birminghammail--2020-05-23--'Give Dave a Chance' - The redemption of a true Aston Villa villan

Villa Park is packed to the rafters , the pitch is bathed in glorious sunshine and the Holte End is heaving for one last hurrah against Liverpool .
All of a sudden , after a stunned silence , Aston Villa 's iconic , hardcore end breaks into angry choruses of 'You fat b*****d ' and 'Who the f*****g hell are you ? '
.
Some of you will remember it - and those who do n't might well have been told the tale by your claret and blue elders .
One Villa supporter who remembers it vividly is the target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 7 1994 .
Ladies and gentleman let me reintroduce you to Dave Chance , or David Williams to give him his real name , the entertainer who performed You 'll Never Walk Alone on the occasion of the Holte End 's Last stand 26 years ago .
For more than a quarter of a century , that classic moment in Villa history - the day the famous standing terrace witnessed its final match - has carried the frustrated footnote of 'Remember that big beardy fool in a pink suit who annoyed us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' .
It 's taken us a while to track him down , but Dave , it transpires , is actually a thoroughly good bloke who loves the Villa as much as we do .
So why the song ?
Why sing Liverpool 's anthem You 'll Never Walk Alone on Villa 's big day ?
We 'll let the man himself take up the story to explain ... '' Abdul Rashid , the commercial manager , had a meeting with Doug Ellis and Steve Stride and they thought it would be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitch presenter at the time , to sing a song to the fans , '' recalls Dave .
Great Big Football Lockdown Survey - Villa fans , please fill it in here '' I said that 's not a problem but what do you want me to sing as we have n't really got a song that is just a Villa song , which we had n't at the time .
`` Abdul said to me 'You 'll Never Walk Alone ' and I laughed because I thought he was cracking a joke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm serious , we feel it would be a good idea for you to sing that .
`` We 're playing Liverpool , it 's predominantly a Liverpool song .
If we were playing Man United or Arsenal it might even work but it wo n't work as a song when we 're playing Liverpool .
`` I said I ca n't sing that , it 's the wrong song to sing . ''
Apparently , Doug Ellis had seen Gerry Marsden singing it to mark the Kop 's last stand at Anfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week and , unsurprisingly , it had gone down well there .
Ellis had also pointed out that Villa fans often sang it at away matches - not that Dave , an occasional traveller , could ever recall it .
`` Doug had said because Villa sing it as well as Liverpool everybody would join in together to sing it because they would all appreciate we 're losing the Holte , '' he continues .
`` Against my better judgement I got talked into it .
That 's what happened and we now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I made a mistake .
I should have gone with my gut instinct and said no .
I know that now , it 's easy to say that in hindsight .
I did get talked into it , I should n't have done it but I did it . ''
Dave had been Villa 's matchday host since 1986 , initially getting to know Rashid and having dealings with the club years earlier when he worked in advertising .
His role largely meant interviewing players pitchside and being a master of ceremonies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Combining his Villa duties with working as a singer and comedian on cruise ships around the world he was seen as the ideal performer to belt out a song during the claret and blue carnival of the Holte 's Last Stand .
It was all going well when Dave warmed up with We Will Rock You , the Queen track Villa fans used to sing and clap along to , and introduced and interviewed a cavalcade of former stars .
The Villa Park crowd turned , however , when he delivered the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'When you walk through a storm , hold your head up high , and do n't be afraid of the dark . '
Soon he was walking through a storm of his own .
`` The Villa fans for the first 20 seconds or so were completely silent , '' he remembers .
`` Then it just erupted into abuse which I can laugh at now but I was n't very happy about at the time .
`` The first thing I can remember the fans singing was 'You fat bastard you ate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ f***ing hell are you ? '
.
`` Being a pro I thought I 've started the song so I 'll finish it and I walked off to the biggest round of boos you could ever imagine .
People in the stands as I walked down the tunnel were looking at me with absolute hatred .
I felt dreadful . ''
You can hear our Claret & Blue podcast interview with Dave Chance here Dave stormed away from the pitch and watched the rest of the game from an executive box - taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see who he was - as Ron Atkinson 's team came from behind to win 2-1 through a Dwight Yorke double , both goals scored at the Holte End .
Feeling let down and embarrassed Dave handed in his notice there and then , but Villa pursued him with phonecalls over the summer and convinced him to change his mind , doubling his wages in the process .
The stigma of being the You 'll Never Walk Alone man followed him with local kids and even his own son taking the mickey out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcast .
He even bumped into a Villa fan that night when he was performing in a cabaret show .
`` I 'd got a gig on the night at Stourbridge and there was this guy who kept looking at me in a strange way when I was performing , '' he laughs .
`` At the end when I was taking down my speakers and all my equipment he came over to me and said 'Great night mate , I 've really enjoyed your show ' .
`` I said 'oh thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was calling you ever name under the sun at ten to three .
I said 'Oh God , you were there ' .
Some 15 years later he wandered onto the Holte End and was besieged with friendly banter and just months a go someone accosted him in a queue in a bank to ask 'Are you that bloke who sang You 'll Never Walk Alone ? '
His choice of attire from that infamous afternoon prompted plenty of ribbing too .
`` I ca n't blame Villa for the pink suit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purely my idea .
I thought if I 'm going to be on the pitch I want to be seen and it 's a party day atmosphere . ''
The jacket remains , but the trousers are long since gone , ruined during games of golf as 'that 's the only thing something of that colour is fit for ' .
As the fallout from the ridiculous song and sartorial choices rumbled on , Dave fielded a prank call from Rashid 's wife .
She pretended to be phoning on behalf of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gig .
It was only when a giggling voice ended the conversation by insisting he must wear the pink suit that he cottoned on .
At the start of the following season , 1995-96 , Ellis took responsibility for You 'll Never Walk Alone , ensuring an article headlined 'Give Dave A Chance ' was carried in the matchday programme .
`` That was good of him , '' says Dave , who still retreated to the wings on future matchdays rather than taking centre stage in the centre circle .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did feel confident enough to seize the spotlight again - with a song that went on to provide his happiest Villa memory as opposed to his cringiest .
By then Dwight Yorke was the star turn and Brian Little was managing Villa , but it was Dave 's relationship with the previous boss that provided the inspiration .
He often did gigs for Big Ron and recalls performing Frank Sinatra classic New York , New York on stage with Atkinson , who would cheekily changed the words to salute the striker .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicking off the DJ put on that song , '' explains Dave .
`` So when it came to the chorus I turned the mic on and started singing 'Dwight Yorke , Dwight Yorke ' .
The fans really got behind that and all started singing so I was getting louder and louder singing along with it .
It went down great . ''
He was asked to record a version with Villa lyrics - it also name-checked the likes of Savo Milosevic and Andy Townsend - the subsequent cassette flew off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands .
There was an even better treat in store for Dave when Villa convincingly swept aside Leeds United in the Coca Cola Cup final at Wembley in March 1996 and Townsend lifted the trophy .
`` As he picked up the cup New York , New York kicked in .
I thought by the intro 'oh they 're going to play Sinatra ' but I soon realised they were actually playing me , my version of it , with all the Villa words .
`` I got very emotional , not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also the fact they 'd played my song .
Abdul set this up and had n't told me so that was a nice surprise . ''
It would n't be the last time his cover version was heard in unusual circumstances .
Celebrity Villa fan Nigel Kennedy once collared him in the car park outside Villa Park after a match and demanded 'Maestro , sing that song ' , passing Dave his phone so he could sing to the classical violinist 's girlfriend .
Hopefully you are enjoying the content from our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pop along to subscribe here - and watch the Lee Hendrie video below for a flavour of what we do .
Dave , who remained employed by the club until around a decade ago , went on to do other Villa songs reworking Volare as a tribute to Benito Carbone , and recording Holte Enders in the Sky and Hi Ho Aston Villa .
The 68-year-old reels of a collection of claret and blue memories during our chat with him , including the controversial moment when Hercules the mascot groped Miss Aston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help the distressed beauty queen during the incident at half-time in a match against Crystal Palace in 1998 and the man inside the costume was promptly sacked .
`` I was with her , '' says Dave , with a shake of his head .
`` She was a friend of my daugher-in-law 's .
I know her quite well and still occasionally see her and her mum and dad .
`` I was doing the interview with her or some sort of presentation and I could smell the alcohol coming out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously had a few .
`` He put his hands on her boobs if I can remember rightly .
I had a go at him and pushed him away and said 'What the hell are you doing ? '
.
`` I put the microphone down on the pitch .
I was asked what had happened afterwards .
He did get the sack for putting his paws all over her .
She was quite shocked . ''
Dave still does the occasional local gig - 'Just to keep my voice in ' - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown anyway , now comes from his season ticket in the second row of the North Stand Upper .
A veteran of Villa 's ' glory days from the Third Division adventures of the seventies to the title winning day at Arsenal and that European Cup night in Rotterdam in the 1980s , Dave is Villa through and through and even has a personalised car registration plate with a nod to his beloved club .
In response to the Holte End 's rather blunt 'Who the f*****g hell are you ? '
enquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is simple : he 's Dave Williams , the man behind the pink suit and dodgy song choice , the man who faced the music and came out smiling .

