Sir Alex Ferguson retires: Manchester United manager to step down at end of season after 27 years in charge | Mail Online

 

‘It has been an honour and a privilege’: Sir Alex Ferguson steps down after 27 years in charge of Manchester United as he pays tribute to his wife (and club’s share price falls by 4.5%)

• The 71-year-old will retire at the end of the season, club announces
• Sir Alex has won 13 Premier League titles during his United reign
• He will become a director and ambassador of the club after May 18
• United’s game with West Brom – his 1,500th in charge – will be his last
• Sir Alex said it was important to leave club in ‘strongest possible shape’
• Also won five FA Cup and four League Cups for the Old Trafford club
• His side won the European Champions League in 1999 and 2008
• Everton boss David Moyes, a fellow Scot, is set to replace Ferguson
• Bookmakers take a ‘bet every second’ on Ferguson’s successor today

By Steve Nolan

Sir Alex Ferguson announced today that he is to retire as Manchester United manager at the end of the season, describing his 27 years in charge of the club as having been an ‘honour and a privilege.’

The 71-year-old, who clinched his 13th Premier League title with the club last month paid tribute to his wife and colleagues for their support during his long tenure at Old Trafford.

But the announcement appeared to damage the club’s value on the stock market with shares falling by 4.5 per cent in the hours that followed before rallying to -1.28 per cent.

Sir Alex said in a statement that it was important to him to leave the club in the ‘strongest possible shape.’

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Retiring: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has announced that he will step down after 27 years in charge of the club and 13 Premier League title wins

Cheerful: Ferguson in the Ibrox directors’ box at the Rangers v Man United legends match this week

Success: Sir Alex pops a cork after winning the Premier League title last month, left, and is seen decked out in United colours after he was unveiled as their new manager in 1986

CLUB’S SHARE PRICES TUMBLE

Shares in Manchester United today fell in New York amid fears over the impact that Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure will have on the club.

The opening bell on Wall Street saw shares down by 3 per cent, driven lower by worries over whether the club can appoint the right replacement for the most successful manager in English football history.

His successor will be the key figure at a business laden with almost £370 million of debt and tightly controlled by its US majority owners, the Glazer family.

The club, which trades under the MANU ticker on Wall Street, announced his departure while US markets were closed, but shares slipped on opening as investors digested the impact of the 71-year-old’s departure on one of sport’s most successful franchises.

In the prospectus to its 2012 stock market flotation, Manchester United warned: ‘We are highly dependent on members of our management, coaching staff and our players.

‘Any successor to our current manager may not be as successful as our current manager.’

Shares in the club have surged 34 per cent since floating in August at 14 US dollars (£9) per share, closing on Tuesday evening at 18.77 US dollars (£12.11).

The flotation allowed the Glazer family to sell 16.7m shares – equal to a 10 per cent stake.

The Glazers bought the Premier League football club for £790 million in 2005 in a controversial deal that enraged fans because they put in just £300 million of their own money and loaded the club with debt.

The club’s most recent annual results showed total revenues of £320.3 million for the year to the end of June 2012, down 3.3 per cent on a year earlier.

Hargreaves Lansdown head of equities Richard Hunter said: ‘The Manchester United merchandising machine will not grind to a halt overnight.

‘The company is thinly traded and researched on Wall Street, but of the handful of analysts which cover the stock, the consensus of the shares as a buy is likely to remain intact, despite the inevitably difficult transition phase to a new chapter in the club’s history.’

He said: ‘The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.

‘It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so.

‘The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.’

Sir Alex will remain part of the set up at Old Trafford despite stepping back from on the field matters.

He will take up a role as director and ambassador for the club when he retires after Manchester United’s game with West Brom on May 18 – his 1,500th game in charge.

He said: ‘Going forward, I am delighted to take on the roles of both Director and Ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future.’

He paid tribute to the support of his friends, colleagues and family throughout his career, in particular his wife Cathy.

He said: ‘I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential.

‘My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.

‘As for my players and staff, past and present, I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs.’

Ferguson has had a career the like of which will never be seen again.

He won his 49th trophy by winning United’s 20th league championship and seemed set to extend his career into next season, confirming as much in his programme notes ahead of Sunday’s encounter with Chelsea.

Instead, with a hip operation booked in for August, this weekend’s Old Trafford encounter with Swansea, followed by a trophy presentation, will be his last home game in charge.

Manchester united Chief Executive David Gill described his time working with the manager as the ‘greatest experience’ of his working life.

He said that the club have been planning for Sir Alex’s retirement on and off the pitch.

He said: ‘I’ve had the tremendous pleasure of working very closely with Alex for 16 unforgettable years – through the treble, the double, countless trophy wins and numerous signings.

‘We knew that his retirement would come one day and we both have been planning for it by ensuring the quality of the squad and club structures are in first-class condition.

‘Alex’s vision, energy and ability have built teams – both on and off the pitch – that his successor can count on as among the best and most loyal in world sport.’

Where it all began: Sir Alex is unveiled as Manchester United manager by former Chairman Martin Edwards back in 1986

Early days: Manchester United’s new manager Alex Ferguson watches from the dug out as his side play Oxford United, in his first game in charge of the club. United lost 2-0

First European trophy: Sir Alex holding the European Cup Winners Cup and former manager Sir Matt Busby holding the European Cup at Old Trafford, after United won the trophy in 1991

First trophy: Sir Alex is seen clutching the FA Cup after his side beat Crystal Palace in the final in 1990

Joel Glazer, joint chairman of the Manchester United board with brother Avie, pinpointed the 2008 Champions League final penalty shootout success over Chelsea as a highlight among the many memories.

He said: ‘Alex has proven time and time again what a fantastic manager he is but he’s also a wonderful person.

Tribute: Sir Alex thanked his wife Cathy for her support in a statement announcing his retirement this morning

‘His determination to succeed and dedication to the club have been truly remarkable. I will always cherish the wonderful memories he has given us, like that magical night in Moscow.’

Politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband paid tribute to Sir Alex’s achievements today.

