Sir Alex Ferguson Retires As Man Utd Manager

Sir Alex Ferguson is retiring as manager of Manchester United, the club has confirmed.

The manager, who has been at the club for 26 years, said in a statement: "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 Scotsman secured his 13th Premier League title with Manchester United two weeks ago and is the most successful manager in British football history.

The deal to appoint a successor has already been done and approved by the club's board, understands Sky News City Editor Mark Kleinman.

An announcement is expected within days, with Sky sources saying Everton boss David Moyes is in "pole position" to get the job.

Ferguson, 71, will stay at Manchester United as a director and an ambassador, but now has just two games left with the famous club.

His final game, away to West Brom on May 19, will be his 1,500th in charge.

"With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future," said Ferguson.

"I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential."

Sir Alex's first European Cup was the famous last gasp win in 1999

The success of the club would continue without him, said Ferguson, who had a stand at Old Trafford named in his honour in 2011.

"The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level ... the long-term future of the club remains a bright one," said Ferguson.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore told Sky News the Scot was a "constant professional" who was bowing out on a high.

"In some ways it's a shock, in some ways the timing couldn't be better," he said.

FA chairman David Bernstein hailed Sir Alex's tenure as "truly remarkable".

"He is genuinely one of the greatest managers of all time and certainly of the modern era. His contribution to English football has been outstanding in every regard," said Mr Bernstein.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, also joined in the tributes and tweeted: "Sir Alex Ferguson's achievement at #MUFC has been exceptional. Hopefully his retirement will make life a little easier for my team #AVFC".

Everton Boss David Moyes is in "pole position" to take over at Old Trafford

The "foundations of the Premiership have shaken this morning", said Sky News Sports Correspondent Paul Kelso.

"Fergie steps aside as the greatest figure in football management - there'll be a very long queue of managers seeking to replace him."

Old Trafford bosses may be wary of bringing in a "restless manager" like Jose Mourinho, said Kelso - despite his impressive track record.

A manager like David Moyes, who is seen to have "over-achieved" at Everton, is looking like the more likely choice.

"Crucially, if he (Moyes) has Sir Alex Ferguson's blessing, it will buy him time with the fans to prove he's a worthy successor," said Kelso.

Former and current players have also been praising Sir Alex's achievements and having their say on who should fill his boots.

"You have to be a certain manager to manage Manchester United," former United player Paul Ince told Sky News.

"It's very important the next man is the right man."

Michael Owen, who is himself retiring at the end of the season, tweeted: "What an act to follow. I guess only Mourinho would have the confidence to strut through the door. If it were me, I'd go for Moyes."

The share price is shown up until the day before Sir Alex's announcement

But former United keeper Peter Schmeichel said Sir Alex should have stayed on a bit longer.

"(I'm) shocked, disappointed and very sad," he told Sky News. "I was hoping it was a couple of years down the line."

The Danish player, who was with the club for most of the 90s, said Ferguson was an inspirational leader who always had time for him, and the best manager the game had ever seen.

Cristiano Ronaldo simply tweeted a picture of himself with the manager, along with the words: "Thanks for everything, Boss."

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand also thanked the manager, tweeting: "The bosses work ethic, his desire to win + to make us better players were unrivalled. Thanks boss."

The announcement, which comes just a day after back page speculation, may be a cause of concern for some Manchester United investors. It means there will soon be a new chief executive and manager in place at Old Trafford.

When David Gill confirmed he would quit as CEO in June, it sparked a deterioration in share price.

Manchester United shares opened 4.74% down following news of Ferguson's departure, effectively wiping nearly £95m off the club's value.

Sir Alex, who was born in Glasgow and began his managerial career in 1974, enjoyed success with St Mirren and Aberdeen before moving to England.

He won 49 trophies during his career - his haul with Manchester United including five FA Cups, four league cups and two famous Champions League titles, in 1999 and 2008.

However, the manager's quest for a coveted third European title ended this season with a 3-2 aggregate loss to Real Madrid.

