AFC Wimbledon Twitter feed wins the internet on transfer deadline day

Never in the same room together: Haydon the Womble and AFC Wimbledon's Twitter guy (Picture: PA)

Social media is growing all the time as a way to keep up to date with the transfer deadline day goings-on, just as long as there is plenty of news to report.

However, that didn't stop whoever was manning the AFC Wimbledon Twitter feed from bringing us all the big stories - even when there were none.

From 'a chap carrying a hawk' to 'a guy dressed like a player in a natty jumper', deadline day was made all the more entertaining thanks to the League Two play-off chasers.

1. The quiet, unassuming beginning

We don't know if we will be signing anybody today, however we will keep our eyes peeled out the window and let you know if we see anything- AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) January 31, 2014

2. The false alarm

Hmm this guy is dressed like a player in that natty jumper, but it's just a coach looking for phone reception http://t.co/up4oq602Am- AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) January 31, 2014

3. The unexpected bird of prey

Transfer update: No players spotted out the window, although bizarrely this chap is carrying a hawk #DeadlineDay http://t.co/hGg8CkjTKN- AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) January 31, 2014

4. The hopeful arrival

Transfer update: A car just parked outside. If it belongs to a player he is probably in our price range #DeadlineDay http://t.co/A3svZxitEm- AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) January 31, 2014

5. The deal of the day

DONE DEAL: Safety Officer Phil completes a deal to bring a sandwich & steak bake to AFC Wimbledon for under a fiver http://t.co/2Z14EaqPlU- AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) January 31, 2014

LIVE: Follow all the action, as it happens, on Metro Sport's live rundown of the day

Read more »

Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long train delays ...

Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long train delays from Waterloo through Shepperton, Dorking, and Hampton Court

8:17am Friday 31st January 2014 in News By Jon Sharman, Reporter

Commuters stranded at Wimbledon

A man has died after being hit by a train at Putney this morning.

The incident happened at about 7.45am at Putney station and the death was confirmed by a London Ambulance spokeswoman at 9.20am.

The spokeswoman said paramedics were still at the station, having been called to reports of a person under a train just after 7.45am.

The incident affected trains between Twickenham and Waterloo, causing delays of up to an hour.

South West Trains services from London Waterloo were also disrupted this morning due to a fire between Raynes Park and Wimbledon.

Trains from Waterloo to Dorking, Shepperton, and Hampton Court are affected by the fire, with Wimbledon services diverted through Richmond.

Waterloo to Dorking services departing at 24 and 54 minutes past the hour were cancelled. Long-distance trains were also affected.

London Underground, London buses and First Great Western are accepting South West Trains passengers on reasonable routes.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: 'BTP officers were called to the line close to Putney rail station on Friday, 31 January after a report that a man had been struck by a train.

'Officers from BTP attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 7.46am.

'Medics from the London Ambulance Service also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

'The incident is currently being treated as non-suspicious and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.

'Enquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the man and inform his family.'

The line was handed back to Network Rail at 9.13am.

Read more »

Person hit by train at Putney and Wimbledon fire cause travel chaos on South ...

Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long train delays from Waterloo through Shepperton, Dorking, and Hampton Court

8:17am Friday 31st January 2014 in News By Jon Sharman, Reporter

Commuters stranded at Wimbledon

A man has died after being hit by a train at Putney this morning.

The incident happened at about 7.45am at Putney station and the death was confirmed by a London Ambulance spokeswoman at 9.20am.

The spokeswoman said paramedics were still at the station, having been called to reports of a person under a train just after 7.45am.

The incident affected trains between Twickenham and Waterloo, causing delays of up to an hour.

South West Trains services from London Waterloo were also disrupted this morning due to a fire between Raynes Park and Wimbledon.

Trains from Waterloo to Dorking, Shepperton, and Hampton Court are affected by the fire, with Wimbledon services diverted through Richmond.

Waterloo to Dorking services departing at 24 and 54 minutes past the hour were cancelled. Long-distance trains were also affected.

London Underground, London buses and First Great Western are accepting South West Trains passengers on reasonable routes.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: 'BTP officers were called to the line close to Putney rail station on Friday, 31 January after a report that a man had been struck by a train.

'Officers from BTP attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 7.46am.

'Medics from the London Ambulance Service also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

'The incident is currently being treated as non-suspicious and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.

'Enquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the man and inform his family.'

The line was handed back to Network Rail at 9.13am.

Read more »

Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long train delays ...

Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long train delays from Waterloo through Shepperton, Dorking, and Hampton Court

8:17am Friday 31st January 2014 in News By Jon Sharman, Reporter

Commuters stranded at Wimbledon

A man has died after being hit by a train at Putney this morning.

The incident happened at about 7.45am at Putney station and the death was confirmed by a London Ambulance spokeswoman at 9.20am.

The spokeswoman said paramedics were still at the station, having been called to reports of a person under a train just after 7.45am.

The incident affected trains between Twickenham and Waterloo, causing delays of up to an hour.

South West Trains services from London Waterloo were also disrupted this morning due to a fire between Raynes Park and Wimbledon.

Trains from Waterloo to Dorking, Shepperton, and Hampton Court are affected by the fire, with Wimbledon services diverted through Richmond.

Waterloo to Dorking services departing at 24 and 54 minutes past the hour were cancelled. Long-distance trains were also affected.