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Picture the scene.
Villa Park is packed to the rafters, the pitch is bathed in glorious sunshine and the Holte End is heaving for one last hurrah against Liverpool.
All of a sudden, after a stunned silence, Aston Villa's iconic, hardcore end breaks into angry choruses of 'You fat b*****d' and 'Who the f*****g hell are you?'.
Some of you will remember it - and those who don't might well have been told the tale by your claret and blue elders.
One Villa supporter who remembers it vividly is the target of those furious taunts way back on May 7 1994.
Ladies and gentleman let me reintroduce you to Dave Chance, or David Williams to give him his real name, the entertainer who performed You'll Never Walk Alone on the occasion of the Holte End's Last stand 26 years ago.
For more than a quarter of a century, that classic moment in Villa history - the day the famous standing terrace witnessed its final match - has carried the frustrated footnote of 'Remember that big beardy fool in a pink suit who annoyed us all by singing Liverpool's song?'.
It's taken us a while to track him down, but Dave, it transpires, is actually a thoroughly good bloke who loves the Villa as much as we do.
So why the song? Why sing Liverpool's anthem You'll Never Walk Alone on Villa's big day?
We'll let the man himself take up the story to explain...
"Abdul Rashid, the commercial manager, had a meeting with Doug Ellis and Steve Stride and they thought it would be a good idea, as I was the pitch presenter at the time, to sing a song to the fans," recalls Dave.
"I said that's not a problem but what do you want me to sing as we haven't really got a song that is just a Villa song, which we hadn't at the time.
"Abdul said to me 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and I laughed because I thought he was cracking a joke. He said, no, I'm serious, we feel it would be a good idea for you to sing that.
"We're playing Liverpool, it's predominantly a Liverpool song. If we were playing Man United or Arsenal it might even work but it won't work as a song when we're playing Liverpool.
"I said I can't sing that, it's the wrong song to sing."
Apparently, Doug Ellis had seen Gerry Marsden singing it to mark the Kop's last stand at Anfield on Match of the Day the previous week and, unsurprisingly, it had gone down well there.
Ellis had also pointed out that Villa fans often sang it at away matches - not that Dave, an occasional traveller, could ever recall it.
"Doug had said because Villa sing it as well as Liverpool everybody would join in together to sing it because they would all appreciate we're losing the Holte," he continues.
"Against my better judgement I got talked into it. That's what happened and we now know it went very badly wrong.
"I made a mistake. I should have gone with my gut instinct and said no. I know that now, it's easy to say that in hindsight. I did get talked into it, I shouldn't have done it but I did it."
Dave had been Villa's matchday host since 1986, initially getting to know Rashid and having dealings with the club years earlier when he worked in advertising.
His role largely meant interviewing players pitchside and being a master of ceremonies for any pre-match and half-time entertainment.
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Combining his Villa duties with working as a singer and comedian on cruise ships around the world he was seen as the ideal performer to belt out a song during the claret and blue carnival of the Holte's Last Stand.
It was all going well when Dave warmed up with We Will Rock You, the Queen track Villa fans used to sing and clap along to, and introduced and interviewed a cavalcade of former stars.
The Villa Park crowd turned, however, when he delivered the first few lines of Liverpool's anthem - 'When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark.'
Soon he was walking through a storm of his own.
"The Villa fans for the first 20 seconds or so were completely silent," he remembers. "Then it just erupted into abuse which I can laugh at now but I wasn't very happy about at the time.
"The first thing I can remember the fans singing was 'You fat b*****d you ate all the pies' and 'Who the f***ing hell are you?'.
"Being a pro I thought I've started the song so I'll finish it and I walked off to the biggest round of boos you could ever imagine. People in the stands, as I walked down the tunnel, were looking at me with absolute hatred. I felt dreadful."
Dave stormed away from the pitch and watched the rest of the game from an executive box - taking off his pink jacket so nobody could see who he was - as Ron Atkinson's team came from behind to win 2-1 through a Dwight Yorke double, both goals scored at the Holte End.
Feeling let down and embarrassed Dave handed in his notice there and then, but Villa pursued him with phonecalls over the summer and convinced him to change his mind, doubling his wages in the process.
The stigma of being the You'll Never Walk Alone man followed him, with local kids and even his own son taking the mickey out of him as he explains in the podcast (above).
He even bumped into a Villa fan that very night when he was performing in a cabaret show.
"I'd got a gig on the night at Stourbridge and there was this guy who kept looking at me in a strange way when I was performing," he laughs.
"At the end when I was taking down my speakers and all my equipment he came over to me and said 'Great night mate, I've really enjoyed your show'.
"I said 'Oh thank you' and he said 'But I was calling you every name under the sun at ten to three'. I said 'Oh God, you were there'."
Some 15 years later he wandered onto the Holte End and was besieged with friendly banter and just months a go someone accosted him in a queue in a bank to ask 'Are you that bloke who sang You'll Never Walk Alone?'
His choice of attire from that infamous afternoon prompted plenty of ribbing too.
"I can't blame Villa for the pink suit," he smiles. "That was purely my idea. I thought if I'm going to be on the pitch I want to be seen and it's a party day atmosphere."
The jacket remains, but the trousers are long since gone, ruined during games of golf as 'that's the only thing something of that colour is fit for'.
As the fallout from the ridiculous song and sartorial choices rumbled on, Dave fielded a prank call from Rashid's wife.
She pretended to be phoning on behalf of a salmon-fishing club wanting to book him for a gig. It was only when a giggling voice ended the conversation by insisting he must wear the pink suit that he cottoned on.
At the start of the following season, 1994-95, Ellis took responsibility for You'll Never Walk Alone, ensuring an article headlined 'Give Dave A Chance' was carried in the matchday programme.
GIVE DAVE A CHANCE - That article in Villa's club programme Villa part-time compere, club cabaret singer and 35-years-a-fan Dave Chance is just about recovering from an unfortunate experience he suffered at the ground he adores. Dave, it was, who did the honours in announcing the parade of old players and the like at the Liverpool game last season, when a 45,000 crowd said farewell to the Holte End. He was asked to sing a couple of songs as part of the atmosphere and it was a natural for one of them to be Holte End anthem 'We Will Rock You'. What was not quite so much a 'natural was 'You'll Never Walk Alone', the Anfield hymn. That idea was not Dave's but an idea from within the club and an idea he went along with reluctantly. In THEORY a great idea. Liverpool had lost their famous Kop a week before. Here were two sets of fans in a spirit of togetherness, each understanding the other's loss. Friendship, goodwill, old-fashioned motives. In PRACTICE? Barrages of dissent rolling down on poor old Dave, who was only doing the job he was asked to do, after all. Yet, poor chap, he was verbally slaughtered. "I was absolutely gutted," he confessed. "Ideally my ambition would have been to become a Villa player so singing on the pitch was the next best thing. It was going to be a dream day but it turned out to be a nightmare. If you 'died a death' in front of 300 people at a club you could just about handle it. But 45,000 at Villa Park. "I'm seventeen stone with a beard and I was wearing a light pink suit so there was no hiding place." However, Dave, a Villa man thorough and through, a true pro and a great help to the club behind the scenes on match days is ready to face the music again with one qualification: "I would like the fans to know that it wasn't my idea."
"That was good of him," says Dave, who retreated to the wings on future matchdays rather than taking centre stage in the centre circle.
It was a couple of years later when he did feel confident enough to seize the spotlight again - with a song that went on to provide his happiest Villa memory as opposed to his cringiest.
By then Dwight Yorke was the star turn and Brian Little was managing Villa, but it was Dave's relationship with the previous boss that provided the inspiration.
He often did gigs for Big Ron and recalls performing Frank Sinatra classic New York, New York on stage with Atkinson, who would cheekily change the words to salute the striker.
"One day prior to a game kicking off the DJ put on that song," explains Dave.
"So when it came to the chorus I turned the mic on and started singing 'Dwight Yorke, Dwight Yorke'. The fans really got behind that and all started singing so I was getting louder and louder singing along with it. It went down great."
He was asked to record a version with Villa lyrics - it also name-checked the likes of Savo Milosevic and Andy Townsend - and the subsequent cassette flew off the shelves of the club shop in its thousands.
There was an even better treat in store for Dave when Little's team convincingly swept aside Leeds United in the Coca Cola Cup final at Wembley in March 1996 and Townsend lifted the trophy.
"As he picked up the cup New York, New York kicked in," he says. "I thought by the intro 'Oh they're going to play Sinatra' but I soon realised they were actually playing me, my version of it, with all the Villa words.
"I got very emotional, not only because we'd won the cup, but also the fact they'd played my song. Abdul set this up and hadn't told me so that was a nice surprise."
It wouldn't be the last time his cover version was heard in unusual circumstances.
Celebrity Villa fan Nigel Kennedy once collared him in the car park outside Villa Park after a match and demanded 'Maestro, sing that song', passing Dave his phone so he could sing to the classical violinist's girlfriend.
Hopefully you are enjoying the content from our Claret & Blue YouTube channel and podcast. Pop along to subscribe here - and watch the Lee Hendrie video below for a flavour of what we do.
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Dave, who remained employed by the club until around a decade ago, went on to do other Villa songs, reworking Volare as a tribute to Benito Carbone and recording Holte Enders in the Sky and Hi Ho Aston Villa.
Dave still does the occasional local gig - 'Just to keep my voice in' - but his fix of football, pre lockdown anyway, now comes from his season ticket in the second row of the North Stand Upper.
A veteran of Villa's' glory days from the Third Division adventures of the 1970s to the title-winning day at Arsenal and that European Cup night in Rotterdam in the 1980s, Dave is Villa through and through and even has a personalised car registration plate with a nod to his beloved club.
In response to the Holte End's rather blunt 'Who the f*****g hell are you?' enquiry all those years ago, the answer is simple: he's Dave Williams, the man behind the pink suit and dodgy song choice, the man who faced the music and came out smiling.
Hes not a villain, he's a Villan. Give Dave a Chance!