Mr Cameron said on Twitter: ‘Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievement at #MUFC has been exceptional. Hopefully his retirement will make life a little easier for my team #AVFC.’

This afternoon he joked that Sir Alex will have to provide a consultancy service to Aston Villa, the side Cameron supports, as the midlands club have battled relegation this season.

In a speech opening debate in the Commons following the Queen’s address today, Mr Cameron joked that even Conservative MPs would be recognising the achievements of Sir Alex – a staunch Labour supporter.

He said: ‘It is the day to perhaps sing the praises of Sir Alex Ferguson, a remarkable man in British football who has had an extraordinary, successful career.

‘I am sure that all members, even on the blue team, will want to pay tribute to this member of the red team. Perhaps he could now provide some consultancy services for Aston Villa.’

Prior to Mr Cameron’s speech, Labour leader Ed Miliband told MPs that Sir Alex was ‘phenomenally talented at his job’.

He said: ‘I won’t let this day pass without paying tribute to the most successful football manager this world has ever seen – a great supporter of the reds, you might call him.

‘Sir Alex Ferguson, phenomenally talented at his job, winner of 13 championships – (he) can teach us all about hard work and dedication.’

Sir Alex had vowed to carry on ‘indefinitely’ in programme notes written before Sunday’s defeat against Chelsea.

Devoted: Sir Alex and Cathy pictured with new born son Mark, left, and in the kitchen of their Glasgow home when he played for Rangers in 1968. Sir Alex thanked her for her support throughout his career

He arrived at the club’s Carrington training ground to take training as normal this morning.

But already speculation is mounting as to who could replace the most successful manager in British football history.

Talks are underway to find a replacement and Everton manager David Moyes is among the frontrunners.

It had been rumoured that Moyes would initially join the club as understudy to Ferguson for a season before taking over the reigns full time.

Moyes remains the favourite to take over with bookmakers offering odds of 4/6 this morning.

Other big names thought to be in the running include Real Madrid manager and former Chelsea favourite Jose Mourinho, who is tipped at 6/5 by bookmakers to get the job.

The self-proclaimed ‘special one’ has been widely tipped to join Chelsea, but could be set to rethink those plans.

At the races: Manchester United players Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic arrive at Chester racecourse today, shortly after boss Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement

Strikers Wayne Rooney and Danny Wellbeck pictured suited and booted at Chester races today – manager Sir Alex Ferguson was nowhere to be seen

He is likely to be available at the end of the season.

Long-serving Manchester United star Ryan Giggs has also been linked with the role as well as Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp.

United’s hand may have been forced in terms of making an announcement by strict New york Stock Exchange rules.

With the club floated on the market, any information which significantly affects the running of the club must be announced.

The news hit Manchester United’s stateside share prices, with their value down more than 3.5 per cent this afternoon.

Vow: Sir Alex had said that he wanted to carry on as manager in his programme notes ahead of Sunday’s home defeat to Chelsea

Vintage: Sir Alex and Manchester United star Ryan Giggs celebrate winning the Premier League back in 2003

Hairdryer treatment: David Beckham felt the wrath of Sir Alex back in February 2003 when he was hit on the head by a stray boot kicked by the fiery Scotsman

Old boys: Sir Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes of Manchester United recreate the famous Class of ’92 photo from 1992 ahead of Gary Neville’s testimonial match in 2011

FERGIE’S FABULOUS 49

Sir Alex Ferguson has won 49 trophies in the most successful managerial career Britain has ever known.
ST MIRREN
Scottish First Division (1): 1976-77.
ABERDEEN
Scottish Premier Division (3): 1979-80, 1983-84, 1984-85.
Scottish Cup (4): 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86.
Scottish League Cup (1): 1985-86.
European Cup Winners’ Cup (1): 1982-83.
European Super Cup (1): 1983.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Premier League (13): 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13.
FA Cup (5): 1989-90, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2003-04.
League Cup (4): 1991-92, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10.
Charity/Community Shield (10): 1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011.
Champions League (2): 1998-99, 2007-08.
European Cup Winners’ Cup (1): 1990-91.
European Super Cup (1): 1991.
Intercontinental Cup (1): 1999.
FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008.

Officials at Old Trafford had put up a wall of silence before this morning’s announcement, despite heavy speculation.

The club were not even taking calls from journalists last night amid a frenzy of speculation over their manager’s future.

Similarly the club will have to announce Sir Alex’s successor to the market as soon as he is appointed.

Sources say that there is expected to be ‘an announcement within days.’

Ferguson was expected at Chester Races today for a planned day out with some of United’s players.

But while some of the side’s stars, including Wayne Rooney and Danny Wellbeck were spotted, their manager was nowhere to be seen.

Rumours began to circulate on Tuesday among United’s players and coaching staff, who were involved in a golf match at Dunham Forest in Cheshire.

The Scotsman became famed throughout his career for his infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’ dished out to players and his fiery temperament.

One of the most infamous examples of star players feeling Ferguson’s wrath came in February 2003 when the manager kick a boot in the changing room which hit David Beckham on the forehead.

Beckham wore the wounds from the incident in a very public fallout and left the club months later.

Things could have turned out very differently for Ferguson and Manchester United had the club not won the FA Cup in 1990.

Ferguson’s side were struggling in the league and had a tough third round tie against Nottingham Forest.

If the tabloids were to be believed then Ferguson would have been sacked if the team finished trophyless.

But a goal by youth team product Mark Robins gave United a win and the rest is history.

Moyes was at Goodison Park on Tuesday night to watch Everton defeat Newcastle in the Under 21s Premier League.

The 50-year-old Scot is out of contract this summer but has refused to discuss his future publicly, insisting only that he would weigh up his options at the end of the season.

United’s final match of the season, at West Bromwich Albion on May 19, will be the 1,500th of Ferguson’s tenure as manager.

‘FOOTBALL…BLOODY HELL!’ MEMORABLE SIR ALEX FERGUSON QUOTES

Sir Alex Ferguson has been involved in some of the most exciting moments in British football history and has provided the media with some of the most memorable quotes. Here are a selection of the very best.

