Blame me: Zola tempts fate March 23, 2010 WEST HAM (1) v/s WOLVES (3) UNDER-FIRE manager Gianfranco Zola urged fans to blame him, not the players, after furious West Ham supporters revolted during a defeat that pushed them closer to the drop. Goals from Kevin Doyle, Ronald Zubar and Matt Jarvis lifted the visitors to relative safety and left the Hammers dangling three [...]
Pearl nearing bond deal March 23, 2010 PHOENIX Group, the fund manager and insurer formerly known as Pearl, said yesterday it had moved closer to a deal with bondholders who have been holding out against the company’s efforts to negotiate a cut in its debt. Phoenix is seeking the approval of its banks and of the Financial Services Authority for a fresh [...]
Halfords beefs up its profit forecasts March 23, 2010 HALFORDS expects to beat full-year profit forecasts after a surge in demand for car parts during recent bad weather and its acquisition of Nationwide Autocentres. The company said its pre-tax profit for the year ending in March would be around £116m – above analysts forecasts of £112.7m. Sales at shops in the UK and Ireland [...]
Tigers chief urges salary cap overhaul March 23, 2010 LEICESTER TIGERS director Peter Wheeler last night called for a major review of the salary cap system in order to help English rugby compete with Europe’s elite. The Guinness Premiership has suffered from an exodus of players heading for the bright lights and big wages of the French Top 14 league, including the world’s best [...]
Carpetright profit slump blamed on pre-election jitters March 23, 2010 CARPETRIGHT has blamed uncertainty caused by the general election and fears over tax rises for its profit warning yesterday. The company, which is regarded as a bellwether of UK high street trade, said its profits for the year to 1 May would be below forecasts. Prior to the update analysts were forecasting a consensus pre-tax [...]
Bresnan issues warning as England close in on victory March 23, 2010 ALL-ROUNDER Tim Bresnan has warned against complacency despite England moving into a winning position in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur. Bresnan earlier nudged his way to a career-best 91 in only his second Test match to help the tourists to 496. And he also contributed with the ball as, despite a series of [...]
PORTMEIRION BOOSTED BY ACQUISITIONS March 23, 2010 POTTERY manufacturer Portmeirion’s acquisition of brands Spode and Royal Worcester from administrators last year helped the company to increase its full year profit more than threefold to £3.7m. Portmeirion chairman, Dick Steele, said: “This has transformed the group.”
Nintendo develops 3-D console March 23, 2010 Nintendo is planning a 3D version of its popular DS handheld games console. The 3DS would hit shops sometime before next March. Players will not need to wear special 3D glasses to enjoy the games, the company said. More details about the console will be given at E3, the annual video games expo which takes [...]
Horne named acting FA chief executive but permanent appointment put on ice March 23, 2010 CHAIRMAN Lord Triesman insists the Football Association will not be rushed into appointing a new permanent chief executive before this summer’s World Cup. Alex Horne, the erstwhile chief operating officer, was yesterday made acting chief executive after the shock resignation of Ian Watmore on Monday. But Triesman, who held an emergency board meeting at Wembley [...]
Imperial sees volumes fall March 23, 2010 Imperial Tobacco, the world’s fourth-biggest cigarette maker, said yesterday its half-year cigarette volumes will be down around four per cent as it reported trading in line with its expectations. Imperial, with cigarette brands including Lambert & Butler, West and Gauloises, said the half-year dip was due to a supply chain disruption in the Middle East [...]
