A Word About Insurance…One Big Convenient Excuse?

I passed my driving test in 1980, the year that Pac-Man was released, the Rubik’s cube became popular and John Lennon was assassinated.  In this year TR7s, Ford Cortinas, Ford Escorts were the  cars of the day.  I passed my test in a navy blue Chrysler Sunbeam (not before I had almost driven my driving instructor to distraction and drink, I might add!). The first car I was insured to drive in was a Ford Cortina – a dark purple monstrosity of a thing, the steering was so heavy I had muscles in my arms that Fatima Whitbread would have been envious of.

In 1982 I got married, Michael Jackson released Thriller, the Mary Rose was raised after 437 year under the sea and the Falkland Islands were invaded.  The purple Cortina made its way to the scrap yard and was replaced by a little cream Talbot Avenger.

Time marched on and in 1985, the year that the hole in the ozone layer was discovered and there was famine in Ethiopa, I gave birth to my first child.     We brought our daughter home from hospital in  dark blue Peugeot 205.  I’d had a ticket to see Bruce Springsteen that year and couldn’t go due to being with child!

In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, The Bangles had a number one with Eternal Flame and I gave birth to a son.  He was brought home in a silver grey Peugeot 405.

In 1990, the year that Nelson Mandela was finally freed, England were knocked out of the world cup (again) and John Barnes rapped his way through the brilliant World in Motion, I bought a petrol blue Ford Fiesta and started working part time for a small law firm. Read more »

Chisora and Haye Brawl Highlights The Importance Of Reputation Management

Jamie Donald, Amateur Boxer, Manchester

As the fallout from the Chisora and Haye press conference brawl continues, the events highlight not only the issue of criminal ramifications but reputation management.

For many sports professionals their reputation is the most valuable and important asset.

What happened at the Chisora v Klitschko post fight press conference significantly harms the fighters’ reputations.

Klitschko watched on like a sober doorman as Haye and Chisora behaved like two drunken thugs.

Their behaviour was similar to that prior to the fight, which saw Chisora slapping his opponent across the face and spitting water in the face of his brother. While the Klitschko brothers showed significant restraint, Chisora was fined $50,000 from his purse.

The actions by two British fighters in Germany is somewhat embarrassing not only for themselves but for British boxing as a whole.

I doubt the German public will welcome them with open arms if they wish to fight there again. Both fighters are facing the prospect of being banned. Read more »