‘I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Football. Bloody hell.’
After winning the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on May 26, 1999.

‘It’s getting tickly now – squeaky-bum time, I call it.’
During the 2002/03 end-of-season title race between Arsenal and United.
Sealed with a kiss: Sir Alex Ferguson toasts Manchester United’s 1999 Champions League success

‘They say he’s an intelligent man, right? Speaks five languages. I’ve got a 15-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast who speaks five languages!’ – On Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 1996.

‘He could start a row in an empty house.’ – On Dennis Wise.

Outspoken: Sir Alex has offered the press a number of memorable quotes over the years

‘He was certainly full of it, calling me "Boss" and "Big Man" when we had our post-match drink after the first leg. But it would help if his greetings were accompanied by a decent glass of wine. What he gave me was paint-stripper.’ – On Jose Mourinho.

‘It was a freakish incident. If I tried it 100 or a million times it couldn’t happen again. If I could I would have carried on playing!’
Explaining how he kicked a boot in the United dressing room that hit David Beckham in the face.

‘When an Italian tells me it’s pasta on the plate, I check under the sauce to make sure. They are the inventors of the smokescreen.’
Before playing Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-final, 1999.

‘My greatest challenge is not what’s happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their ******* perch. And you can print that.’
On Alan Hansen questioning his future in 2002.

‘Hand-picked’: Everton manager David Moyes leaving his club’s training ground today

That’s handy: Everton boss Moyes is leading the betting to replace Ferguson at Old Trafford

‘THANKS BOSS’: DAVID BECKHAM’S MESSAGE TO HIS BEST MANAGER

‘I’ve just seen the news on Sir Alex. As I have said many times before the boss wasn’t just the greatest and best manager I ever played under he was also a father figure to me from the moment I arrived at the club at the age of 11 until the day I left.

‘Without him I would never have achieved what I have done in my career. He understood how important it was to play for your country and he knew how much it meant to me.

‘After ’98 without the manager I would have found it virtually impossible to cope with the attention I was getting on and off the field and for this I will always be grateful to him for his support and protection.

‘I am truly honoured to have been guided by the greatest manager in football and to have had the career that I had under him.
Thank you boss and enjoy the rest!’

On Twitter, Rio Ferdinand echoed his former teammate’s sentiment, saying: ‘The bosses work ethic, his desire to win + to make us better players were unrivalled. Thanks boss.’

Many people inside football — including two Premier League managers — have suggested privately this season that Ferguson would have stepped aside had United not lost last season’s Premier League title race to Manchester City on the last kick of the campaign.

That has never been confirmed by United but it is thought Ferguson broke the news to his wife, Cath, that he had to shelve plans to retire within hours of City snatching the title.

There were also suggestions that Ferguson’s brother Martin may be standing aside from his scouting duties.

Of similar significance was the decision by David Gill — Ferguson’s closest ally — to step down as chief executive at the end of this season. But it had emerged United were preparing to make a more seismic announcement.

At the weekend, Ferguson suggested in his programme notes he would be around at Old Trafford next season.

Having always cited his health as the primary factor in any decision to retire, the club’s confirmation last Friday evening that Ferguson, who had a heart pacemaker fitted in 2004, would undergo hip surgery in August raised fresh doubt over his determination to continue in the post.

The developments came on the back of fevered and persistent betting this week that British football’s most successful manager may be ready to step aside.

Conquering Europe: Fergie lifts the Champions League trophy in Moscow in 2008

Double top: Fergie, holding a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, with David Beckham at SPOTY in 2001

Unlucky for some: Ferguson has got his hands on a the Premier League trophy a remarkable 13 times in all

‘I don’t have any plans at the moment to walk away from what I believe will be something special and worth being around to see,’ he said.

‘It’s always difficult in football to be absolutely sure of the future because the game has a habit of tripping you up, but I don’t live in a fantasy world and believe we have every reason to feel confident about the future of Manchester United.

‘My view stems not from the euphoria of winning back the title we lost last season, but on the way we did it and the make-up of our playing personnel.’

Glory days: Sir Alex pictured with the Champions League and Premier League trophies

Finest hour: Manchester United secured a treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in 1999

Already bookmakers seem to be predicting a slight decline in the fortunes of the club on the pitch after Sir Alex retires.

Bookmakers have already lengthened odds of the club retaining its Premier League crown next season, with Manchester City now installed as firm favourites.

William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: ‘Sir Alex has been the bane of bookmakers for 27 years but his leagcy is such that whether Mourinho or Moyes, or anyone else for that matter, takes the job, they

will still be considered very realistic Premier League challengers.

‘Having said that, no one knows how to build a title winning side like Sir Alex and for that reason we have had no option but to ease the price of the Reds winning the League next season.’

The odds on Sir Alex claiming the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in December have been dramatically slashed following this morning’s news.

He was considered an outsider at 33/1 yesterday, but is now second favourite behind fellow Scot Andy Murray at 6/1.

Betting punters have clearly been swept up in the speculation as to who should take over at Old Trafford with £50,000 staked at Ladbrokes this morning alone.

One gambler laid out £1,000 that Mourinho will succeed Sir Alex as manager.

A spokesman for Ladbrokes said today: We’ve had a bet every second and there’s no sign of it slowing down any time soon.’

WHO WILL REPLACE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MANAGER IN BRITISH HISTORY?

DAVID MOYES (ODDS: 1/8): A persistent contender, who shares Ferguson’s Scottish working-class roots.

Moyes has plenty of admirers at Old Trafford due to the work he has done at Everton and his preference for the passing style United favour.

Speculation has been intense of late that he is in his last season at Goodison Park, but has no real experience at the very highest level.

Successor? Everton’s manager David Moyes and Manchester United’s assistant manager Mike Phelan

JOSE MOURINHO (ODDS: 4/1): Many had believed it was all but a done deal that the Real Madrid boss would return to Chelsea at the end of the season.

But the Portuguese, while clearly hinting he is keen to manage in England once again, has never explicitly mentioned his old club.

