Latest news with #Croydon
Herald Sun
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
EFNL Eastern Football League: Croydon defeats Mulgrave to move back into Division 2 top-five
If Croydon is to make it back to the EFNL Division 2 grand final, Saturday's 36-point win over Mulgrave could be the catalyst. Coming into the weekend sitting outside the top-five, the Blues jumped into fifth with an 11.12 (78) to 6.6 (42) triumph over the fourth-placed Lions at Mulgrave Reserve. It was a crucial response after a humbling 130-point loss to ladder-leader Templestowe the week before. In his first game back since Round 8, Andrew Carter produced a best-on-ground performance, while vice-captain James Smith impressed in his first appearance since Round 4. The result sees Croydon jump back up to fifth, leap-frogging and moving a game clear of Heathmont with three games remaining. Coach Rhett Jordan said every game was important at this time of the year. 'Every week is pretty important, if you look at Div 2 at the moment there's no clear-cut game any week,' Jordan said. 'Following up from our game the week before and at the back-end of the year, it was an important one to come out on top of. 'We're in a good spot, I wouldn't say we're in the box seat, ask me in a couple of weeks but we're in a better position than we were before the game.' Croydon made a strong start but kicked a wayward 2.5, taking a 10-point lead to quarter-time. The visitors extended their lead at half-time, going to the main break 23 points up. Another three-goal burst in the third term all but ended the contest, the Blues going to the final change with a 38-point advantage. Each side kicked two goals in the final term. Despite kicking 11.12, Jordan had no issues with his forward's accuracy and praised his defence's ability to hold a potential finals rival to six goals. 'There were mixed feelings, you can get frustrated with (accuracy) – we should be this or should be that – but as much as that's the case it shows we were getting the ball forward,' he said. 'You've also got to factor in the conditions, it was pretty blustery, it wasn't an easy day to kick goals. 'The defence played really well, a number of boys stepped up with skipper Fraser Smith not playing. 'We got Jimmy Smith back, who's been out since Round 4, and he played really well and it makes a big difference when you get leaders like that back.' Andrew Carter impressed in his return to the senior side, winning plenty of ball. Aden Thompson, Jason Prior, Riley Britton, Callum Spurrell and Mitch Chappell also impressed. 'Andrew played really well, it was his first senior game back in six weeks,' Jordan said. 'He played in the twos last week to get a run in his legs and he gave us a good change of speed and a different look inside. He showed his class and experience.' For Mulgrave, Josh Parker was best afield and Angus Gervasoni, Jaxon Gervasoni and Alex Hardie stood tall. The Lions remain two games clear of the Blues in fourth and are a game back of Surrey Park in third. Croydon was missing skipper Fraser Smith, who was injured in last week's loss. The defender is awaiting scans to decide his availability for the rest of the season. The Blues face East Burwood, Ringwood and Wantirna South in the run home. They have dealt with a spate of injuries this season but Jordan said the silver lining was the club's improved depth. PREMIER: KIDS, STARS SPARK DONNY EAST'S FINALS REVIVAL LEADER: GET YOUR EASTERN LEAGUE FOOTY NEWS HERE DIV 4: WHY CHIRNSIDE PARK IS BETTER PLACED IN 2025 'It's something we take pride in, we're got really good depth, our reserves sit on top of the ladder,' Jordan said. 'A lot of those guys played in our 19s team that won the flag last year, so we know we've got quality depth.' Elsewhere in Division 2, Wantirna South thumped Heathmont by 83 points, while East Burwood was too good for Lilydale by 31 points. Leader Templestowe knocked off third-placed Surrey Park by 47 points in an early taste of finals and Ringwood eased past Waverley Blues by 31 points.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Croydon Council tackles anti-social behaviour with outdoor gyms
