Archive
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Striker walks out on Magpies
CHORLEY will enter the final crucial month of the season without striker Neil Smith who has left the club because he was unhappy at being unable to command a regular first team spot. The loss of the striker is a blow to Chorley's survival hopes as they
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Khan eager for Kindelman re-match
AMIR Khan is eager to get back into the ring with Mario Kindelan, after a long wait to finally seal the rematch the whole country wants to see writes Mark Isle The 18-year-old will face the Cuban legend at the Reebok Stadium on April 30, in what looks
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Green light for Khan, but Jelley rejects the money
BURY Amateur Boxing Club boss Mike Jelley is turning his back on a lucrative windfall for his organisation in the wake of the news that Amir Khan's Mario Kindelan re-match has been given the green light writes Phil Thorp of the Bury Times Co-organiser
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Take pride in town
I am totally disgusted at the litter problem we have in Bolton. Talk about the problem easing, this is totally untrue. In areas such as Edgworth and Chapeltown where people have spent a lot of money on their properties do they not take pride in where
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Two-wheels are a way to better health
Bolton Council is to be congratulated for investing £2.5 million in off-road cycle routes to encourage commuters to leave their cars at home. On-road cycling in the borough can also be made safer by traffic calming and 20 mph speed limits. The council
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Months of delay over new crossing
A PROMISED pedestrian crossing a on a busy Euxton road has been put back after delays on the new Buckshaw Village development. Plans for a crossing on Euxton Lane, close to the Bay Horse pub, were approved eight months ago following a petition signed
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Thank you Chorley from Kenyan school
FRIENDSHIPS are being forged across continents as an African school gets to grips with computers donated by Chorley computer enthusiasts. The village school in Watamu, Kenya recently took delivery of 30 PCs collected by Chorley Computer club after an
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Campaign group rubbishes quarry report
CAMPAIGNERS fighting against the siting of a sand quarry in Euxton are furious at a report which describes the impact of the development as 'negligible'. Construction company Tarmac submitted a planning application for the site between Runshaw Lane and
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Love Hearts spark post anthrax alert
LOVE Hearts sweets inside a wedding invitation sparked a terrorist anthrax scare when they were crushed into powder in a mailing machine. A Westhoughton bride had sent the invitation to her grandmother, but as it was going through a sorting office a postal
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Hospital sorts out complaints
IN the final quarter of last year 70 per cent of complaints received by the Royal Bolton Hospital were resolved within 28 days. The current performance is classed as "good". The national average stands at 71.6 per cent.
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Surf and sip
VISITORS to Crompton Place shopping centre in Bolton can log onto the internet over a cup of coffee. BB's cafe is now offering the internet, without direct connection to laptops or hand-held PCs, free to pick up emails or search the web.
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Grin and bear it up North
AN exhibition celebrating comedy in the North-west is heading for Bolton. It will feature memorabilia, archive film, sound recordings and images of comedy stars such as Les Dawson, Ken Dodd and Eric Morecombe. The exhibition, called 'Grin Up North' will
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Man found hanging dies
A MAN has died after being found hanging at a house in Great Lever on Thursday. Police and ambulance crews were called to Deal Street at 12.30am after the 43-year-old man was spotted hanging from a tree in the garden. Paramedics took the man to the Royal
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Centre aims to raise its profile
A COMMUNITY centre in Farnworth is holding an open day to raise its profile. Staff from the UCAN Centre will give information about facilities and services available to members of the public. There will also be representatives from Bolton Cop Shop and
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Accident victim named
A 68-YEAR-OLD man who died after being hit by a car in Walkden has been named as Gordon Blackett. The pensioner was walking near to Manchester Road last Thursday when he was struck by the Suzuki Vitara. Mr Blackett, whose last known address was in Old
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Buses for rail passengers
RAIL passengers from Bolton heading for Blackpool will have to travel by bus while work is carried out on the tracks. Train operators Northern will replace services between Bolton and Blackburn to Preston on Sundays between April 3 and June 5 and on Saturdays
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Funny old game, comedy
BOLTON comedian Andy Smith was a star of the small-screen after making his television debut on a retrospective look at the last decade of North West comedy. The 35-year-old, who was placed third in the prestigious City Life Comedian of the Year contest