Despite a lukewarm endorsement from United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, Mourinho is the one man guaranteed not to be overwhelmed by taking on the challenge of following Ferguson.

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER (ODDS: 25/1): A host of former United players have been linked with the job in the past yet all have fallen by the wayside.

Legend: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrating scoring the winning goal for Manchester United during the European Champions League Final against Bayern Munich in 1999 could replace Sir Alex

The latest is Solskjaer, who has made a successful start to his managerial career at Molde. He lacks experience, though, and will benefit from Ferguson remaining at the club as a director.

JURGEN KLOPP (ODDS: 20/1): The Borussia Dortmund boss has made a big impression during his club’s impressive run to the Champions League final.

With a style of football that seems tailor-made for the English football and an at-times eccentric manner in his post-match interviews, he would be an intriguing addition to the Premier League.

LAURENT BLANC (ODDS: 50/1): Blanc had a brief stint with the Red Devils at the end of his career, so knows the club well.

Caught the eye as manager of Bordeaux, where he won the French league title, then stabilised a France team that collapsed into chaos at the last World Cup before stepping down following their quarter-final loss to Spain at Euro 2012.

FERGIE’S FIVE FINEST SIGNINGS WHO TOOK UNITED TO THE TOP OF EUROPE

Top of the stoppers: Peter Schmeichel

Peter Schmeichel (signed from Brondby, 1991)

Widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history, the Dane’s heroic efforts provided clean sheets aplenty and the security at the back which was so key to United’s success throughout the 1990s. Schmeichel, recruited for around £500,000, knew how to intimidate opposition strikers by making optimum use of his frame and at times appeared just as fearful for his defenders, who would frequently receive a rollicking from him. Capped eight glorious years with the club by skippering United – in the absence of the suspended Roy Keane – in the 1999 Champions League final as Ferguson’s men secured the treble.

Eric Cantona (signed from Leeds, 1992)

Cantona’s five-year spell at United will never be forgotten. The Frenchman, who cost Ferguson just over £1million, gave the club’s fans many a moment to savour on the pitch with his dazzling skills, which helped the Red Devils to a haul of four Premier League titles and two FA Cups. But what perhaps cemented his iconic status was the way he played the part of the tortured genius. The most infamous instance of his short temper was the kung-fu kick he aimed at a Crystal Palace supporter and he made philosophical comments afterwards about seagulls following a trawler. It was somewhat appropriate that he exited early leaving the crowd wanting more, retiring aged 30 in 1997.

Driving force: Roy Keane

Roy Keane (signed from Nottingham Forest, 1993)

The£3.75million Ferguson paid Forest for Keane was a British transfer record at the time, but there is little question that he got value for money. In 12 years of service, the Irish midfielder was United’s engine room and driving force as they dominated English football through the 1990s and into the next decade. He also led them to the 1999 Champions League final, only to miss the game through suspension. Keane succeeded Cantona as captain and was just as combustible a character, if not more so. But it was that edge on the field that so endeared him to United fans and made him the player everyone else wanted in their team.

Cristiano Ronaldo (signed from Sporting Lisbon, 2003)

Megastar: Cristiano Ronaldo

Ferguson signed a teenage Ronaldo for £12.24million and it looked as if he may have paid over the odds for little more than a showboater in the early days of the Portuguese forward’s United career. He soon showed his game was not just about stepovers, though, developing into one of the world’s most potent players. Ronaldo scored an incredible total of 42 goals for the club in the 2007-08 season as the Red Devils won the Champions League. Although his exit to Real Madrid a year later was a blow, the world record £80million fee he commanded softened it considerably.

Edwin van der Sar (signed from Fulham, 2005)

Van der Sar was 34 when he arrived at Old Trafford for an undisclosed fee, but the Dutch goalkeeper was in no way a fading force. It soon became apparent that Ferguson had finally found the solution in a position which had been a problem for United since Schmeichel’s departure, as Van der Sar’s reliable hands helped the team achieve a new period of success. He broke a multitude of records with his clean sheets in the 2008-09 season and finally retired from football in 2011, having won four Premier League titles and the Champions League with the Red Devils.

From the Mail Online

Sir Alex Ferguson retires: Manchester United manager to step down at end of season after 27 years in charge | Mail Online

‘I don’t deserve it’: Homeless man’s astonishment after donors pledge him $150,000 for returning diamond engagement ring

 

‘I don’t deserve it’: Homeless man’s astonishment after donors pledge him $150,000 for returning diamond engagement ring

Sarah Darling lost her ring on the streets of Kansas City when she it unknowingly dropped it into a cup belonging to Billy Ray Harris.

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  KCTV 5 – Homeless: Billy Ray Harris’s good deed has earned him over $150,000 (KCTV 5)

A homeless man has become the centre of a global fundraising campaign – after returning a diamond engagement ring to a bride-to-be who dropped it in his coffee cup.
Sarah Darling lost her ring on the streets of Kansas City when she it unknowingly dropped it into a cup belonging to Billy Ray Harris.
She desperately dashed back to the scene the next day after realising it was missing, and was overjoyed when Harris returned the valuable jewellery straight back to her.
The feel-good story has touched so many people that an online fundraising page for homeless Harris has since pulled $150,000 in less than a fortnight.
The act of selflessness by Harris, who sleeps under a bridge and spends his days in a square in Kansas City, has since been described as a ‘miracle’ by Ms Darling’s fiance, Bill Krejci.
Mr Krejci, who set up the online donations page himself, said the act of generosity ‘makes you realise that there are good people out there’.
The donations, which on Tuesday afternoon stood at $151,000, are currently enough for Harris to get himself off the streets and buy a three-bedroom house in Kansas City.