London Underground, London buses and First Great Western are accepting South West Trains passengers on reasonable routes.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: 'BTP officers were called to the line close to Putney rail station on Friday, 31 January after a report that a man had been struck by a train.

'Officers from BTP attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 7.46am.

'Medics from the London Ambulance Service also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

'The incident is currently being treated as non-suspicious and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.

'Enquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the man and inform his family.'

The line was handed back to Network Rail at 9.13am.

Read more »

Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long train delays ...

Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long train delays from Waterloo through Shepperton, Dorking, and Hampton Court

8:17am Friday 31st January 2014 in News By Jon Sharman, Reporter

Commuters stranded at Wimbledon

A man has died after being hit by a train at Putney this morning.

The incident happened at about 7.45am at Putney station and the death was confirmed by a London Ambulance spokeswoman at 9.20am.

The spokeswoman said paramedics were still at the station, having been called to reports of a person under a train just after 7.45am.

The incident affected trains between Twickenham and Waterloo, causing delays of up to an hour.

South West Trains services from London Waterloo were also disrupted this morning due to a fire between Raynes Park and Wimbledon.

Trains from Waterloo to Dorking, Shepperton, and Hampton Court are affected by the fire, with Wimbledon services diverted through Richmond.

Waterloo to Dorking services departing at 24 and 54 minutes past the hour were cancelled. Long-distance trains were also affected.

London Underground, London buses and First Great Western are accepting South West Trains passengers on reasonable routes.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: 'BTP officers were called to the line close to Putney rail station on Friday, 31 January after a report that a man had been struck by a train.

'Officers from BTP attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 7.46am.

'Medics from the London Ambulance Service also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

'The incident is currently being treated as non-suspicious and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.

'Enquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the man and inform his family.'

The line was handed back to Network Rail at 9.13am.

Read more »

Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long train delays ...

Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long train delays from Waterloo through Shepperton, Dorking, and Hampton Court

8:17am Friday 31st January 2014 in Top stories By Jon Sharman, Reporter

Commuters stranded at Wimbledon

A man has died after being hit by a train at Putney this morning.

The incident happened at about 7.45am at Putney station and the death was confirmed by a London Ambulance spokeswoman at 9.20am.

The spokeswoman said paramedics were still at the station, having been called to reports of a person under a train just after 7.45am.

The incident affected trains between Twickenham and Waterloo, causing delays of up to an hour.

South West Trains services from London Waterloo were also disrupted this morning due to a fire between Raynes Park and Wimbledon.

Trains from Waterloo to Dorking, Shepperton, and Hampton Court are affected by the fire, with Wimbledon services diverted through Richmond.

Waterloo to Dorking services departing at 24 and 54 minutes past the hour were cancelled. Long-distance trains were also affected.

London Underground, London buses and First Great Western are accepting South West Trains passengers on reasonable routes.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: 'BTP officers were called to the line close to Putney rail station on Friday, 31 January after a report that a man had been struck by a train.

'Officers from BTP attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 7.46am.

'Medics from the London Ambulance Service also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

'The incident is currently being treated as non-suspicious and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.

'Enquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the man and inform his family.'

The line was handed back to Network Rail at 9.13am.

Read more »

Breaking news Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long ...

Breaking news Fire at Wimbledon and person hit by train at Putney cause long train delays from Waterloo through Shepperton, Dorking, and Hampton Court

8:17am Friday 31st January 2014 in Top stories By Jon Sharman, Reporter

Commuters stranded at Wimbledon

A man has died after being hit by a train at Putney this morning.

The incident happened at about 7.45am at Putney station and the death was confirmed by a London Ambulance spokeswoman at 9.20am.

The spokeswoman said paramedics were still at the station, having been called to reports of a person under a train just after 7.45am.

The incident has affected trains between Twickenham and Waterloo, causing delays of up to an hour.

South West Trains services from London Waterloo are also disrupted this morning due to a fire between Raynes Park and Wimbledon.

Commuters can expect delays of up to 40 minutes.

Trains from Waterloo to Dorking, Shepperton, and Hampton Court are affected by the fire, with Wimbledon services diverted through Richmond.

Waterloo to Dorking services departing at 24 and 54 minutes past the hour are cancelled.

Passengers for Shepperton from stations between Earlsfield and Teddington shoud travel to Strawberry Hill and change, South West Trains said.

Long-distance trains are also affected.

London Underground, London buses and First Great Western are accepting South West Trains passengers on reasonable routes.

Read more »

Multi

Multi-million pound plan for Wimbledon Park upgrade

6:00am Thursday 30th January 2014 in News By Becky Middleton, Chief Reporter

Wimbledon Park

A new hockey pitch, protection for trees and redesigned pathways could change the face of Wimbledon Park if an ambitious multi-million pound redevelopment plan goes ahead.

A three stage plan for work in and around Wimbledon Park has been drawn up by the Friends of Wimbledon Park that could see the creation of a hockey pitch within an upgraded athletics stadium, including better stands and internal facilities, and major work on the adjacent lake.

To preserve the quiet family orientated nature of the open space the group also wish to secure Green Flag status, plant more trees and secure a protection order on existing ones within the 60 hectare site.

Nick Steiner, chairman of the Friends of Wimbledon Park said: 'We are looking at this as a priority for this year.

'The tree preservation orders will help to keep an overall view because we can ask how the plan will effect the trees.

'It won't be easy because we are talking about a lot of money, owners and park users with their own interests. Everyone will have their own priorities.

'Funding will be a huge debate.'

