Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England) back issues from February 2008:
SOLICITOR VANISHES AFTER pounds 7m MORTGAGE SCAM; EXCLUSIVE Banks rocked by fraud.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: BY JEANETTE OLDHAM A SOLICITOR has vanished following a suspected pounds 7 million mortgage scam. Vincent Okey Udah, 49, disappeared after Birmingham Midshires and other Midland financial institutions were ...
THE MAYOR AND THE SCIENTOLOGY RALLY; EXCLUSIVE Councillor is criticised for attending anti-drugs event run by controversial church.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: BY BEN GOLDBY A MIDLAND Mayor has denied backing the controversial Church of Scientology - despite being photographed at a group rally. Barbara McCracken had accepted an invitation to speak at a public meeting about the US religion's Say No To Drugs campaign. ...
Airlift for schoolboy.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... A SEVEN year-old boy had to be airlifted to hospital after breaking his leg while playing football at a Midland school. The youngster was injured during the game at Kings Hawford School, Worcester, on Friday and was airlifted to ...
Weapons haul doubles.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... COPS arrested twice as many people carrying weapons on the streets of two Midland towns last year. Police from Trent Valley Division, which covers Burton and Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire, arrested 57 people compared to just 25 in 2006. ...
CRAZY WORLD.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: A gang of high-tech criminals was seconds away from completing a digital bank heist when an employee literally pulled the plug on their brazen scam. The would-be bank robbers had ...
First-timers are over 35.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... ONE in five first-time buyers are now aged over 35 with recent house price gains pushing homeownership out of reach for many young people, research showed. Around 22 per cent of people taking their first step on to the property ladder are over 35, with half aged between ...
Dunc would have been the greatest SAYS ALEX FERGUSON.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: BY BOB HAYWOOD BLACK Country soccer legend Duncan Edwards would have become the greatest British footballer of all time if he had not died in the Munich air disaster. The glowing accolade came last night from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as the ...
THE MUNICH VICTIMS.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... EIGHT Manchester United players died along with 15 club officials and travelling journalists. As reported in last week's Sunday Mercury, the writers included George Follows, of Cheslyn Hay, near Cannock, Staffordshire. He worked for the wellrespected Daily Herald, ...
Dog Racing: WINTER WEATHER SNOW JOKE FOR TRAINERS & LOYAL STAFF; GOING TO THE DOGS.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: Stephen Rea AS I have been away for the last couple of weeks the icy blast that hit me on my return reminded me of the conditions that our sport and it's stars, the greyhounds and kennel staff, have to endure at times. As I write this column on Friday evening ...
HOWLE Hill took his lifetime.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... HOWLE Hill took his lifetime earnings to more than pounds 200,000 by lifting the biggest pot ever staged over jumps at Doncaster yesterday. The eight-year-old ...
Peacock daring to dream again; TRAINER HAS HIGH HOPES FOR NEW BASE.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By BOB DOWNING RAY Peacock would love to train a Cheltenham Festival winner and, being a Cheshire man, leading a horse into the winner's enclosure after the Chester Cup would be an equal thrill. For a man who trained Rushmoor to win a Scottish Champion Hurdle, ...
Trap door looms for Cottagers.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By CHRIS HUTCHEON FULHAM have won just two of their 24 games in the Premiership and their winless sequence in all competitions currently stands at 14 matches. Subsequently they are an absolute steal at 8-15 with Betfred to be relegated, especially as they are ...
BRAVEHEART; I'm aiming to kick for Super Bowl glory, says Giants' Scottish star.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By JIM RALABATE NEW York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes is determined to give his British fans something to cheer about when he lines up for Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots today. The 29-year-old is the first Scottishborn player in NFL history ...
Lawn Tennis: Sharapova fights back.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... DEFENDING Fed Cup champions Russia are evenly poised with Israel after the opening day of their World Group first-round tie. Shahar Peer had given Israel the lead with a 0-6 6-2 6-2 triumph over Dinara Safina in the opening rubber yesterday. However, visitors Russia ...