More outdoor gyms are to be introduced by Croydon Council in a bid to tackle anti-social council is also seeking to introduce more dog-walking zones and to deter cut-through riding on affected most by drug use and other issues, such as Upper Norwood Recreation Ground, will be is despite the financial pressures on the council, which has declared bankruptcy three times since 2020 and asked for a government bailout in February. Scott Roche, Croydon cabinet minister for streets and environment, said: "If a park gym is being used properly, you're not going to have people smoking weed there."We think outdoor gyms are a more strategic and inclusive use for a park. They're cheaper to introduce than new playgrounds, and they help tackle anti-social behaviour."However, he admits that change is slower than he would like, and says money is the greatest currently has 10 outdoor gyms, spread across the borough's 127 parks and green spaces. The news comes as Mr Roche and mayor Jason Perry opened a newly resurfaced path in Norbury area remains affected by e-bike misuse and rough sleeping, and speed bumps have been promised to deter cut-through Mr Roche said "we are restricted because it is a public space".Jenni Rodgers, leader of Friends of Norbury Park, said the path marked progress, but that the park still "needs something here that people want to see".A flood alleviation scheme for the area, which would protect 340 homes from flooding and boost biodiversity, has stalled since the pandemic.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
From agony to ecstasy: Lionesses fans had heads in hands before Euros penalty shoot-out glory saw crowd explode in celebration
Collective heads fell into hands when the referee signalled the end of extra time and the start of the dreaded penalties in the Lionesses' Euros final against Spain. But no more than five minutes later, England fans at Croydon's Box Park erupted in joy as Chloe Kelly thumped home the winning spot kick. A night of what could have been soon turned into one of unprecedented success as Sarina Wiegman 's side clinched a historic back-to-back title in Basel. And fans who had gathered in south London to cheer them over the line had been through every emotion when sheer relief and euphoria took over at the end of an eventful shoot-out. The music blasting through the venue's many speakers could scarcely be heard over the deafening roar of a crowd which had seen the game slip away in the first half and teeter on the brink of a Spanish victory in the second. As huge inflatable footballs filled Box Park at the final whistle, Danielle Howardbourne, 29, shared her emotions on a memorable night, competing with the choruses of Sweet Caroline and It's Coming Home as she spoke. 'Honestly they've absolutely put us through it this tournament but what an incredible ending,' she said. 'Even though we didn't play too well throughout the tournament I always had faith we'd bring it home.' In typical England fashion, the Lionesses didn't make it easy for themselves during a topsy-turvy Euros. A last-gasp equaliser against Italy saw them sneak into extra-time of the semi-final where Kelly eventually bagged a winner to book tonight's encounter with Monste Tome's intimidating Spain side. And, in echoes of their glorious extra-time victory in 2022, the Lionesses left it until the very end after being under the cosh throughout the first half. Most people in this arena had faith they would pull through in the end, even those who told MailOnline before kick-off that they had been 'anxious all day'. Ms Howardbourne's belief in the team saw her book tomorrow night off so she can 'party through the night'. She's not the only one. Izzy Herson, 37, travelled to Croydon from Brighton to watch it on the big screen with hundreds of other fans. And she'll go home £280 to the good after betting on England to win on penalties. 'I never doubted us,' she said. 'As soon as Chloe Kelly came on I knew that was it, and she won it for us. Chloe Kelly all the way. 'I'm going back home now to celebrate and have a massive party. Come on England!' Julie McCauley, 60, from London, has played football all her life with women's teams such as Friends of Fulham and Wimbledon and said it's incredible to see the growth of the game. Wearing a match-worn shirt by her friend and legendary Lioness, Marieanne Spacey, she said: 'To see this now after playing football for so many years is just amazing, is just absolutely amazing. 'I said [Alessia] Russo was going to score before the game. I hoped England would do it in 90 minutes but to have this feeling again after 2022 is just absolutely amazing. 'We're capable of winning even more. This squad is amazing, Sarina is an amazing woman, and I wouldn't put it past them to win more. 'I knew that we had to not give Spain the space to play and I was worried, but we did well. We lost Lucy Bronze and I thought it might not go our way, but our subtitutes came on and were amazing. 'I'm so proud of this team. We're going to stay here for a while, party into the night or at least until my voice goes completely, and enjoy it with all these people.' Another former Lioness and friend of Ms McCauley, Brenda Sampare, who was capped 54 times between 1983 and 1995, told MailOnline before the match started how she is delighted at the growth in the women's game. She said: 'The pitches we used to play on were awful. No showers, barely any grass, but we did it for the love of the game and the camaraderie. The game today is unrecognisable. 