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Dad stabbed in chest as family attacked in brutal home invasion

Police are investigating after a brutal gang of masked robbers stabbed a homeowner and attacked his family during a horrific home invasion .
Four armed robbers stormed the family home in Slingfield Road , West Heath as the city entered its ninth week of the Covid-19 lockdown on Monday morning ( May 18 ) .
The robbers forced their way into the house before terrifying scenes of violence unfolded just after 11am .
The mum , in her 40s , was smashed over the head with a metal bar before her daughter , in her 20s , was punched in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father in the chest , leaving him with serious injuries - though not believed to be life-threatening .
The men made off with electronic equipment and personal belongings in what was said to be an 'isolated incident ' .
Police have since reached out to residents within the street to urge witnesses or anyone with CCTV footage to come forward as soon as possible .
Officers particularly want to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious vehicles in the area at the time .
No arrests have been made as of Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate .
A full statement from West Midlands Police read : `` We ’ re investigating after a man was stabbed and two others injured during a robbery in Slingfield Road , West Heath .
`` Four masked robbers forced their way into a house at just after 11am on Monday ( 18 May ) .
`` A woman in her 40s suffered a cut to her head after being hit with a metal bar while a woman in her 20s was punched in the face and also sustained a cut .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stabbed in the chest although his injuries were not life-threatening .
The men made off with electronic equipment and personal belongings .
`` Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us via live Chat or by calling 101 .
Quote 20BW/114417W/20 . ''

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Police are investigating after a brutal gang of masked robbers stabbed a homeowner and attacked his family during a horrific home invasion.
Four armed robbers stormed the family home in Slingfield Road, West Heath as the city entered its ninth week of the Covid-19 lockdown on Monday morning (May 18).
The robbers forced their way into the house before terrifying scenes of violence unfolded just after 11am.
The mum, in her 40s, was smashed over the head with a metal bar before her daughter, in her 20s, was punched in the face.
Attackers then stabbed the father in the chest, leaving him with serious injuries - though not believed to be life-threatening.
The men made off with electronic equipment and personal belongings in what was said to be an 'isolated incident'.
Police have since reached out to residents within the street to urge witnesses or anyone with CCTV footage to come forward as soon as possible.
Officers particularly want to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious vehicles in the area at the time.
No arrests have been made as of Saturday, May 23 and officers are continuing to investigate.
A full statement from West Midlands Police read: "We’re investigating after a man was stabbed and two others injured during a robbery in Slingfield Road, West Heath.
"Four masked robbers forced their way into a house at just after 11am on Monday (18 May).
"A woman in her 40s suffered a cut to her head after being hit with a metal bar while a woman in her 20s was punched in the face and also sustained a cut.
"A man in his 50s was then stabbed in the chest although his injuries were not life-threatening. The men made off with electronic equipment and personal belongings.
"Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us via live Chat or by calling 101. Quote 20BW/114417W/20."


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Police appeal after Birmingham Airport mobility scooter stolen

A 'callous ' thief who stole an essential mobility scooter from Birmingham Airport is being sought by West Midlands Police .
The brazen incident happened on April 26 between 6.30pm and 7.30pm after a man was seen going into the airport and jumping into the black and grey scooter used to help passengers with mobility issues .
Officers have released an image of a man they want to trace in connection with the theft .
West Midlands Police tweeted : `` Do you recognise this man ?
We want to speak to him about a mobility scooter that was stolen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Between 6.30pm and 7.30pm , a man entered the airport and got into a black and grey mobility scooter before driving off with it.
`` Sgt Aaron Bell from the airport policing team , also tweeted this : “ The mobility scooters are used to transport passengers with limited mobility on & off the plane .
This was a really callous act and I would urge anyone who has any information to get in touch quoting crime ref 20SH/98142E/20 . ''
The force 's top cop , Chief Constable Dave Thompson , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anyone travelling into the UK from overseas will have to quarantine for 14 days and slapped with a of up to £1,000 if they refuse to comply .
It includes British people who take holidays overseas .
The quarantine plans were confirmed by Home Secretary Priti Patel , at the daily Downing Street press conference .
She said : `` I fully expect the majority of people will do the right thing and abide by these measures .
But we will take enforcement action against the minority of people who endanger the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemned by airlines , who said they would be impossible to enforce and would damage the struggling travel industries .
New rules coming into force on June 8 will require anyone arriving by air , sea or rail to head to their accommodation - and stay there for 14 days .
They will not be allowed to accept visitors , unless they are providing essential support , and should not go out to buy food or other essentials if another person can do so .
Passengers will have to fill in a form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can be traced if infections arise .
And they will face spot checks from public health authorities , to ensure their compliance .

