother said that he believed that the burglary had `` precipitated his death even if it was not the cause . ''
He said his brother was admitted to hospital following a fall .
He went on : `` This was a horrible way for him to end his life .
He travelled widely and worked hard .
`` He was a a shadow of his former self . ''
Moore was eventually arrested at his home on March 18 but in the mean time had carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home of elderly people , in Shard End and Chelmsley Wood , breaking in when they were asleep .
One of the victims suffered from vascular dementia and was partially deaf while another lived in a bungalow and was partially blind and had Alzheimers .
Mr Phillips said Moore had broken into another property and later taken a Hyundai which was on the drive .
In passing sentence Heidi Kubic QC said , referring to his first victim : `` The psychological impact on him in the last months of his life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victim impact statement both from him and his brother . ''
Amiee Parkes , defending , said : `` He is genuinely disgusted with his behaviour .
He genuinely wants to get off the drugs '' She said he had been taking cocaine and methadone on a regular basis and that he had been a drug addict since he was 13 .

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A drug addicted burglar has been jailed after attacking a pensioner - who later died of coronavirus.
A 77-year-old man died from Covid 19 after he was assaulted by a drug addict who targeted the elderly during a series of burglaries.
During a six week long spree Matthew Moore got into victim's homes using their key safes while wearing a clown mask or skull embossed scarf.
Moore, 35, of Barlands Croft, Shard End, who admitted six charges of burglary, one of theft and attempted burglary, was jailed for six years.
Patrick Colgan, who lived in Shard End, suffered from arthritis and skin cancer.
(Image: BirminghamLive)
The defendant had done some gardening work for him and had also pestered him for money.
At around 4am on January 30 this year Moore, who was wearing a mask, broke into the victim's property using sheers to force patio doors open.
Mr Colgan was asleep in a bedroom upstairs but was awoken by the defendant who demanded money.
Moore then began to ransack the room and the pensioner tried to stop him.
He struggled with the defendant who then punched him in the mouth, causing a cut lip.
Mr Colgan told Moore that his wallet, which contained about £100, was downstairs to distract him from taking more important items and the defendant took it and left.
Mark Phillips, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said the defendant left a hoodie behind and that police later found his DNA on it.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
He said Mr Colgan had been distressed because the wallet had contained personal photos.
His health subsequently deteriorated and after being taken to Heartlands hospital he succumbed to Covid-19 and died on May 11.
In a statement his brother said that he believed that the burglary had "precipitated his death even if it was not the cause."
He said his brother was admitted to hospital following a fall.
He went on: "This was a horrible way for him to end his life. He travelled widely and worked hard.
"He was a a shadow of his former self."
Moore was eventually arrested at his home on March 18 but in the mean time had carried out a number of burglaries, mostly at the home of elderly people, in Shard End and Chelmsley Wood, breaking in when they were asleep.
One of the victims suffered from vascular dementia and was partially deaf while another lived in a bungalow and was partially blind and had Alzheimers.
Mr Phillips said Moore had broken into another property and later taken a Hyundai which was on the drive.
In passing sentence Heidi Kubic QC said, referring to his first victim: "The psychological impact on him in the last months of his life were grave indeed as evidenced from the victim impact statement both from him and his brother."
Amiee Parkes, defending, said: "He is genuinely disgusted with his behaviour. He genuinely wants to get off the drugs"
She said he had been taking cocaine and methadone on a regular basis and that he had been a drug addict since he was 13.


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Ruben Neves gives his verdict on Liverpool and Man Utd transfer claims

Ruben Neves has claimed that speculation surrounding some of Wolverhampton Wanderers ' stars will not distract from their Premier League restart next month .
Neves himself has been consistently linked with moves to some of the biggest names in European football , since his shock Molineux arrival in 2017 .
His signing in that summer was a huge step in Wolves ' rise from the Championship to top-four contenders - a rise that has seen a number of his teammates also linked with big-money exits .
In recent weeks , claims have emerged that Adama Traore has caught the attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports in Spain suggesting Jurgen Klopp has personally phoned the winger .
Along with Traore , Raul Jimenez 's prolific form at Wolves has also meant his name has been paired with the likes of Man United , Arsenal and even Real Madrid .
There 's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the Wolverhampton Wanderers news with our daily newsletter .
Delivered straight into your email inbox each day , the bulletins will feature the latest Wolves news , views , gossip and opinion .
All you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the top of the article - it looks just like this ... And what 's more , it 's absolutely free !
You can also get all the latest updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter .
We also have a free app which you can download .
It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store But Neves , speaking after the Premier League confirmed their restart next month , has said the media reports will not affect their performances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has always been speculation since I ’ ve got here about our team , ” he told the Guardian .
“ But we don ’ t think about it .
We want to be together for as much time as we can but it ’ s football , the speculation will always be there .
“ Our job is to play and leave this for the people who need to take care of it.
” Wolves have nine Premier League games remaining , with qualification for the Champions League still possible and Neves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get back going .
He added : “ We are really excited – even more so after that training session because we could finally play proper football .
So far we had only trained individually or in small groups without contact .
”

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Ruben Neves has claimed that speculation surrounding some of Wolverhampton Wanderers' stars will not distract from their Premier League restart next month.
Neves himself has been consistently linked with moves to some of the biggest names in European football, since his shock Molineux arrival in 2017.
His signing in that summer was a huge step in Wolves' rise from the Championship to top-four contenders - a rise that has seen a number of his teammates also linked with big-money exits.
(Image: Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images)
In recent weeks, claims have emerged that Adama Traore has caught the attention of Manchester United and Liverpool, with reports in Spain suggesting Jurgen Klopp has personally phoned the winger.
Along with Traore, Raul Jimenez's prolific form at Wolves has also meant his name has been paired with the likes of Man United, Arsenal and even Real Madrid.
Wolves daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox There's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the Wolverhampton Wanderers news with our daily newsletter. Delivered straight into your email inbox each day, the bulletins will feature the latest Wolves news, views, gossip and opinion. All you have to do is punch your email in at the top of the article - or sign up here. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store
But Neves, speaking after the Premier League confirmed their restart next month, has said the media reports will not affect their performances in the crucial run-in.
“There has always been speculation since I’ve got here about our team,” he told the Guardian.
“But we don’t think about it. We want to be together for as much time as we can but it’s football, the speculation will always be there.
“Our job is to play and leave this for the people who need to take care of it.”
Wolves have nine Premier League games remaining, with qualification for the Champions League still possible and Neves has revealed Wolves can't wait to get back going.
He added: “We are really excited – even more so after that training session because we could finally play proper football. So far we had only trained individually or in small groups without contact.”


birminghammail--2020-05-29--The colour blue inspires latest round of Lichfield Camera Club competition