Dr Steiner believed the work could cost anywhere between £4m and £12m and he will be applying for funding from English Heritage, a fund from the Mayor of London and National Lottery.

The parkland and lake is owned by Merton Council, the sports club by the Wimbledon Club, and the private golf course in the western part of the park is owned by All England Lawn Tennis Club.

The sports track is leased by Athletics Club Hercules.

Clare Wood, director of the Wimbledon Club, explained the club, which supports top level hockey and cricket teams, would be working with the Friends and Council to bring the plans forward.

The hockey teams, play at facilites in Raynes Park.

She said: 'The number one priority is the sporting facilities.

'We are looking at an astroturf pitch and lighting surrounded by the track that would allow the athletics club to still use the site.

'It would be a huge move for us in bringing the hockey teams to be right by the club house.'

A survey found residents favour a 20 mile per hour speed limit, changes to the pavements and the redesigning of pathways into the park.

No planning application has been submitted but it is understood Wimbledon Club is working with an architect on designs and a meeting is due on February 11 with the council to discuss plans.

Read more »

Andy Murray to marry girlfriend Kim Sears after this year's Wimbledon

British tennis star Andy Murray revealed that he will marry girlfriend Kim Sears after Wimbledon this year.

London: British tennis star Andy Murray announced that he will marry girlfriend Kim Sears later this year during a question-and-answer session with fans on Twitter on Wednesday.The 26-year-old reigning Wimbledon champion was responding to questions on the micro-blogging website when one fan, @saravana_24, asked, 'When are you getting married?'Murray replied: 'We are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day.'Murray and Sears, daughter of British tennis coach Nigel Sears, have been together since 2005 and she is a regular presence at his matches.However, the couple have previously dodged questions about whether or not they plan to wed.This year's Wimbledon runs from June 23 to July 6 and will see Murray attempt to defend the title he won for the first time last year, ending a 77-year wait for a British men's singles champion at the tournament.

Read more »

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray announces engagement to Kim Sears

The Scot has previously been coy when quizzed about his marriage plans with blonde Kim.

But he today let slip that he has FINALLY got down on one knee for his girlfriend of eight years.

Answering questions from fans on Twitter, Murray revealed: 'we are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day.'

@saravana_24 we are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day

- Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 29, 2014

Kim, a pet portrait artist, is regularly seen supporting her fella at matches.

Murray wrote in his most recent autobiography, released last November, that he 'would like to start a family and try to be a good father'.

But, when teased about it on subsequent TV appearances, the double Grand Slam winner remained tight-lipped.

Murray shares a £5m home in Oxshott, Surrey with Kim and their two border terriers Rusty and Maggie May.

'We are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day'

Andy Murray

Earlier this month, Murray made his comeback from back surgery at the Australian Open, where he lost to Roger Federer in the quarter-finals.

Despite slipping to sixth in the world rankings, Murray will be hoping to bounce back later this year as he defends his Wimbledon title.

Last July, Murray ended Britain's 77-year wait for a men's singles champion at SW19.

Here's hoping he can repeat his success and make it a double celebration this summer!

Read more »

Tennis Ace Andy Murray to MarryKim Sears after Wimbledon

Since his Wimbledon victory, the question on everyone's lips has been when would Andy Murray propose to the long-term girlfriend who has stuck by him through the high and lows of his tennis career?

But it seems that the tennis ace may have already plucked up the courage to pop the question.

The 26-year-old sportman has revealed he will marry Kim Sears after this year's Wimbledon championship.

He made the surprise admission during a question and answer session on Twitter.

He told his 2.4 million followers:

His timeline was soon flooded with congratulations:

In his 2013 autobiography, Seventy-Seven: My Road to Wimbledon Glory, Murray, whose parents are divorced, revealed that building a family was very important to him.

'I would like to start a family and try to be a good father,' he said. 'That's important to me. It's something that I'm starting to think about because Kim and I have been together for eight years.'

Wimbledon 2014 will be held from 23 June to 6 July.

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: t.owoseje@ibtimes.co.ukTo contact the editor, e-mail: editor@ibtimes.co.uk

Read more »

Latest Hercules Wimbledon news: Senior men's best for a generation

Latest Hercules Wimbledon news: Senior men's best for a generation

9:00am Thursday 30th January 2014 in Sport By Tom Pollak

First home for Hercules Wimbledon: Fred Slemeck

Hercules Wimbledon AC's senior men produced their best team performance since lifting the title in 1970 when they finished 12th in Saturday's South of England Cross-Country Championships.

The solid team effort was achieved despite the absence of three of the Surrey title-winning team, Ben Toomer, Liam White and Matt Sharp.

Fred Slemeck led the team home over 15km on Parliament Hill finishing 41st of almost 1,000 runners in 55 minutes 11 seconds, with Kieran White 84th in 57:40, Joe Clark 105th in 58:22, Jonathan Cornish 119th in 58:50, Rob Tuer 155th in 59:58 and Phil Glynn completing the scoring six finishing 192nd in 61:09.

Matthew Gibbons finished 43rd out of 258 runners in the boys U15 4.5km race in 17:25, while Oscar White was 45th out of 284 runners in the boys U13 3km race in 12:48.

Best of the Hercules Wimbledon women in action at Parliament Hill Fields was Zoe Illis who was 82nd out of 151 runners in the U17 5km race in 24:21.

This weekend, Hercules Wimbledon host the annual East Surrey League cross-country relays on Wimbledon Common.