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A 'callous' thief who stole an essential mobility scooter from Birmingham Airport is being sought by West Midlands Police.
The brazen incident happened on April 26 between 6.30pm and 7.30pm after a man was seen going into the airport and jumping into the black and grey scooter used to help passengers with mobility issues.
Officers have released an image of a man they want to trace in connection with the theft.
West Midlands Police tweeted: "Do you recognise this man? We want to speak to him about a mobility scooter that was stolen from @bhx_official on 26 April. Between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, a man entered the airport and got into a black and grey mobility scooter before driving off with it. "
Sgt Aaron Bell from the airport policing team, also tweeted this: “The mobility scooters are used to transport passengers with limited mobility on & off the plane. This was a really callous act and I would urge anyone who has any information to get in touch quoting crime ref 20SH/98142E/20."
The force's top cop, Chief Constable Dave Thompson, also called on people to help.
Meanwhile, anyone travelling into the UK from overseas will have to quarantine for 14 days and slapped with a of up to £1,000 if they refuse to comply.
It includes British people who take holidays overseas.
The quarantine plans were confirmed by Home Secretary Priti Patel, at the daily Downing Street press conference.
She said: "I fully expect the majority of people will do the right thing and abide by these measures. But we will take enforcement action against the minority of people who endanger the safety of others.”
The plans were condemned by airlines, who said they would be impossible to enforce and would damage the struggling travel industries.
New rules coming into force on June 8 will require anyone arriving by air, sea or rail to head to their accommodation - and stay there for 14 days.
They will not be allowed to accept visitors, unless they are providing essential support, and should not go out to buy food or other essentials if another person can do so.
Passengers will have to fill in a form providing their contact and travel information so they can be traced if infections arise. And they will face spot checks from public health authorities, to ensure their compliance.


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Taylor pips McGinn when it comes to having this Aston Villa skill

There are various footballing qualities that are highly rated inside the game .
If a player is good at shooting like John McGinn , if he 's technical like Jack Grealish , or if he 's a leader like Tyrone Mings , for example - those traits tend to receive plenty of publicity .
Aerial ability is often spoken about , while other players tend to become renowned for crossing or dribbling ability .
One underrated quality that is often overlooked , though , is whether a player is capable with both feet .
Two-footedness can allow players to problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the most suitable foot to use in a certain scenario is the left , then use it , and vice-versa - but players are often restricted due to the strict preference to use their favoured foot .
Ousmane Dembele , of Barcelona , once stated that he 's left-footed in an interview after being asked which foot he uses most , to which the reporter responded : `` Do n't you shoot penalties with your right foot ? ''
`` Yes , because I shoot better with my right , '' Dembele @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to adapt according to the challenge , which is almost certainly going to benefit him on the pitch , particularly in and around the penalty box .
So , who from Aston Villa 's squad is the most two-footed passer ?
To capture the two-footedness of each player , the squad has been ranked below from the most two-footed passer at the top , to least two-footed passer at the bottom .
Each player has been judged according to number of touches per left-footed pass and number of touches per right-footed pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then dribbling , then sending a pass counts as one touch .
Neil Taylor is Dean Smith 's most two-footed passer , averaging a right-footed pass every 5.6 touches , and a left-footed pass every 2.2 .
McGinn then follows , averaging a total of 8.7 touches before he 's attempted a pass with both his left and right foot .
Ahmed Elmohamady , on the other hand , is the least two-footed player in the whole of the Premier League , and it 's not even close .
The Egyptian international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid using his left at all costs .
He averages a pass with his weaker foot every 106.4 touches , which is a remarkably high figure considering Elmohamady averages 62.5 touches per 90 .
The bottom 20 two-footed players , pictured below , with the next-worst being Burnley 's Charlie Taylor .
The 32-year-old Villa man remains in a league of his own .
Elmohamady has spent several of his years as a professional footballer in England 's top-flight , so he obviously has n't been hindered too much , but his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foot regardless of the situation is almost certain to cause him occasional problems .
Overall , Taylor ranks 25th once compared to the whole division and deserved credit for his under-appreciated skill .
Who is the most two-footed in the whole of the Premier League ?
Former Villa man , Fabian Delph .

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There are various footballing qualities that are highly rated inside the game.
If a player is good at shooting like John McGinn, if he's technical like Jack Grealish, or if he's a leader like Tyrone Mings, for example - those traits tend to receive plenty of publicity.
Aerial ability is often spoken about, while other players tend to become renowned for crossing or dribbling ability.
One underrated quality that is often overlooked, though, is whether a player is capable with both feet.
Two-footedness can allow players to problem solve and approach situations without limitation. If the most suitable foot to use in a certain scenario is the left, then use it, and vice-versa - but players are often restricted due to the strict preference to use their favoured foot.
Ousmane Dembele, of Barcelona, once stated that he's left-footed in an interview after being asked which foot he uses most, to which the reporter responded: "Don't you shoot penalties with your right foot?"
"Yes, because I shoot better with my right," Dembele responded.
The young Frenchman is clearly able to adapt according to the challenge, which is almost certainly going to benefit him on the pitch, particularly in and around the penalty box.
So, who from Aston Villa 's squad is the most two-footed passer?
To capture the two-footedness of each player, the squad has been ranked below from the most two-footed passer at the top, to least two-footed passer at the bottom.
Each player has been judged according to number of touches per left-footed pass and number of touches per right-footed pass.
(Image: @DistanceCovered)
For context - receiving a pass, then dribbling, then sending a pass counts as one touch.
Neil Taylor is Dean Smith's most two-footed passer, averaging a right-footed pass every 5.6 touches, and a left-footed pass every 2.2. McGinn then follows, averaging a total of 8.7 touches before he's attempted a pass with both his left and right foot.
Ahmed Elmohamady, on the other hand, is the least two-footed player in the whole of the Premier League, and it's not even close.
The Egyptian international is extremely right-footed and appears to want to avoid using his left at all costs. He averages a pass with his weaker foot every 106.4 touches, which is a remarkably high figure considering Elmohamady averages 62.5 touches per 90.
The bottom 20 two-footed players, pictured below, with the next-worst being Burnley's Charlie Taylor.
(Image: @DistanceCovered)
The 32-year-old Villa man remains in a league of his own.
Elmohamady has spent several of his years as a professional footballer in England's top-flight, so he obviously hasn't been hindered too much, but his overwhelming preference to opt for his right foot regardless of the situation is almost certain to cause him occasional problems.
Overall, Taylor ranks 25th once compared to the whole division and deserved credit for his under-appreciated skill.
Who is the most two-footed in the whole of the Premier League? Former Villa man, Fabian Delph.


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Bristol City owner backs West Brom's Championship restart plan

Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown has revealed he will be voting for the Championship season to resume .
The 24 clubs are set to vote on proposals , which will decide whether the campaign continues or promotions and relegations are decided via a points-per-game model .
West Brom and Leeds United , who would both be promoted in that scenario are keen for fixtures to resume , with both well set for promotion .
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Google Play Store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume , there needs to be a majority of 13 clubs voting that way .
Earlier this week , Hull City 's stance on ending the season was confirmed by a leaked letter , but the Robins ' owner has admitted he wants the season to resume next month .
“ Absolutely yes , as long as it ’ s safe , we want to finish the season , ” Lansdown told BBC Points West .
“ Just for generally for the integrity of the game and the league .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to do and that ’ s another good reason of finishing the season , and hopefully we ’ ll be able to do that .
“ The feedback I ’ ve had that with the odd exception every team and every club is wanting to complete the season including those who would benefit if they didn ’ t. ” Albion returned to training earlier this week , with results of coronavirus tests expected in the coming days .

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Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown has revealed he will be voting for the Championship season to resume.
The 24 clubs are set to vote on proposals, which will decide whether the campaign continues or promotions and relegations are decided via a points-per-game model.
West Brom and Leeds United, who would both be promoted in that scenario are keen for fixtures to resume, with both well set for promotion.
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 .
For the campaign to resume, there needs to be a majority of 13 clubs voting that way. Earlier this week, Hull City's stance on ending the season was confirmed by a leaked letter, but the Robins' owner has admitted he wants the season to resume next month.
“Absolutely yes, as long as it’s safe, we want to finish the season,” Lansdown told BBC Points West. “Just for generally for the integrity of the game and the league.
“We have a TV deal to conclude, which we want to do and that’s another good reason of finishing the season, and hopefully we’ll be able to do that.
“The feedback I’ve had that with the odd exception every team and every club is wanting to complete the season including those who would benefit if they didn’t.”
Albion returned to training earlier this week, with results of coronavirus tests expected in the coming days.