Khan holds on to title.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... AMIR Khan retained his Commonwealth lightweight title last night after a hard-fought 12 rounds against Gairy St Clair at London's ExCel Arena. Khan got the better of former ...
McLeish: We are not done for yet.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By MAT KENDRICK ALEX McLeish last night issued a defiant 'Don't panic' message after Birmingham dropped into the relegation zone for the first time this season. And the Blues boss took issue with chairman David Gold that yesterday's survival six-pointer had ...
GAB'LL BE JUST FAB; O'Neill: He has Roo ethic.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By MAT KENDRICK MARTIN O'Neill knew Gabby Agbonlahor would make the step up to senior England level - when he saw him playing right back! The uncapped Brummie has been included in the 23-man squad for Fabio Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland at ...
He's been telling people she's having his baby; EXCLUSIVE PRISON CHIEFS PROBE OFFICIAL COMPLAINT.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: BY ANUJI VERMA JAIL bosses in Birmingham are set to launch an investigation into claims that a prison officer is pregnant with a convicted burglar's baby. Mark Liburd, 33, has been boasting that a staff member at Winson Green will give birth to his child ...
Pensioner is left for dead.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... POLICE were hunting a hit and run driver after an 80 year-old woman was left for dead in Birmingham. The pensioner is in a critical condition in City Hospital ...
CRAZY WORLD.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... ARIZONA, USA: An American Football fan said his three year-old Labrador got so excited about the Super Bowl that he devoured two very expensive tickets to the game. Chris Gal- lagher asked a ...
SARKOZY MARRIES HIS MODEL.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy married his girlfriend, the former model Carla Bruni, in a ceremony held in Paris yesterday. The pair wed in front of a small gathering of close friends at the Elysee Palace in the capital city, the mayor who performed the service said. ...
Anti-freeze poisoner may have had lover; POLICE REVEAL EVIL WIFE WAS A SECRET USER OF INTERNET CHATROOMS.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: BY JEANETTE OLDHAM A WIFE who poisoned her husband with antifreeze to solve secret debts may have had an internet lover, it was claimed last night. Kate Knight, 28, served a curry laced with the potentially lethal dose to partner Lee as they celebrated their ...
OAP found dead with head injuries.(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... POLICE were investigating the suspicious death of a Midland pensioner last night after he was found with serious injuries at his home. The victim, named locally as Mohammed Aslam, was pronounced dead at Walsall Manor Hospital after being found unconscious in his house on Friday ...
MUM LOSES TWIN BOYS AT BIRTH; EXCLUSIVE REAL-LIFE TRAGEDY I prayed and prayed but switching off the life-support was the most difficult decision I've ever made...(News)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: BY BOB HAYWOOD TRAGIC mum Claire Wheeler told last night how she prayed in vain for the lives of her premature twin boys. But, in the end, she was forced into the agonizing decision of switching off both their life-support machines. Claire, 20, ...
HOWLE Hill took his lifetime.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... HOWLE Hill took his lifetime earnings to more than pounds 200,000 by lifting the biggest pot ever staged over jumps at Doncaster yesterday. The eight-year-old landed a first ...
WE'RE ALL DELIGHTED FOR CURTIS; EXCLUSIVE: HARD MAN HAS A SOFT SPOT FOR FURRY FRIENDS.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By ANDY WALKER PAUL Robinson believes that Curtis Davies has the potential to become a Three Lions regular - despite his former Albion pal missing the cut for Fabio Capello's first England match. Davies, on-loan from West Brom at Villa for the season with the ...
RANGERS TOLD TO EXPECT HIBS TEST.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... RANGERS may not have lost a domestic match since October but manager Walter Smith is taking nothing for granted against Hibernian today. He watched his players book their place in the CIS Insurance Cup final with a midweek win over Hearts and wants to take a major step towards ...
DOUBLE DEAL POINTS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE AT COVENTRY.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By LEE CORDEN NEW Coventry City chairman Ray Ranson's vision for the future was evident in the Sky Blues' transfer business ahead of deadline day. Ranson, who took over the helm at the Ricoh Arena in December, is keen to build a young squad with manager Iain ...