Valuable: The diamond engagement ring which Harris selflessly returned (KCTV 5)

Harris told a local television station he ‘had that little devil on my shoulder saying, "Keep the money",’ but he decided against pawning the ring for cash.
When a distraught Ms Darling returned to the square hoping to retrieve the ring, she told Harris: "I don’t know if you remember me, but I think I gave you something that’s very precious."
Harris asked her, "Was it a ring?", before adding, "Yeah I have it, I kept it for you," and pulling it from a pocket.
Ms Darling and her fiance set up the fundraising page to thank Harris for returning the ring, hoping it would pull in $1,000.
Instead, over 6,000 pledges have flooded in from Asia, Europe and America, all wishing Harris well for his good deed.

Distraught: Sarah Darling was overjoyed when she recovered the ring (KCTV 5)

One donor left a message on the page saying: "An amazing man who deserves amazing things.. I hope things go well for you You are a true inspiration around the world!!"
Another pledge, from Pat Gowen, read: "Thank you Mr. Harris for your honesty. You have restored my faith in people. God Bless you."
Harris himself said he didn’t think he deserves all the attention he has been getting.
He told local television station KCTV: "What I actually feel is, "What is the world coming to when a person returns something that dosn’t belong to him and all this happens?".’
He added: "My grandfather was a reverend. He raised me from the time I was six months old and, thank the good Lord, it’s a blessing, but I do still have some character."
Harris said he may attempt to find somewhere to live in Texas, where he has family, but is currently staying with a friend.
In a statement on the Give Forward online page, Bill Krejci said after meeting Harris: "We talked about what he plans to do.
"He has a very solid plan and a very solid way of making it happen."

 

By Chris Parsons |

‘I don’t deserve it’: Homeless man’s astonishment after donors pledge him $150,000 for returning diamond engagement ring – Yahoo! News UK

Experts tell flatulent flyers: let rip

 

Experts tell flatulent flyers: let rip

By Neil Sands

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  AFP/AFP/File – A cabin crew member of budget Philippine airline Cebu Pacific performs a dance as part of the inflight safety demonstration, on October 8, 2010. A group of medical specialists has provided an answer to a dilemma that has faced flyers since the Wright brothers took to the air in 1903 — is it okay to fart mid-flight? 

A group of medical specialists has provided an answer to a dilemma that has faced flyers since the Wright brothers took to the air in 1903 — is it okay to fart mid-flight?

The experts’ recommendation is an emphatic yes to airline passengers — but a warning to cockpit crews that breaking wind could distract the pilot and pose a safety risk.

The study concluded that anecdotal evidence that flying increases flatulence is not hot air, finding that changes in air pressure at altitude result in the gut producing more gas.

When Danish gastroenterologist Jacob Rosenberg encountered the malodorous problem first-hand on a flight from Copenhagen to Tokyo, he enlisted some of the finest minds in his field to address the issue.

The result was an in-depth review of scientific literature on flatulence, looking at issues such as whether women’s farts smell worse than men’s (yes), what causes the odour (sulphur) and how often the average person passes wind every day (10).

The bottom line, according to the 3,000-word study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal on Friday, is that airline passengers should ignore the social embarrassment of breaking wind and "just let it go".

"(Holding back) holds significant drawbacks for the individual, such as discomfort and even pain, bloating, dyspepsia (indigestion), pyrosis (heartburn) just to name but a few resulting abdominal symptoms," the study found.

"Moreover, problems resulting from the required concentration to maintain such control may even result in subsequent stress symptoms."

The authors — five gastroenterologists from Denmark and Britain — said that while passengers may experience poor service from the cabin crew as a result of their decision, the health benefits outweighed any negative impacts.

However, they said the cockpit crew faced a lose-lose situation.

"On the one hand, if the pilot restrains a fart, all the drawbacks previously mentioned, including impaired concentration, may affect his abilities to control the plane," the researchers said.

"On the other hand, if he lets go of the fart, his co-pilot may be affected by its odour, which again reduces safety onboard the flight."

The authors canvassed a number of solutions to the issue of flight-induced flatulence, including using methane breath tests to screen wind-prone passengers from flights, but rejected them as impractical.

They did, however, note that the textile covers used on seats in economy class absorbed up to 50 percent of odours because they are gas permeable, unlike the leather seats in first class.

They suggested airlines could improve the odour-eating properties of the seats and issue special blankets and trousers to passengers to minimise mid-air flatulence.

"We humbly propose that active charcoal should be embedded in the seat cushion, since this material is able to neutralise the odour," they said.

"Moreover active charcoal may be used in trousers and blankets to emphasise this effect."

Air New Zealand declined to comment when asked if it would adopt such measures.

Experts tell flatulent flyers: let rip – Yahoo! News UK

BREAKING NEWS: Water companies to charge 3.5% more next year pushing average bill up £13 to £388

 

Water companies to charge 3.5% more from April pushing average bill up by £13 to £388 a year

• Households in south-east will pay the most – Yorkshire the least
• Companies say £250bn to be invested in improvements
• Number of people in debt over water bills up 250% in five years

The average household water and sewerage bill will go up by 3.5 per cent next year, it was revealed today.

This above-inflation increase means most people in England and Wales will pay at least £13 more in the 12 months from April, taking the total annual cost to around £388.

Homes in the south-east will pay the most, £23 more in the next year, while Yorkshire residents will pay the least at £12 extra.

Companies have raised their prices to the highest levels allowed by the regulator Ofwat to pay for £25billion of improvements.

The 3.5 per cent increase will be tough for many to take as the average salary in the UK has only gone up by less than two per cent in 2012.

Up: The average household water bill in England and Wales will go up by 3.5% next year – around £13

National Debtline said it took a record 19,667 calls for help with water debts last year, up from 12,226 in 2010 and 597 in 2003. The figure is also an increase of 251% since 2007.

The number of water bill-related calls last year was higher than those regarding rent or mortgage difficulties.

A spokesman said: “It’s one of the fastest-growing debt problems we’re dealing with.’

Regulator Ofwat insists they have got a good deal for consumers.

 

Chief executive Regina Finn said: ‘Back in 2009, companies wanted bills rises of 10 per cent above inflation. That didn’t chime with what customers told us they wanted, so we said they could only increase bills in line with inflation.

‘We understand that there is huge pressure on household incomes, and any rise is unwelcome. Inflation is driving these increases.’