The latest weekly competition by Lichfield Camera Club has finished and the winners have been announced .
Members of the club have found a way of keeping themselves active in spite of the lockdown and have formed a photography league which allows them enter their images online .
The brainchild of competition secretary Graham Slight , the leagues aim to keep members ’ photographic skills ticking over until normal meetings can be resumed .
Each participating member enters one image each week which is judged by fellow members with points being awarded .
With restricted access to the countryside , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around their homes and gardens to produce new images .
It also gives members the opportunity to reassess back catalogues and develop and share images that might otherwise have been denied a wider audience .
The final week of each round always has a theme , and this time – to mark the conclusion of round two – it was ‘ the colour blue ’ .
Scooping first place in League One is Debra Dingley with ‘ My Favourite Blue ’ .
A club spokesperson said : “ The lighting of the blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the chiaroscuro style of light and dark made famous by artists such as Rembrandt .
“ Debra ’ s skilled placement of all the elements in the image and the wonderful lighting combine to make a very striking photograph.
” Taking second place with ‘ Blue Morning on Lake Windermere ’ is Richard Moore .
Taken while on a boat trip from Bowness to Ambleside , this atmospheric shot benefits from the early morning mist casting a blue hue over the mountains .
The strong diagonal line of the mountain tops and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very well with the sunlit tree and boats in the foreground .
Anne Anderson takes third place , with ‘ A Drop in the Ocean ’ .
This is another very striking image characteristic of Anne ’ s creative flair .
Explaining her technique , she said : “ The water drop was created using a medicine dropper , three speed lights all set to low power in order to produce a very short duration flash to freeze the action , and a coloured film to get the blue effect .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would fall and a shutter release used to coordinate the taking of the photo with the drop landing .
`` This was a trial and error method requiring many attempts to obtain this image .
Clearly her perseverance paid off having produced an image of beautiful simplicity with wonderful detail in the water drop .
In League Two , Sandra Morgan took the top spot with ‘ Blue Bottles ’ Sandra ’ s mastery of the Still Life genre is well known and she has created a simple but lovely image of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The background for this image was inspired by visits to Calke Abbey in past years .
“ I liked the old plaster with patches of blue paint , and I have tried to produce the same effect with the plastered board which I made to go with my blue bottles.
” The splash of blue on the textured wall is perfectly placed to complement the shapes of the beautifully lit bottles .
Lorraine Bootham took second place with ‘ Approaching Storm ’ .
Lorraine ’ s image has a wonderful visual balance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a powerful triangular geometry with one edge lined up against a sudden change in the sky .
The right hand sun lounger nicely fills the space beneath the threatening cloud .
As Lorraine explained : “ The Approaching Storm image was taken at Fort Myers Beach Florida .
I really like the atmosphere it invokes and how it reflects the speed with which the weather conditions can change - simultaneously showing a beautiful sunny day and the storm that broke just moments after the shot was taken.
” The result is an image @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Tim Wayne with ‘ Foley Bluebells ’ .
Tim ’ s image could have come right off the brush of a French Impressionist .
He has created an image with a lovely dreamy feel about it all achieved with a bit of good fortune as he explained : “ It was only a Sunday stroll in an area new to us that led to a few shots of some very scattered bluebells - nothing special at all , and yet ...
Attempting to get some motion into the image , I found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave me an image that was most unexpected .
Time to quit while the going was good I felt.
” David Eaton took first place in League Three , with ‘ Blue Bell ’ A camera club spokesperson said : “ David has captured this image of the bluebell in superb detail with the viewer ’ s interest held by the different orientation of each flower .
The soft lighting helps to bring out the detailed structure of the flower and the contrasting dark background creates an exceptional image of great beauty.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took second place .
The spokesperson explained : “ Annette has produced another image with a dreamy feel about it conjuring feelings of yesteryear .
The diagonal line of the pier and lighter shade of water beneath make this a very strong composition .
The image is nicely balanced by the rocks on the left hand side and the muted tones of blue complete this quintessentially English scene.
” In third place is ‘ Bluebells ’ by Ivan Shaw .
“ It was inevitable that the theme ‘ The Colour Blue ’ would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is another image of very high quality , ” the spokesperson told BirminghamLive .
“ The central placement of the flower in the portrait orientation works very well and there is again wonderful detail in the flowers .
Ivan ’ s use of three different shades of blue for the background , and border colours adds a pleasingly different touch.
” To view all entries in the Lichfield Camera Club Leagues go to www.lichfieldcameraclub.org

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The latest weekly competition by Lichfield Camera Club has finished and the winners have been announced.
Members of the club have found a way of keeping themselves active in spite of the lockdown and have formed a photography league which allows them enter their images online.
The brainchild of competition secretary Graham Slight, the leagues aim to keep members’ photographic skills ticking over until normal meetings can be resumed. Each participating member enters one image each week which is judged by fellow members with points being awarded.
With restricted access to the countryside, members are having to use their skills around their homes and gardens to produce new images. It also gives members the opportunity to reassess back catalogues and develop and share images that might otherwise have been denied a wider audience.
The final week of each round always has a theme, and this time – to mark the conclusion of round two – it was ‘the colour blue’.
Scooping first place in League One is Debra Dingley with ‘My Favourite Blue’.
A club spokesperson said: “The lighting of the blue cheese in this image is very reminiscent of the chiaroscuro style of light and dark made famous by artists such as Rembrandt.
“Debra’s skilled placement of all the elements in the image and the wonderful lighting combine to make a very striking photograph.”
Taking second place with ‘Blue Morning on Lake Windermere’ is Richard Moore.
Taken while on a boat trip from Bowness to Ambleside, this atmospheric shot benefits from the early morning mist casting a blue hue over the mountains. The strong diagonal line of the mountain tops and the gradually fading shades of blue contrast very well with the sunlit tree and boats in the foreground.
Anne Anderson takes third place, with ‘A Drop in the Ocean’.
This is another very striking image characteristic of Anne’s creative flair.
Explaining her technique, she said: “The water drop was created using a medicine dropper, three speed lights all set to low power in order to produce a very short duration flash to freeze the action, and a coloured film to get the blue effect.
"The camera was pre-focussed on where the drop would fall and a shutter release used to coordinate the taking of the photo with the drop landing.
"This was a trial and error method requiring many attempts to obtain this image. Clearly her perseverance paid off having produced an image of beautiful simplicity with wonderful detail in the water drop.
In League Two, Sandra Morgan took the top spot with ‘Blue Bottles’
Sandra’s mastery of the Still Life genre is well known and she has created a simple but lovely image of the three bottles. She explained: “The background for this image was inspired by visits to Calke Abbey in past years.
“I liked the old plaster with patches of blue paint, and I have tried to produce the same effect with the plastered board which I made to go with my blue bottles.”
The splash of blue on the textured wall is perfectly placed to complement the shapes of the beautifully lit bottles.
Lorraine Bootham took second place with ‘Approaching Storm’.
Lorraine’s image has a wonderful visual balance with the three parasols on the left forming a powerful triangular geometry with one edge lined up against a sudden change in the sky. The right hand sun lounger nicely fills the space beneath the threatening cloud.
As Lorraine explained: “The Approaching Storm image was taken at Fort Myers Beach Florida. I really like the atmosphere it invokes and how it reflects the speed with which the weather conditions can change - simultaneously showing a beautiful sunny day and the storm that broke just moments after the shot was taken.”
The result is an image of exceptional quality.
In third place is Tim Wayne with ‘Foley Bluebells’.
Tim’s image could have come right off the brush of a French Impressionist.
He has created an image with a lovely dreamy feel about it all achieved with a bit of good fortune as he explained: “It was only a Sunday stroll in an area new to us that led to a few shots of some very scattered bluebells - nothing special at all, and yet... Attempting to get some motion into the image, I found some new settings in post processing which gave me an image that was most unexpected. Time to quit while the going was good I felt.”
David Eaton took first place in League Three, with ‘Blue Bell’
A camera club spokesperson said: “David has captured this image of the bluebell in superb detail with the viewer’s interest held by the different orientation of each flower. The soft lighting helps to bring out the detailed structure of the flower and the contrasting dark background creates an exceptional image of great beauty.”
‘The Pier’ by Annette Keatley took second place.
The spokesperson explained: “Annette has produced another image with a dreamy feel about it conjuring feelings of yesteryear. The diagonal line of the pier and lighter shade of water beneath make this a very strong composition. The image is nicely balanced by the rocks on the left hand side and the muted tones of blue complete this quintessentially English scene.”
In third place is ‘Bluebells’ by Ivan Shaw.
“It was inevitable that the theme ‘The Colour Blue’ would generate lots of images of bluebells and this is another image of very high quality,” the spokesperson told BirminghamLive.
“The central placement of the flower in the portrait orientation works very well and there is again wonderful detail in the flowers. Ivan’s use of three different shades of blue for the background, and border colours adds a pleasingly different touch.”
To view all entries in the Lichfield Camera Club Leagues go to www.lichfieldcameraclub.org


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Tributes to popular Tamworth postman and Royal British Legion fundraiser

Tributes have been paid to a popular postman and Royal British Legion fundraiser who has sadly died .
Ken Cashmore passed away on Saturday , May 16 , aged 85 , peacefully in his sleep after a short illness .
He worked for the Royal Mail as a postman for many years in Tamworth before his retirement , delivering the post in areas including Middleton and Dosthill where he was well known and liked .
For many years Ken helped to raise funds for the Royal British Legion .
He was also a member of the Royal Signals during this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oak and married Doreen , who sadly passed away in 1984 .
They had three children , Karen , Kevin and Les , and lived in New Street , Glascote , before moving to Caledonian , Glascote Heath .
Les said : “ He was a great dad to all of us .
He was brilliant .
He did everything he could for us after my mum passed away .
I don ’ t think there is anything more we could have wished for from him .
“ The Armed Forces was something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have seen him for the last 20 or so years laying a wreath on Armistice Day and marching for his regiment with the British Legion .
“ He was totally dedicated every year , raising thousands of pounds selling his poppies in Ankerside Shopping Centre and Asda at Ventura Park .
“ He must have been one of the most popular gentlemen in Tamworth as often there was a queue to speak to him and buy his poppies .
“ People would always look for him so they could go and bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause .
He must have raised a great deal of money ; we will never know how much he raised.
” Kevin added : “ Dad was a lovely gentleman who took pride in his appearance , always wearing a tie to his work as a postman .
“ He was always professional , considerate and most of all had a fantastic sense of humour , telling jokes , having a laugh and bringing a smile to people ’ s faces .
Before his short illness dad was very fit and liked being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He would even walk to the town centre to get some bulbs and carry them back , especially if it was a nice day !
” Funeral arrangements have been made with Tamworth Co-op Funeral Directors for Friday , June 5 , at 10am at Glascote Cemetery .
The procession will pause for a few minutes outside what was the Tamworth British Legion for people to pay their respects before moving on to the cemetery .
The family are raising funds for his favourite place , the National Memorial Arboretum , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give generously to show their appreciation for “ this gentleman who selflessly gave his time and commitment to his past ” .
They added : “ Dad will be missed dearly by his family , close friends and his comrades of the British Legion.
” Sarah Oakden , head of marketing at NMA , said : “ We are sorry to hear of the passing of Ken and send our condolences to his family and all who knew him .
“ It ’ s wonderful to hear that the Arboretum meant so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to honour his memory by supporting us .
“ This is a difficult time for all charities and any funds raised will play a vital role in allowing us to reopen to the public and to be freely accessible to all.
” To donate go to https : //www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ken-cashmore

