birminghammail--2020-04-26--Sean Dyche's comments which prompted Aston Villa 'interest'

Sean Dyche has emerged as a shock candidate to replace Aston Villa boss Dean Smith , according to reports in the national press .
The Burnley manager has guided the Clarets to a period of real success , taking them to their highest league finish in over 40 years in 2017/18 .
Earlier this month , Burnley chairman Mike Garlick claimed the club could run out of money , by the end of August , if the Premier League doesn ’ t resume .
That has , according to reports ’ sparked interest at both Villa and Crystal Palace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave Turf Moor .
Dyche has also recently admitted that finances are tight at Burnley and revealed they would need to ‘ stretch the finances ’ in order to continue to compete in the top flight .
`` I have spoken in the last couple of seasons about stretching the finances of the club to make sure it is still within the club 's realms , because we do n't want to ruin the club and stretch it too far , but we are going to have to stretch it in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes with the virus and the situation and the finances of the world let alone football , '' Dyche told Sky Sports via ( LancsLive ) .
`` We all know that investment in teams usually , but not always , adds to the quality and depth of your squad .
`` Also if you get your investment right with players it pushes others .
It is not just about the expense it is about buying the right players who can push the others and then they raise their minimum.
” He went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he would be unable to progress the club , a claim that could interest decision makers in B6 .
`` It is unlikely you are going to make huge strides in one go because of the finance but can we just edge it forward and keep increasing the potential of each player and potential of the squad , ” Dyche added .
`` I think that is what we have done pretty well although I think there is more we can do and we are still looking at ways we can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment that is important . ''

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Sean Dyche has emerged as a shock candidate to replace Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, according to reports in the national press.
The Burnley manager has guided the Clarets to a period of real success, taking them to their highest league finish in over 40 years in 2017/18.
Earlier this month, Burnley chairman Mike Garlick claimed the club could run out of money, by the end of August, if the Premier League doesn’t resume.
(Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
That has, according to reports’ sparked interest at both Villa and Crystal Palace, who believe they could tempt the 48-year-old to leave Turf Moor.
Dyche has also recently admitted that finances are tight at Burnley and revealed they would need to ‘stretch the finances’ in order to continue to compete in the top flight.
"I have spoken in the last couple of seasons about stretching the finances of the club to make sure it is still within the club's realms, because we don't want to ruin the club and stretch it too far, but we are going to have to stretch it in the future - depending on how the market changes with the virus and the situation and the finances of the world let alone football," Dyche told Sky Sports via (LancsLive) .
"We all know that investment in teams usually, but not always, adds to the quality and depth of your squad.
"Also if you get your investment right with players it pushes others. It is not just about the expense it is about buying the right players who can push the others and then they raise their minimum.”
poll loading Should Aston Villa replace Dean Smith with Sean Dyche? 0+ VOTES SO FAR Yes Unsure No - stick with Smith
He went on to suggest that without decent investment, he would be unable to progress the club, a claim that could interest decision makers in B6.
"It is unlikely you are going to make huge strides in one go because of the finance but can we just edge it forward and keep increasing the potential of each player and potential of the squad,” Dyche added.
"I think that is what we have done pretty well although I think there is more we can do and we are still looking at ways we can do that but there is a level of investment that is important."


birminghammail--2020-04-26--Bizarre snaps show horse and rider socially distancing in Co-op queue

Bizarre pictures have captured the moment a rider – along with her HORSE – adhered to social distancing guidelines outside a convenience store .
The images , which were taken by Chris Wharton , shows the woman waiting patiently in line outside the Co-op in Highfields Road , Chasetown , at around 6pm on Saturday , April 25 .
The horse is not believed to have entered the store but was fussed by staff at the entrance while someone bought drinks , Chris told BlackCountryLive .
He said : `` I was waiting in my car when a horse saddles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It gets to the door , has a fuss while someone goes in to get drinks , before carrying on up the High street .
Hilarious so funny .
So glad I took the photos . ''
Amused residents flocked to social media to laugh at the unusual sight , which has been branded hilarious .
`` They wanted to jump the queue , '' one joked .
While another said : `` You 're supposed to self-isolate for 14 day if you start feeling a little horse… '' And a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aisle two , big pile of horse s*** '' A forth also added : `` Funniest part no one in queue seems to be batting eye lid – as if to say yeah its normal . ''
On Saturday , April 25 , NHS England announced 711 new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 , bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 18,084 .
The UK figure now lies at over 20,000 , having risen to 19,500 on Friday .

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Bizarre pictures have captured the moment a rider – along with her HORSE – adhered to social distancing guidelines outside a convenience store.
The images, which were taken by Chris Wharton, shows the woman waiting patiently in line outside the Co-op in Highfields Road, Chasetown, at around 6pm on Saturday, April 25.
The horse is not believed to have entered the store but was fussed by staff at the entrance while someone bought drinks, Chris told BlackCountryLive.
He said: "I was waiting in my car when a horse saddles up beside me and joins the queue.
"It gets to the door, has a fuss while someone goes in to get drinks, before carrying on up the High street. Hilarious so funny. So glad I took the photos."
Amused residents flocked to social media to laugh at the unusual sight, which has been branded hilarious.
"They wanted to jump the queue," one joked.
While another said: "You're supposed to self-isolate for 14 day if you start feeling a little horse…"
And a third wrote: "Clean up on aisle two, big pile of horse s***"
A forth also added: "Funniest part no one in queue seems to be batting eye lid – as if to say yeah its normal."
On Saturday, April 25, NHS England announced 711 new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 18,084.
The UK figure now lies at over 20,000, having risen to 19,500 on Friday.


birminghammail--2020-04-26--West Brom and Leeds United decision could lead to 'legal challenges'

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has warned the Football Association that they will be subject to legal challenges , if they void the season .
All elite football in the UK has been suspended since mid-March , with fears now rising that the season could be cancelled indefinitely .
Earlier this week , the Dutch FA announced that all promotions and relegations would be cancelled , with no title awarded .
It ’ s a precedent that will greatly concern West Brom and Leeds , both of whom sit in the automatic promotion spots at the top of the Championship .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Premier League with a healthy gap over the chasing pack .
And Fowler has told the Daily Mirror , that the fairest solution is for the season to resume , even if that is without supporters in attendance .
“ UEFA decided during the week that all domestic league campaigns have to be finished by the end of July .
I can see the sense in hoping that ’ s the case .
“ But what if it isn ’ t possible ?
“ Voiding the season would lead to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would any attempt to rule that league tables should stand from the date the lockdown came .
“ I don ’ t envy the men who are paid the big bucks to make these decisions .
“ But my preference would be for the season to be played to completion , regardless of whether that eats into the rest of the year.
” Fowler ’ s old team were just weeks away from claiming their first title in 30 years , with Jurgen Klopp ’ s 25 points clear at the top .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see the Reds crowned champions he claims , it is the other issues , including Albion ’ s imminent promotion , which must be considered .
“ No doubt , I ’ ll be accused of Liverpool bias for suggesting that , ” he added .
“ But my views aren ’ t just based on Liverpool ’ s fate .
Manchester United , Chelsea , Arsenal and Leicester were challenging for the two top-four places still available when the game was halted .
“ Another seven at the bottom of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , West Brom and a clutch of play-off hopefuls in the Championship were bidding to land the £100million promotion prize .
“ I hope that everyone accepts when a decision is made it has the best interests of football at heart .
“ The last thing we need once the health crisis is over is for football to be plunged into a civil war that will take the game into the courts .
”

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Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has warned the Football Association that they will be subject to legal challenges, if they void the season.
All elite football in the UK has been suspended since mid-March, with fears now rising that the season could be cancelled indefinitely.
Earlier this week, the Dutch FA announced that all promotions and relegations would be cancelled, with no title awarded.
It’s a precedent that will greatly concern West Brom and Leeds, both of whom sit in the automatic promotion spots at the top of the Championship.
The two are well set to return to the Premier League with a healthy gap over the chasing pack. And Fowler has told the Daily Mirror, that the fairest solution is for the season to resume, even if that is without supporters in attendance.
“UEFA decided during the week that all domestic league campaigns have to be finished by the end of July. I can see the sense in hoping that’s the case.
“But what if it isn’t possible?
“Voiding the season would lead to all kinds of legal challenges – and so would any attempt to rule that league tables should stand from the date the lockdown came.
“I don’t envy the men who are paid the big bucks to make these decisions.
“But my preference would be for the season to be played to completion, regardless of whether that eats into the rest of the year.”
Fowler’s old team were just weeks away from claiming their first title in 30 years, with Jurgen Klopp’s 25 points clear at the top.
And while he admits he is desperate to see the Reds crowned champions he claims, it is the other issues, including Albion’s imminent promotion, which must be considered.
“No doubt, I’ll be accused of Liverpool bias for suggesting that,” he added.
“But my views aren’t just based on Liverpool’s fate.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester were challenging for the two top-four places still available when the game was halted.
“Another seven at the bottom of the table were fighting relegation, while Leeds, West Brom and a clutch of play-off hopefuls in the Championship were bidding to land the £100million promotion prize.
“I hope that everyone accepts when a decision is made it has the best interests of football at heart.
“The last thing we need once the health crisis is over is for football to be plunged into a civil war that will take the game into the courts.”


