Archive

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Care appreciated

IWOULD like to thank the paramedics and nursing staff of the Blackburn Infirmary and Queen's Park Hospital for their care and attention after my recent heart attack. Also, everyone at the County Hotel, for taking care of my wife during my hospitalisation

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Zero tolerance now on rubbish

REGARDING your report (LET, September 6), I am not surprised at the plague of rats in some parts of Hyndburn. One only has to go round Hyndburn to see bin bags containing rubbish dumped in back streets along with other rubbish not in bags. It's time we

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No religion wants death of innocent

WE live in a multicultural society in which harmony is generally maintained. At a time when religious cults and extremists plan and carry out their evil crimes, we as a nation should support each other. Neither Christianity nor Islam advocates the killing

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Fireworks ban unnecessary

APUBLIC sales ban on all display fireworks requiring a safety distance of 25 metres is unnecessary. It would jeopardise smaller, well-organised bonfire and firework display events run by pubs and school PTAs, residents and tenants associations, etc, as

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Rovers play waiting game

NEGOTIATIONS aimed at bringing a left sided defender to Ewood Park have continued but still appear to be some way from conclusion. And with each passing day, the likelihood of manager Graeme Souness having another option available to him for Sunday's

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Jobs boost as company expands

NEWS that a Burnley employer is to create 100 new jobs at its Briercliffe site has been welcomed by council chiefs. Communications giant Connections Plus is adding to its 300 workforce at its King's Mill site in Queen Street, as part of a major expansion

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His Mrs is lovely, but I prefer David

A STUDENT was whisked away to meet Posh Spice one week after she inadvertently entered a competition on the internet. Katie Ridehalgh, 19, of Cliviger, a law student at Leeds Metropolitan University, said Victoria was a "lovely, genuine person" following

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Prescott visits to discuss 'the way forward'

DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott was due in Burnley today to discuss the way forward after the race riots. The visit followed a promise by Prime Minister Tony Blair to local MP Peter Pike shortly after the racial disturbances in June that he would

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Burglary charge

MINTU Miah, 30, of Vernon Street, Nelson, was committed to Burnley Crown Court by the town's magistrates, accused of house burglary. He was remanded in custody until October 26.

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Dancers raise £2,000

YOUNG dancers have handed over a cheque for £2,000 to Pendleside Hospice. The money was raised at a show at Burnley Mechanics organised by Lynne McCheyne, a teacher at the Sanderson dance and fitness studios, Nelson. The young dancers put on three performances

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Love split man found hanged

A MAN found hanged at his home killed himself after the break-up of the relationship with his girlfriend, an inquest was told. John Masson, 43, was found by police on July 3 at his home in Bedford Street, Nelson, and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics

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Mum murder threat alleged

A YOUTH accused of threatening to kill his mother was bailed until October 24 by Burnley magistrates. He must live and sleep at a probation hostel and not enter Colne, except to see his solicitors. Martin Matthews, 18, formerly of Peter Street, Colne,

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Five years ago

A SHOCK report revealed that the amount of syringes dumped in Blackburn had risen by 147 per cent in the last year. Council workers were revealed to have recovered 2,683 abandoned needles or 'sharps' between March 1995 and the following spring.

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Harassment claim PC has resigned

A POLICE officer who launched a sexual harassment claim against Lancashire Police, even though the man she accused was dead, has resigned. PC Reehaina Saddique, of Baxenden, dropped harassment claims against colleague, PC Paul Wilkinson, 37, last month

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MP's surgery

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans will host an all-day surgery next Tuesday. The Tory MP will be available to meet constituents at the Ribble Valley Conservative Association office, 9, Railway View, Clitheroe, from 10am and 4pm. No appointment is necessary

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WHO SAID WHAT: Dario regrets dropping points

CREWE boss Dario Gradi regretted dropping two points as he said: "It was a great game if you were not a manager. If you're a fan you don't want to be leaving a game like that early. "I thought we had nicked it at the end, I thought we would hold out and

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TURFTALK: There's no hiding those age-old local rivalries

THERE is nothing like rivalry between two local football clubs to spice up life. And if it is handled in the right way, and with the right perspective, it can add to the enjoyment of following your team. Professional clubs are now increasingly aware that

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Payton's strike action

FOR 45 minutes at Turf Moor last night it looked as if the PFA might not need to send ballot papers to Burnley - the Clarets players were already on strike. They were not exactly standing around warming their hands on braziers but they could have done

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How about those free health checks for over-55s taking place at Darwen's Derwent Hall on October 5 -

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Belly good, if you find it is educational

HOW interesting that evening classes in East Lancashire are to be scrutinised by the Adult Learning Inspectorate to see whether they entail a good standard of teaching and are value for money. No doubt standards are high, but in what? -- when such non-vocational