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Tributes have been paid to a popular postman and Royal British Legion fundraiser who has sadly died.
Ken Cashmore passed away on Saturday, May 16, aged 85, peacefully in his sleep after a short illness.
He worked for the Royal Mail as a postman for many years in Tamworth before his retirement, delivering the post in areas including Middleton and Dosthill where he was well known and liked.
For many years Ken helped to raise funds for the Royal British Legion. He was also a member of the Royal Signals during this time.
Ken was originally from Mile Oak and married Doreen, who sadly passed away in 1984. They had three children, Karen, Kevin and Les, and lived in New Street, Glascote, before moving to Caledonian, Glascote Heath.
Les said: “He was a great dad to all of us. He was brilliant. He did everything he could for us after my mum passed away. I don’t think there is anything more we could have wished for from him.
“The Armed Forces was something he took to his heart. You would have seen him for the last 20 or so years laying a wreath on Armistice Day and marching for his regiment with the British Legion.
“He was totally dedicated every year, raising thousands of pounds selling his poppies in Ankerside Shopping Centre and Asda at Ventura Park.
“He must have been one of the most popular gentlemen in Tamworth as often there was a queue to speak to him and buy his poppies.
“People would always look for him so they could go and bring a contribution to the well-deserved British Legion cause. He must have raised a great deal of money; we will never know how much he raised.”
Kevin added: “Dad was a lovely gentleman who took pride in his appearance, always wearing a tie to his work as a postman.
“He was always professional, considerate and most of all had a fantastic sense of humour, telling jokes, having a laugh and bringing a smile to people’s faces. Before his short illness dad was very fit and liked being in his garden and keeping it tidy. He would even walk to the town centre to get some bulbs and carry them back, especially if it was a nice day!”
Funeral arrangements have been made with Tamworth Co-op Funeral Directors for Friday, June 5, at 10am at Glascote Cemetery.
The procession will pause for a few minutes outside what was the Tamworth British Legion for people to pay their respects before moving on to the cemetery.
The family are raising funds for his favourite place, the National Memorial Arboretum, and have asked for friends and family to give generously to show their appreciation for “this gentleman who selflessly gave his time and commitment to his past”.
They added: “Dad will be missed dearly by his family, close friends and his comrades of the British Legion.”
Sarah Oakden, head of marketing at NMA, said: “We are sorry to hear of the passing of Ken and send our condolences to his family and all who knew him.
“It’s wonderful to hear that the Arboretum meant so much to Ken and that his family have decided to honour his memory by supporting us.
“This is a difficult time for all charities and any funds raised will play a vital role in allowing us to reopen to the public and to be freely accessible to all.”
To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ken-cashmore


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Work begins on £10.7m HQ at Defence Medical Services Whittington

Work to create a new headquarters at the Defence Medical Services ( DMS ) Whittington site has been marked with a turf-cutting ceremony .
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation ( DIO ) awarded the £10.7m contract to Kier in February 2020 to carry out the work , which forms part of a wider £4bn Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio investment to modernise the Defence estate .
DIO staff will share the site with those who already work at DMS Whittington .
The building is being constructed using a modular method , with modules being built elsewhere and transported to the Whittington site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are taking safety `` extremely seriously '' and following the latest government guidance for construction .
Peter Lemon , DIO ’ s Sutton Coldfield head of establishment , said : “ It ’ s great to see the project moving forward and to see an existing military site being transformed into a place where DIO staff have the modern , fit-for-purpose offices they need to support our Armed Forces customers .
`` We take the safety of our staff and contractors very seriously and social distancing guidelines are being adhered to on site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at DMS Whittington will ensure that staff will be able to enjoy many of the facilities that a large , modern , operational military base offers .
Co-locating on an operational defence site will also bring DIO staff closer to our customers and allow us to experience the Defence estate in use every day . ''
Mark Pausey , managing director at Kier Regional Building Central , added : “ This is an important project for the DIO and we are pleased that we have been able to reach this milestone .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on site , who have adapted how they are working to adhere to the Construction Leadership Council ’ s site operating procedures which are based on guidance issued by Public Health England.
” DIO ’ s current headquarters , located in Sutton Coldfield .
is set to be vacated by staff by Spring 2021 .

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Work to create a new headquarters at the Defence Medical Services (DMS) Whittington site has been marked with a turf-cutting ceremony.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) awarded the £10.7m contract to Kier in February 2020 to carry out the work, which forms part of a wider £4bn Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio investment to modernise the Defence estate. DIO staff will share the site with those who already work at DMS Whittington.
The building is being constructed using a modular method, with modules being built elsewhere and transported to the Whittington site for installation.
All those working on-site are taking safety "extremely seriously" and following the latest government guidance for construction.
Peter Lemon, DIO’s Sutton Coldfield head of establishment, said: “It’s great to see the project moving forward and to see an existing military site being transformed into a place where DIO staff have the modern, fit-for-purpose offices they need to support our Armed Forces customers.
"We take the safety of our staff and contractors very seriously and social distancing guidelines are being adhered to on site.
"DIO’s new headquarters at DMS Whittington will ensure that staff will be able to enjoy many of the facilities that a large, modern, operational military base offers. Co-locating on an operational defence site will also bring DIO staff closer to our customers and allow us to experience the Defence estate in use every day."
Mark Pausey, managing director at Kier Regional Building Central, added: “This is an important project for the DIO and we are pleased that we have been able to reach this milestone.
“I would like to thank the teams working on site, who have adapted how they are working to adhere to the Construction Leadership Council’s site operating procedures which are based on guidance issued by Public Health England.”
DIO’s current headquarters, located in Sutton Coldfield. is set to be vacated by staff by Spring 2021.


birminghammail--2020-05-29--National Trust starts to reopen parks and gardens - full list and how to book

If you 're getting bored of the same outside exercise routine walking around the block or through the local park , you 're probably thinking about where to go if you decided to venture a bit further .
One option is to go to a National Trust site for a stroll in the fresh air in a green open space .
And the good news is that the National Trust has moved into the next stage of its reopening plans in the UK .
From June 3 , it says a number of gardens in England and Northern Ireland will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Trust said : `` We 've already reopened more than 200 coast and countryside car parks .
`` From 3 June , we 're opening a small number of gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland .
`` To ensure the safety of our visitors , staff , volunteers and local communities , we 've reduced the number of people we can welcome at one time and you ’ ll need to book your visit in advance . ''
It added that all National Trust places in Wales have to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all of its houses across the UK are still shut at the moment .
Others in the UK : All visitors to the gardens and parks listed above need to book a ticket in advance , including members .
Entry and parking is free for members , but they still need to bring a membership card .
Non-members need to pay in advance .
The NT asks people to book one ticket per person , though children aged five and under do n't need a ticket .
You 'll need to choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you want to visit .
How long you can stay depends on the opening times of the place you 're visiting .
Every Friday he National Trust will release new bookings for visits the following week .
People can book up to 18 hours before a timeslot .
Because of limited spaces , NT bosses are asking that you only book once a week to allow others a chance to visit .
Car parks that must be booked There are some places where you can book a car parking space only .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and countryside but will not be allowed into the gardens and parklands .
Book one ticket per car .
Members can park for free but non-members will need to pay in advance when they book a space .
The length of time you can stay will depend on the place you 're booking .
The booking form will specify how long you can park for .