‘We will make sure customers get value for money and if companies fall short in delivering their investment promises, we will take action,’ Ms Finn added.

‘In the past seven years, we have made companies pay out around £550 million where they have underperformed.’

The new charges will vary for households depending on their supplier and whether they have a water meter, Ofwat said.

The increased bills will help pay for an investment programme worth about £25billion between 2010 and 2015, the regulator added.

Thames Water will see the biggest percentage rise in water and sewerage bills with an increase of 5.5 per cent, leaving households with an average bill of £354, according to Ofwat.

Southern Water bills will rise by 5.3 per cent with an average payment of £449 while households supplied by Wessex Water will face an average bill of £478 – an increase of 4.9 per cent.

Those supplied by South West Water will see bills fall by 7.3% after the Government pledged contributions to reduce each household’s bill by £50.

However, water and sewerage bills in the region remain the highest in the country, with households paying an average of £499.

Last week Ofwat announced proposals to change the way it regulates the water and sewerage sectors to ensure more sustainable water use.

The regulator also welcomed a report on the Draft Water Bill, which has identified potential benefits of £2 billion by changing the way water is managed.

The price comparison website uSwitch.com said the increase came just months after energy bills soared to a record high of an average £1,352 a year, with households now needing to find an extra £107 a year to pay the two bills.

USwitch director of consumer policy Ann Robinson said: ‘Ofwat’s announcement follows a wave of energy price hikes and will leave many households struggling to stay afloat.

‘Households now face forking out £1,740 a year on energy, water and sewerage alone.

‘With incomes remaining stagnant, this will be another squeeze on family finances and will no doubt cause sacrifice and hardship for many.

‘There really is no need to pay over the odds for any household bills and there are a couple of simple but effective steps to help protect yourself from rising prices.

‘While consumers might not have the choice of switching to a cheaper water supplier, they do have the option of moving to a water meter which could save them £54 a year.

‘As a rule of thumb, if there are more bedrooms than people in a household then a water meter could be more cost effective.’

BREAKING NEWS: Water companies to charge 3.5% more next year pushing average bill up £13 to £388 | Mail Online

Kelly Brook confirms split from Thom Evans but claims it has nothing to do with ex-boyfriend Danny Cipriani

 

‘It was a mutual decision’: Kelly Brook confirms split from Thom Evans… but says it has nothing to do with ex Danny Cipriani

 

Kelly Brook has confirmed that she has split with boyfriend Thom Evans via her Twitter account, but has denied that it had anything to do with her meetings with ex-boyfriend Danny Cipriani.

Former rugby star Thom is said to have questioned the stunning brunette repeatedly about her frequent outings with her ex – who she was seen meeting alongside her best friend Preeya Kalidas in London on Saturday night.

But Kelly has claimed that ending the two-year relationship was mutual, writing: ‘Thom and I mutually agreed to go our separate ways some time ago. It had absolutely nothing to do with a third party.’

‘Mutual’ split: Kelly Brook has confirmed her split with Thom Evans, denying that it had anything to do with her recent meetings with Danny Cipriani

According to The Sun, Thom, 27, decided to end his two-year relationship with Kelly, 33, last week because he was growing increasingly unhappy about her friendship with Cipriani, also a rugby player.

A source said: ‘Even though there was nothing going on while she and Thom were together, Thom hated the fact she was seeing him and Kelly refused to end their meetings.

‘After one row too many the pair decided to end things. She’s been leaning on Danny since the break-up and, while she’s devastated, she knows it’s for the best.’

Kelly is said to have been unwilling to stop meeting up with her 25-year-old ex, with the source adding that she ‘never stopped loving Danny’.

Happy landings: Kelly landed in Miami, Florida on Thursday following the reports of the split

Old acquaintances: Kelly and Danny Cipriani were pictured leaving the Rose club last week after partying together

One-time Scottish international player Thom has reportedly already moved out of the home he and Kelly shared and is planning a short-term move to Los Angeles to focus on his acting career.

The source added to the Sun: ‘Thom told Kelly that he’s always wanted to live in LA but never made the leap because she was so against it.’

Following the news of the split breaking, Kelly has flown to Miami, Florida, for some winter sunshine.

Happier times: One of the last times Kelly and Thom were pictured together, during a night out on 4th January

She tweeted: ‘Arrived in Miami!! Lovely to be back! X’.

Kelly and Thom first met in a nightclub and began dating in December 2010. In March 2011 she announced via Twitter that she and Evans were expecting a baby girl, but she later tragically suffered a miscarriage.

The Kent-born beauty has been less than successful in her relationship history.

Love lost: Danny and Kelly, pictured in 2009, dated briefly but split up before she met Thom

Unlucky in love: Kelly has also had long-term relationships with Jason Statham and Billy Zane

Kelly was formerly engaged to Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels actor Jason Statham, who she dated for eight years before the pair split in 2004.

She was also engaged Titanic actor Billy Zane, but the pair ended the relationship in 2008.

Since then, Kelly has also been romantically linked to stars including Glee actor Matthew Morrison.

New beginnings: Kelly has reportedly never stopped loving Danny and was unwilling to stop seeing the 25-year-old Sale Sharks player

Is that Danny on the phone? Kelly looked cute for the trip to Miami in a checked skirt, black tights and fringed boots

Kelly Brook confirms split from Thom Evans but claims it has nothing to do with ex-boyfriend Danny Cipriani | Mail Online

Derek’s death clinches it for BBC – Yahoo! TV UK

 

Derek’s death clinches it for BBC

 

The death of Derek Branning, played by Jamie Foreman, helped to propel EastEnders …

Evil Derek Branning’s last gasp helped EastEnders retain its traditional spot at the top of the Christmas Day ratings as the BBC dominated festive viewing once again.

The main channels’ period ratings hits Call The Midwife and Downton Abbey tied with an average audience of 7.3 million viewers, although ITV1′s Downton was 1.3 million down on the previous year.