birminghammail--2020-04-26--All passengers flying into UK face 14-day quarantine in lockdown 'phase two'

Passengers arriving in UK airports face a fortnight in quarantine as the government unveils its latest plans to halt the spread of coronavirus .
The new restrictions are hoped to thwart a second wave of infections from countries that have ended lockdown and allowed travel again .
The plans could be put in place from next month , reports The Sun .
Home Secretary Priti Patel and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will oversee the initiative to stop travellers transmitting the contagion from abroad .
British citizens and those from abroad will be subject to the restrictions which will see returnees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about their health as well as they expect to quarantine .
Those that fail to stay at the address given will be hit with hefty fines and authorities could also turn up to registered addresses to enforce the tough new measures .
A world-wide campaign is set to be put into place by the government to warn would-be travellers about the steps they would need to take after arriving in the UK .
Countries to have already implemented mandatory 14-day quarantines for new arrivals include Japan , Hong Kong , Germany , Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than 15,000 people arrive at UK airports every day with none undergoing coronavirus tests or temperature screenings .
And hundreds of thousands of people have also jetted back into the UK from places like Italy and Spain which have been particularly hard-hit by the virus .
The World Health Organisation has said that screening at airports is not effective without other quarantining measures because it can taken two weeks for a person infected with the virus to begin showing symptoms .
The number of cases detected at airports in China , Thailand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being used , is reported to be low .
The news comes as Wizz Air says it is resuming its flights .
Wizz said in a statement yesterday ( Saturday , April 25 ) that cabin crew would wear masks and gloves throughout flights and distribute sanitising wipes to each passenger .
Its aircraft would also be disinfected overnight .
Flights to several destinations in Romania , plus Budapest in Hungary , Lisbon in Portugal , and Tenerife in Spain would be amongst those to restart , said Wizz .

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Passengers arriving in UK airports face a fortnight in quarantine as the government unveils its latest plans to halt the spread of coronavirus.
The new restrictions are hoped to thwart a second wave of infections from countries that have ended lockdown and allowed travel again.
The plans could be put in place from next month, reports The Sun.
Home Secretary Priti Patel and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will oversee the initiative to stop travellers transmitting the contagion from abroad.
British citizens and those from abroad will be subject to the restrictions which will see returnees complete a special landing card giving information about their health as well as they expect to quarantine.
Those that fail to stay at the address given will be hit with hefty fines and authorities could also turn up to registered addresses to enforce the tough new measures.
A world-wide campaign is set to be put into place by the government to warn would-be travellers about the steps they would need to take after arriving in the UK.
Countries to have already implemented mandatory 14-day quarantines for new arrivals include Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Greece.
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More than 15,000 people arrive at UK airports every day with none undergoing coronavirus tests or temperature screenings.
And hundreds of thousands of people have also jetted back into the UK from places like Italy and Spain which have been particularly hard-hit by the virus.
The World Health Organisation has said that screening at airports is not effective without other quarantining measures because it can taken two weeks for a person infected with the virus to begin showing symptoms.
The number of cases detected at airports in China, Thailand, and Malaysia, where screening is being used, is reported to be low.
The news comes as Wizz Air says it is resuming its flights.
Wizz said in a statement yesterday (Saturday, April 25) that cabin crew would wear masks and gloves throughout flights and distribute sanitising wipes to each passenger.
Its aircraft would also be disinfected overnight.
Flights to several destinations in Romania, plus Budapest in Hungary, Lisbon in Portugal, and Tenerife in Spain would be amongst those to restart, said Wizz.


birminghammail--2020-04-26--What Purslow has said about Smith's future amid Sean Dyche claim

According to reports in the national press Aston Villa are monitoring Sean Dyche 's situation at Burnley , with claims he could replace Dean Smith .
Smith has been at the helm since 2018 , when he replaced Steve Bruce with the club languishing in the Championship .
After a tricky period over Christmas , Smith guided his boyhood club to a record-breaking consecutive run of wins which propelled them into the top six and the play-offs .
He then overcame West Brom and then Derby County at Wembley , to seal a return to the Premier League at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This campaign has seen Villa back at Wembley , losing to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final .
But it is performances that in the league that have reportedly made his position come under scrutiny .
Before the coronavirus pandemic suspended the Premier League campaign , Villa had lost five on the spin , leaving them in the relegation zone .
Prior to the season being halted , there had been claims that is job was under serious threat .
And now , the Sun have suggested that Villa could look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith .
With that in mind , we 've taken a look at what Villa chief executive Christian Purslow has said about Smith , during the manager 's stay at Villa Park .
After Villa achieved promotion , Purslow was asked about Smith 's interview process and why he was given the opportunity to replace Bruce .
`` He was the standout candidate .
We wanted a coach committed to playing football the right way and a coach that was intimately acquainted with who and what Aston Villa is .
`` We wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in developing and improving young players and who had the potential to grow rather than ( one ) who best days were behind him . ''
Smith penned a new , four-year deal , speaking afterwards , Purslow reaffirmed why he felt the 48-year-old was so integral to their future .
He said : “ The Board is delighted that Dean has signed a new four-year contract which puts him at the heart of the Club ’ s long term rebuilding plans.
” Earlier this year , Purslow addressed Smith 's future , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust at the annual AGM .
“ He ’ s a great fella and superb at the job .
The owners and I felt in December that it was really important that you all know that Dean is very central to our long-term vision .
“ He ’ s somebody who understands we ’ ve got to build the club from the bottom up .
He ’ s got the values and so the board made the decision to extend his contract .
“ Football is a funny old game but we shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t long enough we decided to address that .
”

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According to reports in the national press Aston Villa are monitoring Sean Dyche's situation at Burnley, with claims he could replace Dean Smith.
Smith has been at the helm since 2018, when he replaced Steve Bruce with the club languishing in the Championship.
After a tricky period over Christmas, Smith guided his boyhood club to a record-breaking consecutive run of wins which propelled them into the top six and the play-offs.
He then overcame West Brom and then Derby County at Wembley, to seal a return to the Premier League at the end of his first season in charge.
This campaign has seen Villa back at Wembley, losing to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. But it is performances that in the league that have reportedly made his position come under scrutiny.
Before the coronavirus pandemic suspended the Premier League campaign, Villa had lost five on the spin, leaving them in the relegation zone.
Prior to the season being halted, there had been claims that is job was under serious threat. And now, the Sun have suggested that Villa could look to Burnley and Sean Dyche to replace Smith.
With that in mind, we've taken a look at what Villa chief executive Christian Purslow has said about Smith, during the manager's stay at Villa Park.
July 2019
After Villa achieved promotion, Purslow was asked about Smith's interview process and why he was given the opportunity to replace Bruce.
"He was the standout candidate. We wanted a coach committed to playing football the right way and a coach that was intimately acquainted with who and what Aston Villa is.
"We wanted a coach who had a track record in developing and improving young players and who had the potential to grow rather than (one) who best days were behind him."
November 2019
(Image: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Smith penned a new, four-year deal, speaking afterwards, Purslow reaffirmed why he felt the 48-year-old was so integral to their future.
He said: “The Board is delighted that Dean has signed a new four-year contract which puts him at the heart of the Club’s long term rebuilding plans.”
poll loading Should Aston Villa sack Dean Smith? 3000+ VOTES SO FAR Yes - time for a change No - he's earned a chance Not yet - but results needs to change
Feburary 2020
Earlier this year, Purslow addressed Smith's future, when he addressed the Villa's supporter trust at the annual AGM.
“He’s a great fella and superb at the job. The owners and I felt in December that it was really important that you all know that Dean is very central to our long-term vision.
“He’s somebody who understands we’ve got to build the club from the bottom up. He’s got the values and so the board made the decision to extend his contract.
“Football is a funny old game but we shared your view that because his contract wasn’t long enough we decided to address that.”


birminghammail--2020-04-26--Meet new West Midlands Police dog... Captain Tom Moore

Meet Captain Tom Moore - the new police dog recruit whose name is already on everyone 's lips .
He has been named after the NHS walk hero who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Thursday , April 30 .
West Midlands Police said the name of Captain Tom Moore , the 99-year-old war veteran turned record-breaking charity fundraiser , was the overwhelming favourite during an online vote to name some of its newest pups after NHS Heroes .
The all new Capt Tom is a Dutch Herder who was specially chosen to share the name due to his dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thames Valley .
He also has Yorkshire roots just like the soon-to-be centenarian .
The two-month-old pup will now go through the police force 's world-renowned puppy development programme with a view to being fully operational next year .
West Midlands Police is also hoping the new recruit - to be affectionately known as Tommy - will also make a big difference to help others in future .
What the police say Chief Instructor Dave Hibbert , from the West Midlands Police Dog Section , said : `` A massive thank you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our NHS litter .
`` Quite understandably we had an absolutely overwhelming majority winner.. and that was the name suggestion of Capt Tom Moore .
`` As an organisation we wanted to honour the fantastic work he has done , raising more than £28 million for our NHS .
`` We ’ ve specially picked the pup to name Capt Tom Moore due to his dad being born and bred in Yorkshire , and a police dog covering the Hampshire and Thames Valley force areas .
`` We ’ re hoping our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows in the fantastic work that Capt Tom has done . ''
On April 6 , he began the challenge of trying to walk round his 25m long garden 100 times to raise money for charity .
His initial target was to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together using a JustGiving page set up by his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and son-in-law Colin Ingram .
Captain Tom completed his final ten lap in Marston Moretaine , Bedfordshire on Thursday , April 16 .
By then , his efforts were being reported around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an astonishing £28,925,343 .
Captain Tom has also become the oldest oldest artist to claim a UK No 1 single after his cover of You ’ ll Never Walk Alone , recorded alongside Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care choir , stormed the charts .
His extraordinary achievement means he will still be there when he celebrates the centenary of his birth this week .
The song has not only been the fastest selling single of 2020 , it is also Michael Ball 's own first No 1 single .
Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Yorkshire .
He went to Keighley Grammar School and later completed an apprenticeship as a Civil Engineer .
Tom went onto being enlisted in 8 DWR ( 145 RAC ) at the beginning of the war , and in 1940 was selected for Officer training .
He was later posted to 9DWR in India , and served and fought on the Arakan , went to Regiment to Sumatra after the Japanese surrender and returned to be Instructor at Armoured Fighting Vehicle School in Bovington .