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If you're getting bored of the same outside exercise routine walking around the block or through the local park, you're probably thinking about where to go if you decided to venture a bit further.
One option is to go to a National Trust site for a stroll in the fresh air in a green open space.
And the good news is that the National Trust has moved into the next stage of its reopening plans in the UK.
From June 3, it says a number of gardens in England and Northern Ireland will open.
(Image: National Trust)
In a statement, the National Trust said: "We've already reopened more than 200 coast and countryside car parks.
"From 3 June, we're opening a small number of gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland.
"To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers and local communities, we've reduced the number of people we can welcome at one time and you’ll need to book your visit in advance."
It added that all National Trust places in Wales have to remain closed due to Welsh government guidance, and all of its houses across the UK are still shut at the moment.
National Trust sites open for booking
Midlands
Attingham Park, Shropshire - book here
Belton House, Lincolnshire - book here
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire - book here
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire - book here
Hardwick, Derbyshire - book here
(Image: National Trust)
Others in the UK:
East of England
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire
Ickworth, Suffolk
Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
London and the South East
Cliveden, Buckinghamshire
Hinton Ampner, Hampshire
Mottisfont, Hampshire
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Scotney Castle, Kent
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent
Standen House and Garden, West Sussex
Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex
The Vyne, Hampshire
Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire
North
Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire
Gibside, Tyne & Wear
Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester
Lyme, Cheshire
Quarry Bank, Cheshire
Wallington, Northumberland
South West
Corfe Castle, Dorset
Kingston Lacy, Dorset
Killerton, Devon
Lacock, Wiltshire
Northern Ireland
Castle Coole, County Fermanagh
Castle Ward, County Down
Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House, County Londonderry
Florence Court, County Fermanagh
Mount Stewart, County Down
Portstewart Strand, County Londonderry
Rowallane Garden, County Down
The Argory, County Armagh
How to book
All visitors to the gardens and parks listed above need to book a ticket in advance, including members.
Entry and parking is free for members, but they still need to bring a membership card. Non-members need to pay in advance.
The NT asks people to book one ticket per person, though children aged five and under don't need a ticket.
You'll need to choose a 30-minute arrival time for the day you want to visit. How long you can stay depends on the opening times of the place you're visiting.
Every Friday he National Trust will release new bookings for visits the following week. People can book up to 18 hours before a timeslot.
Because of limited spaces, NT bosses are asking that you only book once a week to allow others a chance to visit.
Car parks that must be booked
Aira Force and Ullswater, Cumbria
Blickling Estate, Norfolk
Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk
Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate, Norfolk
Houghton Mill and Waterclose Meadows, Cambridgeshire
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Nostell, West Yorkshire
Portstewart Strand, County Londonderry
Trelissick, Cornwall
Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
How to book a car park
There are some places where you can book a car parking space only.
You'll be able to explore the coast and countryside but will not be allowed into the gardens and parklands.
Book one ticket per car. Members can park for free but non-members will need to pay in advance when they book a space.
The length of time you can stay will depend on the place you're booking. The booking form will specify how long you can park for.


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Neville makes prediction for Albion and Leeds after latest reveal

Gary Neville has backed the EFL to follow the Premier League 's lead and restart the Championship season next month .
In their latest statement the EFL reaffirmed Championship clubs ' desire to restart the season with the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United returning to training this week .
The Premier League announced plans to resume their season on June 17 yesterday and Neville reckons the Championship will follow suit .
The division 's top two , Leeds and Albion , are leading calls for the season to be resumed in order to allow them to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have n't faced much opposition , although Hull City have written to the EFL twice asking for the campaign to be curtailed .
“ I think the Championship will go ahead , ” Neville told The Football Show on Sky Sports .
“ I do think it is sad to be fair that the funding can ’ t be put into place for League One and Two .
`` We are going to see clubs like Stevenage and Tranmere probably lose their spaces in their leagues without even having the opportunity to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the funding isn ’ t there to support football at that level .
There 's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the West Bromwich Albion news with our daily newsletter .
Delivered straight into your email inbox each day , the bulletins will feature the latest Albion news , views , gossip and opinion .
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@ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter .
We also have a free app which you can download .
It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store “ But I do think the Championship will play and I do think that will be something that happens pretty quickly after the Premier League .
“ We all know how important it is to the likes of Leeds and West Brom , who are at the top of that league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just financially but emotionally to get into the Premier League , how important it is for them as clubs .
“ There is a lot to look forward to in terms of football not just at the Premier League level but at the Championship level , and the play-offs likely at League One and Two as well .
”

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Gary Neville has backed the EFL to follow the Premier League's lead and restart the Championship season next month.
In their latest statement the EFL reaffirmed Championship clubs' desire to restart the season with the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United returning to training this week.
The Premier League announced plans to resume their season on June 17 yesterday and Neville reckons the Championship will follow suit.
The division's top two, Leeds and Albion, are leading calls for the season to be resumed in order to allow them to win promotion to the Premier League.
They haven't faced much opposition, although Hull City have written to the EFL twice asking for the campaign to be curtailed.
“I think the Championship will go ahead,” Neville told The Football Show on Sky Sports.
“I do think it is sad to be fair that the funding can’t be put into place for League One and Two.
"We are going to see clubs like Stevenage and Tranmere probably lose their spaces in their leagues without even having the opportunity to play for it down to economic reasons because the funding isn’t there to support football at that level.
West Brom daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox Why should you sign up? We'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and comment pieces in our daily Baggies bulletin, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Just type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up by clicking here. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest West Brom updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download via Google Play Store or the App Store. It is always up-to-date with the latest news .
“But I do think the Championship will play and I do think that will be something that happens pretty quickly after the Premier League.
“We all know how important it is to the likes of Leeds and West Brom, who are at the top of that league. Everything they have invested, not just financially but emotionally to get into the Premier League, how important it is for them as clubs.
“There is a lot to look forward to in terms of football not just at the Premier League level but at the Championship level, and the play-offs likely at League One and Two as well.”


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Man shot at from window of property on Rookery Road in Handsworth

An investigation is under way after a man was shot in the leg as he walked down a Birmingham road .
The 33-year-old victim was fired at from the window of a property on Rookery Road , in Handsworth , just after 7am on Wednesday ( May 27 ) .
He remains in hospital in a stable condition .
Police are appealing to any witnesses to the incident to come forward .
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said : `` We are appealing for information after a man sustained an gunshot injury to his leg as he walked down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May ) .
`` A 33-year-old man was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with being caused by a firearm after he was shot at from the window of a property on Rookery Road just after 7am .
He remains in hospital today ( Friday 29 May ) in a stable condition.
`` Sergeant Nicholas McCullogh from the force CID team , said : “ I am asking anyone who heard or noticed anything suspicious in the area to contact us .
“ We are in the early stages of this investigation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has any information that could support us in finding out who or what caused the man ’ s fractured leg.
” Back in Feb 2018 Rookery Road was dubbed ‘ the most dangerous place in Birmingham ’ .
A spokesman from the Bebe Nanaki Gurdwara temple , on Rookery Road , said at the time that some elderly women who visit the temple had been mugging victims .
He said : “ Rookery Road is certainly dangerous .
“ We have elderly women who come to our temple who have been mugged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a chain ripped from his chest when a man asked him for directions.
” Ricky Chauhan , aged 30 , who owns C and C Car spares , previously said businesses have been concerned about the apparent increase in violent incidents on the road .
He said : “ There has been a lot of incidents .
We do need a greater police presence but there has been so many cuts to the force and it is difficult for them to patrol the streets .
Enquiries continue and anyone with information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight , quoting crime reference 20BW/121627Z/20 .