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Aston Villa striker Wesley offers update on his recovery from injury

Aston Villa striker Wesley has said he 's is 'feeling great ' as he continues to recover from his serious knee injury .
The Brazilian international suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the win over Burnley , just minutes after he netted the opener .
Wesley is back with his family in Brazil , as he steps up his rehab , with the hope of returning better than ever .
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Google Play Store and App Store He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do passing drills , but is improving with every passing week .
“ I do my physio everyday , two times a day , so now I feel confident and I feel great , ” he told VillaTV .
“ I try to do some passing , but sometimes a get a bit of pain , but now the last two or three weeks I feel great.
” Wesley added that he is in regular contact with physios at Villa Park , with the aim of restarting his career in B6 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week we have to speak with the doctor to say to him how its going .
I say that it ’ s going good , but I have to concentrate now to come back early and good .
“ I have to continue , this is not finished for me , I must continue to do my physio to come back and then continue doing what I have to do .
”

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Aston Villa striker Wesley has said he's is 'feeling great' as he continues to recover from his serious knee injury.
The Brazilian international suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the win over Burnley, just minutes after he netted the opener.
Wesley is back with his family in Brazil, as he steps up his rehab, with the hope of returning better than ever.
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He has admitted that he is still unable to do passing drills, but is improving with every passing week.
“I do my physio everyday, two times a day, so now I feel confident and I feel great,” he told VillaTV.
“I try to do some passing, but sometimes a get a bit of pain, but now the last two or three weeks I feel great.”
Wesley added that he is in regular contact with physios at Villa Park, with the aim of restarting his career in B6 as soon as possible.
“Two times a week we have to speak with the doctor to say to him how its going. I say that it’s going good, but I have to concentrate now to come back early and good.
“I have to continue, this is not finished for me, I must continue to do my physio to come back and then continue doing what I have to do.”


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Hertz car hire firm files for bankruptcy due to impact of coronavirus pandemic

Car rental company Hertz has filed for bankruptcy due to debt and the crippling of global travel by the coronavirus pandemic , according to court documents .
The firm , which has more than 400 outlets across the UK and Ireland including a branch at Birmingham Airport , was 18.7 billion US dollars ( £15.3 billion ) in debt at the end of March with only 1 billion dollars ( £820 million ) of available cash .
It was recently forced to cut 12,000 people from its global workforce and put another 4,000 on furlough , but the measures came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Starting in mid-March , the company lost all revenue when travel shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic and it started missing debt payments in April .
Hertz has also been plagued by management upheaval , naming its fourth chief executive in six years on May 18 .
`` No business is built for zero revenue , '' former boss Kathryn Marinello said on the company 's first-quarter earnings conference call on May 12 .
`` There 's only so long that companies ' reserves will carry them . ''
In its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ securities regulators , the company warned that it may not be able to repay or refinance debt and may not have enough cash to keep operating .
`` Management has concluded there is substantial doubt regarding the company 's ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the issuance date of this quarterly report , '' it said .
Under a Chapter 11 restructuring , creditors will have to settle for less than full repayment , but the business is likely to continue operating .
Hertz has been approached for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its British and Irish operations .

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Car rental company Hertz has filed for bankruptcy due to debt and the crippling of global travel by the coronavirus pandemic, according to court documents.
The firm, which has more than 400 outlets across the UK and Ireland including a branch at Birmingham Airport, was 18.7 billion US dollars (£15.3 billion) in debt at the end of March with only 1 billion dollars (£820 million) of available cash.
It was recently forced to cut 12,000 people from its global workforce and put another 4,000 on furlough, but the measures came too late to save the 102-year-old business.
(Image: Getty Images)
Starting in mid-March, the company lost all revenue when travel shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic and it started missing debt payments in April.
Hertz has also been plagued by management upheaval, naming its fourth chief executive in six years on May 18.
"No business is built for zero revenue," former boss Kathryn Marinello said on the company's first-quarter earnings conference call on May 12.
"There's only so long that companies' reserves will carry them."
Hertz's bankruptcy protection filing was hardly a surprise.
In its first-quarter report filed earlier in May with securities regulators, the company warned that it may not be able to repay or refinance debt and may not have enough cash to keep operating.
"Management has concluded there is substantial doubt regarding the company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the issuance date of this quarterly report," it said.
Under a Chapter 11 restructuring, creditors will have to settle for less than full repayment, but the business is likely to continue operating.
Hertz has been approached for comment over the implications of the bankruptcy on its British and Irish operations.


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Aston Villa fan stabbed in face after row delivers police update

The Aston Villa supporter left scarred for life after a sickening attack has spoken of his hurt - after West Midlands Police dropped the case .
Martin Hollinshead stepped off the supporters ' coach after Nottingham Forest away 14 months ago when he was attacked with what he claimed was a Stanley knife .
The incident took place outside the now-derelict Bagot Arms pub near Pype Hayes Park in the early hours of March 14 .
Martin had watched Villa win 3-1 at the City Ground a few hours before and , upon getting dropped off near home , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had a verbal argument with another fan on the coach over getting off and , as we had got off , he just went for me , '' Martin told us last year .
`` For me , it was probably a Stanley knife and it cut all my face open .
Blood was gushing out , yeah . ''
Martin , 43 , sustained a six-inch gash which required more than 50 stitches inside and outside of the cut across his left cheek .
More than a year on from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police officers called a halt to their investigation due to a lack of evidence .
Martin , from Castle Bromwich , told us : `` I found out around two weeks ago that after a long investigation there will be no further action .
It 's just made me feel upset to be honest .
`` It 's bizarre how someone can do such a thing and get away with it .
Apart from the two people ( the attacker ) was with there were a number of other Villa fans around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet nobody made statements .
`` I identified the suspect , he was interviewed but provided two interviews with no comment .
Police said there were no eyewitnesses ( willing to go on record ) and no CCTV , so not enough evidence unfortunately . ''
Asked what he thought of the suspect walking away , Martin added : `` Yes , it 's crazy but we just have to move on .
Life in general has been excellent to me so I ca n't grumble .
`` There 's people on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illnesses , now coronavirus has had a major affect on a lot of people .
Like I said before , I 'm lucky I 'm here . ''

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The Aston Villa supporter left scarred for life after a sickening attack has spoken of his hurt - after West Midlands Police dropped the case.
Martin Hollinshead stepped off the supporters' coach after Nottingham Forest away 14 months ago when he was attacked with what he claimed was a Stanley knife.
The incident took place outside the now-derelict Bagot Arms pub near Pype Hayes Park in the early hours of March 14. Martin had watched Villa win 3-1 at the City Ground a few hours before and, upon getting dropped off near home, was set upon by an attacker.
"I had a verbal argument with another fan on the coach over getting off and, as we had got off, he just went for me," Martin told us last year.
"For me, it was probably a Stanley knife and it cut all my face open. Blood was gushing out, yeah."
Martin, 43, sustained a six-inch gash which required more than 50 stitches inside and outside of the cut across his left cheek.
More than a year on from the attack and, just a fortnight ago, police officers called a halt to their investigation due to a lack of evidence.
Martin, from Castle Bromwich, told us: "I found out around two weeks ago that after a long investigation there will be no further action. It's just made me feel upset to be honest.
"It's bizarre how someone can do such a thing and get away with it. Apart from the two people (the attacker) was with there were a number of other Villa fans around. Surely someone saw the incident, yet nobody made statements.
"I identified the suspect, he was interviewed but provided two interviews with no comment. Police said there were no eyewitnesses (willing to go on record) and no CCTV, so not enough evidence unfortunately."
Asked what he thought of the suspect walking away, Martin added: "Yes, it's crazy but we just have to move on. Life in general has been excellent to me so I can't grumble.
"There's people on the streets, there's people with terminal illnesses, now coronavirus has had a major affect on a lot of people. Like I said before, I'm lucky I'm here."