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Meet Captain Tom Moore - the new police dog recruit whose name is already on everyone's lips.
He has been named after the NHS walk hero who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Thursday, April 30.
West Midlands Police said the name of Captain Tom Moore, the 99-year-old war veteran turned record-breaking charity fundraiser, was the overwhelming favourite during an online vote to name some of its newest pups after NHS Heroes.
The all new Capt Tom is a Dutch Herder who was specially chosen to share the name due to his dad being a police dog in Hampshire and Thames Valley.
He also has Yorkshire roots just like the soon-to-be centenarian.
The two-month-old pup will now go through the police force's world-renowned puppy development programme with a view to being fully operational next year.
West Midlands Police is also hoping the new recruit - to be affectionately known as Tommy - will also make a big difference to help others in future.
What the police say
Chief Instructor Dave Hibbert, from the West Midlands Police Dog Section, said: "A massive thank you to everyone who voted and put names forward for our NHS litter.
"Quite understandably we had an absolutely overwhelming majority winner.. and that was the name suggestion of Capt Tom Moore.
"As an organisation we wanted to honour the fantastic work he has done, raising more than £28 million for our NHS.
(Image: West Midlands Police)
"We’ve specially picked the pup to name Capt Tom Moore due to his dad being born and bred in Yorkshire, and a police dog covering the Hampshire and Thames Valley force areas.
"We’re hoping our little Tommy has that Yorkshire spirit and follows in the fantastic work that Capt Tom has done."
(Image: PA)
Who is Captain Tom Moore?
On April 6, he began the challenge of trying to walk round his 25m long garden 100 times to raise money for charity.
His initial target was to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together using a JustGiving page set up by his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and son-in-law Colin Ingram.
Captain Tom completed his final ten lap in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire on Thursday, April 16.
By then, his efforts were being reported around the world and today his JustGiving page has raised an astonishing £28,925,343.
Captain Tom has also become the oldest oldest artist to claim a UK No 1 single after his cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone, recorded alongside Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care choir, stormed the charts.
His extraordinary achievement means he will still be there when he celebrates the centenary of his birth this week.
The song has not only been the fastest selling single of 2020, it is also Michael Ball's own first No 1 single.
Tom was born and brought up in Keighley, Yorkshire.
He went to Keighley Grammar School and later completed an apprenticeship as a Civil Engineer.
Tom went onto being enlisted in 8 DWR (145 RAC) at the beginning of the war, and in 1940 was selected for Officer training.
He was later posted to 9DWR in India, and served and fought on the Arakan, went to Regiment to Sumatra after the Japanese surrender and returned to be Instructor at Armoured Fighting Vehicle School in Bovington.


birminghammail--2020-04-26--Wolves defender Romain Saiss makes big Jurgen Klopp claim

Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Romain Saiss has become a genuine fans ' favourite at Molineux .
After coming to the club as a midfielder , the Moroccan international has developed into a more than capable centre back under Nuno Espirito Santo .
But , in an interview with Sky Sports , the Wolves centre back has declared Jurgen Klopp as the 'hardest ' manager in the Premier League .
It 's a debate that often takes over social media , as fans of all twenty , top-flight clubs discuss who would win , if there was to be a playground scuffle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a name that many would back , but when asked : `` Who 's the hardest Premier League manager ?
`` , Saiss picked the Liverpool boss .
Elsewhere in the quick-fire interview , Saiss picked Jamie Carragher over Gary Neville in an arm wrestling contest , suggested Eden Hazard was his most difficult opponent and wished he had the superpower to beat coronavirus .
Saiss was also asked who the most annoying member of Wolves ' squad was and he swiftly gave the name of his captain Conor Coady .
A move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team 's group chat .

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Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Romain Saiss has become a genuine fans' favourite at Molineux.
After coming to the club as a midfielder, the Moroccan international has developed into a more than capable centre back under Nuno Espirito Santo.
But, in an interview with Sky Sports, the Wolves centre back has declared Jurgen Klopp as the 'hardest' manager in the Premier League.
It's a debate that often takes over social media, as fans of all twenty, top-flight clubs discuss who would win, if there was to be a playground scuffle between all the bosses.
Nuno is a name that many would back, but when asked: "Who's the hardest Premier League manager?", Saiss picked the Liverpool boss.
Elsewhere in the quick-fire interview, Saiss picked Jamie Carragher over Gary Neville in an arm wrestling contest, suggested Eden Hazard was his most difficult opponent and wished he had the superpower to beat coronavirus.
Saiss was also asked who the most annoying member of Wolves' squad was and he swiftly gave the name of his captain Conor Coady. A move that will surely not go unnoticed in the team's group chat.


birminghammail--2020-04-26--Man United sent Liverpool warning over Jack Grealish transfer deal

Manchester United have been warned that Jack Grealish could go to Liverpool or Man City and they should focus instead on a defensive midfielder .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been extensively linked with a move for the Aston Villa captain , with claims he has at the top of his transfer wishlist .
Old Trafford supremo Ed Woodward has thrown United 's plan into doubts by suggesting that any big moves could be derailed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Speaking at a fan forum event on Friday , Woodward said : “ Nobody should be under any illusions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football and it may not be ‘ business as usual ’ for any clubs , including ourselves , in the transfer market this summer .
“ As ever our priority is the success of the team , but we need visibility of the impact across the whole industry , including timings of the transfer window , and the wider financial picture , before we can talk about a return to normality .
“ On this basis , I can not help feeling that speculation around transfers of individual players for hundreds of millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the realities that face the sport.
” And Ince , who played for both United and Liverpool , feels Grealish could easily go to any top-six side and Solskjaer should look at finding the next Roy Keane instead .
“ Do I see him as a United player ?
Well , I could also see him at City or Liverpool .
Tottenham also wanted him not so long ago , ” Ince told the Daily Star .
“ There will be plenty of suitors for Grealish .
We ’ re all saying United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with any team in the top five .
“ But all this talk of creative players , you ’ ve got to be careful about getting the balance - you still need a defensive block .
`` They need someone who can cover space - like an N ’ Golo Kante or Roy Keane .
“ Look at what Klopp has done with Liverpool , he ’ s got things in perfect harmony .
That ’ s what Solskjaer is now trying to do .
You always need that defensive element in there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United are now in the market for these types of players again . ''

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Manchester United have been warned that Jack Grealish could go to Liverpool or Man City and they should focus instead on a defensive midfielder.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been extensively linked with a move for the Aston Villa captain, with claims he has at the top of his transfer wishlist.
Old Trafford supremo Ed Woodward has thrown United's plan into doubts by suggesting that any big moves could be derailed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
(Image: PA)
Speaking at a fan forum event on Friday, Woodward said: “Nobody should be under any illusions about the scale of challenge facing everyone in football and it may not be ‘business as usual’ for any clubs, including ourselves, in the transfer market this summer.
“As ever our priority is the success of the team, but we need visibility of the impact across the whole industry, including timings of the transfer window, and the wider financial picture, before we can talk about a return to normality.
“On this basis, I cannot help feeling that speculation around transfers of individual players for hundreds of millions of pounds this summer seems to ignore the realities that face the sport.”
And Ince, who played for both United and Liverpool, feels Grealish could easily go to any top-six side and Solskjaer should look at finding the next Roy Keane instead.
“Do I see him as a United player? Well, I could also see him at City or Liverpool. Tottenham also wanted him not so long ago,” Ince told the Daily Star.
“There will be plenty of suitors for Grealish. We’re all saying United, but he’d fit in with any team in the top five.
“But all this talk of creative players, you’ve got to be careful about getting the balance - you still need a defensive block.
"They need someone who can cover space - like an N’Golo Kante or Roy Keane.
“Look at what Klopp has done with Liverpool, he’s got things in perfect harmony. That’s what Solskjaer is now trying to do. You always need that defensive element in there.
“I’m just happy United are now in the market for these types of players again."


birminghammail--2020-04-26--Aston Villa supporters divided over massive Dean Smith claim