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I can still do a job, says Payton

SUPER sub Andy Payton came off the bench to earn Burnley a dramatic 3-3 draw against Crewe last night and promptly backed the strikers who are keeping him on the bench. "Ian Moore and Gareth Taylor have been doing brilliantly, both scoring goals," he

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Wantaway Jon on a goal hunt

JON Macken may want a Deepdale exit but the Preston management just want him to get a North End goal. The transfer-listed striker had scored just once this season - in the Worthington Cup - and he desperately needs another with the hope that it will come

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Battery 'missing'

A family of five are lucky to be alive after escaping a fire that gutted their kitchen. Sub officer Tony Walmsley said that the family had taken the batteries out of a smoke alarm at their house on Meadow Vale, Oakdale, so were unaware of the fire until

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Lwyer appeals over ban on practise

A SOLICITOR who had her practise certificate suspended by the Law Society today said she had appealed against the decision and hoped to be back in business within a month. But Pamela Higab will still have to face a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal which

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Teenager started blaze

A TEENAGE girl has admitted starting a fire at an East Lancashire children's home, being reckless whether lives would be endangered. The case against the 15-year-old was adjourned for psychiatric and pre-sentence reports to be prepared. She pleaded guilty

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Shoplifter caught after chase

A BACUP shoplifter who smashed a store window with a chair to climb out and run away was sent to prison for a total of five months. James Ward, 33, of Thorn Drive, Bacup, had threatened staff members with a screwdriver on the store premises and was later

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Get down to the pub for a luxury cruise!

AHOY, shipmates -- it will be all aboard the SS Roebuck on Saturday, when the pub sets sail for a luxury cruise! The pub, at Burnley Road East, Scout Bottom, will be shipshape once organisers put the finishing touches to its planned transformation but

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Hurstwood's John loses cancer battle

DEVELOPER John Ashworth, whose company Hurstwood Developments was responsible for building many parts of Rossendale, has lost his fight against cancer. Hurstwood built Medex Medical on Carrs Industrial Estate, Haslingden, which brought an American company

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Caterers on the healthy awards trail

CATERERS throughout Blackburn with Darwen are continuing to satisfy their customers' tastebuds and keep them healthy at the same time. Already, more than 80 food outlets have signed up to Blackburn with Darwen Council's Healthy Catering Award Scheme.

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Couple's Golden day

A CHANCE meeting in a Clayton-le-Moors pub has led to a Blackburn couple celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary. Sam Dix, 84, formerly from South Shields, and his wife Doris, 89, of Southport, met in the Lamb Inn in Clayton-le-Moors and were married

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Three star health coup

HEALTH chiefs have vowed not to be complacent after getting top honours in a government rating. Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley Trust was given the maximum three stars in the NHS Performance Rating, becoming one of only four in the North West

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One-stop cars shop is jobs joy

PLANS for a new car supermarket next to the M65 is set to bring 73 jobs to East Lancashire. Blackburn-based car finance firm Haydock, has been given planning permission to build its proposed car outlet next to Junction Four. It is hoped the new site,

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Career of legal clerk is in ruins

LEGAL clerk Imtiaz Adam is facing jail and a career in ruins after he was convicted of forgery and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Judge Edward Slinger told Adam at Preston Crown Court that he had been found guilty on 'compelling evidence

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LOCAL SOCCER: Pilkington gets late winner

PADIHAM made hard work of beating bottom club Castleton Gabriels but collected all three points thanks to an 89th minute goal by Ian Pilkington following a John Harrison corner. It was never a game for the purists with the first half scrappy and the second

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LOCAL SOCCER: Injury hit Dale slump

ROSSENDALE United sent an understrength side to Burscough last night in order to protect their injury-ravaged squad for Saturday's FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie at Thackley. It was Dale's second successive defeat but only the second loss of the season

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LOCAL SOCCER: Dalton grabs the winner

DARWEN lost their third NWCL Division Two game on the bounce to a last-gasp goal from Colne's Gary Dalton. But manager Steve Wilkes was happy with his side's performance. "I told them before the game that I wouldn't mind if we got beat 10-0 as long as

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ICE-HOCKEY: Hawks suffer

DESPITE racing into a two-goal lead against highly-fancied Whitley Bay, Blackburn Hawks contrived to lose 2-6. After winning their opening fixture against Sunderland two weeks earlier, coach Bobby Haig had his men fired up to meet their Geordie arch-rivals

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LOCAL SOCCER: Blues make it four

LEE Sculpher can do no wrong right now at Clitheroe. The player-boss, who took over from Dave Burgess earlier this month, has seen his side win four out of four - all away from home. Last night NWCL Division One strugglers Fleetwood were the latest to