New job is no joke - Butcher.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... FORMER England skipper Terry Butcher thought the offer to become Scotland assistant manager was a crank call. But once he was convinced it was his old Ipswich team-mate George Burley on the line, he needed little persuading. Butcher has agreed to join the new Scotland boss' coaching staff ...
Arbeloa eyes Spain call-up.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... LIVERPOOL defender Alvaro Arbeloa is hoping Spain coach Luis Aragones will give him another chance after injury ruled him out of a possible debut in next week's friendly against France. Arbeloa earned his first call on Friday in a 22-man squad, but the former Deportivo La Coruna ...
The bigots forced me to give up on Ireland; EXCLUSIVE: KNIGHT TURNED DOWN CALL AFTER RACE-HATE CAMPAIGN.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By MAT KENDRICK ASTON Villa defender Zat Knight has revealed how a racist hate campaign stopped him from playing for the Republic of Ireland during his time at Fulham. Knight's international career has stalled since winning two England caps under Sven Goran ...
CAP CALL WON'T CHANGE MY LADS.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By MAT KENDRICK MARTIN O'Neill is confident that Aston Villa's increasing band of Little Englanders will not get too big for their boots. Gabby Agbonlahor will join Gareth Barry, Scott Carson and Ashley Young in Fabio Capello's first squad for Wednesday's ...
SHAUN KEEN TO BE A BIG SMASH SHAUN KEEN.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By MAT KENDRICK SHAUN Maloney is desperate to serve up success at Aston Villa after revealing he was once a budding Andy Murray on the tennis court. The Scottish striker decided to turn his back on tennis as a teenager when he realised he was too small to make ...
Gabby set to make his debut.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... VILLA'S Gabriel Agbonlahor is on course to make his England debut after being included in Fabio Capello's final 23-man squad to face Switzerland on Wednesday. The England manager generally played it safe in whittling down his squad from the 30 provisional names but striker ...
Football: Shrews blow it at the end.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... SHREWSBURY 1 LINCOLN CITY 2 SHREWSBURY'S hopes of reigniting their play-off campaign were sunk by relegation-threatened Lincoln. The Imps, who have won on their last six visits to Shrewsbury, made the out-of-sorts home side suffer in a game dominated by ...
Football: Rampant Bulls pocket points.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... ROTHERHAM 0 HEREFORD 1 HEREFORD staged an excellent rear-guard action to get their top-table push moving again against promotion rivals Rotherham. Looking to bring their run of three defeats to an end, Hereford were pressed back in the opening exchanges ...
Football: McCARTHY HIT BY CUP PAYBACK; But we won't lose heart, says boss.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: TOM ROSTRANCE at Vicarage Road WATFORD 3 Kabba 1 min, Smith 76, 78 WOLVES 0 HISTORY repeated itself for below-par Wolves as Watford wreaked revenge for their FA Cup exit by sending Mick McCarthy's men packing in the Championship. ...
Football: SADDLERS ARE SUNK BY KEEPER'S CLANGERS.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: PAUL MARSTON at Brunton Park CARLISLE UNITED 2 WALSALL 1 A DOUBLE-HOWLER by Walsall goalkeeper Clayton Ince handed promotion rivals Carlisle a lucky win and three vital points to equal their club record of nine successive home victories. ...
Football: Super sub has Swans flying high; Coca Cola FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROUND-UP.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... SWANSEA substitute Febian Brandy scored an 85th-minute winner in the League One leaders' 2-1 victory over Oldham at the Liberty Stadium. The home side netted in on 67 minutes when Gary McDonald turned Jason Scotland's cross into his own net before Craig Davies equalised with a ...
Football: Whitehead: Why I had to go home.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By MAT KENDRICK AFC Telford's prodigal son Stuart Whitehead controversially quit Kidderminster and rejected a move to Cambridge because "home" is where his heart is. Whitehead dismissed rumours of a bust-up with Harriers manager Mark Yates and insisted ...
Football: PULIS PLOTS A PREMIER PUSH; New faces expected despite crucial victory.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: SAM LEE at the Britannia Stadium STOKE CITY 2 Roger Johnson (og) 39 mins, Fuller (pen) 57 mins CARDIFF CITY 1 Hasselbaink 63 mins STOKE boss Tony Pulis still feels the need to beef up his squad after his side reinforced their ...