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Probation Reforms Slammed By Campaigners

Government plans to make every convict leaving prison spend at least a year under supervision in the community have been branded "unworkable" by a leading campaign group.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has announced all offenders who enter prison, even for just a few days, will be subject to the new policy.

Each will be given support into housing, employment, training and substance abuse programmes.

But Mark Gettleson, from the Howard League for Penal Reform, said there was no money to pay for the changes - which he said would merely exacerbate a failing system.

"We think it's wholly unworkable and the wrong solution to the problem," he said.

"It's an admission of abject failure on the part of the Government with regard to short-term prison sentences. It is clear from every piece of evidence ever presented that times in custody of less than a year are a total failure."

He described the 58% reconviction rate for short-term prison sentences as "dismal"  - compared to 34% for community sentences, which he said came in at 10th of the cost of jail terms.

"Rather than ... actually looking at alternatives that work, or that work a lot better, like community sentences, the Government is going to bolt on a period of unfunded probation support to those failing sentences," he said.

The reforms, to be rolled out across England and Wales by 2015, will see around 65,000 offenders, serving sentences of up to two years, receive extended rehabilitation.

The changes form part of the Government's so-called 'rehabilitation revolution', which will see a greater role for private and voluntary sector organisations, who will be paid by results to reduce re-offending.

Mr Grayling said: "It is simply not good enough that we spend £4bn a year on prisons and probation, and yet make no real dent in the appetite of offenders to commit more crime.

"It is little wonder when many of our most prolific criminals leave prison totally unsupervised in the community.

"These reforms are essential and will ensure that offenders are properly punished but also given targeted support to help them turn away from crime for good."

Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan said: "This is another wasted chance by the Government - it should have pursued a model that focused on evidence of what works to reduce re-offending.

"Instead it has obsessively pursued pet projects leading to the imposition of an untried and untested payment by results model on the probation service which will take big risks with public safety and taxpayers' money."

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Tributes To Girl Killed In Wall Collapse

A four-year-old girl who was killed when a garden wall fell on top of her has been described as a "little angel".

Surranna Stonestreet was trapped under the weight of the fallen debris just metres from where her father Karl was working.

It is understood he was removing a door frame from a shed when the wall gave way in Bath, Somerset, on Friday afternoon.

On a Facebook page set up in her daughter's memory, Surranna's mother Nicola wrote: "R.I.P BABY UR GOING TO B SOOOOO MISSED UR WERE MY WORLD. NOW SLEEPING WITH THE ANGELS LOVE U DARLING XXXX."

Hundreds of people have paid tribute to the youngster on the social networking site.

Susan Tan wrote: "My deepest condolences and sympathies to you and your family Nicola. I am truly so sorry for your loss but be assured that she is now home with God."

"No parent should feel what you are going through right now," wrote Donna Friday, while Nicky Garlington added: "RIP little angel xxx."

Ken Marks, who lives opposite the Stonestreet family in Haycombe Drive, described hearing "bad screams" before running to help.

He said: "I went into the house and saw the little girl on the hallway floor.

"I just stood there trying to console Karl. It seemed like ages before the ambulance arrived but it was only four or five minutes.

"The parents are traumatised. Karl is absolutely devastated by it.

"Nicola and Karl are smashing people. They are a happy family and the kids are always happy."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said Surranna's death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the local coroner.

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Sir Alex Ferguson: Is United Boss To Retire?

Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly considering stepping down after 26 years as manager of Manchester United.

A number of stories in Wednesday's national newspapers claim the 71-year-old - Britain's most successful manager - is thinking about retirement.

The rumours have been fuelled by the absence of any comment from the club, which has previously strongly denied he would depart at the end of the season.

Writing in his programme notes ahead of last Sunday's Premier League defeat by Chelsea, Ferguson had hailed the club's 20th league title overall and 13th in his time at the helm.