'I always follow the Lionesses now and it's an absolute dream. I never thought I'd see tonight, not in our lifetime. We never thought we'd see it in 2022 never mind seeing it again. It's incredible.' Alex Evans, 35, from Livingston, Scotland, lives near Croydon and was supporting the Lionesses this evening. He said: 'It may be weird for a Scottish person to support England, but the Lionesses are amazing. 'I'm going to really enjoy this atmosphere and hopefully catch my breath. That was an incredibly tense match to watch. 'Once England scored I thought they'd win on penalties, but it was just getting there. But Spain are amazing. They're the best team in the world so it was impressive to beat them.' During the game, anxious fans told MailOnline how they had even begun deploying superstitions, such were their nerves. Rebecca Lee, 25, said she had gone to the bathroom when Russo levelled the tie in the first-half which she claimed was something of a good omen. Siobhan Baccas pictured at Box Park. Most people in this arena had faith they would pull through in the end, even those who told MailOnline that they had been 'anxious all day' Many at Box Park will spend the rest of this evening making the most of a massive karaoke sound system deployed on the main stage And, as England lifted the trophy this evening, she told us that she ran to the bathroom again when the whistle blew on extra time. While she explains this, it is nearly impossible to hear the words of anyone else in this arena - which is not emptying quickly. Many will spend the rest of this evening making the most of a massive karaoke sound system deployed on the main stage, with classics like Oasis's Wonderwall, Angels by Robbie Williams and We Are The Champions already blaring. This is a night that fans who descended on south London won't forget for a long time. And pubs in south London may have a certain Chloe Kelly to thank for that.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
We ignored model's harrowing screams as she was raped and murdered on our street – we live with the guilt every day
WHEN we're sitting in our homes and we hear noises from out on our street, our first thought is often to look past them. But for guilt-racked neighbours in one leafy suburb in south London, they will never be able to ignore anything they hear in their street again. 18 On one fateful September night in 2005, residents of Blenheim Crescent in Croydon heard a flurry of high-pitched noises. Some believed it was a family of foxes. Others begrudgingly tutted at what they thought was a group of teenagers larking about. But the reality was far worse. Unbeknown to them, these were the last desperate breaths of teenage model Sally Anne Bowman, moments before she was raped and murdered just metres from her home in the early hours. Sally Anne was discovered by a neighbour at around 6am, roughly two hours after she was brutally slain by sick rapist Mark Dixie, who stabbed her seven times in the neck and stomach. She attended the nearby Brit School for Performing Arts and Technology in Croydon - which boasts a string of famous former pupils, including Adele and Amy Winehouse. Now, almost twenty years on, her neighbours have spoken of their guilt after they unknowingly ignored her cries for help. Ernest Mugadza said that he was still 'racked with guilt' after failing to investigate when he heard Sally Anne's harrowing screams. The 71-year-old retired defence lawyer told The Sun: 'I think some of us feel guilty that we didn't come and help this girl. 'I think we've become closer as a community because of the guilt, because we heard the sounds and we heard this woman cry. 'Yeah, I remember hearing the screams like it was yesterday. "But we didn't come out. And that's the guilt that I still feel even now. 'No, if I'd come out, I'm sure the guy would have stopped. "If I'd come out and said, come on, stop that, you know what I mean? 'I know that police always tell you not to intervene, but I should have at least made a noise, scared him away at least. 'You can't save your own life to let another one die. I think you should come out. And now I do. 'Now I come out as soon as I hear anything. I come straight out.' Racked with guilt Sally Anne had been dropped off by her ex-boyfriend, Lewis Sproston, after a night out in Croydon with her sister and some pals on September 25. But the 18-year-old had fallen out with Lewis, sparking a row between the pair as he drove her back. She was just metres from her family home when she was brutally slain at around 4am. As the last person to see Sally Anne alive, it initially led cops to believe that it was her 20-year-old former lover who had killed her. One of Ernest's neighbour added: "Sally Anne was just with her boyfriend beforehand and he left her, what, 50 yards from home? "A lot of people heard sort of like shouting and screaming back then, but thought it was just partying. "Since then, whenever we hear anything, we look out and our light goes on. I tend to go out. "People who have lived here long enough will go to their windows to check too. "Even now, I will walk my daughter's friends down the road to their front doors." 