Overnight figures show EastEnders pulled in an average 9.4 million viewers for the climactic episode last night in which fearsome Branning, played by Jamie Foreman, keeled over and died from a heart attack. ITV’s Coronation Street was runner-up with 8.8 million.

Many had expected the period blockbusters – which have performed well on Sunday evenings – to lead the field, but soaps were still the strongest force. However viewing figures were down for many shows, with EastEnders slipping half a million on 2011 and the show’s ratings were thought to be the lowest for Christmas Day for a decade.

Call The Midwife drew its smallest audience since launching earlier this year, and Doctor Who, on 7.6 million viewers, also had an average audience 1.3 million fewer than in 2011.

However the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special was up 300,000 year on year to 7.8 million viewers.

The Queen’s Christmas message was seen by 36,000 people in 3D on the BBC’s HD channel – the first time it has been broadcast in that format – although 6.3 million saw it on BBC1 and 2.2 million saw it on ITV1.

BBC1 had seven of the top ten programmes, while ITV1 (which includes viewers for its +1 catch-up channel) accounted for the other three. And BBC1 took 31.7% of the audience from 6pm to 10.30pm – when many of the biggest shows are broadcast – with ITV1 landing 26.9%.

However when "consolidated" figures are totted up – taking account of time-shift viewing – they often tell a very different story. Last year Downton drew 8.6 million on the day but including catch-up viewing, the figures shot up.

Derek’s death clinches it for BBC – Yahoo! TV UK

10 tips to make your phone’s battery last longer.

 

10 tips to make your phone’s battery last longer

Even hi-tech smartphones can last for days – as long as you follow a few basic procedures to keep the battery at full.

• Making your phone last all day is simple – you just have to know how to use it

As smartphones have become more capable -  for playing gaming, watching movies and shooting video -  battery performance has worsened and now most modern smartphones won’t last a full a day before you need to reach for a charger.
Phone manufacturers are working hard to improve battery performance – Motorola in particular with their RAZR i and RAZR MAXX – but if you buy most other smartphones, be ready to charge every evening.
Here are some tips to help conserve your mobile phones battery life:
                
Power-saving mode
Modern Android and Windows Phone smartphones include power or battery saving modes typically located in the Settings menu. It is activated once the battery reaches a certain level, forcing battery intensive features – including push email, screen brightness and Facebook updates – to switch off. Unfortunately Apple doesn’t include any such power or battery saving features on its smartphones, although free apps like Battery Life Pro help monitor performance and shut down applications.
Screen brightness.

The biggest drain on a mobile phone battery is the screen and unfortunately the bigger and brighter the screen, the more battery life it uses. Save battery power by selecting ‘Automatic brightness’ and the screen will adjust the brightness automatically depending on the lighting conditions.

 
Alternatively, if the battery indicator is reaching precarious levels turn the brightness down as low as is comfortable to conserve as much power as possible.
Make sure auto lock is activated, so when your phone isn’t being used the screen shuts down saving power. 
If you’ve got a phone with an AMOLED screen (such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 or S2) using a dark wallpaper may also help save battery.

Don’t vibrate
In a working environment where loud ringtones are frowned upon, instead of popping your mobile phone in vibrate mode, which uses your battery, use silent mode instead.
Stop email sync
Your phone probably checks for emails every few minutes or if you’ve got a smartphone that supports push email, constantly. Every time your phone syncs or an email is ‘pushed’ though, it uses battery power. To change the rate of email syncing or to switch it off, go into the Settings menu of your smartphone and increase the interval your phone checks email, it varies from phone to phone, but we would suggest setting it to check every half hour, or to switch off sync completely. You can therefore manually check your email as and when you choose and save a sizable chunk of battery life in the process.

Reduce social networking updates
Getting Facebook and Twitter notifications delivered to your phone automatically (like push email) uses your battery, so turn notifications off. Most phones allow you to switch off all syncing with a simple toggle.
Turn connections off
WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth are found on most modern phones. Forget to turn your WiFi off when you leave the house and it will continually look for a WiFi connection, using the battery. So make sure you turn any connections off when you are not using them.
Shut down apps
Even if you are not using an application it may still be running in the background using the battery, so close any apps you aren’t using.  Do this on an iPhone by double tapping the menu button, pressing the program icon and click the minus button.
On older Android smartphones, you may need a task manager to do this, however newer handsets running Android 4.0+ allow you to pull up a task manager by simply long pressing the home button. You can then thumb through your open apps and swipe them off screen to close them. You can even see what apps use the most battery in the settings of your Android smartphone.

Don’t download pictures
Downloading pictures when browsing or using email is something most of us do without thinking, but every time you download a photo it uses both data and power. So if you can live without pictures, turn them off in the internet browser’s settings menu.
Flash off
When taking photographs using your smartphone, be conservative with your flash use. In digital cameras the flash is a huge battery drain and the same applies to phones, so instead of leaving it in automatic mode, turn the flash off when taking photographs, only turning it on when necessary.

Night time = downtime
Night time is the time most people charge their smartphones, but if you don’t have a charger to hand make sure you turn your phone off at night.
Aeroplane mode
Smartphones are always trying to connect to a network, be it a cellular network, a wireless network or a data network. The harder they try and connect, the more battery they use. A
great way to save your battery is to switch on aeroplane mode when reception is poor or you’re underground. This stops your phone searching for signal when there’s none to be found and makes the best use of whatever battery you have left.

Accessorise
If you’ve followed the above tips and your phone battery still doesn’t last very long, it’s time to consider a charging accessory. The Mophie JuicePack Air (£40) fits over your smartphone, doubling the battery life, alternatively if you don’t fancy changing the look of your phone consider a portable battery charger like Proporta TurboCharger 7000 (£54).

 

10 tips to make your phone’s battery last longer – Yahoo! News UK

Victoria’s Secret model loses an arm to airbrushing – Yahoo! Lifestyle UK

Be Yourself why does everyone want to be perfect…love yourself the way you are..jboy2244

Victoria’s Secret model loses an arm to airbrushing

Another Victoria’s Secret model has become a victim of overzealous airbrushing

When it comes to Photoshop blunders Victoria’s Secret are well known for making errors.