Football: Dowie's getting Best out of Leon.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: LEE CORDEN at the Ricoh Arena COVENTRY CITY 4 Best 37 mins, 84 mins; Gray 70 mins, Tabb 75mins BARNSLEY 0 COVENTRY City striker Leon Best repaid his manager's faith by leading the Sky Blues to their first league win in 2008. ...
Football: NEW-LOOK HARRIERS NEED TIME.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... KIDDERMINSTER 0 NORTHWICH 0 IT WAS new-look Harriers but the same old story as they failed to see off struggling Northwich. It was more like the first day of the season than the first weekend of February as the home side fielded a new-look line-up after a ...
Football: EVANS OFF BUT LAMBS GET REPLAY; The FA TROPHY STAFFORD 2 TAMWORTH 2.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... LOCAL rivals Stafford and Tamworth have it all to do in a Tuesday night replay to decide who will represent Staffordshire in this season's FA Trophy quarter-finals. Rangers, of the Blue Square Premier, found themselves trailing early on to their Conference North rivals but hit ...
Football: Albion hit by super sub Rob; The FA TROPHY.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... BURTON ALB 1 HISTON 1 BURTON were denied a guaranteed place in the last eight of the FA Trophy after Robbie Nightingale grabbed an 85th-minute equaliser at the Pirelli Stadium. The Histon substitute was on hand to sweep home Patrick Ada's cross to cap a ...
Football: Osbourne treble is so Good; WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... LETHAL Lee Osborne proved a hat-trick hero in Goodrich's impressive 3-0 win at Brierley Hill. The attacker's away-day special began with a brilliant angled shot on 47 minutes, followed by a second courtesy of strike partner Dean Craig's pass on the hour-mark. ...
Football: Adams' late strike keeps Bucks on up; Keeper stars as Sutton hit four DIVISION ONE MIDLANDS.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Sutton Coldfield 4 Aylesbury United 0 SUPER Sutton Coldfield recorded an impressive win over their high-flying rivals, although it was much closer than the score suggested. Goalkeeper Chris Gemmell made three superb second half saves to keep the visitors ...
Rugby Union: Varndell: I'm ready to take the next step.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... Byline: By ROSS HEPPENSTALL TOM Varndell has insisted he is ready for a place in England's RBS Six Nations side should Brian Ashton require him. The Leicester wing provided head coach Ashton with a pertinent reminder of his lethal finishing skills with two tries in ...
Rugby Union: IRISH HIT BY D'ARCY BREAK.(Sport)
Feb 03, 2008 ... IRELAND 16 ITALY 11 IRELAND centre Gordon D'Arcy will miss the rest of the RBS 6 Nations Championship after breaking his arm in his side's victory over Italy. D'Arcy was hurt tackling Italy fly-half Andrea Masi in the 26th minute of an unconvincing opener ...
showbiz: Feeling a little bit spooked...(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: BY ANUJI VARMA THE Feeling were a little spooked out when they recorded their latest album, Join With Us, at the former home of Henry VIII. Keyboardist Ciaran Jeremiah swears he saw a ghost in the 10-bedroomed Tudor manor house. "It was the ...
showbiz: Wedding bliss.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... FERGIE has admitted that she's taking her time with planning her upcoming nuptials with actor Josh Duhamel. "I have a big stack of wedding magazines, and I've never picked one up before in my life," the 32 year-old ...
showbiz: Supermodel Erin gets steamy at last.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... SUPERMODEL Erin O'Connor is all steamed up about her looks. Erin, 29, from Brownhills, near Walsall, says her No 1 beauty tip is to go to a steam room. She adds: "It's done wonders for my skin. If you can't get to a steam room, stick your head over a bowl of steaming ...
showbiz: Viggo loves his nake aggression.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... HE'S hardly unbiased but Viggo Mortensen reckons his film Eastern Promises is this year's best movie, despite not being nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. "I don't think there's a better movie than Eastern Promises which came out any time this year," he said. "I'm very, ...