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Splashing out for children
MORE than 30 swimmers made a splash to raise cash for a children's charity at a sponsored swimathon. The event, which took place at Horwich Leisure Centre, was organised to help raise £2 million for children's charity NCH, formerly know as the National
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Neill set for an Arctic adventure
A YOUNG Bolton adventurer is looking for sponsors to help send him on the trip of a lifetime this summer. Neill Barton, aged 16, has been selected from around 400 applicants to be part of the team of 40 going kayaking in the Arctic with youth development
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Model Ruth rings up star role in BT ad
MODEL Ruth Higham is ringing in the changes for telephone giant BT - by starring in its current television commercial with motoring expert Jeremy Clarkson. The former Canon Slade School pupil can be seen on TV screens across the nation promoting BT's
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Sam's tribute to medical men
SAM Allardyce has paid tribute to the backroom boys who are keeping Wanderers on course for Europe. While Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, has been seriously handicapped by injuries ahead of the Anfield "six-pointer", the Reebok boss's only problem
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RMI go down fighting
LEIGH RMI's doomed season continues on Saturday when they face a tough trip to promotion chasing Halifax Town. The Railwaymen, who are rooted to the bottom of the table with just 15 points, have lost five of their last six. They can be mathematically
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Boro hoping for easy ride
RADCLIFFE Borough will be looking to end their season on a high as they travel to face struggling Spennymoor United. Kevin Glendon's side have all but given up on reaching the play-offs, but will come up against a Spennymoor side struggling against relegation
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Table top defeat for Cup couple
STEPHEN and Janet Worthington's World Cup qualification hopes have ended for another year. While England were dishing out a 4-0 thrashing to Northern Ireland on Saturday, the Little Lever husband and wife were playing World Cup qualifiers in the tabletop
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LR triumph in Goldline Final thriller
A HAT-TRICK from Phil Howard helped Atherton LR a record-breaking third Goldline Trophy victory against plucky Eagley at the Reebok Stadium. The semi-pro outfit looked to be coasting to victory after leading 3-1 midway into the second half, but West Lancs
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21 years, now Shakers dream of ending derby bogey
SHAKERS take on local rivals Rochdale on Saturday looking to lay a bogey that has stretched back more than 21 years. A good number of Bury's current first team squad weren't even born the last time the Shakers defeated their local rivals in a competitive
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Pub ban for blind man and guide dog
A BAR manager has denied allegations of discrimination after a blind man accompanied by his guide dog was refused service at a town centre pub. Andrew Wharton, manager of the I.D bar on Market Street, Chorley, said the presence of guide dog Valda was
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Sunday shopping boom sparks bus changes
THE growing trend in Sunday shopping has led to bus services across Bolton being changed. First Bus says the changes are in response to customer calls for improved Sunday services. The company says it will be able to deliver an improved service as a result
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'Heroes' flick to click
A FANATICAL football fan got the chance to meet up with his heroes when he came face to face with United stars Wes Brown, Alan Smith and manager Sir Alex Ferguson. But he was not as overawed as you may expect - for they were all under 16-years-old and
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AXA jobs to stay in town
INSURANCE staff have been told their futures are safe following three months of worry. Bosses at AXA Insurance told 100 staff at the firm's base in Bradshawgate, Bolton, of a planned merger of the operation in Bolton and the company's Direct Commercial
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Adair launches new attack on former colleagues
TERROR leader Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair has branded his former comrades "criminals" in the latest taunt issued from his Bolton home. The former UDA brigadier said the organisation was "riddled with police informers, drug dealers and pimps" after former rival
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Flashback to rape triggered killing - accused
A DRUG addict battered a friend to death during a "flashback" about being raped by a member of staff at a children's home, a jury heard at Manchester Crown Court. Kevin Barrett said he only lashed out with a hammer because he felt trapped, and panicked
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Justice beckons for bail dodgers
MORE than 140 suspected criminals are facing justice following a round up of court dodgers. Police have targeted bail bandits in Bolton since Operation Turn Up was launched to bring more offenders before the courts. And those who remain on the police