This time, a photo on the Victoria’s Secret website that promoted a lace flyaway babydoll has stirred up an airbrushing debate online.

Has this Victoria’s Secret model lost an arm? © Victoria’s Secret

In the image it appears a model’s left arm has been totally cut out, so all she is left with is her hand that floats midair beside her body. But if you take a closer look from another angle, her arm is there just hidden in the shadow.

We can’t decide whether this is another VS Photoshop fail or just terrible case of airbrushing?

Now the image has been removed from the website and replaced with a suitable photo of a model showing two arms.

This isn’t the first model to fall victim to amputation by the Victoria’s Secret art team. Back in 2011 Marissa Miller lost an arm in an ad for the lingerie brand’s spring/summer collection and unlike this recent error it wasn’t hard to spot – it was obvious. 

Victoria’s Secret model loses an arm to airbrushing – Yahoo! Lifestyle UK

By Bianca Ffolkes

Flight Path Body ‘May Have Fallen From Plane’ – Yahoo! News UK

 

Flight Path Body ‘May Have Fallen From Plane’

Flight Path Body ‘May Have Fallen From Plane’

Police who discovered the body of a man in residential street in west London are investigating the possibility he may have been a stowaway.

The man, who appeared to have suffered multiple injuries, was discovered by a member of the public in Portman Avenue, Mortlake, on Sunday morning.

The street lies directly under the flight path for Heathrow’s south runway

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told Sky News they could not confirm the extent of the man’s injuries and whether this was the reason they believed he may have been a stowaway.

Portman Avenue resident Joe Dodd told London’s Evening Standard: "When I got up at eight, the body was still on the pavement. They had not moved it.

"We were not allowed out of our house for ages. There were police and ambulances everywhere. From where I was, it looked like he had a head injury of some kind.

"There was loads of blood everywhere, all over the street and on a car."

Tony Dixon, editor of Airliner World magazine, told Sky News that the location of the man’s body could be one reason police were pursuing the possibility he may have fallen from a plane.

"Aircraft lower their under-carriage when they’re around six miles from landing so the possibility this man may have been a stowaway is a fair assessment and it has happened before," he said.

"Many people assume there is lots of space around the undercarriage when they see it retracted, but it’s not a pressurised or heated environment.

"An aircraft’s wheels are warm for about an hour or so after take-off so anyone trying to hide there would freeze to death eventually – if they hadn’t already died from hypoxia."

A spokeswoman for British Airports Authority confirmed that Heathrow’s south runway was being used by flights that were arriving, rather than taking off, from 6am on Sunday morning.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said officers were called to Portman Avenue at 7.55am on Sunday "following reports of a dead body".

She said: "The death is currently being treated as unexplained. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the male’s identity."

In 2010 a 20-year-old Romanian was arrested at Heathrow airport after he hid in the undercarriage compartment of a plane from Vienna.

Experts say the man only survived the flight as the private jet flew at a low altitude to avoid bad weather.

Flight Path Body ‘May Have Fallen From Plane’ – Yahoo! News UK

The cheapest places in the UK and world for petrol – Yahoo! Finance UK

 

The cheapest places in the UK and world for petrol

Petrol prices vary wildly from region to region and country to country, so where’s cheapest?

 

 

The bank holiday is an opportunity for people to head out of (or into) town and visit friends, relatives – or even jet overseas for a short break.
But those driving in the UK will not just encounter a change of scenery, but a large difference in the cost of filling up the car.
Figures from Santander show there’s a 16.2p a litre difference in the petrol prices paid by Brits in different parts of the country, meaning filling up could cost you £10 more (or less) depending on where you go.

Where’s cheapest then?
Looking at credit card data, Santander compared the prices paid for unleaded at petrol stations across the country – the cheapest region to fill up in was Grampian in Scotland with an average petrol price of 129.7 pence a litre.
Outside of Scotland, Denbighshire in Wales has the cheapest price per litre of 130.9p.
Regionally, north-west England was cheapest at an average of 131.9 pence per litre of premium unleaded fuel.
Where to avoid
As well as the cheapest place to fill up in Britain, Scotland is also home to the most expensive – with a litre of unleaded the Shetland Islands costing 145.9p on average, more than anywhere else.
After the Shetland Islands, Humberside was the next costliest place to fill up, where petrol costs 137.9p a litre. That high price helped push Yorkshire and Humberside to the top of the most expensive region table.

Average petrol costs by region

Region

Price

Yorkshire & Humberside
133.4 pence per litre

South West
133.2 pence per litre

Wales
133.1 pence per litre

West Midlands
133.0 pence per litre

Scotland
132.8 pence per litre

East Midlands
132.8 pence per litre

North East
132.5 pence per litre

London
132.3 pence per litre

East of England
132.3 pence per litre

South East
132.2 pence per litre

Northern Ireland
132.1 pence per litre

North West
131.9 pence per litre

[Related feature: The real reason UK petrol prices are so high]
Heading overseas
The savings available to people in different countries dwarf those available to people in different parts of the UK.
New research from car dealers Evans Halshaw shows Venezuela is the cheapest country to by petrol in for the second year running.
At just 8p a litre, the South American state has a bigger petrol smuggling trade than a drug smuggling one – especially given that residents of neighbouring nation Columbia pay more than 40 times as much for their fuel.
After Venezuela, Egypt (9p a litre), Saudi Arabia (10p a litre), Qatar (12p a litre) and Bahrain (15p a litre) are the cheapest countries to but petrol in.
By contrast, Norway was found to be the most expensive country to fill up in – with petrol costing an astonishing 1.64p a litre in the Scandinavian state.
Turkey (£1.62 a litre), the Netherlands (£1.48 a litre), Italy (£1.46 a litre) and Greece (£1.45 a litre) were the next most expensive.
[Related feature: The countries where petrol costs the most]
The 10 cheapest countries to buy petrol

 

The cheapest places in the UK and world for petrol – Yahoo! Finance UK