18 18 18 But plasterer Lewis was cleared of any involvement through DNA evidence after being held for four days. With the prime suspect ruled out, and in a desperate hunt for Sally Anne's killer, cops launched one of the largest drives for DNA samples the UK had seen. Horrifying discovery The part-time hairdresser was stabbed seven times, with bite marks discovered on her neck, breast and cheek. Her lifeless body was discovered a couple of hours later by a horrified neighbour, who initially believed she had stumbled across a mannequin. Speaking on the horrifying discovery, one local said: "The woman who found the body was taking a cup of tea to her mother. "That was early in the morning and she found Sally Anne behind the skip. "I think she thought it was a mannequin when she just saw the legs or something behind the skip. "And she'd only sort of briefly seen it when she went past on the way to her mother's place." "I think that severely affected her. She was definitely affected by it." DNA screening After her death, the road to catching Sally Anne's killer actually started eight months later, after an England football match. On June 15 2006, chef Mark Dixie was involved in a bar fight and arrested for a minor assault. It was following this incident that Dixie was made to give a saliva sample at the police station. Prior to this, he had not been approached to give DNA. His sample was collected and compared to that found at the crime scene in Blenheim Crescent. And on June 28, Dixie was arrested. It meant that Sally Anne's murderer had finally been caught, with traces of his semen attaching him to the crime. But question marks over the circumstances still remained. While traces of his DNA had been discovered, he denied murdering her. 18 18 At his trial, he shamelessly claimed he had "taken advantage of the situation" by having sex with her dead body. Residents in the crescent remember the heavy police presence in the area in the weeks after the murder. One local said: "The next day I had to go to work. I always remember going to work and the whole street was cordoned off. "The closed the road off for weeks and everybody was just shocked. "It went on for months. No one knew who it was. They initially thought it was the ex-boyfriend and he got done. "When it first happened they were DNA testing everybody. All the males along the road. "I remember being in the shower and the police coming round to ask. "They told my wife they were checking the DNA of everyone in the area. It was weird, something like that happening on your doorstep." Another neighbour continued: "I was in the front room on the Sunday morning when we got a knock on the door from the police. "They were testing males and looking at age brackets and stuff like that. "A lot of people went through it, but to me it was a shock how long it took to get there. "I remember asking the officer if it was serious. "He told me that it was probably the most serious it could get." Lengthy wait for justice It took a fortnight for Dixie's DNA to finally be added to the national database. 18 18 18 In February 2008, Dixie finally stood trial at the Old Bailey. He was handed a life sentence, with a minimum of 34 years. His shocking past only came to light in the years after his conviction. In 2017, Dixie admitted to cops that he had attacked two other women previously. His shocking crimes included raping a woman in her car in Croydon and molesting another woman near a railway bridge in 2002. The serial predator was also deported from Australia in 1999 after attempting to rape a woman when he jumped out of a bush naked. But when he arrived back to the UK, cops received no warnings or information about Dixie's crimes Down Under. Speaking on the killer after his 2008 conviction, Det Supt Stuart Cundy said Dixie was "bad, not mad". Mr Cundy added: "There is a lot we don't know about Mark Dixie. "A lot of friends describe him as a normal person. "As far as we know Mark Dixie has kept his history secret from just about everyone." Impact on residents today Blenheim Crescent resident Debbie Dowd, 65, explained that the horrific murder would always live with her. The customer service agent said: "Yeah, I'll always remember it. "It's heartbreaking. And you always think of her, I always think of her. "Everyone in the crescent felt the shock. This is such a small crescent, but so much has happened. "It was just horrific... you know. It was sad, because her boyfriend was obviously the number one suspect at the time. "But as far as the community was, I think the Crescent had started changing then anyway. "I mean, we did know lots of people and we did talk to them and everyone used to talk to each other. "I don't know, community-wise. I don't know if it made people more fearful." Others told how they are still "scared at night" in the aftermath of Sally Anne's murder. They said: "We don't feel unsafe because it was such a one-off event. But it was just so traumatic. 