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Tony comes from Amarillo - to Bolton
HUNDREDS of Tony Christie fans rose to their feet in Bolton on Thursday night to sing the 1970s crooner's most famous song. Tony, in town as part of a 31-night British tour, left the best until last, belting out (Is This The Way To) Amarillo? as part
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Rivvy in Hospital Cup stroll
RIVINGTON breezed into the next round of the Bolton Hospital Cup with a 3-0 victory over Bolton Wyresdale. Andy Mason put Rivington ahead on 20 minutes, but it was not until late in the second half that the home side could seal the game. Graham Haddon
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Uncollected waste would be unhealthy
THIS area was a successful pilot for green boxes and green bins and has long had white sacks for papers. The "operatives" who collect my waste insist on removing washed, recycleable plastics from my bin and putting it into my dustbin because it fails
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Bag snatch plea
AN APPEAL has been made to trace a purse which was stolen when a pensioner's handbag was snatched in Bolton town centre. The 87-year-old woman was walking along Davenport Street at 10am on February 9 when a man walking on the opposite side of the road
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VE Day fun for charity
REVELLERS will be transported back to 1945 for a Swing Time extravaganza as a preview to the VE Day celebrations. The event at The Printworks, Manchester, on Sunday, April 10, will raise money for Broughton House Ex-Servicemen's Home. The event will include
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Metal bar threat as phone is stolen
A 13-YEAR-OLD girl was threatened with a metal bar by a gang who stole her mobile phone. The girl was walking along Radcliffe Road, Bury, at 9.10pm on Tuesday night when she was approached by two youths who demanded her mobile phone. When she refused
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Volunteers to get chapter and verse
A GROUP which helps children having problems with reading is looking for volunteers. Volunteer Reading Help trains people to go in to schools and help pupils who are struggling with reading and suffering from low self-esteem. Anyone who thinks they could
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Table top defeat for Cup couple
STEPHEN and Janet Worthington's World Cup qualification hopes have ended for another year. While England were dishing out a 4-0 thrashing to Northern Ireland on Saturday, the Little Lever husband and wife were playing World Cup qualifiers in the tabletop
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Protesters in animal circus demo
ANIMAL protection campaigners staged a protest outside one of the country's last animal circuses. Around 15 members of Manchester Animal Protection (MAP) handed out leaflets at the Bobby Roberts Circus, near Farnworth, on Wednesday. It was the first in
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Teaching not true profession
TEACHING should not be considered as a profession because not enough training is given to those who go into it, a Bolton-born education expert claims. Journalist Phil Revell, who writes regularly in the national press, has caused outrage among many teachers
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Appeal after man in street dies
DETECTIVES are trying to establish whether a man discovered collapsed in a Bolton street was the victim of an attack - or had fallen. A post mortem examination has revealed that 33-year-old Robert Farnworth died as the result of a head injury. Mr Farnworth
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Estate bursts out in bloom
A NEW community garden has helped to transform an area once blighted by fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour. Residents on the Dumers housing estate in Radcliffe got together to give the land in Seddon Avenue a huge facelift. They are now looking forward
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Sunday shopping boom sparks bus changes
THE growing trend in Sunday shopping has led to bus services across Bolton being changed. First Bus says the changes are in response to customer calls for improved Sunday services. The company says it will be able to deliver an improved service as a result
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Public asked for transport ideas
BUS and rail users in Bolton are being asked for their ideas on improvements and changes they would like to see in public transport over the next five years. Bolton Council, along with Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, is drawing up a
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Amir and Chelsea in Reebok TV clash
AMIR Khan's dream date with Mario Kindelan has put Bolton Wanderers in the middle of a clash between two television heavyweights. The Bolton fighter's rematch with the Cuban, who beat him in the 2004 Olympic final, will take place in the Reebok Stadium's
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Young Luke eyes up Wanderers shirt chance
LITTLE Luke Needham got the chance to follow in the footsteps of his heroes when he stepped on to the pitch at the Reebok Stadium. And his dad Andrew was hoping it would not be the last time he sets foot on the hallowed turf - because he has placed a
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Hierro to carry on?