Aston Villa fans have been having their say on claims that Sean Dyche could be lined up as a shock replacement for Dean Smith .
The Villa boss had come under scrutiny prior to the season being suspended , losing five games on the spin before football in the UK was stopped .
There had been suggestions that Smith 's job would come under threat had they lost their next game , a fixture that would ultimately not take place .
However , the Sun have now suggested that the Burnley boss has 'sparked chatter ' at Villa and Crystal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic could have a major impact on the club 's finances .
The two Premier League sides are said to be monitoring Dyche 's situation at Turf Moor , in the hopes they could snag the highly-rated British manager .
Smith only signed a new , long-term contract with Villa in December and fans across social media are split over rumours linking him with a surprise exit : Naz Islam : If this season is void , then i would bet that we won ’ t start with Dean Smith as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
@ Nelsonusm : If Deans style of play is suitable and we can support with a few ins and outs I think we are wiser for this past season .
I for one underestimated the impact of so many new players joining at the aame time .
The board have to back him with HIS players Irvine Korben : Dean .
Smith .
Is .
Our .
Manager .
For .
The .
Long .
Term .
Future .
Why ca n't people understand that ?
Chopping and changing managers does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got relegated in the first place .
Poor club management from the top down .
We are in good hands now .
Proper owners who know what they 're doing .
Dean Smith is our manager , probably and hopefully , for the next decade .
@ boombeef : would love dyche but i do love smith and want it to work.. personally our recruitment has been really hit and miss .
suso has to go Garteh AVFC Fenton : The season wo n't be void .
Stick by him .
Last season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone .
It takes time .
@ VillaWayne : Don ’ t fit into the narrative and approach of what the owners want at all ... style of football was high on the reasons as to why DS was appointed and although I ’ ve not been convinced DS has got us playing an attractive brand of football , SD isn ’ t renown for playing that at all Craig Smudger Smith : Should have gone at Christmas let ’ s face it but if we are a big club like we supposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big name @ Harry_blissett : I don ’ t dislike smith .
But if sean dyche becomes available then we go for him .
He ’ s far and away a better manger then smith .
Or go to Germany and get a young manger from over there

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Aston Villa fans have been having their say on claims that Sean Dyche could be lined up as a shock replacement for Dean Smith.
The Villa boss had come under scrutiny prior to the season being suspended, losing five games on the spin before football in the UK was stopped.
There had been suggestions that Smith's job would come under threat had they lost their next game, a fixture that would ultimately not take place.
However, the Sun have now suggested that the Burnley boss has 'sparked chatter' at Villa and Crystal Palace, after the Clarets chairman suggested the coronavirus pandemic could have a major impact on the club's finances.
The two Premier League sides are said to be monitoring Dyche's situation at Turf Moor, in the hopes they could snag the highly-rated British manager.
Smith only signed a new, long-term contract with Villa in December and fans across social media are split over rumours linking him with a surprise exit:
Naz Islam: If this season is void,then i would bet that we won’t start with Dean Smith as our manager for the start of next.
@Nelsonusm: If Deans style of play is suitable and we can support with a few ins and outs I think we are wiser for this past season. I for one underestimated the impact of so many new players joining at the aame time. The board have to back him with HIS players
Irvine Korben: Dean. Smith. Is. Our. Manager. For. The. Long. Term. Future. Why can't people understand that? Chopping and changing managers doesn't work. It is the reason we got relegated in the first place. Poor club management from the top down. We are in good hands now. Proper owners who know what they're doing. Dean Smith is our manager, probably and hopefully, for the next decade.
@boombeef: would love dyche but i do love smith and want it to work.. personally our recruitment has been really hit and miss. suso has to go
Garteh AVFC Fenton: The season won't be void. Stick by him. Last season u loved him now u want him gone. It takes time.
@VillaWayne: Don’t fit into the narrative and approach of what the owners want at all...style of football was high on the reasons as to why DS was appointed and although I’ve not been convinced DS has got us playing an attractive brand of football, SD isn’t renown for playing that at all
Craig Smudger Smith: Should have gone at Christmas let’s face it but if we are a big club like we supposed to be then needs to be a big name
@Harry_blissett: I don’t dislike smith. But if sean dyche becomes available then we go for him. He’s far and away a better manger then smith. Or go to Germany and get a young manger from over there


birminghammail--2020-04-26--Pundit sends Villa warning over midfielder John McGinn

Aston Villa have been warned that star midfielder John McGinn could leave if they are relegated to the Championship .
Villa ’ s season has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic but Dean Smith ’ s side are languishing in the bottom three .
They have 10 games to save themselves from the drop - and they ’ re unlikely to have their supporters ’ backing in those matches with the Premier League planning to resume behind closed doors .
Villa will have McGinn back after the midfielder ’ s ankle injury though , which will come as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , the Scot won ’ t be around much longer if Villa are relegated back to the Championship - that ’ s the view of pundit Noel Whelan .
Ex-Leeds United man Whelan suggests West Ham and Newcastle United - who have been linked with a £30million move for McGinn - will be looking to sign the 25-year-old .
He told Football Insider : “ I think they ’ ll be considering him – right age , knows the Premier League , got a bit of experience this season and done really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s an international as well so he ’ d be the sort of person that would fit into a Newcastle role , probably a West Ham role as well , to be honest .
He ’ s the sort of player that West Ham and Newcastle need .
There ’ s loads of talent in that kid , there really is .
“ I was really impressed when I saw him play for Aston Villa at the start of the Premier League , he doesn ’ t look out of place , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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Aston Villa have been warned that star midfielder John McGinn could leave if they are relegated to the Championship.
Villa’s season has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic but Dean Smith’s side are languishing in the bottom three.
They have 10 games to save themselves from the drop - and they’re unlikely to have their supporters’ backing in those matches with the Premier League planning to resume behind closed doors.
Villa will have McGinn back after the midfielder’s ankle injury though, which will come as a huge boost to their survival hopes.
However, the Scot won’t be around much longer if Villa are relegated back to the Championship - that’s the view of pundit Noel Whelan.
Ex-Leeds United man Whelan suggests West Ham and Newcastle United - who have been linked with a £30million move for McGinn - will be looking to sign the 25-year-old.
He told Football Insider: “I think they’ll be considering him – right age, knows the Premier League, got a bit of experience this season and done really, really well.
“He’s an international as well so he’d be the sort of person that would fit into a Newcastle role, probably a West Ham role as well, to be honest. He’s the sort of player that West Ham and Newcastle need. There’s loads of talent in that kid, there really is.
“I was really impressed when I saw him play for Aston Villa at the start of the Premier League, he doesn’t look out of place, he looks very comfortable in the top flight.


birminghammail--2020-04-26--What Birmingham's celebrities are doing at home during the coronavirus lockdown

Many of us may be struggling with boredom , home-schooling and working during self-isolation - but we are not alone .
Birmingham 's celebrities are finding it tough too .
Jamelia , Richie Anderson and Toyah Wilcox are just some who have taken to social media to help the public during the coronavirus pandemic .
Here 's what some of them are up to .
Over four years ago the words `` brush your teeth '' would become the phrase to supercharge the Brummie rapper and producer into super-stardom .
Since the release of 'Queen 's Speech Ep.4 ' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views on YouTube , Melesha O'Garro known as Lady Leshurr , 31 , has become one of the city 's biggest stars .
Life in lockdown has inspired the rapper to host an Instagram Live every night at 10pm .
Entitled the # QuarantineAndChillShow , viewers are called to show off their talents in front of thousands of fans .
The artist has also begun selling branded coronavirus masks for £10 each , with all the proceeds going to the NHS .
Not one to stray from music for too long , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced and shot from her flat .
Aptly-named the Quarantine Speech , it has racked up almost 400,000 views in two weeks .
Reality TV star White Dee , 49 , - real name Deirdre Kelly , has joined a list of other celebrities singing for charity .
The former Benefits Street star will be heard on a charity single funding money for NHS staff and volunteers supported by NHS Charities Together .
Others taking part include Big Brother 's Simon Gross , Katie Price 's Alex Reid , social media star Dapper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brummie singer , presenter , and mother-of-three Jamelia , 39 , has had a full house since lockdown began .
Jamelia , who is home schooling her children , has been sharing educational resources with other parents on her YouTube channel .
She has shared websites , tools , apps and printables .
You can find out more here .
BBC WM , BBC Radio 2 and television presenter Richie Anderson will be taking the vital role of quiz master for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity .
The free Facebook Live quiz will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.30pm .
On the airwaves Richie has been part of the # UKSingalong on BBC Radio 2 .
The nation is urged to come together and sing in solidarity and recently the singalong was dedicated to NHS nurses .
The BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter , stand-up and online comedian is the host of a coronavirus-themed podcast .
Mandemic is a lighthearted broadcast poking fun at the daily strife of life in lockdown .
All in the name of fun , he has been racking up new hobbies which include napping and randomly shouting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been busy dancing in her kitchen with husband Robert Fripp .
The performances have had thousands of fans tuning in each week .
Dance routines that so far that have included the tango and the twist , can be seen every Sunday on the star 's Twitter page .
The singer and actress has also updated her website with ten top tips filled with ideas of how to spend your time during lockdown .
Some of the star 's creative ways of looking after yourself in quarantine include checking your posture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Award winning alto-saxophonist , and BBC presenter Soweto Kinch , 42 , has been keeping the nation in good spirits .
Every Monday at 5pm the adopted Brummie hosts the # lockdownsessions where anyone can see him perform live for free .
Taking place on YouTube and Facebook , it has become a firm favourite with fans .