18 18 "So the first thing I did when I moved in was cut my hedge because it was really tall. I cut it so there would be more visibility. "At the time, I remember feeling a sense of fear and being scared at night. And I still think I have it to this day. "When I catch an Uber I will often say to the Uber driver, can you wait until I get in? "Or the taxi driver, I'll say, can you please wait until I open the door and get in? "If I'm coming on my own, I'll sort of do a mental check and I'll look to make sure that it's safe. "I'll have the right key ready to quickly open my door." Stronger community Residents also explained that a Neighbourhood Watch has been set up in the area, which has helped improve the community feel in the crescent. One local added: "There is a local residents watch kind of thing. "I think, since that incident, it is reassuring. I think there have been a couple of instances when you hear noise in the street. "Everybody in the street is so aware. So, you know, everyone will call the police. "Everybody's phoning the police, everybody will switch on their lights and start looking out in the street. "Sometimes people will come out just to check and make sure that nothing untoward is happening. "It's a lovely thing because you could almost say that's her legacy in a way, that this community has become so strong and so close-knit. "Everyone is so desperate to look out for each other and make sure that nothing is going on. "It's certainly not anyone's fault on this street for what happened to her. But there is a slight sense of regret. "It's hard not to think what might have been different if we had gone out." 18 18
BBC News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Driver claims Croydon pothole left him with £1,000 bill
A pothole in south London reportedly damaged cars on a regular basis, with one driver saying he spent more than £1,000 on said the pothole near Reedham Station in Croydon damaged their cars as they tried to access their homes or the station at the end of the and Quadrant Housing (L&Q), the association responsible for the road, was criticised for "dragging their feet" on repairs, despite apparently being aware of the issue for pothole was fixed on Friday and David Lewis at L&Q said: "We're sorry residents had problems with a damaged road surface and we apologise for the time it's taken to put things right, and the inconvenience this caused." 'Steering gave out' The pothole, which first appeared in April according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), was located on Watney Close, a cul-de-sac serving Reedham Station. The road serves hundreds of flats, all of which passed over a badly damaged former speed bump at the bottom of the a visit to the area, residents told the LDRS damage caused by the pothole had become a daily Stewart Hastings said: "I've never seen a pothole this big. "I was coming home from work once and saw a van stop after going over it. I thought he was here to fix it, but he told me he felt something snap. "His steering gave out, and he couldn't move the van. He was stuck there."Another resident, John Areola, said: "I've just come back from the garage in Crawley."I had to get new shock absorbers fitted after going over this so many times. I paid over £1,000 for them and had to take a day off work." Samir Dwesar, Croydon Council councillor for Purley and Woodcote, said he had been "inundated" with requests from residents for the pothole to be fixed and prevent further vehicle he told the LDRS efforts to resolve the issue had been hampered by what he called "mixed messages" from the landowner L&Q."Since May, they sent conflicting messages to residents, our MP, and myself," the Conservative councillor said. "The council has been very clear that the responsibility for dealing with this pothole lies with L&Q."Tory Croydon South MP Chris Philp said it had taken L&Q "far too long to fix this hole" and urged them to resolve it "as quickly as possible".Mr Lewis, the executive director of property services at L&Q, said: "The delays have been due to complications in confirming who is responsible for repairs to Watney Close, which have only very recently been resolved."