FERNANDO Hierro has hinted he could postpone his retirement plans this summer, if Wanderers book their place in Europe. The legendary Spaniard, who captained Real Madrid to three Champions League triumphs, believes there could still be one more exciting
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Crunch test for Colls
ATHERTON Colls face their most important game of the season on Saturday, when they travel to relegation rivals Formby. Defeat for Colls would mean they would drop into the relegation positions for the first time this season, although they would still
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Weekend fixtures
SENIOR games FRIDAY Coca-Cola Division One Doncaster v Colchester Coca-Cola Division Two Southend v Bristol Rovers SATURDAY Barclays Premiership Arsenal v Norwich Birmingham v Tottenham Charlton v Man City (12.45pm) Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough Liverpool
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'Heroes' flick to click
A FANATICAL football fan got the chance to meet up with his heroes when he came face to face with United stars Wes Brown, Alan Smith and manager Sir Alex Ferguson. But he was not as overawed as you may expect - for they were all under 16-years-old and
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Young Luke eyes up Wanderers shirt chance
LITTLE Luke Needham got the chance to follow in the footsteps of his heroes when he stepped on to the pitch at the Reebok Stadium. And his dad Andrew was hoping it would not be the last time he sets foot on the hallowed turf - because he has placed a
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Truck driver's narrow squeeze drama
A TRUCK driver damaged eight cars after he tried to squeeze his way down a narrow road which had parked vehicles on both sides. The man drove down Longworth Street, Tonge Fold -but because his truck, which was carrying a skip, was too wide for the narrow
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£2m re-fit for historic park
AN historic Lancashire park is to get a £2m new lease of life. Astley Park, which is Grade II listed, will be refurbished after Chorley Council successfully bid for £2m from the Heritage Lottery Fund reports BBC Lancashire
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AXA jobs to stay in town
INSURANCE staff have been told their futures are safe following three months of worry. Bosses at AXA Insurance told 100 staff at the firm's base in Bradshawgate, Bolton, of a planned merger of the operation in Bolton and the company's Direct Commercial
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Keep roads out of country
I WOULD like to ask the council if the sections of tracks on the proposed cycle/bridleway which horse riders can use are going to be tarmacadam? If so, this will be totally unacceptable to riders, it will be like bringing roads into the countryside. Also
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Time to turn clock back on discipline
Further to the Fred Shawcross column about bad behaviour today, I agree wholeheartedly. Bad behaviour rises to the level at which it is tolerated and we have become a very soft nation. Too many children are growing up without the benefit of good discipline
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Market move under discussion
PROPOSALS to revamp Chorley's markets are to be discussed when 27 recommendations are put forward to traders and the council. Chorley Borough Council's customer overview and scrutiny panel have developed the plans in a bid to improve the performance and
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Top brass at school
SMITHILLS School's World Champion Senior Brass Band is to perform at a musical evening on Wednesday, April 20, in the school's lower hall. The concert at the school in Smithills Dean Road starts at 7.30pm.
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Woman was twice over drink limit
A WOMAN admitted drink-driving after being found almost twice over the legal limit. Justine Duxbury, aged 31, of Grange Road, Bury, admitted driving along Longsight Road with 59 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath compared with the legal
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Come sweep at centre
BOLTON Arts Community, which brings together the talents of people who have suffered mental health problems, has been given a new centre from June 1. It is in the basement of the Copyplan building on Bradshawgate, but volunteers are needed to help clean
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Community group grants up for grabs
ENERGY supplier Powergen is inviting local community groups, schools and non-profit organisations to apply for support of up to £25,000 from the Powergen GreenPlan Fund. The funding will be allocated to community projects that support renewable energy
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Pupils have the formula for success
TWO Bolton Secondary Schools were crowned joint champions in Bolton Sixth Form College's Team Maths competition. Tensions were running high when 26 teams from eight schools competed for the prestigious title of 2005 winners. More than 100 Year 10 and
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Camera, action at Age Concern
AGE Concern Bolton is looking for people to help produce a promotional video for the organisation. The idea of the video is to promote the work of the charity and its services, but it is also hoped it will help recruit volunteers. Senior manager Harold
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Another winner!