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Many of us may be struggling with boredom, home-schooling and working during self-isolation - but we are not alone.
Birmingham's celebrities are finding it tough too.
Jamelia, Richie Anderson and Toyah Wilcox are just some who have taken to social media to help the public during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here's what some of them are up to.
Lady Leshurr
Over four years ago the words "brush your teeth" would become the phrase to supercharge the Brummie rapper and producer into super-stardom. Since the release of 'Queen's Speech Ep.4', which has now amassed over 60 million views on YouTube, Melesha O'Garro known as Lady Leshurr, 31, has become one of the city's biggest stars.
Life in lockdown has inspired the rapper to host an Instagram Live every night at 10pm.
Entitled the #QuarantineAndChillShow, viewers are called to show off their talents in front of thousands of fans.
The artist has also begun selling branded coronavirus masks for £10 each, with all the proceeds going to the NHS.
Not one to stray from music for too long, the rapper has also released a new single produced and shot from her flat.
Aptly-named the Quarantine Speech, it has racked up almost 400,000 views in two weeks.
Deidre 'Dee' Kelly
Reality TV star White Dee, 49, - real name Deirdre Kelly, has joined a list of other celebrities singing for charity.
The former Benefits Street star will be heard on a charity single funding money for NHS staff and volunteers supported by NHS Charities Together.
Others taking part include Big Brother's Simon Gross, Katie Price's Alex Reid, social media star Dapper Laughs and Sandi Bogle from Gogglebox.
Jamelia
Brummie singer, presenter, and mother-of-three Jamelia, 39, has had a full house since lockdown began.
Jamelia, who is home schooling her children, has been sharing educational resources with other parents on her YouTube channel.
She has shared websites, tools, apps and printables.
You can find out more here.
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Richie Anderson
BBC WM, BBC Radio 2 and television presenter Richie Anderson will be taking the vital role of quiz master for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.
The free Facebook Live quiz will take place on Friday April 24 at 7.30pm.
On the airwaves Richie has been part of the #UKSingalong on BBC Radio 2. The nation is urged to come together and sing in solidarity and recently the singalong was dedicated to NHS nurses.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
David “Sidemanallday” Whitely
The BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter, stand-up and online comedian is the host of a coronavirus-themed podcast.
Mandemic is a lighthearted broadcast poking fun at the daily strife of life in lockdown.
All in the name of fun, he has been racking up new hobbies which include napping and randomly shouting.
(Image: Jonathan Hipkiss)
Toyah Willcox
Punk icon Toyah Willcox, 61, has been busy dancing in her kitchen with husband Robert Fripp.
The performances have had thousands of fans tuning in each week.
Dance routines that so far that have included the tango and the twist, can be seen every Sunday on the star's Twitter page.
The singer and actress has also updated her website with ten top tips filled with ideas of how to spend your time during lockdown.
Some of the star's creative ways of looking after yourself in quarantine include checking your posture, avoiding sweets, and cooking.
(Image: ©BBC)
Soweto Kinch
Award winning alto-saxophonist, and BBC presenter Soweto Kinch, 42, has been keeping the nation in good spirits.
Every Monday at 5pm the adopted Brummie hosts the #lockdownsessions where anyone can see him perform live for free.
Taking place on his YouTube and Facebook, it has become a firm favourite with fans.


birminghammail--2020-04-26--Lockdown tips galore from actor who learned everything from culture - not school

Birmingham 's grooviest pensioner was the boy who wanted more , much more .
Born prematurely in 1940 to an illiterate mother , Geoff Poole was always a 'sickly child ' .
But he was so desperate to learn to read he taught himself .
And then he sat down to read his mum the whole of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens .
Now 79 and besotted with the arts and culture , Geoff has adept at overcoming adversity and hopes to take his latest setback in his stride .
After contributing to the NHS all of his life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to feel unwell in late February .
The coronavirus lockdown meant the only way forward from March onwards would be if he could find a private consultation but at least his mind has been put at rest , pending the return of normal hospital services .
Now just six months away from his 80th birthday in October , Geoff was declared the No 1 fan of NME ( New Musical Express ) for its 60th anniversary in 2012 , having read the music paper since 1953 .
Powered along by always learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who ever lived , Geoff is nothing if not a born survivor .
A bit like John Lydon ( Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols ) who spent a year in bed as a child with meningitis , or Steve Harley and Ian Dury who both battled polio before finding fame with Cockney Rebel and the Blockheads respectively .
So his message for parents worried about the children missing a few weeks at school during the Covid-19 lockdown is simple : Do n't !
`` Listen to my story after I had 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` and you 'll never worry about them again !
`` My lockdown advice is to start watching favourite films - and listening to great music . ''
When Geoff was born premature in October 1940 he had to spend six weeks in an incubator .
`` I was said to have been the lightest baby ever born at St Chad 's Hospital on the Hagley Road , '' says Geoff .
`` I was always a sickly child .
When I was about six , I had 18 months of school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here I am , still trying to enjoy every minute - I 've been very lucky in all aspects of my life , apart from health . ''
What happened next , though , is even more remarkable ... .
A parent to his own mother Not only was Geoff born underweight , but his mother was illiterate .
Because Geoff had nobody to teach him to read , he was ferociously determined to learn .
`` I became the first child to read in my class , '' he says proudly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I could . ''
His message here , echoes a 1989 book posthumously published on behalf a late US educationalist called John Holt .
Its title is called 'Learning All the Time - how small children begin to read , write , count and investigate the world without being taught ' ( 1989 ) .
On the cover , Holt says : `` When I started teaching less , children started learning more ... learning is not the product of teaching ... teaching does not make learning ... figuring out what you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the greatest intellectual skill of all . ''
Of course , the book was almost 50 years away from being published when Geoff was born - but without knowing it , he 'd used its magical principles to teach himself to read and then to educate himself throughout his life .
In Holt 's own words , the last thing you should to young people is to `` destroy children 's belief that they can find things out for themselves , and to make them think instead that they can only find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other words , if parents today think that missing a few weeks of school is going to ruin their child 's education they could not be more mistaken - just as long as you empower them to think and explore for themselves .
Once Geoff had pulled himself up , he enjoyed one of his proudest moments .
`` Because mum could n't read to me , I read to her , '' he says .
`` I read her all of Charles Dickens ' Oliver Twist when I was ten .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those of my friends so I used to see more of two cousins who were sisters - one was 21 years older than me , the other 13 years older .
`` They introduced me to the cinema when I was five and I was besotted immediately .
`` In my early 20s , I enrolled into a youth club and from there discovered drama going from Oldbury Rep , where I did n't think I got a fair crack of the whip , to The Crescent , making some great friends and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classical theatre . ''
Geoff was also close friends with the late Martin Elliott who took the famous poster picture of a blonde woman playing tennis who lifted up the back of her dress with her left hand .
Before that , Martin had practised taking portraits of Geoff and his wife Carol .
Geoff has been a quite brilliant amateur stage actor who has watched fellow am-dram colleagues go on to fame and fortune , such as the late Emmerdale star Andrew Burt who played the original Jack Sugden .
And West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Theatre and who was in TV series like The Day of the Triffids ( 1981 ) .
But Geoff says : `` With all of the big parts I 've had written by Shakespeare and others over the years , I 've had roles that many professional actors have not had , so I 've really had a good time .
`` All of the history I 've learned through Shakespeare , all of the geography I know from travel . ''
Ever since 1955 - except for a year missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early 1960s - Geoff has kept diaries about all of the plays , films and gigs he 's seen and all of the books and magazines he 's ready and records bought .
Planning to leave the diaries to Birmingham Archives and Heritage , former office worker Geoff says he is now spending his lockdown days with devoted wife Carol feeding his brain even more culture .
Geoff is currently ploughing through his favourite GO ( golden oldies ) records from the `` powerfully uncompromising '' Joy Division album Unknown Pleasures to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his Facebook page that `` it was from 1985 so way past the fantastic John Cale period and as a result , lacks the variety and power .
Still , a delightful listen . ''
His love of music meant he 'd become friends with legendary Radio 1 DJ John Peel who was so gutted at missing Geoff 's 40th birthday party , he promised he would turn up at his 80th .
The day Peel died on October 25 , 2004 , Geoff says : `` I was in the car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard , and I can ’ t remember how I got home .
It was horrible . ''
Unable to go out watching films , plays and gigs now because of the lockdown , Geoff chooses a film to watch one night followed by wife Carol the next .
`` I 've never seen so many great films all at once , '' says Geoff , rattling off everything from a Martin Scorsese classic like Raging Bull to more obscure world cinema treats like Yasujiro Ozu 's Tokyo Story ( 1953 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all time , '' smiles Geoff .
`` There 's nothing really much to add .
`` The worst thing about this pandemic is that we 've bought theatre tickets in advance for shows the rest of the year from Birmingham to Stratford and London and were so lucking forward to them .
We see everything we can .
`` It 's not the money that 's the issue , these organisations probably need it more than I do , but the thought of possibly not seeing productions like The Wars of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Artrix has closed in Bromsgrove and I 'm very worried about the future of The Crescent . ''
Geoff made headlines in 2012 when he was invited to be the guest of honour as the NME celebrated its 60th anniversary .
The music paper first launched in late 1952 and he 'd been a regular reader since 1953 , delighting the editor with a letter proving his devotion .
He saw his first concert when aged was just 14 and he and two friends went to the 1955 New Musical Express Poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Albert Hall with a line-up including Johnny Dankworth , Cleo Laine , Lita Roza , Dickie Valentine and his own favourite , Eric Delaney .
The print version of the NME ended in 2018 when it turned digital .
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – No More Shall We Part