showbiz: Blown away by Ashes To Ashes.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... LIFE On Mars star Philip Glenister admits he was "blown over" when he saw the finished version of his latest show Ashes To Ashes. The BBC show resurrects Philip's on screen alter-ego DCI Gene Hunt, last seen in the award-winning Seventies-set drama Life On Mars, but this time ...
showbiz: A lover's anthology has something for everyone; books MY MISTRESS'S SPARROW IS DEAD (HARPER PRESS; pounds 14.99) JEFFREY EUGENIDES.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: by Lorne Jackson ONCE again, Valentine's Day is lurking round the corner. If you're a bloke, that means you have a whole lot of apologising to wade through on February 14. Apologies for being insensitive. Apologies for forgetting what ...
dining: BLOG OFF; Why internet critics are wrong about La Plancha eating out LA PLANCHA, MOSELEY, BIRMINGHAM.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: ADAM ASPINALL IF you live in Moseley then it really isn't your fault if it happens to you. You probably don't even notice at first. Perhaps a friend passes you an interesting article to read and you think it must always be that good. ...
dining: Portions leave you hungry and disappointed; THE KINGS HEAD, BEARWOOD.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: ANUJI VARMA FOR weeks I'd been excited about visiting The Kings Head as it had undergone a complete transformation. A sign advertising its "Fine wine and dining" experience looked appealing, so off my husband Pete and I went to sample the menu. ...
dining: eating in; Each week we bring you a cut-out-and-keep recipe from top chef KEVIN ASHTON, who has cooked for American presidents and Hollywood movie stars. BISCUIT TORTONI (serves six).(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: KEVIN ASHTON "According to his diaries, when Neapolitan ice-cream maker Giuseppe Tortoni came to Paris aged 23 to make his fortune in 1798 he brought with him 'an ancient and ailing mother, an ugly and bothersome wife, three illmannered children and a swaybacked horse, ...
play: RPWL The RPWL Experience (Inside Out).(Features)(Sound recording review)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: by Paul Cole TIRED of waiting for the next Pink Floyd album? Then take a list to German progrockers RPWL, who sound spookily like Roger Waters-era Floyd, complete with anti-war lyrics, sweeping soundscapes and Dave Gilmour guitar. It's especially evident on the ...
play: pick of the week.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: by Paul Cole WHEN Jools Holland started his Later show, there were those who suspected it would only run for 12 weeks or so. Now it's just celebrated its 200th edition and has become an essential part of New Year's Eve for music-lovers. This ...
play: MICHAEL JACKSON Thriller: 25th Anniversary Edition (Epic).(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: by Paul Cole MICHAEL Jackson's long fall from grace has taken place in the glare of the media spotlight, his every bizarre action caught on camera. Many reasons have been suggested for his descent into the abyss - but perhaps it all started here. Thriller was consummate ...
play: Perfect TV for gaming; games.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: MARTYN LEEK INTO your gaming? Want a new HD ready television but your girlfriend won't let you have one because they look too big. Well then, Hunmax, one of the world's largest set-top box manufacturers, has the answer for you. The firm has added ...
play: WIN the Brit awards CD.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: by Paul Cole & Jack Daniels WIN the official Brit Awards double album! That's the pop prize offer from the Preview team today. Brits Hits - The Album Of The Year sums up a remarkable 12 months. The 40 tracks represent the very best from ...
play: bev's pick.(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: by Paul Cole & Jack Daniels JOSE FELICIANO 10 To 23 / Fireworks (Beat Goes On) IT'S been about 10 years since I played percussion on a recording session in New York City for Jose Feliciano - a good singer, incredible guitarist and a very easy man to get along ...
play: SHELBY LYNNE Just A Little Lovin' (Lost Highway).(Features)
Feb 10, 2008 ... Byline: by Paul Cole WILL the real Shelby Lynne please stand up? She's sung Nashville country, re-invented herself as a rock singer and now goes middle of the road with a set of songs made famous by Dusty Springfield. Stripping them to the bone, then rebuilding them as ...