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An investigation is under way after a man was shot in the leg as he walked down a Birmingham road.
The 33-year-old victim was fired at from the window of a property on Rookery Road, in Handsworth, just after 7am on Wednesday (May 27).
He remains in hospital in a stable condition. Police are appealing to any witnesses to the incident to come forward.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We are appealing for information after a man sustained an gunshot injury to his leg as he walked down a Handsworth road on Wednesday (27 May).
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"A 33-year-old man was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with being caused by a firearm after he was shot at from the window of a property on Rookery Road just after 7am. He remains in hospital today (Friday 29 May) in a stable condition. "
Sergeant Nicholas McCullogh from the force CID team, said: “I am asking anyone who heard or noticed anything suspicious in the area to contact us.
“We are in the early stages of this investigation and I am keen to hear from anyone who has any information that could support us in finding out who or what caused the man’s fractured leg.”
Rookery Road
Back in Feb 2018 Rookery Road was dubbed ‘ the most dangerous place in Birmingham ’.
A spokesman from the Bebe Nanaki Gurdwara temple, on Rookery Road, said at the time that some elderly women who visit the temple had been mugging victims.
He said: “Rookery Road is certainly dangerous.
“We have elderly women who come to our temple who have been mugged. My own son was mugged - had a chain ripped from his chest when a man asked him for directions.”
Ricky Chauhan, aged 30, who owns C and C Car spares, previously said businesses have been concerned about the apparent increase in violent incidents on the road.
He said: “There has been a lot of incidents. We do need a greater police presence but there has been so many cuts to the force and it is difficult for them to patrol the streets.
Enquiries continue and anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact officers via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, quoting crime reference 20BW/121627Z/20.


birminghammail--2020-05-29--How West Brom's fixture list could look when Championship restarts

West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United are set to be given the chance to fight it out for the Championship title on the pitch .
The coronavirus pandemic halted the Championship in its tracks almost three months ago but the EFL are determined to restart the season .
Albion trail Leeds by one point at the top of the table and both clubs are understandably keen to complete the season and win promotion the traditional way .
The Premier League announced plans to restart on June 17 yesterday and it 's hoped the EFL will reach a similar decision in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have nine matches remaining to seal promotion - and here 's what their fixture lists look like : There 's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the West Bromwich Albion news with our daily newsletter .
Delivered straight into your email inbox each day , the bulletins will feature the latest Albion news , views , gossip and opinion .
All you have to do is punch your email in at the top of the article - it looks just like this ... And what 's more , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter .
We also have a free app which you can download .
It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store

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West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United will be given the chance to fight it out for the Championship title on the pitch.
The coronavirus pandemic halted the Championship in its tracks almost three months ago but the EFL have set a date of Saturday, June 17 to resume the season.
Albion trail Leeds by one point at the top of the table and both clubs are keen to win promotion the traditional way.
The Premier League confirmed its schedule for June today, while the EFL is expected to announce kick-off times and TV details soon.
Albion and Leeds have nine matches remaining to seal promotion - and here's what their fixture lists look like:
Here’s a full list of the fixtures:
Match day 38
Blackburn Rovers v Bristol City
Cardiff City v Leeds United
Fulham v Brentford
Huddersfield Town v Wigan Athletic
Hull City v Charlton Athletic
Luton Town v Preston North End
Middlesbrough v Swansea City
Millwall v Derby County
Queens Park Rangers v Barnsley
Reading v Stoke City
Sheffield Wednesday vs Nottingham Forest
West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham City
Match day 39
Barnsley v Millwall
Brentford v West Bromwich Albion
Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday
Charlton Athletic v Queens Park Rangers
Derby County v Reading
Preston North End v Cardiff City
Birmingham City v Hull City
Leeds United v Fulham
Nottingham Forest v Huddersfield Town
Stoke City v Middlesbrough
Swansea City v Luton Town
Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers
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Match day 40
Barnsley v Blackburn Rovers
Birmingham City v Huddersfield Town
Cardiff City v Charlton Athletic
Hull City v Middlesbrough
Leeds United v Luton Town
Millwall v Swansea City
Nottingham Forest v Bristol City
Preston North End v Derby County
Queens Park Rangers v Fulham
Reading v Brentford
Sheffield Wednesday v West Bromwich Albion
Wigan Athletic v Stoke City
Match day 41
Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United
Brentford v Wigan Athletic
Bristol City v Cardiff City
Charlton Athletic v Millwall
Derby County v Nottingham Forest
Fulham v Birmingham City
Huddersfield Town v Preston North End
Luton Town v Reading
Middlesbrough v Queens Park Rangers
Stoke City v Barnsley
Swansea City v Sheffield Wednesday
West Bromwich Albion v Hull City
Match day 42
Birmingham City v Swansea City
Brentford v Charlton Athletic
Bristol City v Hull City
Cardiff City v Blackburn Rovers
Leeds United v Stoke City
Luton Town v Barnsley
Millwall v Middlesbrough
Nottingham Forest v Fulham
Reading v Huddersfield Town
Sheffield Wednesday v Preston North End
West Bromwich Albion v Derby County
Wigan Athletic v Queens Park Rangers
Match day 43
Barnsley v Wigan Athletic
Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion
Charlton Athletic v Reading
Derby County v Brentford
Fulham v Cardiff City
Huddersfield Town v Luton Town
Hull City v Millwall
Middlesbrough v Bristol City
Preston North End v Nottingham Forest
Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield Wednesday
Stoke City v Birmingham City
Swansea City v Leeds United
Match day 44
Birmingham City v Charlton Athletic
Brentford v Preston North End
Bristol City v Stoke City
Cardiff City v Derby County
Leeds United v Barnsley
Luton Town v Queens Park Rangers
Millwall v Blackburn Rovers
Nottingham Forest v Swansea City
Reading v Middlesbrough
Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town
West Bromwich Albion v Fulham
Wigan Athletic v Hull City
Match day 45
Barnsley v Nottingham Forest
Blackburn Rovers v Reading
Charlton Athletic v Wigan Athletic
Derby County v Leeds United
Fulham v Sheffield Wednesday
Huddersfield Town v West Bromwich Albion
Hull City v Luton Town
Middlesbrough v Cardiff City
Preston North End v Birmingham City
Queens Park Rangers v Millwall
Stoke City v Brentford
Swansea City v Bristol City
Match day 46
Birmingham City v Derby County
Brentford v Barnsley
Bristol City v Preston North End
Cardiff City v Hull City
Leeds United v Charlton Athletic
Luton Town v Blackburn Rovers
Millwall v Huddersfield Town
Nottingham Forest v Stoke City
Reading v Swansea City
Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough
West Bromwich Albion v Queens Park Rangers
Wigan Athletic v Fulham


birminghammail--2020-05-29--'Never go back?' Tamworth FC legend Gary Smith's banished the myth