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Birmingham's grooviest pensioner was the boy who wanted more, much more.
Born prematurely in 1940 to an illiterate mother, Geoff Poole was always a 'sickly child'.
But he was so desperate to learn to read he taught himself.
And then he sat down to read his mum the whole of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.
Now 79 and besotted with the arts and culture, Geoff has adept at overcoming adversity and hopes to take his latest setback in his stride.
After contributing to the NHS all of his life, Geoff couldn't believe it when he began to feel unwell in late February.
The coronavirus lockdown meant the only way forward from March onwards would be if he could find a private consultation but at least his mind has been put at rest, pending the return of normal hospital services.
Now just six months away from his 80th birthday in October, Geoff was declared the No 1 fan of NME (New Musical Express) for its 60th anniversary in 2012, having read the music paper since 1953.
Powered along by always learning more about some of the greatest talents who ever lived, Geoff is nothing if not a born survivor.
A bit like John Lydon (Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols) who spent a year in bed as a child with meningitis, or Steve Harley and Ian Dury who both battled polio before finding fame with Cockney Rebel and the Blockheads respectively.
So his message for parents worried about the children missing a few weeks at school during the Covid-19 lockdown is simple: Don't!
"Listen to my story after I had 18 months off school," he says, "and you'll never worry about them again!
"My lockdown advice is to start watching favourite films - and listening to great music."
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Tiny baby, big heart
When Geoff was born premature in October 1940 he had to spend six weeks in an incubator.
"I was said to have been the lightest baby ever born at St Chad's Hospital on the Hagley Road," says Geoff.
"I was always a sickly child. When I was about six, I had 18 months of school because of bronchial problems.
"But here I am, still trying to enjoy every minute - I've been very lucky in all aspects of my life, apart from health."
What happened next, though, is even more remarkable....
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
A parent to his own mother
Not only was Geoff born underweight, but his mother was illiterate.
Because Geoff had nobody to teach him to read, he was ferociously determined to learn.
"I became the first child to read in my class," he says proudly.
"I just wanted to read everything I could."
His message here, echoes a 1989 book posthumously published on behalf a late US educationalist called John Holt.
Its title is called 'Learning All the Time - how small children begin to read, write, count and investigate the world without being taught' (1989).
On the cover, Holt says: "When I started teaching less, children started learning more... learning is not the product of teaching... teaching does not make learning... figuring out what you don't know or aren't sure of is the greatest intellectual skill of all."
Of course, the book was almost 50 years away from being published when Geoff was born - but without knowing it, he'd used its magical principles to teach himself to read and then to educate himself throughout his life.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
In Holt's own words, the last thing you should to young people is to "destroy children's belief that they can find things out for themselves, and to make them think instead that they can only find things out from others."
In other words, if parents today think that missing a few weeks of school is going to ruin their child's education they could not be more mistaken - just as long as you empower them to think and explore for themselves.
Once Geoff had pulled himself up, he enjoyed one of his proudest moments.
"Because mum couldn't read to me, I read to her," he says.
"I read her all of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist when I was ten.
"My parents were ten years older than those of my friends so I used to see more of two cousins who were sisters - one was 21 years older than me, the other 13 years older.
"They introduced me to the cinema when I was five and I was besotted immediately.
"In my early 20s, I enrolled into a youth club and from there discovered drama going from Oldbury Rep, where I didn't think I got a fair crack of the whip, to The Crescent, making some great friends and falling in love with world cinema and classical theatre."
Geoff was also close friends with the late Martin Elliott who took the famous poster picture of a blonde woman playing tennis who lifted up the back of her dress with her left hand.
Before that, Martin had practised taking portraits of Geoff and his wife Carol.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Diaries of a glad man
Geoff has been a quite brilliant amateur stage actor who has watched fellow am-dram colleagues go on to fame and fortune, such as the late Emmerdale star Andrew Burt who played the original Jack Sugden.
And West Bromwich born Desmond Adams who went to the National Theatre and who was in TV series like The Day of the Triffids (1981).
But Geoff says: "With all of the big parts I've had written by Shakespeare and others over the years, I've had roles that many professional actors have not had, so I've really had a good time.
"All of the history I've learned through Shakespeare, all of the geography I know from travel."
Ever since 1955 - except for a year missing in the late 1950s and one in the early 1960s - Geoff has kept diaries about all of the plays, films and gigs he's seen and all of the books and magazines he's ready and records bought.
Planning to leave the diaries to Birmingham Archives and Heritage, former office worker Geoff says he is now spending his lockdown days with devoted wife Carol feeding his brain even more culture.
Geoff is currently ploughing through his favourite GO (golden oldies) records from the "powerfully uncompromising" Joy Division album Unknown Pleasures to The Velvet Underground's V.U., noting on his Facebook page that "it was from 1985 so way past the fantastic John Cale period and as a result, lacks the variety and power. Still, a delightful listen."
His love of music meant he'd become friends with legendary Radio 1 DJ John Peel who was so gutted at missing Geoff's 40th birthday party, he promised he would turn up at his 80th.
The day Peel died on October 25, 2004, Geoff says: "I was in the car in Brum's Balti Triangle when I heard, and I can’t remember how I got home. It was horrible."
Unable to go out watching films, plays and gigs now because of the lockdown, Geoff chooses a film to watch one night followed by wife Carol the next.
"I've never seen so many great films all at once," says Geoff, rattling off everything from a Martin Scorsese classic like Raging Bull to more obscure world cinema treats like Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Story (1953).
"That's in my top ten of all time," smiles Geoff. "There's nothing really much to add.
"The worst thing about this pandemic is that we've bought theatre tickets in advance for shows the rest of the year from Birmingham to Stratford and London and were so lucking forward to them. We see everything we can.
"It's not the money that's the issue, these organisations probably need it more than I do, but the thought of possibly not seeing productions like The Wars of the Roses at the RSC...
"The Artrix has closed in Bromsgrove and I'm very worried about the future of The Crescent."
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
New Musical Express super fan
Geoff made headlines in 2012 when he was invited to be the guest of honour as the NME celebrated its 60th anniversary.
The music paper first launched in late 1952 and he'd been a regular reader since 1953, delighting the editor with a letter proving his devotion.
He saw his first concert when aged was just 14 and he and two friends went to the 1955 New Musical Express Poll Winners' Concert held at the Royal Albert Hall with a line-up including Johnny Dankworth, Cleo Laine, Lita Roza, Dickie Valentine and his own favourite, Eric Delaney.
The print version of the NME ended in 2018 when it turned digital.
GEOFF POOLE’S TOP FIVES
FILMS
Les Enfants Du Paradis (Children of Paradise) - Marcel Carné
Shane – George Stevens
Raging Bull – Martin Scorsese
Fanny & Alexander (five-hour version) Ingmar Bergman
Distant Voices Still Lives – Terence Davies
ALBUMS
Love – Forever Changes
The Band – The Band
Bob Dylan – Blood On The Tracks
The Clash – London’s Calling
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – No More Shall We Part
THEATRE
Chekov’s “Uncle Vanya” – National Theatre (1963)
Chekov’s “The Seagull” – RSC Swan, Trevor Nunn
Shakespeare’s King Lear – RST, Adrian Noble
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream – RST, Adrian Noble
Shakespeare’s Henry V – Shakespeare’s Globe, Mark Rylance
GIGS
Isle Of Wight – 1970
Grateful Dead – Lyceum, 1972
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – LA Forum, 1978
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band – Whiskey A Go-Go, LA 1978
Pink Floyd The Wall – Earls Court, 1984


birminghammail--2020-04-26--Why city's South Asian and Black communities 'at higher risk' from coronavirus