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LOCAL SOCCER: Rams' double strike

TWO goals in five minutes secured the points for Ramsbottom in NWCL Division Two. In the early stages Rambottom had better of the play but found it difficult to open up the well-organised Warrington defence. On 16 minutes a fine move created a half-chance

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New council boss takes over reins

BURY Council's new chief executive, Mark Sanders, takes up his top post in the borough next week. Mr Sanders, who starts work on Monday is joining from neighbouring Oldham MBC where he was Executive Director of Policy, Performance and Regeneration. He

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Discoveries Down Under

THIS week's column is not just a little bit different - it is a lot different. For the last two weeks I have been in Australia on behalf of the Mersey Basin Campaign. I have been talking to world scientists about how much cleaner our rivers are now compared

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Reunion planned

AREUNION is being planned for some time next year for pupils who left St Edmund Arrowsmith School, Blackburn, in 1978. Interested? Contact me. JULIAN DAVIES, 18 Raven Way, Mudeford, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 4BQ (j.davies@tesco.net)

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Demonisation of the US is dangerous

IWONDERED how long it would take the apologists for terrorism to crawl out of the woodwork -- the "I in no way condone this terrible act, but" brigade, who, while America is still dragging bodies from the rubble and counting the dead, peddle vile anti-American

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Teenager tied-up by raider

A TEENAGE boy suffered a terrifying ordeal in his own home after being beaten and left tied up for six hours. Derek Bond, 15, was freed when his mother returned home after work to find her son, devastated and traumatised, bound to a computer table in

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CJD 'wonder' drug claims

AN East Lancashire doctor is using an unlicensed drug to help people who fear they have contracted the human version of Mad Cow Disease. And Burnley-based medical microbiologist Stephen Dealler today said millions of people could have been put at risk

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EWOOD EYE: Jason needs to make a point

JASON McAteer must be praying that his career will get back on course sooner rather than later. Players always say that it is frustrating to sit in the stand when injured, so McAteer must have had his fill by now of sitting out games when fully fit. However

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Warning after roof rescue

A TEENAGER was taken home to his parents and warned about his future behaviour after being rescued from the roof of the sports hall at Towneley High School, Burnley. Firefighters were called by one of the boy's friends on his mobile phone shortly after

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Surgeon charged with manslaughter

A BURNLEY surgeon has appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of a patient. Dr Mahesh Goel, 39, of Burnley, and consultant urologist John Roberts, 59, are charged with the unlawful killing of patient Graham Reeves, 70. Mr Reeves, 70, from Burry

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Ten years ago

TWO packed coaches left for a poignant visit to the Somme in France to witness the unveiling of a special First World War memorial. The black granite and Accrington Nori brick structure, which was funded by donations and cost more than £7,000 to build

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Appeal for animal homes

STRAY dog carers are appealing for pet lovers to offer new foster homes for animals in distress. Hyndburn Stray Dogs In Need organiser Georgina Allen said they were looking for volunteers to take in dogs which might be sick or injured. All costs including

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Voters 'will see through BNP's tactics'

A COUNCILLOR has backed the people of Hyndburn to denounce the extreme right after the British National Party claimed it was considering targeting "every seat" at the local elections next year. Bangladeshi-born councillor for Great Harwood Mohammed Rahman

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Bob or two more in firm's coffers

BRITAIN'S daredevil bobsleigh athletes are being helped by Hyndburn firm GTC Sports. The Altham-based firm has been awarded a £10,000 contract to install a 150-metre surface for a Sport England funded scheme at Bath university sports village. The £300,000

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Should we close the town centre?

A TOWN centre is to undergo a £15,000 study to review traffic management. One of the main issues for investigation is what would be the effects of fully pedestrianising the area outside Accrington Town Hall and market hall. The transport and access working

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Hotel garden a bloomin' marvel

A RIBBLE Valley Hotel has claimed another bloomin' success after scooping a major gardening award for the sixth consecutive year. The Gibbon Bridge Hotel, set in 20 acres of farmland in the Forest of Bowland, has again been named winner of the best large

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I can still do a job, says Payton

SUPER sub Andy Payton came off the bench to earn Burnley a dramatic 3-3 draw against Crewe last night and promptly backed the strikers who are keeping him on the bench. "Ian Moore and Gareth Taylor have been doing brilliantly, both scoring goals," he

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A biking poser

NOTWITHSTANDING the funds raised for charity at this year's event, do the majority of people in Rawtenstall approve of their town being commandeered annually for what's described as Europe's biggest town-centre motor-cycling show -- as happened once again

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Money to burn?