There 's an old adage in football that you should ‘ never go back ’ .
True , for some players and managers , a second stint might , at times , have tainted their reputation at a club .
But that opinion should never act as a mental barrier to deny someone doing what they feel is right .
After all , there are those who have returned to a club in triumph .
Take former Tamworth boss Gary Mills , for example , who enjoyed success at the Lamb from 2000-2002 .
He left and , on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t save them from the drop , he later led the club to the Conference North title and a place back at the highest table of non-league football .
So , when the opportunity for current joint-boss Gary Smith came around to rejoin the Lambs , a club he ’ d tasted success with as a player , he was never going to turn it down .
Smith , affectionately known as ‘ Smudger ’ , had become a firm fan favourite after joining in 1995 , scoring 18 goals in 37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to play for a further five years , scoring 70 goals in 222 appearances .
But , since coming back to the club in a coaching and managerial capacity , rather than fade , the esteem he ’ s held in by fans has sky-rocketed – winning over a new generation of supporters as well as those who knew him from his playing days .
Perhaps it ’ s down to his infectious personality .
He oozes passion and love for Tamworth .
“ I ’ m at home , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he admits .
“ The love was there the first time around and it is still there for me now .
It ’ s lasted all these years .
“ One of the best places you can be , on a Saturday afternoon , just before 3pm , is the changing room at The Lamb then heading out to see the fans before the kick-off .
There ’ s nothing like it , nothing compares to it.
” His love affair with the Lambs fans started , he says , pretty much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been at Worcester City and had done three years there in the Beazer Homes Premier , ” Smith recalls .
“ I came to the end of my contract and they wanted me to stay on , to be fair .
“ But the travelling had got to me a little bit back then and I decided I wanted to do something different .
“ I knew Paul Hendrie from Sunday football .
I had played for a team he had managed .
“ He ’ d been manager at Redditch but then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He knew I was searching for a new club and asked me to come down The Lamb to meet him .
“ I ’ d played at the ground a few times when I was at Sutton Coldfield Town so I knew about the club and what the fans were like .
“ They were always a good crowd and it has always been a great atmosphere to play in .
“ So I went across and met Paul and Andy Dwyer in their little office and they sold the club to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong side , win the league and have some FA Cup runs .
“ I asked about the players who were here and I knew some of them anyway like Dennis Mulholland .
“ Ian Mitchell , Willie Batchelor , Paul Hunter – I knew those lads and that helped sway it .
“ There was an opportunity to play for Paul at a good club and a decent level on a Saturday so I took the plunge .
“ I remember signing and being unveiled and I couldn ’ t wait to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very early on I was on to a good thing and we had some good players and it was up to Paul and Andy to build on that .
“ The memories I have from playing under those two are unbelievable .
“ Paul Hendrie had been a tenacious player at Birmingham and it showed in his management style as well .
“ He knew what he wanted .
He demanded and you went and delivered for him .
He was really , really good .
“ The lads I played with – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we got together to win the title .
“ And the fans were something totally different .
I ’ d had good fans at Worcester City – St George ’ s Lane was a fantastic place to play , it was a great stadium .
“ But Tamworth came up to that level as well .
They were brilliant fans .
I created a bond with a lot of them and many are still around today which is amazing.
” Success followed on the pitch with the Southern League Midland Division title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were great times .
Some of the FA Cup games that we played live long in the memory – Exeter City , home and away , Bury , home and away , going up to Scarborough and turning them over .
There were some great nights and great times and no one can every take them away .
“ It ’ s nice because we had that cup success and then I experienced it as a manager too , at Hereford on a Tuesday night , an incredible occasion – the magic of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In terms of the league , I remember a game close to winning the championship .
Our rivals at the time were Stafford Rangers and their manager had put some kind of report out in a newspaper about Tamworth .
“ They ’ d tried to put us down and say how they were so much better .
“ That Saturday , we played at their ground and the gaffer just printed it out and stuck it around the changing room and it was our motivation .
I scored a hat-trick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5-0 .
“ As a manager now , I learnt from that .
You have to be very tactful about the way you go about things and talk about rivals .
“ We always respect the opposition here and then attempt to go out on the pitch and beat them .
That ’ s how I see it .
I ’ m not into talking about opposition teams or players .
We focus on us.
” He remembers : “ I think we won the league at Ilkeston Town , which was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcoming .
It was nice to go there and beat them at their own ground .
“ I remember some of the fantastic battles with Atherstone and Nuneaton as well and Burton Albion – local derbies that really stick in the mind . ''
“ And we had the Birmingham Senior Cup final at the Lamb as well against Burton although that was not a good one for me as I got sent off and we lost !
“ Tamworth was just the highlight of my footballing career as a player .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We had a fantastic midfield with David Foy and Mickey Gray .
“ Mark Harbottle , Ian Mitchell and the old guard , Batchelor , Mulholland , Jon Howard , all great players in their own right .
“ There were other lads like Mark Whitehouse – what a goalscorer he was , a brilliant record , Paul Hunter , Micky Crawford , Ian Bennett .
“ We had a fantastic squad and it spoke for itself really with the talent that was there and I was privileged to play with them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between us there which was top drawer , second to none.
” Team success was one thing but Smith also enjoyed personal glory during his career with Tamworth .
All footballers dream of international football and it was , after a chance meeting while on holiday , that Smith earned a call up to play for St Kitts .
“ I was in St Kitts on holiday and went to the national stadium to watch a match , ” he reflects .
“ You know sometimes where you sit there and start commentating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing that and this guy looked at me and said : ‘ you seem to know a lot about the game ’ .
“ I started telling him about myself and he asked if I had any boots with me .
“ I said I had some decent trainers I could play football in .
“ And he said they were having a game at the stadium again in a few days time – a National XI versus a Foreign XI game – and he invited me to take part .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll have a game ’ so I went along and we beat the national team 6-2 and I scored twice .
“ As I was walking off the pitch , I was approached by a national team technical director , who asked if I qualified to play for St Kitts .
“ I didn ’ t know but I told him about my family and he said I did qualify so we exchanged numbers and he said he ’ d be in touch . ''
“ I didn ’ t think anything of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night training in Tamworth , Rod Hadley ( club secretary ) shouted me and said I needed to go into the manager ’ s office after training .
“ I thought I was getting my marching orders .
I was trying to work out what I ’ d done wrong !
“ But they told me the FA had sent a fax through to Tamworth requesting me to join their World Cup training squad and the rest is history , off I went and played for them .
“ I scored on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of the prime minister and 8,000 fans .
It was unbelievable.
” Smith went on to receive 10 caps for St Kitts , scoring twice .
His time at Tamworth finally came to an end after Hendrie departed .
“ I left under Gary Mills , ” he said .
“ I was struggling a bit with an injury I couldn ’ t shake off and it hampered me .
“ Gary Mills had his own ideas and my days came to an end .
“ I left and went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phillips and won the league title ( Southern League Western Division ) .
“ I then went to Gresley for a bit and played up front with Neil Kitching for a spell.
” It was at that stage Smith had started thinking about his coaching career .
“ I completed my UEFA licence and started coaching , ” he recalls .
“ I really liked the idea of the coaching side of the game and so decided to give it a whirl .
“ I did a bit at Aston Villa and Birmingham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some inner-city kids and moulded them into a great side and we were proud of our achievements .
“ It ’ s funny because I coached Bilal Yafai when he was 14 and all these years later , when putting the squad together , our paths crossed again , we got him signed and got him playing.
” It has been quite a return to Tamworth so far for Smith .
He started working with the under-21s , progressed to first team after the exit of Dennis Greene and has not looked back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled the Lambs away from possible relegation at the end of the 2018-19 campaign .
And the side looked set for the Southern Premier Central title before the outbreak of coronavirus out an end to the season .
“ The opportunity to come back again as under-21s manager was one I couldn ’ t turn down and then to progress from there to where I am now has been a special journey , ” he adds .
“ The achievements , what we have done so far are very good and we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create some more history .
I did it as a player here and would like to do it as a manager as well .
”

