“I fancy us but I always fancy us, don’t I? “I can’t understand why we’re not on Sky, it’s the game of the day… “I think whoever scores first will win… “Have you seen the way they defend corners? “They’ve got two left footers playing centre half… “They’re expansive but they leave gaps…” I was hearing John Coleman’s half of a telephone conversation with Anthony Barry, one of five coaching staff members at Wigan Athletic – including the manager Paul Cook – who had played for Coleman at Accrington Stanley when they were a non-league club. Cook would spend his Saturday afternoon in Accrington watching transfer targets, one of whom was thought to be Daniel Barlaser, the 21-year-old loanee Coleman would like to sign permanently from Newcastle United following a promising start to his Football League career. Cook, it transpired, was not the only person on a scouting mission … [Read more...] about A day in the life of a Football League manager
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How to make your child a pension millionaire by age 43
A lot has been said about the importance of saving for retirement but have you ever thought about starting a pension for your kids? A child could become a millionaire by their 43rd birthday if you save £240 a month into a pension for the first 18 years of their life, according to new research. After that, you simply allow investment returns to do the rest. These contributions, which amounts to £2,880 a year - the maximum yearly contribution limit - could create a nest egg of £1,021,837 by 2061 after investment fees have been deducted, the study by wealth manager Brewin Dolphin suggested. But your child will need to get lucky with investment returns and make a hefty 8 per cent a year from the stock market. Making monthly contribution of £240 in a pension for the first 18 years of your child's life could result in a nest egg of over £1million according to research by Brewin Dolphin The calculation is based on a total contribution of … [Read more...] about How to make your child a pension millionaire by age 43
When an IRA beats a 401(k) for your retirement savings
If asset growth rates were a race, individual retirement accounts could soon be lapping 401(k) accounts. Assets added to IRAs are set to grow to nearly twice the amount of assets in 401(k) retirement plans over the next four years, according to a report released by Cerulli Associates, a retirement industry consulting and research firm. What's behind the faster growth of IRA assets? Rollovers from 401(k) plans. Workers and retirees are opting to transfer their assets out of a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan and into an IRA because the former lack flexible withdrawal options such as ad-hoc withdrawals. Individuals request to take distributions from retirement accounts for variety of reasons. And those reaching 70 1/2 are required to take minimum distributions beginning at that age and annually thereafter. So, when separated or retired plan participants need to withdraw from a 401(k) plan that doesn't offer flexible options, they'll typically transfer their plan … [Read more...] about When an IRA beats a 401(k) for your retirement savings
The making of a man: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s journey from Crosby to Kiev
Trent Alexander-Arnold was playing rugby. This was in a different life, some distance from Anfield – even further from Kiev. This was on a muddy field, where the green hills run down to the North Walian coastline. His physical education teacher at St Mary’s in Crosby can remember one of his first games. “He was a centre forward for the football team and a full-back in rugby,” recalls Derek Williams. “He scored lots of goals and lots of tries.” One of those tries came against Rydal in Colwyn Bay. A footballer first, he gave rugby a go because some of his talents were transferable. Initially, he was unsure of his responsibilities. “I told him full-back in rugby was like being a sweeper in football: ‘Stay in line with the ball and when you catch it, run with it and put it down behind those posts down there.’ That’s exactly what he did,” says Williams. “The first time he got the ball, he ran the full 80 metres. I was … [Read more...] about The making of a man: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s journey from Crosby to Kiev
Ambani’s Mobile Startup Packs 6-Month Sales Into a Quarter
A smartphone in India cost more than $200 just two years ago. Now you can get a decent phone for nothing but a refundable deposit of $23. Data packages are cheap, and a startup company even throws in free voice calls for life.For this, consumers can thank Mukesh Ambani, a 61-year-old petrochemicals titan who is the country’s richest man. From his perch overseeing Reliance Industries Ltd., one of India’s largest conglomerates, Ambani has plowed more than $38 billion into his wireless entry, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd.It’s a classic business disruption. Jio has quickly garnered 14 percent of a market that is expanding rapidly, putting pressure on other mobile phone providers.Along the way, virtually every promise Ambani made about the company’s performance in the marketplace has held up, from inexpensive Jio handsets to state-of-the-art wireless connections.But one claim merits a closer look: that Jio has been profitable virtually from its commercial launch. And … [Read more...] about Ambani’s Mobile Startup Packs 6-Month Sales Into a Quarter