Ferguson after United's 2009 Champions League win - one of his 49 trophies

"We will get better and if we apply ourselves in our normal fashion I see our 20th league title as nothing but the start of another decade of success," he said.

"Whether I will be here to oversee another decade of success remains to be seen, but I certainly 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."

Jose Mourinho and David Moyes are being suggested as possible successors

Some newspapers say Ferguson may make an announcement before United play Swansea on Sunday.

And further weight has been lent to the claims by United's confirmation last week that Ferguson had been booked in for hip surgery in August, after the club's pre-season tour.

The timing of the operation appeared strange, as it is believed he could have undergone the procedure immediately following the end of this season.

Then yesterday, bookmakers slashed the odds on David Moyes replacing Ferguson amid reports the Everton manager would spend a season as his fellow Scot's assistant. Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is also being touted as a potential successor.

The club have yet to provide any official comment and, as a partially floated company, are bound by US Stock Exchange rules and will likely be required to confirm the position in due course given Ferguson's significance.

United's league title this season is Ferguson's 49th piece of silverware.

Ryan Giggs, the club's longest-serving player, told SiriusXM FC: "I don't expect many changes but the manager looks to strengthen where he can, whether we have lost a league or won it. He never stands still. He always wants to better the team."

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Father And Daughter Die In Speedboat Tragedy

A 51-year-old man and his eight-year-old daughter were killed and four other members of their family airlifted to hospital after a speedboat accident, police have confirmed.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the family from London was on holiday in Cornwall over the Bank Holiday weekend when the accident happened in the Camel Estuary near Padstow.

A 39-year-old woman, a four-year-old boy and two girls aged 10 and 12 were airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where they are being treated for "a range of injuries, some of which are life changing," police said.

The boat was powered by a high speed petrol outboard engine

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) had said in a statement: "Falmouth Coastguard was first contacted at 15.48 this afternoon reporting that six people had been thrown from a speedboat approximately half a mile off Padstow."

MCA spokeswoman Jo Rawlings told Sky News: "It is believed the boat was out of control."

South Western Ambulance Service had earlier said it was thought that the speedboat hit some kayakers near the popular holiday resort, however this was subsequently ruled out by the MCA.

The tragedy happened off Padstow in Cornwall

The MCA said: "We do not believe at this time any other vessels, kayaks or people were involved in this incident, other than those in the speedboat."

Two people were dead when the ambulance service arrived.

Ambulance service spokesman John Oliver said the injured suffered leg injuries of various degrees of severity.

Police tape cordons off the boat for examination

RNLI lifeboats from both Padstow and nearby Rock were launched as part of the rescue operation, and search and rescue helicopters from two naval bases were also ordered to attend the scene.

A spokesman from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "It's still an ongoing incident and we are working alongside the Coastguard and Ambulance Service."

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Football Fan Dies After Match Collapse

A man who collapsed at a Scottish Premier League match leading to it being abandoned has died in hospital, police said.

The man, aged in his 50s, collapsed with a suspected heart attack in Rugby Park's East Stand five minutes into the second half of Kilmarnock's home match against Hibernian.

The man was initially given medical treatment at the side of the pitch.

Medical staff from both clubs helped paramedics before an ambulance drove to the side of the pitch 10 minutes later to transfer the supporter to hospital.

Both managers agreed the match should be abandoned out of respect to the fan and his family.

The match was stopped by referee Kevin Clancy with the teams at 1-1 and fans at the Ayrshire ground had applauded in support of the man as he was taken to Crosshouse Hospital.

Inspector Sean Mangan, the match commander, said: "A supporter was taken ill in the East Stand, possibly a Kilmarnock fan."

On Sunday night, a Police Scotland spokesman confirmed that the man died in hospital.

In March, the Football Association announced that more than 900 defibrillators would be made available, in a funding agreement with the British Heart Foundation and Premier League clubs.

The move came a year after Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba survived a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup match against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

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Baby Delivered From Injured Car Crash Mother

A heavily pregnant woman whose baby had to be delivered by emergency caesarean section after a car crash is fighting for her life, police have said.