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There's an old adage in football that you should ‘never go back’.
True, for some players and managers, a second stint might, at times, have tainted their reputation at a club.
But that opinion should never act as a mental barrier to deny someone doing what they feel is right.
After all, there are those who have returned to a club in triumph.
(Image: Paul Barber)
Take former Tamworth boss Gary Mills, for example, who enjoyed success at the Lamb from 2000-2002.
He left and, on his return in 2007, though he couldn’t save them from the drop, he later led the club to the Conference North title and a place back at the highest table of non-league football.
So, when the opportunity for current joint-boss Gary Smith came around to rejoin the Lambs, a club he’d tasted success with as a player, he was never going to turn it down.
Smith, affectionately known as ‘Smudger’, had become a firm fan favourite after joining in 1995, scoring 18 goals in 37 games in his first season.
He went on to play for a further five years, scoring 70 goals in 222 appearances.
But, since coming back to the club in a coaching and managerial capacity, rather than fade, the esteem he’s held in by fans has sky-rocketed – winning over a new generation of supporters as well as those who knew him from his playing days.
Perhaps it’s down to his infectious personality. He oozes passion and love for Tamworth.
“I’m at home, it’s as simple as that,” he admits. “The love was there the first time around and it is still there for me now. It’s lasted all these years.
“One of the best places you can be, on a Saturday afternoon, just before 3pm, is the changing room at The Lamb then heading out to see the fans before the kick-off. There’s nothing like it, nothing compares to it.”
His love affair with the Lambs fans started, he says, pretty much straight after signing.
“I had been at Worcester City and had done three years there in the Beazer Homes Premier,” Smith recalls. “I came to the end of my contract and they wanted me to stay on, to be fair.
“But the travelling had got to me a little bit back then and I decided I wanted to do something different.
“I knew Paul Hendrie from Sunday football. I had played for a team he had managed.
“He’d been manager at Redditch but then got the nod at Tamworth."
“He knew I was searching for a new club and asked me to come down The Lamb to meet him.
“I’d played at the ground a few times when I was at Sutton Coldfield Town so I knew about the club and what the fans were like.
“They were always a good crowd and it has always been a great atmosphere to play in.
“So I went across and met Paul and Andy Dwyer in their little office and they sold the club to me. They wanted to build a strong side, win the league and have some FA Cup runs.
“I asked about the players who were here and I knew some of them anyway like Dennis Mulholland.
“Ian Mitchell, Willie Batchelor, Paul Hunter – I knew those lads and that helped sway it.
“There was an opportunity to play for Paul at a good club and a decent level on a Saturday so I took the plunge.
“I remember signing and being unveiled and I couldn’t wait to get going!
“I knew from very early on I was on to a good thing and we had some good players and it was up to Paul and Andy to build on that.
“The memories I have from playing under those two are unbelievable.
“Paul Hendrie had been a tenacious player at Birmingham and it showed in his management style as well.
“He knew what he wanted. He demanded and you went and delivered for him. He was really, really good.
“The lads I played with – it was a fantastic group of players that we got together to win the title.
“And the fans were something totally different. I’d had good fans at Worcester City – St George’s Lane was a fantastic place to play, it was a great stadium.
“But Tamworth came up to that level as well. They were brilliant fans. I created a bond with a lot of them and many are still around today which is amazing.”
(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)
Success followed on the pitch with the Southern League Midland Division title and cup memories aplenty.
“They were great times. Some of the FA Cup games that we played live long in the memory – Exeter City, home and away, Bury, home and away, going up to Scarborough and turning them over. There were some great nights and great times and no one can every take them away.
“It’s nice because we had that cup success and then I experienced it as a manager too, at Hereford on a Tuesday night, an incredible occasion – the magic of the FA Cup with the wild celebrations.
“In terms of the league, I remember a game close to winning the championship. Our rivals at the time were Stafford Rangers and their manager had put some kind of report out in a newspaper about Tamworth.
“They’d tried to put us down and say how they were so much better.
“That Saturday, we played at their ground and the gaffer just printed it out and stuck it around the changing room and it was our motivation. I scored a hat-trick in that game and we destroyed them 5-0.
“As a manager now, I learnt from that. You have to be very tactful about the way you go about things and talk about rivals.
“We always respect the opposition here and then attempt to go out on the pitch and beat them. That’s how I see it. I’m not into talking about opposition teams or players. We focus on us.”
He remembers: “I think we won the league at Ilkeston Town, which was also sweet because their fans were not very welcoming. It was nice to go there and beat them at their own ground.
“I remember some of the fantastic battles with Atherstone and Nuneaton as well and Burton Albion – local derbies that really stick in the mind."
“And we had the Birmingham Senior Cup final at the Lamb as well against Burton although that was not a good one for me as I got sent off and we lost!
“Tamworth was just the highlight of my footballing career as a player. There were just so many great times.
“We had a fantastic midfield with David Foy and Mickey Gray.
“Mark Harbottle, Ian Mitchell and the old guard, Batchelor, Mulholland, Jon Howard, all great players in their own right.
“There were other lads like Mark Whitehouse – what a goalscorer he was, a brilliant record, Paul Hunter, Micky Crawford, Ian Bennett.
“We had a fantastic squad and it spoke for itself really with the talent that was there and I was privileged to play with them.
“We built a real camaraderie between us there which was top drawer, second to none.”
Team success was one thing but Smith also enjoyed personal glory during his career with Tamworth.
All footballers dream of international football and it was, after a chance meeting while on holiday, that Smith earned a call up to play for St Kitts.
“I was in St Kitts on holiday and went to the national stadium to watch a match,” he reflects. “You know sometimes where you sit there and start commentating on the game?
“I was doing that and this guy looked at me and said: ‘you seem to know a lot about the game’.
“I started telling him about myself and he asked if I had any boots with me.
“I said I had some decent trainers I could play football in.
“And he said they were having a game at the stadium again in a few days time – a National XI versus a Foreign XI game – and he invited me to take part.
“I said ‘oh yeah, I’ll have a game’ so I went along and we beat the national team 6-2 and I scored twice.
“As I was walking off the pitch, I was approached by a national team technical director, who asked if I qualified to play for St Kitts.
“I didn’t know but I told him about my family and he said I did qualify so we exchanged numbers and he said he’d be in touch."
(Image: Chris Egan)
“I didn’t think anything of it but then, one cold Thursday night training in Tamworth, Rod Hadley (club secretary) shouted me and said I needed to go into the manager’s office after training.
“I thought I was getting my marching orders. I was trying to work out what I’d done wrong!
“But they told me the FA had sent a fax through to Tamworth requesting me to join their World Cup training squad and the rest is history, off I went and played for them.
“I scored on my debut for them against Turks and Caicos in front of the prime minister and 8,000 fans. It was unbelievable.”
Smith went on to receive 10 caps for St Kitts, scoring twice. His time at Tamworth finally came to an end after Hendrie departed.
“I left under Gary Mills,” he said. “I was struggling a bit with an injury I couldn’t shake off and it hampered me.
“Gary Mills had his own ideas and my days came to an end.
“I left and went to Halesowen and played a season under Brendan Phillips and won the league title (Southern League Western Division).
“I then went to Gresley for a bit and played up front with Neil Kitching for a spell.”
(Image: Paul Barber)
It was at that stage Smith had started thinking about his coaching career.
“I completed my UEFA licence and started coaching,” he recalls. “I really liked the idea of the coaching side of the game and so decided to give it a whirl.
“I did a bit at Aston Villa and Birmingham City.
“I also worked with some inner-city kids and moulded them into a great side and we were proud of our achievements.
“It’s funny because I coached Bilal Yafai when he was 14 and all these years later, when putting the squad together, our paths crossed again, we got him signed and got him playing.”
It has been quite a return to Tamworth so far for Smith. He started working with the under-21s, progressed to first team after the exit of Dennis Greene and has not looked back.
Along with Andrew Danylyszyn, he pulled the Lambs away from possible relegation at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
And the side looked set for the Southern Premier Central title before the outbreak of coronavirus out an end to the season.
“The opportunity to come back again as under-21s manager was one I couldn’t turn down and then to progress from there to where I am now has been a special journey,” he adds.
“The achievements, what we have done so far are very good and we want to continue that.
“We want to create some more history. I did it as a player here and would like to do it as a manager as well.”


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Man gunned down next to canal bridge

Man gunned down next to canal bridge

Medics rushed a man to hospital after he was shot in the leg next to a Wolverhampton canal ridge .
West Midlands Police said the victim , aged in his 20s , was gunned down close to the Shropshire Union Canal at around 6.40pm on Thursday , May 28 .
A nearby resident told BlackCountryLive that 14 police cars raced to the shooting scene in Wayside , Pendeford , shortly after the attack .
No arrests have been made but urgent enquires to locate the gunman are ongoing , a spokesman for the force said .
A spokesman for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a man was shot in the leg on Wayside , Pendeford , Wolverhampton at 6.40pm yesterday ( May 28 ) .
`` A man in his 20s was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries , which are not believed to be life-threatening or changing .
`` Investigations are under way to establish the circumstances .
`` We are appealing for anyone with information or dash cam footage to contact us on 101 or via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk , quoting crime reference number 20WV/122884H/20 .
A spokesman for West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent a number of resources to the site .
They added : `` We were called to Reapers Walk , Pendeford , to reports of a gunshot incident at 6.45pm on Thursday , May 25 .
`` On arrival , we discovered one patient – a man – who has suffered a gunshot injury .
His injuries are not believed to be life threatening and was taken to hospital . ''

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Medics rushed a man to hospital after he was shot in the leg next to a Wolverhampton canal ridge.
West Midlands Police said the victim, aged in his 20s, was gunned down close to the Shropshire Union Canal at around 6.40pm on Thursday, May 28.
A nearby resident told BlackCountryLive that 14 police cars raced to the shooting scene in Wayside, Pendeford, shortly after the attack.
No arrests have been made but urgent enquires to locate the gunman are ongoing, a spokesman for the force said.
A spokesman for the police said: "We are investigating after a man was shot in the leg on Wayside, Pendeford, Wolverhampton at 6.40pm yesterday (May 28).
"A man in his 20s was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening or changing.
"Investigations are under way to establish the circumstances.
"We are appealing for anyone with information or dash cam footage to contact us on 101 or via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, quoting crime reference number 20WV/122884H/20.
"Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service also confirmed that they sent a number of resources to the site.
They added: "We were called to Reapers Walk, Pendeford, to reports of a gunshot incident at 6.45pm on Thursday, May 25.
"Two ambulances and a paramedic officer attended.
"On arrival, we discovered one patient – a man – who has suffered a gunshot injury. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening and was taken to hospital."


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Aston Villa were 'not enthusiastic' over big Premier Rule change

Aston Villa were reportedly 'not enthusiastic ' over the decision to allow Premier League teams to make five substitutions , when the season resumes next month .
Months of speculation were ended on Thursday , with the 20 top-flight clubs agreeing to a restart date , with fixtures set to resume in the middle of next month .
Villa look set to kick-start the new Premier League schedule , with their game in hand vs Sheffield United , likely to be one of the first two fixtures played .
There 's a quick and easy way to stay on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our daily newsletter .
Delivered straight into your email inbox each day , the bulletins will feature the latest Villa news , views , gossip and opinion .
All you have to do is punch your email in at the top of the article - it looks just like this ... And what 's more , it 's absolutely free !
You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter .
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It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store But it promises to be a very different looking game that 's played up and down the country , with a whole host of new rules and guidelines introduced amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The most obvious of which will be the lack of fans in stadiums , with supporters forced to watch their team on a number of channels .
including the BBC for the first time in the Premier League era .
But another rule which will greatly impact the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to allow teams to now make five subs , as opposed to the usual three .
Football law makers , IFAB agreed to the change for the rest of the season , with a chance it could become a permanent fixture .
According to a report by The Athletic , Villa bosses were not in favour of the change , with Dean Smith 's squad one of the smaller in the top-flight .
Long-term injuries to Tom Heaton , John McGinn , Jed Steer and Wesley Moraes had stretched Smith 's resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And although McGinn 's return will provide a timely boost , there are still concerns that the change could provide more of an advantage for their opponents during the crucial run-in .