They start near the corner of North View and West Place at 2pm.

The U13s run two miles, the other younger age groups run in teams of three while the seniors comprise teams of four with each runner covering two miles.

Hercules Wimbledon's track and field training sessions take place at Wimbledon Park athletics stadium on Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting at 6.30pm and Sunday mornings at 10.30am. Further details from coaching coordinator Maurice Sharp on 020 8337 8707.

Read more »

Multi

Multi-million pound plan for Wimbledon Park upgrade

6:00am Thursday 30th January 2014 in News By Becky Middleton, Chief Reporter

Wimbledon Park

A new hockey pitch, protection for trees and redesigned pathways could change the face of Wimbledon Park if an ambitious multi-million pound redevelopment plan goes ahead.

A three stage plan for work in and around Wimbledon Park has been drawn up by the Friends of Wimbledon Park that could see the creation of a hockey pitch within an upgraded athletics stadium, including better stands and internal facilities, and major work on the adjacent lake.

To preserve the quiet family orientated nature of the open space the group also wish to secure Green Flag status, plant more trees and secure a protection order on existing ones within the 60 hectare site.

Nick Steiner, chairman of the Friends of Wimbledon Park said: 'We are looking at this as a priority for this year.

'The tree preservation orders will help to keep an overall view because we can ask how the plan will effect the trees.

'It won't be easy because we are talking about a lot of money, owners and park users with their own interests. Everyone will have their own priorities.

'Funding will be a huge debate.'

Dr Steiner believed the work could cost anywhere between £4m and £12m and he will be applying for funding from English Heritage, a fund from the Mayor of London and National Lottery.

The parkland and lake is owned by Merton Council, the sports club by the Wimbledon Club, and the private golf course in the western part of the park is owned by All England Lawn Tennis Club.

The sports track is leased by Athletics Club Hercules.

Clare Wood, director of the Wimbledon Club, explained the club, which supports top level hockey and cricket teams, would be working with the Friends and Council to bring the plans forward.

The hockey teams, play at facilites in Raynes Park.

She said: 'The number one priority is the sporting facilities.

'We are looking at an astroturf pitch and lighting surrounded by the track that would allow the athletics club to still use the site.

'It would be a huge move for us in bringing the hockey teams to be right by the club house.'

A survey found residents favour a 20 mile per hour speed limit, changes to the pavements and the redesigning of pathways into the park.

No planning application has been submitted but it is understood Wimbledon Club is working with an architect on designs and a meeting is due on February 11 with the council to discuss plans.

Read more »

Multi

Multi-million pound plan for Wimbledon Park upgrade

6:00am Thursday 30th January 2014 in Wimbledon By Becky Middleton, Chief Reporter

Wimbledon Park

A new hockey pitch, protection for trees and redesigned pathways could change the face of Wimbledon Park if an ambitious multi-million pound redevelopment plan goes ahead.

A three stage plan for work in and around Wimbledon Park has been drawn up by the Friends of Wimbledon Park that could see the creation of a hockey pitch within an upgraded athletics stadium, including better stands and internal facilities, and major work on the adjacent lake.

To preserve the quiet family orientated nature of the open space the group also wish to secure Green Flag status, plant more trees and secure a protection order on existing ones within the 60 hectare site.

Nick Steiner, chairman of the Friends of Wimbledon Park said: 'We are looking at this as a priority for this year.

'The tree preservation orders will help to keep an overall view because we can ask how the plan will effect the trees.

'It won't be easy because we are talking about a lot of money, owners and park users with their own interests. Everyone will have their own priorities.

'Funding will be a huge debate.'

Dr Steiner believed the work could cost anywhere between £4m and £12m and he will be applying for funding from English Heritage, a fund from the Mayor of London and National Lottery.

The parkland and lake is owned by Merton Council, the sports club by the Wimbledon Club, and the private golf course in the western part of the park is owned by All England Lawn Tennis Club.

The sports track is leased by Athletics Club Hercules.

Clare Wood, director of the Wimbledon Club, explained the club, which supports top level hockey and cricket teams, would be working with the Friends and Council to bring the plans forward.

The hockey teams, play at facilites in Raynes Park.

She said: 'The number one priority is the sporting facilities.

'We are looking at an astroturf pitch and lighting surrounded by the track that would allow the athletics club to still use the site.

'It would be a huge move for us in bringing the hockey teams to be right by the club house.'

A survey found residents favour a 20 mile per hour speed limit, changes to the pavements and the redesigning of pathways into the park.

No planning application has been submitted but it is understood Wimbledon Club is working with an architect on designs and a meeting is due on February 11 with the council to discuss plans.

Read more »

Multi

Multi-million pound plan for Wimbledon Park upgrade

6:00am Thursday 30th January 2014 in News By Becky Middleton, Chief Reporter

Wimbledon Park

A new hockey pitch, protection for trees and redesigned pathways could change the face of Wimbledon Park if an ambitious multi-million pound redevelopment plan goes ahead.

A three stage plan for work in and around Wimbledon Park has been drawn up by the Friends of Wimbledon Park that could see the creation of a hockey pitch within an upgraded athletics stadium, including better stands and internal facilities, and major work on the adjacent lake.

To preserve the quiet family orientated nature of the open space the group also wish to secure Green Flag status, plant more trees and secure a protection order on existing ones within the 60 hectare site.