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Boris Johnson faces pressure to sack Dominic Cummings for breaking lockdown

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing pressure to sack his closest aid Dominic Cummings for breaking lockdown .
It has emerged that Mr Cummings travelled to his parents ' home despite coronavirus-related restrictions .
Police have confirmed they attended a property in County Durham after Dominic Cummings travelled more than 260 miles from his London home during the lockdown that his boss had just announced .
Political leaders have piled pressure on Mr Johnson to sack the 48-year-old strategist for flouting the rules .
Downing Street has so far refused to comment .
According to a joint investigation by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time as the UK Government was instructing people to remain home - with fines in place for those contravening the rules - Mr Cummings decided to escape the capital .
He is said to have been present at his family home when police from Durham Constabulary turned up on March 31 , following a call from someone reporting they had seen Mr Cummings in the area .
Durham police confirmed officers had spoken to the owners of an address after reports a person had travelled there from London .
A spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 , our officers were made aware of reports that an individual had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city .
`` Officers made contact with the owners of that address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house .
`` In line with national policing guidance , officers explained to the family the arrangements around self-isolation guidelines and reiterated the appropriate advice around essential travel . ''
An unnamed neighbour told the two papers Mr Cummings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the police visit as Abba 's Dancing Queen was playing loudly .
`` I got the shock of my life , as I looked over to the gates and saw him , '' they said .
Former Conservative MP David Liddington , who was de facto deputy PM under Theresa May , was among those saying the news raised serious questions .
He told BBC Newsnight : `` There 's clearly serious questions that No 10 are going to have to address not least because the readiness of members of the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be affected by this sort of story . ''
Similar examples of public officials ignore lockdown guidelines have led to resignations and condemnation from senior Tories .
When Professor Neil Ferguson , the epidemiologist whose modelling prompted the lockdown , quit as a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies for flouting distancing rules when he was visited by his girlfriend , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was `` speechless '' .
Downing Street had previously confirmed Mr Cummings had started displaying coronavirus symptoms `` over the weekend '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same day as police spoke with members of Mr Cummings 's family , his boss Mr Johnson was admitted to hospital with coronavirus , where he would later require treatment in intensive care .
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford MP said the aide 's position was `` completely untenable '' .
`` He must resign or be sacked , '' he added .
Sir Ed Davey , acting leader of the Liberal Democrats , called for Mr Cummings to quit over the allegations , while a spokesman for Labour said : `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be one rule for them and another rule for Dominic Cummings . ''
But friends of Mr Cummings suggested he would be going nowhere .
One told the PA news agency : `` He is n't remotely bothered by this story , it 's more fake news from the Guardian .
`` There is zero chance of him resigning . ''
The news comes as authorities managing beaches and beauty spots are bracing for a big influx of visitors over the bank holiday weekend , which is expected to put social distancing rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some lockdown measures last week , there are no restrictions on how far people can go to get to the countryside , National Parks and beaches in England .
But the authorities in many tourist hotspots are urging people to stay away .
Questions also remain over whether Britons will be able to go on holiday this summer after Home Secretary Priti Patel announced plans , due to come into force on June 8 , for travellers - including residents returning home from breaks - to quarantine for two weeks on their arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking at the Downing Street briefing on Friday , said the Government guidance continued to be that all but essential travel abroad was advised against .
On top of pressure over Mr Cummings , ministers were facing backlash from the aviation and travel sector following the publication of more details of plans to subject international travellers to spot checks and £1,000 fines if they fail to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving in the UK .
Exemptions for road hauliers , seasonal agricultural workers and medical officials will apply , while the common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But arrivals from France will not be exempt , following confusion in recent days .
Virgin Atlantic warned the plan would keep planes grounded .
- Children could be half as likely to catch coronavirus as adults , according to a review of global studies led by University College London .
- The Government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) published papers assessing the impact of relaxing school closures on June 1 , stating that the evidence on how likely children are to transmit Covid-19 remains `` inconclusive '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average number of people that will contract coronavirus from an infected person , was between 0.7 and 1.0 across the UK two to three weeks ago - slightly higher than the last rate declared by ministers .
- The number of deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK passed 45,000 , according to the latest available data .

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing pressure to sack his closest aid Dominic Cummings for breaking lockdown.
It has emerged that Mr Cummings travelled to his parents' home despite coronavirus-related restrictions.
Police have confirmed they attended a property in County Durham after Dominic Cummings travelled more than 260 miles from his London home during the lockdown that his boss had just announced.
Political leaders have piled pressure on Mr Johnson to sack the 48-year-old strategist for flouting the rules.
Downing Street has so far refused to comment.
(Image: Getty Images)
According to a joint investigation by the Daily Mirror and the Guardian, at the same time as the UK Government was instructing people to remain home - with fines in place for those contravening the rules - Mr Cummings decided to escape the capital.
He is said to have been present at his family home when police from Durham Constabulary turned up on March 31, following a call from someone reporting they had seen Mr Cummings in the area.
Durham police confirmed officers had spoken to the owners of an address after reports a person had travelled there from London.
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A spokesman said: "On Tuesday, March 31, our officers were made aware of reports that an individual had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city.
"Officers made contact with the owners of that address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house.
"In line with national policing guidance, officers explained to the family the arrangements around self-isolation guidelines and reiterated the appropriate advice around essential travel."
An unnamed neighbour told the two papers Mr Cummings was seen in the garden five days after the police visit as Abba's Dancing Queen was playing loudly.
"I got the shock of my life, as I looked over to the gates and saw him," they said.
"I recognised Dominic Cummings, he's a very distinctive figure."
Former Conservative MP David Liddington, who was de facto deputy PM under Theresa May, was among those saying the news raised serious questions.
He told BBC Newsnight: "There's clearly serious questions that No 10 are going to have to address not least because the readiness of members of the public to follow government guidance more generally is going to be affected by this sort of story."
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Similar examples of public officials ignore lockdown guidelines have led to resignations and condemnation from senior Tories.
When Professor Neil Ferguson, the epidemiologist whose modelling prompted the lockdown, quit as a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies for flouting distancing rules when he was visited by his girlfriend, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was "speechless".
Downing Street had previously confirmed Mr Cummings had started displaying coronavirus symptoms "over the weekend" of March 28 and 29.
The same day as police spoke with members of Mr Cummings's family, his boss Mr Johnson was admitted to hospital with coronavirus, where he would later require treatment in intensive care.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford MP said the aide's position was "completely untenable".
"He must resign or be sacked," he added.
Sir Ed Davey, acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, called for Mr Cummings to quit over the allegations, while a spokesman for Labour said: "The British people do not expect there to be one rule for them and another rule for Dominic Cummings."
But friends of Mr Cummings suggested he would be going nowhere.
One told the PA news agency: "He isn't remotely bothered by this story, it's more fake news from the Guardian.
"There is zero chance of him resigning."
The news comes as authorities managing beaches and beauty spots are bracing for a big influx of visitors over the bank holiday weekend, which is expected to put social distancing rules under strain.
Following the easing of some lockdown measures last week, there are no restrictions on how far people can go to get to the countryside, National Parks and beaches in England.
But the authorities in many tourist hotspots are urging people to stay away.
Questions also remain over whether Britons will be able to go on holiday this summer after Home Secretary Priti Patel announced plans, due to come into force on June 8, for travellers - including residents returning home from breaks - to quarantine for two weeks on their arrival into the UK.
Ms Patel, speaking at the Downing Street briefing on Friday, said the Government guidance continued to be that all but essential travel abroad was advised against.
On top of pressure over Mr Cummings, ministers were facing backlash from the aviation and travel sector following the publication of more details of plans to subject international travellers to spot checks and £1,000 fines if they fail to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving in the UK.
Exemptions for road hauliers, seasonal agricultural workers and medical officials will apply, while the common travel area with Ireland will be unaffected.
But arrivals from France will not be exempt, following confusion in recent days.
Virgin Atlantic warned the plan would keep planes grounded.
In other news:
- Children could be half as likely to catch coronavirus as adults, according to a review of global studies led by University College London.
- The Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) published papers assessing the impact of relaxing school closures on June 1, stating that the evidence on how likely children are to transmit Covid-19 remains "inconclusive".
- The so-called R-number, the average number of people that will contract coronavirus from an infected person, was between 0.7 and 1.0 across the UK two to three weeks ago - slightly higher than the last rate declared by ministers.
- The number of deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK passed 45,000, according to the latest available data.