ALL aboard the winter fuel payments bandwagon! It's time to stake your claim -- as everyone aged 60 or over by the beginning of this week becomes entitled to the £200-per-household benefit. Indeed, Pensions Minister Ian McCartney has been busy reminding

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Rovers play waiting game

NEGOTIATIONS aimed at bringing a left sided defender to Ewood Park have continued but still appear to be some way from conclusion. And with each passing day, the likelihood of manager Graeme Souness having another option available to him for Sunday's

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Wood friends to gather

THE FRIENDS of Sunnyhurst Wood are to hold their committee meeting on October 1 in the Olde England Cafe. The event at the woodland cafe is taking place at 7.15pm, all are welcome to attend. If anyone needs transport they should call Dennis Gillibrand

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Come and find out the drill

PEOPLE are being urged to attend Territorial Army meetings held in Moss Street in Blackburn. Corporal Keith Maynard said that anyone interested in joining would be welcome. Drill nights are held on Tuesdays at 7.30pm and there are also weekend camps held

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I won't walk away - Preece

UNDERFIRE boss Andy Preece isn't about to throw the towel in at Gigg Lane despite the club's ninth consecutive defeat at Oldham. Shakers fans were calling for the manager's head after last night's game when the Gigg Lane men lost 4-0. The backlash arose

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School's big day

DARWEN Moorland High School is holding its annual open evening on October 4. The school will be open from 6.30pm to 9pm and students' work will be on display, together with demonstrations and a wide range of activities taking place in school. Interested

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Health care lesson

YOUNGSTERS from St Joseph's School in Darwen enjoyed learning how to look after their bodies with the help of a visit from a 'life caravan' run by the charity Life Education Centres for Lancashire. It was the turn of the reception class to learn about

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Enjoy a toddle waddle

A sponsored toddle waddle by toddlers at Scallywags pre-school in Edgworth at Edgworth cricket ground on Sunday has so far raised £200 for the Meningitis Trust. The event, which is taking place nationwide all this week, involved toddlers under five waddling

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Fire team to check on home safety

DARWEN firefighters are offering people in the area the chance to have a free home fire safety check. Firefighters will provide free smoke alarms and fit them where necessary as well as offering life saving advice. They will also make a fire escape plan

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Punches ordeal of woman doctor

A WOMAN doctor at Blackburn Royal Infirmary was punched in the face and dragged to the floor by a man she was about to treat. And Blackburn magistrates warned Robert Turner that he could face a custodial sentence when he is sentenced for the unprovoked

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Bus service back

PENSIONERS have got their bus service back from this week. The 477 service, which is subsidised by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, resumed on Monday covering Dundee Lane, Bottom Rawsons Rake, Tanners Street and Carr Street, Ramsbottom

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Valley firefighters' £3,000 gesture

VISITORS to the Rossendale Valley Motorbike Show raised more than £3,000 for the families of the fire officers who died trying to save lives in the New York terrorist attack. The collection was organised by firefighters at the Rawtenstall fire station

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Stately last drive for funeral director

A FUNERAL director who buried one of the legendary Kray twins had her own horse-drawn funeral. Patricia Gibson, a well-known figure in the horse world and who ran Gibson's Funeral Services established in Blackburn 10 years ago, was held at St Peter's

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Council shows its teeth at dog fouling

A COUNCIL has declared war on dog foulings and today warned: "You will be prosecuted." Blackburn with Darwen Council's get-tough stance came a day after four people were successfully prosecuted at Blackburn Magistrates for letting their dogs foul in a

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Doc's South Pole diary is best seller

A DIARY of a former Blackburn doctor recounting a doomed Antarctic expedition in 1914 was sold for £104,950 yesterday. The Scott Polar Research Institute, a college of Cambridge University, purchased the piece after it was auctioned at Christie's. The

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Statue stirs glory days of Uncle Jack

THE hair had been altered twice to get the parting perfect, and the shoes were re-sculpted to be slip-ons after they originally had laces. No detail had been overlooked by sculptor James Butler as he strove to capture the image of Jack Walker, a man loved

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LOCAL SOCCER: Mechanics fix defeat for Bacup

TWO goals against the run of play sank Bacup against Blackpool Mechanics in NWCL Division Two. Manager Brent Peters had to make three changes from the side that beat Darwen 5-1 at the Anchor Ground on Saturday. Keeper Adam Potts (broken finger and back

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LOCAL SOCCER: Derby rivals seeking a boost

ACCRINGTON Stanley face a derby clash tonight when they welcome Chorley to the Crown Ground in the Group Stages of UniBond League Cup. The Reds are out to progress in all cup competitions - they start their FA Cup campaign on Saturday - but will be the

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Wantaway Jon on a goal hunt

JON Macken may want a Deepdale exit but the Preston management just want him to get a North End goal. The transfer-listed striker had scored just once this season - in the Worthington Cup - and he desperately needs another with the hope that it will come