Nick Steiner, chairman of the Friends of Wimbledon Park said: 'We are looking at this as a priority for this year.

'The tree preservation orders will help to keep an overall view because we can ask how the plan will effect the trees.

'It won't be easy because we are talking about a lot of money, owners and park users with their own interests. Everyone will have their own priorities.

'Funding will be a huge debate.'

Dr Steiner believed the work could cost anywhere between £4m and £12m and he will be applying for funding from English Heritage, a fund from the Mayor of London and National Lottery.

The parkland and lake is owned by Merton Council, the sports club by the Wimbledon Club, and the private golf course in the western part of the park is owned by All England Lawn Tennis Club.

The sports track is leased by Athletics Club Hercules.

Clare Wood, director of the Wimbledon Club, explained the club, which supports top level hockey and cricket teams, would be working with the Friends and Council to bring the plans forward.

The hockey teams, play at facilites in Raynes Park.

She said: 'The number one priority is the sporting facilities.

'We are looking at an astroturf pitch and lighting surrounded by the track that would allow the athletics club to still use the site.

'It would be a huge move for us in bringing the hockey teams to be right by the club house.'

A survey found residents favour a 20 mile per hour speed limit, changes to the pavements and the redesigning of pathways into the park.

No planning application has been submitted but it is understood Wimbledon Club is working with an architect on designs and a meeting is due on February 11 with the council to discuss plans.

Read more »

Andy Murray dismisses 'wedding after Wimbledon' rumours on Twitter

Andy Murray.Getty Images

British tennis star Andy Murray has dismissed rumours on Twitter that he would be getting married just after Wimbledon this year.

According to The Guardian, the Scot was responding to a question from a fellow tweeter asking him when he was going to get married to his long-time girlfriend Kim Sears.

To which, Murray jokingly replied that they would be getting married after Wimbledon as it 'should be a great day' for the occasion.

However, Murray later tweeted to say that 'three things that he would not be doing are he does not smoke 'grass', he would not be getting married yet and he does not want to kill Rafael Nadal'.

3 things.. I don't smoke grass, I'm not getting married(yet) and I don't want to kill rafael Nadal..

- Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 29, 2014

Read more »

Murray to marry after Wimbledon

Related Stories

London - British tennis star Andy Murray announced that he will marry girlfriend Kim Sears later this year during a question-and-answer session with fans on Twitter on Wednesday, but later backtracked.

The 26-year-old reigning Wimbledon champion was responding to questions on the micro-blogging website when one fan asked, 'When are you getting married?'

Murray replied: 'We are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day.'

Murray and Sears, daughter of British tennis coach Nigel Sears, have been together since 2005 and she is a regular presence at his matches.

Murray later tweeted that he was joking.

'3 things.. I don't smoke grass, I'm not getting married(yet) and I don't want to kill rafael Nadal..'

The couple have always dodged questions about whether or not they plan to wed and, it seems, that's not about to change. - Sapa-AFP

Read more »

Andy Murray says on Twitter he is getting married

Murray said on Twitter he's getting married to Kim Sears, above, (Picture: Reuters)

Andy Murray told the world he is to tie the knot this summer after answering a fan's question on Twitter - but then quickly backtracked.

The world No.6 will defend his Wimbledon title in early July but, according to his answer, he may have more pressing things on his mind after claiming in a Q&A he will walk down the aisle with long-term girl friend Kim Sears.

RT @ andy_murray: @ saravana_24 we are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day- Saravana (@saravana_24) January 29, 2014

Asked when was he getting hitched? Murray tweeted: 'We are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day'.

However, as the news broke and the 2012 US Open champion was offered congratulations from friends and fans on the social networking site, he issued a separate tweet to play down the hype over his revelation.

'3 things.. I don't smoke grass, I'm not getting married(yet) and I don't want to kill rafael Nadal..,' he wrote.

3 things.. I don't smoke grass, I'm not getting married(yet) and I don't want to kill rafael Nadal..- Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 29, 2014

Kim Sears is a familiar figure as she supports Murray (Picture: Reuters)

Read more »

Tennis ace Andy Murray reveals he is getting married after Wimbledon

Andy Murray: Made the announcement on Twitter.© SNS Group

Scottish tennis ace Andy Murray has revealed he is getting married in the summer.

The 26-year-old Wimbledon champion announced the the impending nuptials on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.

The Dunblane-born sportsman has previously been tight-lipped about his relationship with Kim Sears, 25.

Murray was asked during a question and answer session on the social networking site when he planned to tie the knot.

An Indian tennis fan asked: 'When are you getting married?'

The Scot responded:

@saravana_24 we are getting married just after Wimbledon should be a great day

- Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 29, 2014

Wimbledon 2014 will be held from June 23 to July 6.

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World Cup and Wimbledon set native ad example for digital publishers

Many major brands want to be associated with the drama and excitement of the forthcoming World Cup in Rio. Yet only a handful of elite brands will get to enjoy a close association with the tournament; six official partners, a second tier of just eight official sponsors and a final tier of eight national partners in Brazil. The benefits for the organisations involved are obvious. FIFA can command huge fees by limiting the number of brands at the tournament; the brands get exclusivity in their own product category; and the audience gets to enjoy each match without dozens of ads competing for their attention.

The International Olympic Committee ( IOC) takes the same approach with its events. Only a few brands win the right to be at the event, and there are no trackside ads. Instead, brands are integrated into the event experience - with exclusive Omega timers, onsite McDonalds restaurants and Visa branded cash points.