Birmingham 's South Asian and Caribbean communities have been hard hit by coronavirus infections because of higher rates of diabetes and hypertension , according to a preliminary investigation .
New evidence was revealed during a crisis meeting in the city organised to probe the impact of the virus on ethnic groups .
Public Health England came under fire for failing to yet know more about how the virus is affecting ethnic populations .
The urgent meeting of the city 's Health and Wellbeing Board was organised by Cllr Paulette Hamilton amid mounting concerns that the city 's black and ethnic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections than others .
National figures from NHS England recently revealed around 16 % of all deaths from coronavirus were in BAME communities ( who make up less than 11 % of the overall population ) .
Reports have also now emerged that some residents are refusing to go to hospital for treatment , or failing to call 999 , because they are `` too scared '' they wo n't come out again .
Cllr Hamilton said residents deserved and needed answers or misinformation would flourish .
She said she had been `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents asking what was going on .
`` Many representatives from ethnic minority communities have struggled that organisations like Public Health England just do n't have a clue ( on the data ) , '' she said .
`` They see more people in their communities dying and want to understand why - but are told it is not possible to tell them . ''
Failing to gather and share vital data also meant any concerns are not picked up quickly or acted upon , potentially putting more people at risk .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birnham Roberts , 82 , who had diabetes and died in City Hospital on March 18 after contracting coronavirus .
Mohamud Salah , 74 , from Tamworth Grove , Balsall Heath , died on March 18 from Covid-19 , with contributory features of diabetes and hypertension .
The retired environmental scientist , originally from Somalia , had developed a cough and fever and had been home in bed for four days before suddenly deteriorating and becoming very short of breath .
Basharat Hussain , from Pleck , Walsall , died at Heartlands Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 .
He had previously undergone a bypass operation .
Choudhary Aslam Wassan , 67 , a popular and charismatic former food business pioneer and political campaigner , died at City Hospital on March 29 .
He was a type 2 diabetic .
Giri Rajaratnam , Public Health England regional deputy director for the West Midlands , said it was 'not as easy as it seemed ' to come up with answers because the data held was scattered , evidence on ethnicity was not always available and there was a risk that using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viable .
A national review has now been ordered by Health Secretary Matt Hancock into the issue , which aims to collect and analyse ethnicity data and consider if there are behavioural issues , genetic issues or other factors at play .
This was not good enough , said Carol Cooper , head of equality , diversity and human rights at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust .
Failing to collect information as a matter of course about ethnic status had been highlighted 'for years ' as a problem and was `` entrenched '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her own staff affected by the virus showed `` a clear disparity in terms of people from a black and also Filipino background . ''
She added : `` If the ethnicity field ( in data collected ) had not been abandoned we would have had sight of this much earlier on . ''
Early analysis of the data that does exist locally and nationally has revealed the following : * Men are more at risk of death than women .
* Living in a deprived area puts someone at greater risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all high risk factors * Initial concerns in the city about a higher death rate in hospitals among black communities has levelled off and there is no difference * South Asian residents have `` a very high risk '' from coronavirus because they tend to have higher rates of underlying conditions of diabetes and hypertension ( high blood pressure ) , which is proving a significant factor .
The early evidence shows why it is so vital to ensure anyone with these underlying conditions is isolating from others , observing social distance guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much risk as possible , the meeting heard .
At one hospital trust , University Hospitals Birmingham , medics also found that the average age of south Asian patients with severe illness was younger than in the general community .
But fear that race was a factor in how people were treated in hospitals was rejected .
Toby Lewis , chief executive at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust , said the care decisions for patients were absolutely not linked to their ethnicity .
`` There is absolutely no racial profiling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to tests or treatment , '' he said .
Dr Chizo Agwu , deputy medical director at the trust , which runs City and Sandwell hospitals , told the meeting there had been a rapidly increasing number of deaths in the hospitals from March to April .
An analysis of data showed the average age of all patients admitted with Covid-19 was 80 years , with 63 % men and 37 % women .
Nearly three quarters of those ( 72 % ) had hypertension ; 60 % had diabetes .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March were from the black African and Asian communities ( 64 % ) ; in April this fell to 50 % .
In Sandwell Hospital , 60 % of deaths were from white communities .
She said : `` The data set shows an increasing risk of deaths because of older age , male gender , and presence of hypertension and diabetes . ''
Simon Ball , medical director at UHB , said of the sample group , 1,482 were white ; 450 Asian ; 92 black Caribbean .
Around 25 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asian population there was a younger average age than in the general population .
`` What we see in Asian and Caribbean populations is more diabetes - 50 % of South Asian and 64 % of Caribbean patients with Covid-19 also have diabetes , compared to 29 % of white patients . ''
He said high blood pressure was also a feature in patients of all ethnicities and was found in 65 % of white Covid-19 patients , 54 % of Asian patients and 71 % of Caribbean patients .
He said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with underlying conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure were being affected at a younger age .
He said : `` The increased apparent incidence of presentation and mortality in South Asian groups is attributable to diabetes , hypertension and cardiovascular disease . ''
Dr Justin Varney , the city 's director of public health , said the questions and reflections from the meeting were 'the start of conversations ' and would feed into the national review .
He added : `` Many of the issues are linked to the inequalities in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on for decades and we are all committed to break that cycle . ''

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Birmingham's South Asian and Caribbean communities have been hard hit by coronavirus infections because of higher rates of diabetes and hypertension, according to a preliminary investigation.
New evidence was revealed during a crisis meeting in the city organised to probe the impact of the virus on ethnic groups.
Public Health England came under fire for failing to yet know more about how the virus is affecting ethnic populations.
The urgent meeting of the city's Health and Wellbeing Board was organised by Cllr Paulette Hamilton amid mounting concerns that the city's black and ethnic minority communities are suffering more deaths and infections than others.
National figures from NHS England recently revealed around 16% of all deaths from coronavirus were in BAME communities (who make up less than 11% of the overall population).
Reports have also now emerged that some residents are refusing to go to hospital for treatment, or failing to call 999, because they are "too scared" they won't come out again.
Cllr Hamilton said residents deserved and needed answers or misinformation would flourish.
She said she had been "inundated" with hundreds of questions from residents asking what was going on.
(Image: Birmingham City Council)
"Many representatives from ethnic minority communities have struggled that organisations like Public Health England just don't have a clue (on the data)," she said. "They see more people in their communities dying and want to understand why - but are told it is not possible to tell them."
Failing to gather and share vital data also meant any concerns are not picked up quickly or acted upon, potentially putting more people at risk.
Among the deaths in Birmingham include bus driver Birnham Roberts, 82, who had diabetes and died in City Hospital on March 18 after contracting coronavirus.
Basharat Hussain, from Pleck, Walsall, died at Heartlands Hospital on March 25 following a battle against Covid-19. He had previously undergone a bypass operation.
Choudhary Aslam Wassan, 67, a popular and charismatic former food business pioneer and political campaigner, died at City Hospital on March 29. He was a type 2 diabetic.
(Image: Cherelle Roberts)
Giri Rajaratnam, Public Health England regional deputy director for the West Midlands, said it was 'not as easy as it seemed' to come up with answers because the data held was scattered, evidence on ethnicity was not always available and there was a risk that using incomplete information would mislead and not be viable.
A national review has now been ordered by Health Secretary Matt Hancock into the issue, which aims to collect and analyse ethnicity data and consider if there are behavioural issues, genetic issues or other factors at play.
This was not good enough, said Carol Cooper, head of equality, diversity and human rights at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
Failing to collect information as a matter of course about ethnic status had been highlighted 'for years' as a problem and was "entrenched", she said.
She said analysis of her own staff affected by the virus showed "a clear disparity in terms of people from a black and also Filipino background." She added: "If the ethnicity field (in data collected) had not been abandoned we would have had sight of this much earlier on."
Early analysis of the data that does exist locally and nationally has revealed the following:
* Men are more at risk of death than women.
* Living in a deprived area puts someone at greater risk
* Diabetes, hypertension and obesity are all high risk factors
* Initial concerns in the city about a higher death rate in hospitals among black communities has levelled off and there is no difference
* South Asian residents have "a very high risk" from coronavirus because they tend to have higher rates of underlying conditions of diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure), which is proving a significant factor.
The early evidence shows why it is so vital to ensure anyone with these underlying conditions is isolating from others, observing social distance guidance, avoiding public places and so eliminating as much risk as possible, the meeting heard.
At one hospital trust, University Hospitals Birmingham, medics also found that the average age of south Asian patients with severe illness was younger than in the general community.
But fear that race was a factor in how people were treated in hospitals was rejected. Toby Lewis, chief executive at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, said the care decisions for patients were absolutely not linked to their ethnicity. "There is absolutely no racial profiling in the allocation of patients to wards or to tests or treatment," he said.
Deaths at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (SWBH)
Dr Chizo Agwu, deputy medical director at the trust, which runs City and Sandwell hospitals, told the meeting there had been a rapidly increasing number of deaths in the hospitals from March to April.
An analysis of data showed the average age of all patients admitted with Covid-19 was 80 years, with 63% men and 37% women.
Nearly three quarters of those (72%) had hypertension; 60% had diabetes.
(Image: Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust)
The majority of coronavirus deaths at City Hospital in March were from the black African and Asian communities (64%); in April this fell to 50%. In Sandwell Hospital, 60% of deaths were from white communities.
She said: "The data set shows an increasing risk of deaths because of older age, male gender, and presence of hypertension and diabetes."
Analysis of 2,270 coronavirus admissions at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB)
Simon Ball, medical director at UHB, said of the sample group, 1,482 were white; 450 Asian; 92 black Caribbean. Around 25% of them died.
Among the south Asian population there was a younger average age than in the general population.
"What we see in Asian and Caribbean populations is more diabetes - 50% of South Asian and 64% of Caribbean patients with Covid-19 also have diabetes, compared to 29% of white patients."
He said high blood pressure was also a feature in patients of all ethnicities and was found in 65% of white Covid-19 patients, 54% of Asian patients and 71% of Caribbean patients.
He said there was evidence emerging that south Asian people with underlying conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure were being affected at a younger age.
He said: "The increased apparent incidence of presentation and mortality in South Asian groups is attributable to diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease."
Dr Justin Varney, the city's director of public health, said the questions and reflections from the meeting were 'the start of conversations' and would feed into the national review.
He added: "Many of the issues are linked to the inequalities in our ethnic communities. Those inequalities have been going on for decades and we are all committed to break that cycle."