The 29-year-old mother suffered head and chest injuries in the accident and has undergone surgery.

Police said the woman's baby, who was delivered in hospital during an emergency operation following the crash, continues to make "good progress".

Several other people were seriously injured following the collision in Manchester on Friday night and a 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Police Sergeant Danny Byrne from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "This is a horrific set of circumstances in which several members of a family, including a woman who was nine months pregnant, and a pedestrian have been badly injured.

"The woman's baby was delivered by emergency C-section at hospital and although he is making good progress, unfortunately his mother remains in a critical condition.

"We are carrying out a full investigation to establish the exact circumstances leading up to this incident and are keen to hear from anyone that saw the 51-plate silver Volkswagen Golf driving along Great Ancoats Street prior to this collision, or in the nearby area, to contact us."

Officers said the collision happened at the junction of Great Ancoats Street and Redhill Street at around 10.45pm.

At the time of the collision, a black cab carrying three passengers was turning from Great Ancoats Street into Redhill Street.

A silver VW Golf, which was travelling along Great Ancoats Street, undertook another vehicle and collided with the taxi as it turned, police said.

The collision caused the taxi to spin on to the footpath and hit a pedestrian, trapping him between the taxi and the railings.

The 29-year-old man suffered serious injuries to his legs, pelvis and hips.

The three passengers in the rear of the taxi were all seriously injured.

A 23-year-old man suffered chest injuries and is in a serious condition and a 31-year-old woman suffered a suspected fractured shoulder and facial injuries.

The driver of the taxi suffered minor injuries to his legs.

The driver of the Golf, a 19-year-old man, was not injured during the collision.

He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and other driving offences. He remains in police custody for questioning.

:: Anyone with information is asked to directly contact officers at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741.

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Bullying Suicides: Parents Call For New Law

By By Stephen Douglas, Sky News Reporter

A group of parents who say their children committed suicide after being bullied are calling on David Cameron to introduce a new law to tackle the problem.

In a letter to the Prime Minister the group have asked the Government to create a new offence of bullying and intimidation. They also want the Government to introduce an anti-bullying strategy for the UK.

Child protection campaigner Shy Keenan claims her 14-year-old son was "bullied to death".

Ayden Olson was found dead at his family home in Colchester in an apparent suicide.

His mother told Sky News: "He was lovely and we were so looking forward to him growing up. We tried working with the policies in place and it just wasn't enough.

"Then I'm looking at my little boy on the floor dead and I'm thinking they have to listen now, this can't be allowed to happen because they're killing kids.

"We want new ways to protect children from all forms of bullying. At the moment it's not even illegal to bully. We don't want to criminalise children but the first step is to take bullying seriously."

Aaron Dugmore took his own life at the age of nine

Ms Keenan has been joined by other families who have been through similar experiences.

Aaron Dugmore was nine years old when he hanged himself at his home.

His mother Kelly Dugmore said: "It's still very raw, we're still very numb. He was just nine. You'd never think a child of that age would even think of taking his own life. He just must have been so traumatised. The law needs to change."

The families want to meet Mr Cameron and have all signed a letter to him which reads: "'For our families and the brothers and sisters of those we've lost, nothing can be the same again.

"On behalf of all children who have experienced bullying, and their families, we are calling on you and your Government to take action to help prevent more people suffering in this way.

"Together we can stop bullying in our society. Please give us your support and meet with us to discuss how we make bullying unacceptable, once and for all."

The victims' families have written to David Cameron about their campaign

The potential legislation is being called Ayden's law after Ms Keenan's son, and the campaign is being backed by charity Beat Bullying.

Its deputy chief executive Richard Piggin said: "The latest Government statistics show that as many as 46% of young people will have experienced bullying.

"For us it's about those one in thirteen who experience it day in day out. They need protection and we need to make sure the perpetrators take responsibility for their actions."

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