Even the Lawn Tennis Association, an organisation which isn't immediately associated with innovation in advertising, has managed to strike an effective balance between sponsorship and user experience. Spectators at Wimbledon this summer won't be bombarded with ad messages. Yet, on centre court, when they look over at the score they'll see the golden Rolex logo integrated seamlessly into the scoreboard.

The organisers of the world's biggest sporting events are extracting maximum value from brands targeting their audience without ruining the user experience, and digital publishers must learn to do the same.

Yet, in an effort to overcome falling ad revenue, some of the most influential online publishers are still presenting their loyal, interested visitors with highly interruptive, intrusive and annoying ad formats. One reason for the growth of interruptive ads is that conventional, standard digital ad formats are very ineffective at driving conversions and, when combined with a vast quantity of available inventory, their value has fallen significantly as a result, hitting publishers' bottom lines.

Eye-tracking studies by Jakob Nielsen have long shown that consumers have developed banner blindness and simply don't look in the margins of web pages where standard ads are usually located. One study grimly noted that consumers are 475 times more likely to survive a plane crash than click a banner ad.

Over time, increasingly intrusive online ad formats have been developed and deployed to counter banner blindness. The volume of these ads on publishers' sites has exploded in the scramble for revenue. Yet when consumers are focusing on the content they visited a site to consume, they don't want that experience to be contaminated by bad ads. It's no coincidence that Adblock Plus has been downloaded 200 million times.

Many digital publishers' woes have been further compounded by the audience migration to mobile, where the space available for ads is restricted, and consumers' tolerance for interruptive formats is even lower than on other devices.

What digital publishers need to recognise is that, rather than impose advertising on consumers, ads can be seamlessly and natively woven into the publisher's site in much the same way as the Adidas logo is a part of a World Cup match ball. Applying real-world sports sponsorship strategies to the online world means deploying ads that fit within the digital environment that online publishers have created.

Many premium publishers have developed a strong brand for their digital publications, both in terms of the aesthetics of each page of editorial, and the type of content they publish. Consumers come to trust the publisher's brand and develop an affinity with it. In essence they become 'fans'. The more carefully publishers develop their fans' relationship with their publication, the greater the value of their inventory to advertisers. Yet, if digital publishers continue to overwhelm their sites with too many or too intrusive ads, the ability of consumers to build an affinity with the publication is compromised. The organisers of the World Cup, the Olympics, and Wimbledon know that one way to alienate a fan base is to bombard them with irrelevant or intrusive advertising.

Publishers need to learn from this, and implement monetisation strategies which work with the brand values that attracted consumers into becoming fans in the first place.

Digital publishers must look and learn from how the world's greatest sporting events turn attention into revenue without ruining the spectacle audiences came to enjoy.

Guy Cookson is co-founder and chief marketing officer at Get more articles like this sent direct to your inbox by signing up for free membership to the Guardian Media Network - this content is brought to you by Guardian Professional.

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Latest Hercules Wimbledon news: Sprinters have their day in the Czech Republic

Latest Hercules Wimbledon news: Sprinters have their day in the Czech Republic

Beaten: Max Mondelli was outshone by clubmate Theo Etienne

Hercules Wimbledon Athletic Club's young sprinter, teenager Theo Etienne, stole the limelight when he competed in an indoor meeting in the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Etienne, 17, made a flying start to his 2014 racing programme when he twice improved on his best 60m sprint times in his opening competition of the year.

First he won his heat in 6.85 seconds and then, later in the afternoon, he stormed to victory in the final in 6.76secs, to put him among the top 12 British indoor sprinters this year.

His performance also ranks him third in the U20 age group.

Etienne, who took the men's U17 bronze medal in last year's England indoor 60m championship, twice improved on his previous best time of 6.89secs posted at an indoor meeting at Lee Valley Athletics Centre at the beginning of December, when he dipped under seven seconds for the first time.

He was among the youngest of the 44 sprinters mostly from Poland and the Czech Republic in action, and he outshone his club rivals Max Mondelli and Rechmial Miller, who were also competing in the indoor meeting in Jablonec organised by the T J Liaz club.

Etienne now tops the Hercules Wimbledon 60m rankings.

Mondelli, who has been selected to compete in the British indoor championships at Sheffield next month after clocking 6.87secs in the Metaswitch Games at Lee Valley at the beginning of January, was also among the eight finalists in Jablonec.

He finished seventh in 6.96secs after winning his heat in the same time.

Competing in the London Indoor Games at Lee Valley on Sunday, another Hercules Wimbledon sprinter Philip Mauge posted a life-time best of 6.98secs in winning his second round race.

His previous best was 7.02secs set at Crystal Palace in December.

Fresh from winning the South of England U17 60m title, Miller reached the 60m B final but was overshadowed by his Hercules Wimbledon clubmate Joe Chukwuadinula who won the race in 7.00secs.

Miller clocked 7.10secs in finishing fourth - earlier he was second in his heat in 7.04secs.

Chukwuadinula, who twice improved on his previous best of 7.12secs achieved on his indoor debut at Crystal Palace last month, was third in his heat in 7.06secs.

Sean Hall was runner-up in the 800m in one minute 57.73secs, and fourth fastest in the 400m in 50.86secs.