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Wolves and Manchester United dealt major blow after government update

Hopes of the Europa League being completed have taken a hit , with the government set to implement strict quarantine rules for people entering the country .
Wolves , Manchester United and Rangers are the three British teams remaining in the Europa League , with the trio having all played the first leg of their last-16 ties .
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Delivered straight into your email inbox each day , the bulletins will feature the latest Wolves news , views , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 !
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It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store It 's Wolves ' first European campaign since 1980 , with Nuno Espirito Santo 's side qualifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the way back in July of last year .
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has revealed that they have 'concrete plans ' on how to complete this year 's competitions , with suggestions they could be completed in August .
However , the UK are set to introduce new rules for people coming into the country , with a strict 14-day quarantine imposed for new arrivals .
It is understood that Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden asked for footballers to be given an exemption , but his request was unsuccessful .
With Olympiakos scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if fixtures resume , the new rules make that difficult to fit into what promises to be a hectic fixture schedule .
There have been suggestions that Uefa could resolve competitions in tournaments taking place in one host city , although they would want at least the next round completed , before bringing that in .

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Hopes of the Europa League being completed have taken a hit, with the government set to implement strict quarantine rules for people entering the country.
Wolves, Manchester United and Rangers are the three British teams remaining in the Europa League, with the trio having all played the first leg of their last-16 ties.
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
It's Wolves' first European campaign since 1980, with Nuno Espirito Santo's side qualifying from the second round of qualifying, all the way back in July of last year.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has revealed that they have 'concrete plans' on how to complete this year's competitions, with suggestions they could be completed in August.
However, the UK are set to introduce new rules for people coming into the country, with a strict 14-day quarantine imposed for new arrivals.
It is understood that Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden asked for footballers to be given an exemption, but his request was unsuccessful.
With Olympiakos scheduled to fly to Wolverhampton for the second-leg if fixtures resume, the new rules make that difficult to fit into what promises to be a hectic fixture schedule.
There have been suggestions that Uefa could resolve competitions in tournaments taking place in one host city, although they would want at least the next round completed, before bringing that in.


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Premier League boss drops bombshell affecting West Brom

Relegations could still be cancelled , according to the Premier League 's chief executive Richard Masters .
It 's now over two months since the last fixture in the top-flight , with all elite football in the UK suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The Premier League have remained committed to completing the season , with further talks planned for next week on how to resume the campaign .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 , it 's absolutely free !
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It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close eye on any Premier League discussions , with both well placed to win promotion from the Championship .
EFL chairman Rick Parry has already claimed that things could get ‘ messy ’ if teams are denied from promotion from the second tier , with the 71 clubs outside of the Premier League set to vote on resolutions to the season .
Meanwhile , FA boss Greg Clarke has said that relegations will definitely take place , despite concerns from a number of teams involved in the battle at the bottom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the BBC , has suggested that there is still a chance relegations will be cancelled , with it set to be discussed with the 20 clubs next week .
“ That is a significant topic .
And we haven ’ t actually discussed it with our clubs , '' he said .
On relegations being cancelled , he added : “ It will come up for discussion , that will be part of the debate we are going to have .
You have to have contingency plans .
Curtailment is still a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that environment , is something we are yet to discuss with our clubs.
” West Brom are set to return to training next week , with the EFL sending out strict guidance to clubs , with testing and reporting cases at the forefront of any plans of bringing football back .

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Relegations could still be cancelled, according to the Premier League's chief executive Richard Masters.
It's now over two months since the last fixture in the top-flight, with all elite football in the UK suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Premier League have remained committed to completing the season, with further talks planned for next week on how to resume the campaign.
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 .
West Brom and Leeds United will be keeping a close eye on any Premier League discussions, with both well placed to win promotion from the Championship.
EFL chairman Rick Parry has already claimed that things could get ‘messy’ if teams are denied from promotion from the second tier, with the 71 clubs outside of the Premier League set to vote on resolutions to the season. Meanwhile, FA boss Greg Clarke has said that relegations will definitely take place, despite concerns from a number of teams involved in the battle at the bottom of the table.
But Masters, speaking to the BBC, has suggested that there is still a chance relegations will be cancelled, with it set to be discussed with the 20 clubs next week.
“That is a significant topic. And we haven’t actually discussed it with our clubs," he said.
On relegations being cancelled, he added: “It will come up for discussion, that will be part of the debate we are going to have. You have to have contingency plans. Curtailment is still a possibility and so what would happen in that environment, is something we are yet to discuss with our clubs.”
West Brom are set to return to training next week, with the EFL sending out strict guidance to clubs, with testing and reporting cases at the forefront of any plans of bringing football back.


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Premier League chief makes huge claim affecting Aston Villa

Relegations could still be cancelled , according to the Premier League 's chief executive Richard Masters .
It 's now over two months since the last fixture in the top-flight , with all elite football in the UK suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The Premier League have remained committed to completing the season , with further talks planned for next week on how to resume the campaign .
There 's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the Aston Villa news with our daily newsletter .
Delivered straight into your email inbox each day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 !
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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 Aston Villa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table , with a game in hand on their relegation rivals .
Dean Smith 's men will be keen for the season to resume , with points-per-game resolutions seeing them relegated .
FA boss Greg Clarke has said that relegations will definitely take place , despite concerns from a number of teams involved in the battle at the bottom of the table .
But Masters , speaking to the BBC , has suggested that there is still a chance relegations will be cancelled , with it set to be discussed with the 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a significant topic .
And we haven ’ t actually discussed it with our clubs , '' he said .
On relegations being cancelled , he added : “ It will come up for discussion , that will be part of the debate we are going to have .
You have to have contingency plans .
Curtailment is still a possibility and so what would happen in that environment , is something we are yet to discuss with our clubs.
” Masters has also suggested that he hopes authorities will be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at their normal stadiums , with Villa CEO Christian Purslow a public opponent of playing games at neutral venues .
`` We 're talking to the authorities about that , '' he added .
`` I do believe we can appeal to fans not to congregate outside football grounds or go to other people 's houses to watch football matches in contravention of government guidelines . ''

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Relegations could still be cancelled, according to the Premier League's chief executive Richard Masters.
It's now over two months since the last fixture in the top-flight, with all elite football in the UK suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Premier League have remained committed to completing the season, with further talks planned for next week on how to resume the campaign.
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
Aston Villa are currently in 19th place in the table, with a game in hand on their relegation rivals. Dean Smith's men will be keen for the season to resume, with points-per-game resolutions seeing them relegated.
FA boss Greg Clarke has said that relegations will definitely take place, despite concerns from a number of teams involved in the battle at the bottom of the table.
But Masters, speaking to the BBC, has suggested that there is still a chance relegations will be cancelled, with it set to be discussed with the 20 clubs next week.
“That is a significant topic. And we haven’t actually discussed it with our clubs," he said.
On relegations being cancelled, he added: “It will come up for discussion, that will be part of the debate we are going to have. You have to have contingency plans. Curtailment is still a possibility and so what would happen in that environment, is something we are yet to discuss with our clubs.”
Masters has also suggested that he hopes authorities will be able to come to an agreement on playing games at their normal stadiums, with Villa CEO Christian Purslow a public opponent of playing games at neutral venues.
"We're talking to the authorities about that," he added. "I do believe we can appeal to fans not to congregate outside football grounds or go to other people's houses to watch football matches in contravention of government guidelines."


birminghammail--2020-05-23--The brilliant moment between Juke, Pedersen & Blues fans