AN award-winning Bolton training company which has helped hundreds of disabled people has won a top prize for the second year running. Last year, Dorothy Martland, who founded Diversity in Barrier-Breaking Communications (DBBC), won the Individual Award
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Premium bond heaven!
COUNT yourself lucky if you live in Bolton! According to newly-published figures Bolton came third in the North-west for bagging prizes over the past year. Oldham and Lancaster are the top two towns in the North-west. Two extra-lucky winners from the
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Visitors go wild for Ozzy the pig
NEW arrival at Smithills Open Farm Ozzy Oz-boar is a real celebrity animal - and is just as noisy as his rock wildman namesake. The five-day-old Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig was born at the farm over the Easter weekend, along with his two siblings. The
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Hunt for credit card fraudster
POLICE want to trace a man who used a debit card stolen from the house of a young family by a gang armed with a machete and a gun. The man has used the card at Boots stores across the North-west. The card was stolen from a house on Haseley Close, Tyldesley
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Self-confessed soccer anorak's Cheshire trek
A FOOTBALL-mad Bolton man has a passion for visiting the nation's little-known football grounds. John Keohane, aged 46, has travelled the length and breadth of the country, photographing and cataloguing non-league grounds. He even takes his notepad and
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TV Street strike threat
FILMING for top programmes such as Coronation Street could be suspended when broadcasting staff stage a 36-hour strike. Hundreds of ITV workers belonging to the Amicus union, including those from Granada's headquarters in Manchester, are set to walk out
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Rafa can make Pool great - Hierro
WANDERERS will be looking to pile the pressure on Rafael Benitez but Fernando Hierro believes his fellow Spaniard will eventually get it right at Anfield. "Rafa is a manager with success written all over him," the veteran defender said of the man he knows
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Sam's Champions League cash pledge
SAM Allardyce offered Wanderers a 10-year guarantee as he set his players a Champions League challenge. The Whites boss believes a place in Europe's premier club competition next season is both a realistic target and a means of securing a decade of Premiership
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Amir and Chelsea in Reebok TV clash
AMIR Khan's dream date with Mario Kindelan has put Bolton Wanderers in the middle of a clash between two television heavyweights. The Bolton fighter's rematch with the Cuban, who beat him in the 2004 Olympic final, will take place in the Reebok Stadium's
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Plastic surgery fears for Brian
BURY midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy may need plastic surgery to remedy the freak injury he picked up at Chester on Easter Monday. The Shakers' ace was involved in a horrific head clash with City's Michael Branch early in the second half at the Deva Stadium
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Yellow peril parkers deserve a black mark
ON my recent visits to Westhoughton town centre, I find it absolutely farcical that motorists continue to park their vehicles on double yellow lines in Market Street, despite the so-called recently adopted zero tolerance policy. Almost everyone seems
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Police launch murder probe
A MURDER inquiry has been launched after a 19-year-old man died a week after an "horrendous" attack. Paul Croft, from Eccles, suffered serious head injuries when he was assaulted shortly before 8pm in an alleyway by The Lord Nelson Pub, Pendlebury. He
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TV Street strike threat
FILMING for top programmes such as Coronation Street could be suspended when broadcasting staff stage a 36-hour strike. Hundreds of ITV workers belonging to the Amicus union, including those from Granada's headquarters in Manchester, are set to walk out
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Tony comes from Amarillo - to Bolton
HUNDREDS of Tony Christie fans rose to their feet in Bolton on Thursday night to sing the 1970s crooner's most famous song. Tony, in town as part of a 31-night British tour, left the best until last, belting out (Is This The Way To) Amarillo? as part