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TOP 10 REASONS WHY YOUR TRAIN IS LATE

Top 10 reasons why your Southern, First Capital Connect, or South West Train is late

10:52am Tuesday 28th January 2014 in News By Omar Oakes, Digital Editor

Four hundred people queued at East Croydon station after a mudslide caused delays in 2011

As the new rail fares hit us in the pocket this month, south London and Surrey's train companies have been strongly reminding us all that they are investing in the future with glitzy new trains and cutting-edge technology.

Tomorrow sees First Capital Connect launch a new 'state-of-the-art' Thameslink train that will become part of the Wimbledon loop network in three years.

The company is inviting you, the passenger, to travel to the ExCel centre in east London in the middle of a Wednesday to have a look - so chances are you might not get a chance.

And Southern, FCC's more adult cousin, has joined the 21st century with a new smartphone app 'designed by passengers, for passengers' which provides real-time information about service disruptions.

Neither announcement mentioned how they improve the trains being late, or cancelled, which is the complaint we hear from our readers each day.

So we've had a look through the archives and picked out the more memorable excuses for why your train is late.

TOP 10 REASONS WHY YOUR TRAIN IS LATE

1. 'Heavy icing'

No this is not part of a Nigella cupcake recipe: it's train lingo for 'it's cold' when the Thameslink service was stalled for more than two hours in 2010.

2. Mudslide

Four hundred people queued all the way around a Croydon post office in August 2011 to wait for the train after heavy rain caused quite a mess on the tracks and ruining Southern's Croydon to Brighton service for most of the day.

3. 'We had a dog on the lines'

A stray dog in Surrey, apparently not fussed about a train hurtling towards him, caused a delay of 18 minutes while was picked up in Claygate and taken away by the station manager.

(Not the actual dog - just a picture of a dog)

4. 'The driver's seat was wet and unusable'

A rather miffed train driver announced to passengers in February 2013 that he would not be taking them to Victoria because someone had mistaken the driver's cabin for a toilet.

5. German lorry too tall

The Germans may be the economic powerhouse of Europe and better at football than us, but their Sat Navs were clearly rubbish in 2007. South West Trains to Kingston from Wimbledon were delayed by an hour after a German lorry crashed into a railway bridge.

6. Passenger mutiny

In February 2010, 20 passengers refused to budge from their seats after being told a First Capital Connect Train was being taken out of service.

Incredibly it worked, as a spokesman explained: 'Twenty passengers would not get off the train and eventually, because of that, the train did then run.'

(Stock pic of a slightly larger protest about university tuition fees)

7. 'We have had a horrible week'

Nothing wrong with a bit of honesty, as door problems and vandalism added to the usual problems for Thameslink way back in December 2003.

(Stock pic of someone probably having a horrible week(

8. 'He collided with the barrier fewer than 30 seconds before a train was due to pass through.'

Some of us have such busy lives that we risk death or disfigurement because we can't wait for a train to pass through a level crossing. In August 2010 a the driver survived but smashed through the level crossing at West Barnes Lane, between the South West Trains route between Raynes Park and New Malden.

9. Train reshuffle

Do you remember the great train reshuffle of 2004? No I don't either, but it caused massive disruption as part of an 'EU-wide standardisation of timetables'.

Clapham Junction: In how many European languages can you say 'cancelled'?

10. Doors are too small

Things must have been bad 10 years ago because not only were our timetables out of sync with Luxembourg, but the trains were late in 2004 partly because we couldn't squeeze in quickly enough!

What's the most unusual reason the train companies have given you for your service being delayed or cancelled? Leave a comment below or email digitalmedia@london.newsquest.co.uk.

We are also looking for YOUR Top 10 ideas - just tell us what you would like to know and we will find the answers in easy-to-chew list-based format.

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AFC Wimbledon take to Twitter to reunite fan with false teeth

False teeth

AFC Wimbledon have reunited a fan with his false teeth.

The League Two side took to Twitter after a set of nashers were found on the terraces following Saturday's game against Exeter City at Kingsmeadow.

The club tweeted a picture of a blue box containing the teeth, and wrote: 'These dentures were left in the stand on Saturday. Can the power of twitter reunite a supporter with their teeth?

These dentures were left in the stand on Saturday. Can the power of twitter reunite a supporter with their teeth? http://t.co/rbRvdAKznA- AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) January 27, 2014

The club's hunt for the gummy stranger even saw the local paper, The Surrey Comet, issue a plea for the identity of the toothless punter.

MORE: United fan strips off after Mata signing - Video

And soon after the club tweeted the appeal, local radio station Radio Wimbledon created a hashtag #BringTheChompsHome

BREAKING NEWS - We have found the owner of the dentures! George and his teeth will be reunited soon. Thank you to everybody who helped #Win- AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) January 27, 2014

The good news is that the appeal worked, and the club were soon able to post a tweet which read: 'BREAKING NEWS - We have found the owner of the dentures! George and his teeth will be reunited soon. Thank you to everybody who helped #Win

MORE: Bale's balls are fine, insists Real Madrid boss Ancelotti

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Top 10 reasons why your train is late

Top 10 reasons why your Southern, First Capital Connect, or South West Train is late

10:52am Tuesday 28th January 2014 in News By Omar Oakes, Digital Editor

Four hundred people queued at East Croydon station after a mudslide caused delays in 2011

As the new rail fares hit us in the pocket this month, south London and Surrey's train companies have been strongly reminding us all that they are investing in the future with glitzy new trains and cutting-edge technology.

Tomorrow sees First Capital Connect launch a new 'state-of-the-art' Thameslink train that will become part of the Wimbledon loop network in three years.