birminghammail--2020-04-26--Staff suspended at Midland prison after wrong inmate released

Two members of staff were suspended at a Midlands prison after the wrong inmate was released .
Despite a battery of safeguards , HMP Hewell , in Worcestershire , bungled the identity of a man released under escort for a hospital appointment .
“ The wrong prisoner had been taken out of the establishment , ” an insider told the Sunday Mercury .
“ All the paperwork and risk assessments that were checked were for a completely different prisoner.
” The incident happened on December 9 , but those close to the prison have only just gone public .
Somehow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed , sparking an internal investigation .
A risk assessment was carried out and all paperwork signed off for the required escort .
The prisoner received a “ Level A ” strip search , his ID card taken and stored , and checked against the risk assessment paperwork .
That paperwork carried a photograph of the prisoner , the Sunday Mercury has been told .
“ That ’ s specifically to ensure you take the right prisoner out , ” said our source .
A senior manager then witnessed the handcuffs being slapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , a further check should have taken place to ensure the name of the individual matched the name on risk assessment forms .
Finally , a gate pass was written out .
That would have been handed by the head of the escort to the gatehouse prior to the prisoner being driven out .
Again , rules state a final check is made to ensure the correct man is being discharged .
The insider said : “ A risk assessment was carried out beforehand and all the relevant paperwork was signed off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely different prisoner.
” It is understood that the prisoner was escorted by three officers , and did not leave the prison ’ s large grounds .
News of the blunder caps an uncomfortable week for the jail , on the outskirts of Tardebigge village and setting for Black Country drugs baron John Anslow ’ s escape in 2012 .
It emerged that a letter was sent in error to former prison officer Mike Jelfs , inviting him to temporarily return to his post during the coronavirus crisis .
Mr Jelfs died , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after battling cancer .
His widow Kerry told The Sun she was left traumatised by the correspondence .
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed that two members of staff had been suspended , adding : “ This incident happened last year .
The prisoner did not leave the grounds , and was not ‘ let out ’ .
”

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Two members of staff were suspended at a Midlands prison after the wrong inmate was released.
Despite a battery of safeguards, HMP Hewell, in Worcestershire, bungled the identity of a man released under escort for a hospital appointment.
“The wrong prisoner had been taken out of the establishment,” an insider told the Sunday Mercury.
“All the paperwork and risk assessments that were checked were for a completely different prisoner.”
The incident happened on December 9, but those close to the prison have only just gone public.
Somehow, the elaborate security and lengthy protocol failed, sparking an internal investigation.
A risk assessment was carried out and all paperwork signed off for the required escort.
(Image: SWNS.com)
The prisoner received a “Level A” strip search, his ID card taken and stored, and checked against the risk assessment paperwork.
That paperwork carried a photograph of the prisoner, the Sunday Mercury has been told. “That’s specifically to ensure you take the right prisoner out,” said our source.
A senior manager then witnessed the handcuffs being slapped correctly on the inmate. At that point, a further check should have taken place to ensure the name of the individual matched the name on risk assessment forms.
Finally, a gate pass was written out. That would have been handed by the head of the escort to the gatehouse prior to the prisoner being driven out.
Again, rules state a final check is made to ensure the correct man is being discharged.
The insider said: “A risk assessment was carried out beforehand and all the relevant paperwork was signed off – but that paperwork was for a completely different prisoner.”
It is understood that the prisoner was escorted by three officers, and did not leave the prison’s large grounds.
News of the blunder caps an uncomfortable week for the jail, on the outskirts of Tardebigge village and setting for Black Country drugs baron John Anslow’s escape in 2012.
It emerged that a letter was sent in error to former prison officer Mike Jelfs, inviting him to temporarily return to his post during the coronavirus crisis.
Mr Jelfs died, aged 40, in December, 2018, after battling cancer. His widow Kerry told The Sun she was left traumatised by the correspondence.
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed that two members of staff had been suspended, adding: “This incident happened last year. The prisoner did not leave the grounds, and was not ‘let out’.”


birminghammail--2020-04-26--Thug jailed for beating girlfriend posts string of Facebook posts from prison

A thug who was jailed for beating up his pregnant partner boasted from his prison cell in a brazen string of social media posts using a contraband phone , it can be revealed .
Tapping into Facebook on a mobile illegally smuggled into prison , Denver Harris bragged of a Valentine 's meal cooked up with a fellow inmate and film nights on his in-cell TV .
Posing in various smiling profile photos taken inside HMP Oakwood , he breached prison law to gloat of his time in jail as his ex-girlfriend was left with the trauma of her ordeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison service seized a mobile phone - with a warning that extra jail time could be added on for anyone found breaching the law .
The 33-year-old is serving time after making his former girlfriend a prisoner in her Erdington home and even assaulting her while she was heavily pregnant .
Harris once broke into her house , dragged her by her hair and kicked her in the face before locking her inside for two days .
He was jailed for three-and-a-half years in August 2018 for assault , harassment and sending threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris was later released on licence , he went on the run from police .
West Midlands Police issued an urgent appeal to find him last year and he was thrown back in prison for breaching the terms of his licence .
Through February and March , he shared a series of boastful posts including a topless photo exposing a chest emblazoned with the tattoo : 'Fear no man , trust no b**** ' .
During the coronavirus lockdown , on April 5 , he posted a status saying : `` It do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now cuz no 1s doing s*** out their eney way . ''
He bragged of the Tandoori chicken meal he had cooked ahead of watching Coyote Ugly in his cell with another inmate for a belated 'Valentine 's celebration ' in another post .
He also shared a photo of a large in-cell TV screen as Bad Boys 3 was shown , saying : `` Chilling watching Bad Boys 3 sick film tbf '' .
A source , who did not wish to be named , slammed the posts as 'disgraceful ' as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page with BirminghamLive .
`` I thought I would bring it to your attention that he is currently in HMP Oakwood and is using a mobile phone to use Facebook and contact the outside world .
It is disgraceful that he is allowed to get away with this , prison is meant to be a punishment , '' he said .
In response to the complaint , HMP Oakwood said prison officers had seized a mobile phone in what they branded a `` rare occurrence '' .
The Facebook account appeared to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John McLaughlin , Director at HMP Oakwood , said : “ Anyone found with a mobile phone behind bars will be punished and they may have time added to their sentence .
“ We have seized a mobile phone and will ensure that those who break the law are prosecuted .
“ Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to detect , intercept and confiscate contraband .
Through close working with the police and a number of strict security procedures , this is a rare occurrence at HMP Oakwood .
”

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A thug who was jailed for beating up his pregnant partner boasted from his prison cell in a brazen string of social media posts using a contraband phone, it can be revealed.
Tapping into Facebook on a mobile illegally smuggled into prison, Denver Harris bragged of a Valentine's meal cooked up with a fellow inmate and film nights on his in-cell TV.
Posing in various smiling profile photos taken inside HMP Oakwood, he breached prison law to gloat of his time in jail as his ex-girlfriend was left with the trauma of her ordeal.
The account was deactivated after the prison service seized a mobile phone - with a warning that extra jail time could be added on for anyone found breaching the law.
The 33-year-old is serving time after making his former girlfriend a prisoner in her Erdington home and even assaulting her while she was heavily pregnant.
Harris once broke into her house, dragged her by her hair and kicked her in the face before locking her inside for two days.
He was jailed for three-and-a-half years in August 2018 for assault, harassment and sending threatening messages to the mum. But when Harris was later released on licence, he went on the run from police.
West Midlands Police issued an urgent appeal to find him last year and he was thrown back in prison for breaching the terms of his licence.
Through February and March, he shared a series of boastful posts including a topless photo exposing a chest emblazoned with the tattoo: 'Fear no man, trust no b****'.
During the coronavirus lockdown, on April 5, he posted a status saying: "It don't feel 2 bad being in jail now cuz no 1s doing s*** out their eney way."
He bragged of the Tandoori chicken meal he had cooked ahead of watching Coyote Ugly in his cell with another inmate for a belated 'Valentine's celebration' in another post.
He also shared a photo of a large in-cell TV screen as Bad Boys 3 was shown, saying: "Chilling watching Bad Boys 3 sick film tbf".
A source, who did not wish to be named, slammed the posts as 'disgraceful' as he shared screenshots from Harris' Facebook page with BirminghamLive.
"I thought I would bring it to your attention that he is currently in HMP Oakwood and is using a mobile phone to use Facebook and contact the outside world. It is disgraceful that he is allowed to get away with this, prison is meant to be a punishment," he said.
In response to the complaint, HMP Oakwood said prison officers had seized a mobile phone in what they branded a "rare occurrence".
The Facebook account appeared to have been deleted after the prison intercepted.
John McLaughlin, Director at HMP Oakwood, said: “Anyone found with a mobile phone behind bars will be punished and they may have time added to their sentence.
“We have seized a mobile phone and will ensure that those who break the law are prosecuted.
“Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to detect, intercept and confiscate contraband. Through close working with the police and a number of strict security procedures, this is a rare occurrence at HMP Oakwood.”