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Aston Villa were reportedly 'not enthusiastic' over the decision to allow Premier League teams to make five substitutions, when the season resumes next month.
Months of speculation were ended on Thursday, with the 20 top-flight clubs agreeing to a restart date, with fixtures set to resume in the middle of next month.
Villa look set to kick-start the new Premier League schedule, with their game in hand vs Sheffield United, likely to be one of the first two fixtures played.
Aston Villa daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox In our daily Aston Villa bulletin, we'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer features and comment pieces, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up here. If you decide later that you no longer wish to receive the emails, simply follow the unsubscribe link in one of the newsletters - but we don't think you'll want to. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store
But it promises to be a very different looking game that's played up and down the country, with a whole host of new rules and guidelines introduced amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The most obvious of which will be the lack of fans in stadiums, with supporters forced to watch their team on a number of channels. including the BBC for the first time in the Premier League era.
But another rule which will greatly impact the game in these unusual times, is the decision to allow teams to now make five subs, as opposed to the usual three.
Football law makers, IFAB agreed to the change for the rest of the season, with a chance it could become a permanent fixture.
According to a report by The Athletic, Villa bosses were not in favour of the change, with Dean Smith's squad one of the smaller in the top-flight.
Long-term injuries to Tom Heaton, John McGinn, Jed Steer and Wesley Moraes had stretched Smith's resources to the limit before the break. And although McGinn's return will provide a timely boost, there are still concerns that the change could provide more of an advantage for their opponents during the crucial run-in.


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Wolves target offered to Man United in Pogba swap deal - reports

James Rodriguez has reportedly been offered to Manchester United as part of a swap deal for Paul Pogba .
French superstar Pogba has long been admired by Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and reports suggest the Spanish club have made an ambitious move to lure him away from Old Trafford .
According to The Sun , Madrid have offered Rodriguez , Martin Odegaard , Lucas Vazquez and Brahim Diaz to United in exchange for Pogba .
Colombian playmaker Rodriguez has been heavily linked with a summer transfer to Wolves .
The 28-year-old has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the club this season .
Recent reports have claimed Rodriguez 's agent Jorge Mendes could secure him a move to Molineux .
Everton , who are managed by former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti , and Newcastle United have also been linked with Rodriguez .
Rodriguez 's preference is reportedly to join Atletico Madrid , but that transfer is n't likely to be favoured by Real bosses .
A move to the Premier League would suit Rodriguez 's current club but whether Wolves , Everton or Newcastle would be able to front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be seen .
United , meanwhile , are reportedly hoping to keep Pogba and reintegrate him into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's starting XI .

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James Rodriguez has reportedly been offered to Manchester United as part of a swap deal for Paul Pogba.
French superstar Pogba has long been admired by Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and reports suggest the Spanish club have made an ambitious move to lure him away from Old Trafford.
According to The Sun, Madrid have offered Rodriguez, Martin Odegaard, Lucas Vazquez and Brahim Diaz to United in exchange for Pogba.
Colombian playmaker Rodriguez has been heavily linked with a summer transfer to Wolves. The 28-year-old has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu and he's only made 13 appearances for the club this season.
Recent reports have claimed Rodriguez's agent Jorge Mendes could secure him a move to Molineux. Everton, who are managed by former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, and Newcastle United have also been linked with Rodriguez.
Rodriguez's preference is reportedly to join Atletico Madrid, but that transfer isn't likely to be favoured by Real bosses.
A move to the Premier League would suit Rodriguez's current club but whether Wolves, Everton or Newcastle would be able to front up the funds to sign him remains to be seen.
United, meanwhile, are reportedly hoping to keep Pogba and reintegrate him into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting XI.


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Buses re-directed following two car crash near Moseley Village

Buses are being re-routed following a crash along a main commuting road .
The emergency services were called to the @ @ @ @ @ Alcester Road in Moseley , following a collision between two cars , just after 7.40am @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Paramedics assessed one patient who is not said to be seriously injured .
@ @ @ @ @ and bus services 1 and 1A are unable to reach Salisbury Road and are being @ @ @ @ @ travelling from Five Ways , Pershore Rd , Belgrave Middleway , Haden Way , Alcester @ @ @ @ @ s Row before rejoining their normal line of route .
A spokesman from West Midlands @ @ @ @ @ were called at 7.41am to reports of a two car RTC .
We sent one @ @ @ @ @ There was one patient .
Their injuries are not said to be serious.
” West @ @ @ @ @ Salisbury Road is blocked near to Moseley Hall Hospital following a road traffic collision .
@

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Buses are being re-routed following a crash along a main commuting road.
The emergency services were called to the junction of Salisbury Road and Alcester Road in Moseley, following a collision between two cars, just after 7.40am on Friday (May 29).
Paramedics assessed one patient who is not said to be seriously injured.
A diversion is in place and bus services 1 and 1A are unable to reach Salisbury Road and are being redirected.
(Image: Birmingham Live)
The buses are travelling from Five Ways, Pershore Rd, Belgrave Middleway, Haden Way, Alcester Rd, St Mary’s Row before rejoining their normal line of route.
A spokesman from West Midlands Ambulance said: “We were called at 7.41am to reports of a two car RTC. We sent one ambulance to the scene. There was one patient. Their injuries are not said to be serious.”
West Midlands Roads tweeted: “Salisbury Road is blocked near to Moseley Hall Hospital following a road traffic collision.”


birminghammail--2020-05-29--Major shopping street in Worcester city centre set for revamp this summer

One of Worcester city centre 's main roads is to get a make-over next month .
Major improvements are to be carried out to Pump Street in June and are expected to last 12 weeks .
The popular central street which is lined with shops , cafes and other businesses will be transformed to make it better for pedestrians and traffic .
Improvements include new footpaths and trees - including different coloured and textured paving to make safer for pedestrians .
At the moment , there are no markers between the road and pavements .
Work starts on June 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Council .
It follows on from the major work recently carried out on Worcester 's main shopping street The Shambles .
New trees will be put in , and the new different-coloured footpaths will be installed to differentiate between vehicles and pedestrians .
The council said the aim was to make Pump Street look more attractive and encourage more people to visit the shops and businesses in it .
Pedestrian safety was also paramount in the makeover .
The work will take 12 weeks and sections of the road will be closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not to pedestrians , It will coincide with the reopening of shops , cafes and other businesses in the city centre after the coronavirus lockdown .
Cabinet member Councillor Ken Pollock said : `` It ’ s great that we ’ re now able to move forward with these works , during what is a much quieter time within the city centre .
“ The aim of the works is to give a boost to the local economy by making it more attractive for businesses and drawing more people into visiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be delivered to local businesses and residents early next week .
More information about the work , including details of road closures , is available on the county council website here .

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One of Worcester city centre's main roads is to get a make-over next month.
Major improvements are to be carried out to Pump Street in June and are expected to last 12 weeks.
The popular central street which is lined with shops, cafes and other businesses will be transformed to make it better for pedestrians and traffic.
Improvements include new footpaths and trees - including different coloured and textured paving to make safer for pedestrians. At the moment, there are no markers between the road and pavements.
(Image: Google)
Work starts on June 22 and will be carried out by Worcestershire County Council. It follows on from the major work recently carried out on Worcester's main shopping street The Shambles.
New trees will be put in, and the new different-coloured footpaths will be installed to differentiate between vehicles and pedestrians.
The council said the aim was to make Pump Street look more attractive and encourage more people to visit the shops and businesses in it. Pedestrian safety was also paramount in the makeover.
The work will take 12 weeks and sections of the road will be closed in phases - but only to traffic, not to pedestrians,
It will coincide with the reopening of shops, cafes and other businesses in the city centre after the coronavirus lockdown.
Cabinet member Councillor Ken Pollock said: "It’s great that we’re now able to move forward with these works, during what is a much quieter time within the city centre.
“The aim of the works is to give a boost to the local economy by making it more attractive for businesses and drawing more people into visiting the area."
Letters about the work will be delivered to local businesses and residents early next week.
More information about the work, including details of road closures, is available on the county council website here.