The company is inviting you, the passenger, to travel to the ExCel centre in east London in the middle of a Wednesday to have a look - so chances are you might not get a chance.

And Southern, FCC's more adult cousin, has joined the 21st century with a new smartphone app 'designed by passengers, for passengers' which provides real-time information about service disruptions.

Neither announcement mentioned how they improve the trains being late, or cancelled, which is the complaint we hear from our readers each day.

So we've had a look through the archives and picked out the more memorable excuses for why your train is late.

TOP 10 REASONS WHY YOUR TRAIN IS LATE

1. 'Heavy icing'

No this is not part of a Nigella cupcake recipe: it's train lingo for 'it's cold' when the Thameslink service was stalled for more than two hours in 2010.

2. Mudslide

Four hundred people queued all the way around a Croydon post office in August 2011 to wait for the train after heavy rain caused quite a mess on the tracks and ruining Southern's Croydon to Brighton service for most of the day.

3. 'We had a dog on the lines'

A stray dog in Surrey, apparently not fussed about a train hurtling towards him, caused a delay of 18 minutes while was picked up in Claygate and taken away by the station manager.

(Not the actual dog - just a picture of a dog)

4. 'The driver's seat was wet and unusable'

A rather miffed train driver announced to passengers in February 2013 that he would not be taking them to Victoria because someone had mistaken the driver's cabin for a toilet.

5. German lorry too tall

The Germans may be the economic powerhouse of Europe and better at football than us, but their Sat Navs were clearly rubbish in 2007. South West Trains to Kingston from Wimbledon were delayed by an hour after a German lorry crashed into a railway bridge.

6. Passenger mutiny

In February 2010, 20 passengers refused to budge from their seats after being told a First Capital Connect Train was being taken out of service.

Incredibly it worked, as a spokesman explained: 'Twenty passengers would not get off the train and eventually, because of that, the train did then run.'

(Stock pic of a slightly larger protest about university tuition fees)

7. 'We have had a horrible week'

Nothing wrong with a bit of honesty, as door problems and vandalism added to the usual problems for Thameslink way back in December 2003.

(Stock pic of someone probably having a horrible week(

8. 'He collided with the barrier fewer than 30 seconds before a train was due to pass through.'

Some of us have such busy lives that we risk death or disfigurement because we can't wait for a train to pass through a level crossing. In August 2010 a the driver survived but smashed through the level crossing at West Barnes Lane, between the South West Trains route between Raynes Park and New Malden.

9. Train reshuffle

Do you remember the great train reshuffle of 2004? No I don't either, but it caused massive disruption as part of an 'EU-wide standardisation of timetables'.

Clapham Junction: In how many European languages can you say 'cancelled'?

10. Doors are too small

Things must have been bad 10 years ago because not only were our timetables out of sync with Luxembourg, but the trains were late in 2004 partly because we couldn't squeeze in quickly enough!

What's the most unusual reason the train companies have given you for your service being delayed or cancelled? Leave a comment below or email digitalmedia@london.newsquest.co.uk.

We are also looking for YOUR Top 10 ideas - just tell us what you would like to know and we will find the answers in easy-to-chew list-based format.

Read more »

Keeper wants to restore fear factor to AFC Wimbledon

Worner is hoping the Dons can make Kingsmeadow a fortress again after picking up much-needed home win

Ross Worner

Ross Worner is hoping AFC Wimbledon can make Kingsmeadow a fortress again after picking up their first home victory since November on Saturday against Exeter City.

Jack Midson made a disastrous start to the game as he headed into his own net but made up for the error by claiming a second-half winner after Luke Moore had levelled things up.

The Dons only tasted defeat four times in the whole of 2013 as manager Neal Ardley set out his teams to be hard to beat and the points flooded in through the gates at KT1.

Two home defeats at the start of the new year started Wimbledon off on the wrong foot but Worner hopes the weekend win over the Grecians can be the start of something big.

'All the boys came off buzzing,' the keeper said of Saturday's 2-1 result. It was difficult at times but we managed to come out on top in the second-half. I thought the match might get abandoned at one stage with the weather but luckily we got the points.

'I was disappointed with the first goal, I felt I could've perhaps done better, but we've got to make sure [against Hartlepool on Tueday night] we don't do anything silly like that again. When we played them away from home it was a tough game so we have to start well.

'If we can get the home form to a good level then we can turn things round. If we can get the home form right and pick up some results away from home then I think we'll be absolutely fine.

Shutting up shop: AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley made Kingsmeadow a fortress last year

'We did start the season off well but every team will have a sticky spell. Hopefully we've had ours now and we can just crack on for the rest of the season. We need to make sure we keep picking up points.'

Worner also took the opportunity to welcome new signing Darren Jones to the team.

The two players were team-mates at Aldershot previously and the AFC Wimbledon shot-stopper believes Ardley has chosen wisely.

'I know Jonah well, I played behind him at Aldershot, and he was solid there,' Worner said. 'We set up a partnership and he's a top player. I think Neal already knew about him but I'll always help out if asked.'

Many Dons supporters are tipping Worner, who has looked assured between the sticks in his debut campaign, for the club's player of the season award come the end of the campaign.

But the 24-year-old insists he is more concerned with picking up points than picking up individual prizes.

'I'm not worried about awards,' he added. 'All I'm worried about is trying to continue my good performances this season and we'll see what happens.'

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