`` Oh f*** , '' was the innocent - yet hilarious - reply by Birmingham City-mad Alex Wright when star striker Lukas Jutkiewicz called out of the blue .
Juke gave key worker Alex a bell to thank him and his colleagues for all of their relentless hard work during the pandemic .
Bluenose Alex has been kept busy hanging hundreds upon hundreds of doors at London 's Nightingale Hospital .
The hospital was recently put on standby but , prior to that , Alex and his colleagues were working round-the-clock to make sure the facility - which was built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Covid-19 patients .
`` How are you doing , mate ?
Oh f*** , '' Alex replied to Juke during the surprise phone call .
`` I 'm good , man , just hanging some doors .
I 've got one more day and I 'm going home tomorrow .
I 've been here for a month . ''
Juke said : `` I just wanted to give you guys a ring for all the hard work you 're doing .
Just to say thanks for everything .
`` It 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really appreciate it . ''
Alex , meanwhile , spoke of his role , and said : `` What we 've had to do is hang something 400 doors .
My ( back ) is f****** , mate !
`` It 's so it 's all ready for 4,000 beds . ''
Juke , who 's promised to dish out free tickets to the likes of Alex , replied : `` We 'll bleep that out , do n't worry !
`` I just wanted to touch base and to say we appreciate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awesome work and it 's going to help a lot of people .
`` I 'm massively in awe of you all .
Keep up the good work and hopefully you can get a richly-deserved beer at the end of it all . ''
Juke 's Blues teammate Kristian Pedersen was also on hand this past week - this time thanking tireless couple Paul and Celine for helping others .
Nurse Celine - who loves Pedersen - celebrated her birthday this week , and told him : `` You can always come around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before I go to work !
`` That 'll keep you fit !
I ca n't believe you 've taken time to call me , it means a lot .
Thank you . ''

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"Oh f***," was the innocent - yet hilarious - reply by Birmingham City-mad Alex Wright when star striker Lukas Jutkiewicz called out of the blue.
Juke gave key worker Alex a bell to thank him and his colleagues for all of their relentless hard work during the pandemic.
Bluenose Alex has been kept busy hanging hundreds upon hundreds of doors at London's Nightingale Hospital.
The hospital was recently put on standby but, prior to that, Alex and his colleagues were working round-the-clock to make sure the facility - which was built in just 10 days - was ready for Covid-19 patients.
"How are you doing, mate? Oh f***," Alex replied to Juke during the surprise phone call.
"I'm good, man, just hanging some doors. I've got one more day and I'm going home tomorrow. I've been here for a month."
Juke said: "I just wanted to give you guys a ring for all the hard work you're doing. Just to say thanks for everything.
"It's a great job you're doing. We really appreciate it."
Alex, meanwhile, spoke of his role, and said: "What we've had to do is hang something 400 doors. My (back) is f******, mate!
"It's so it's all ready for 4,000 beds."
Juke, who's promised to dish out free tickets to the likes of Alex, replied: "We'll bleep that out, don't worry!
"I just wanted to touch base and to say we appreciate what you're doing. It's awesome work and it's going to help a lot of people.
"I'm massively in awe of you all. Keep up the good work and hopefully you can get a richly-deserved beer at the end of it all."
Juke's Blues teammate Kristian Pedersen was also on hand this past week - this time thanking tireless couple Paul and Celine for helping others.
Nurse Celine - who loves Pedersen - celebrated her birthday this week, and told him: "You can always come around my house to give it a clean before I go to work!
"That'll keep you fit! I can't believe you've taken time to call me, it means a lot. Thank you."


birminghammail--2020-05-23--Bilic explains Albion testing, training return & fitness concern

Slaven Bilic , his coaching staff and the West Bromwich Albion players have been tested for coronavirus .
The squad returned to its Birmingham Road training HQ on Monday ( May 18 ) ahead of the Championship resuming this summer .
Those who checked in this week were all tested for the virus on May 21 with results expected to be forthcoming over the weekend .
Manager Bilic , meanwhile , spoke out about his concerns regarding his players ' fitness levels ahead of the all-important return to matches .
Albion are currently six points ahead of third-placed Fulham in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left to play .
The EFL want to follow in the footsteps of the Premier League by pushing through with the resumption of league fixtures from mid-June onwards .
And while Bilic has been pleased with his squad 's fitness , he has concerns over players being match-sharp and , from next week , will look to ramp up training sessions back at base .
`` They have been arriving in groups of three but we have respected all the rules regarding their safety and they have done their exercises in isolation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to the training ground .
`` Now , next week , we can start to work in groups of five without contact .
`` We are in a position that we can do not only basic things .
It 's only the number of players limited us at the moment to do like proper sessions .
`` Considering their fitness at the moment , it ca n't be any better .
The problem now , of course , is it 's a different kind of fitness because there 's no contact and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Unfortunately there 's no way to compensate that training within the socially-distanced measures .
`` It 's not ideal but it 's not ideal for every time .
Considering everything , we are very , very pleased .
`` With timing , with number of sessions , with resting , with numbers of days off because we did n't want them to burn out - that was the big danger .
`` The biggest problem at the beginning was nobody knew the timeframes .
That was the key thing .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're constructing and planning it based on the first game .
`` Now , we still do n't know the key fact when we 're going to play .
`` We 've had a guess and a gamble a little bit ( on first match back ) and , so far , I think we 've made the right decisions . ''
On testing and players ' concerns , Albion 's Croat boss added : `` ( Thursday ) we had a test .
We still do n't know the results .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them .
We all feel well and good .
We are respecting the rules .
The most important thing is the health of the players , staff and their families .
`` The players were asking , 'Are we going to continue ? '
.
Even now , in the canteen this morning it 's , 'Any news , any updates ? '
.
`` We are still waiting .
It 's very positive now .
At one stage ( a week ago ) , it looked impossible to finish the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It looks like we 're moving closer .
`` The players are smiling .
They can see that light at the end of the tunnel .
That light is growing on a daily basis .
`` We have to be ready for the games .
We want the season to finish on the pitch and that 's why we 're preparing hard . ''

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Slaven Bilic, his coaching staff and the West Bromwich Albion players have been tested for coronavirus.
The squad returned to its Birmingham Road training HQ on Monday (May 18) ahead of the Championship resuming this summer.
Those who checked in this week were all tested for the virus on May 21 with results expected to be forthcoming over the weekend.
Manager Bilic, meanwhile, spoke out about his concerns regarding his players' fitness levels ahead of the all-important return to matches.
Albion are currently six points ahead of third-placed Fulham in the race to promotion with nine games left to play.
The EFL want to follow in the footsteps of the Premier League by pushing through with the resumption of league fixtures from mid-June onwards.
And while Bilic has been pleased with his squad's fitness, he has concerns over players being match-sharp and, from next week, will look to ramp up training sessions back at base.
"They have been arriving in groups of three but we have respected all the rules regarding their safety and they have done their exercises in isolation," Bilic said of his squad's return to the training ground.
"Now, next week, we can start to work in groups of five without contact.
"We are in a position that we can do not only basic things. It's only the number of players limited us at the moment to do like proper sessions.
"Considering their fitness at the moment, it can't be any better. The problem now, of course, is it's a different kind of fitness because there's no contact and no specific situations that football brings.
"Unfortunately there's no way to compensate that training within the socially-distanced measures.
"It's not ideal but it's not ideal for every time. Considering everything, we are very, very pleased.
"With timing, with number of sessions, with resting, with numbers of days off because we didn't want them to burn out - that was the big danger.
"The biggest problem at the beginning was nobody knew the timeframes. That was the key thing.
"When you are doing the pre-season, you're constructing and planning it based on the first game.
"Now, we still don't know the key fact when we're going to play.
"We've had a guess and a gamble a little bit (on first match back) and, so far, I think we've made the right decisions."
On testing and players' concerns, Albion's Croat boss added: "(Thursday) we had a test. We still don't know the results. It takes 24 hours. We're waiting for them. We all feel well and good. We are respecting the rules. The most important thing is the health of the players, staff and their families.
"The players were asking, 'Are we going to continue?'. Even now, in the canteen this morning it's, 'Any news, any updates?'.
"We are still waiting. It's very positive now. At one stage (a week ago), it looked impossible to finish the season. Now, it's much brighter. It looks like we're moving closer.
"The players are smiling. They can see that light at the end of the tunnel. That light is growing on a daily basis.
"We have to be ready for the games. We want the season to finish on the pitch and that's why we're preparing hard."