Generous spirit ... Eric Cantona had a great influence on the young Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes On Eric Cantona

Everybody is aware of the inspiration he provided on the pitch but maybe it's not so widely appreciated that he was always a brilliant bloke, too.

In those days there used to be a players' pool of cash for various commercial endorsements and when it was divided we'd all get a cheque for the same amount.

On one occasion, when we were due to receive £1,500 each, it was decided that all the cheques would go into a hat, then whoever's name was drawn out would get the lot.

Now, £1,500 wasn't much to the older lads, but to the likes of Nicky Butt and me it was a load of cash, so really it was pretty stupid of us to take part in the lottery. When the Frenchman won the pot, everybody was calling him "Golden Bollocks".

But then Eric shut everybody up by just handing the money to Nicky and me, saying that we deserved it for having the balls to take the risk.

So the pair of us went home very happy boys, all thanks to the generous Monsieur Cantona.

On the pitch there were still times I was having to pinch myself to believe that I really was a team-mate of this great footballer.

Caught on camera, the Romanian thief who distracts shop assistant before putting £54,000 of jewellery down her SKIRT

This is the moment a brazen jewellery thief distracted a shop assistant before reaching over a counter and tipping a £54,000 tray of bangles into a secret pocket in her skirt.

Mother-of-four Saina Sava was a member of a gang of shoplifters who were caught on camera sending an assistant away from the counter while she shamelessly removed an entire tray of jewellery.

The CCTV footage was shot inside Sunny Jewellers in Leicester. At one point, one of the women even opened her headscarf wide to help hide her accomplice as she hid the bangles in the specially-made skirt pocket.

Baroness causes outrage with claim Nigerian men all have four wives because they are lazy

By DAVID WILKES

Last updated at 9:41 AM on 27th September 2011

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Outspoken: Baroness Flather has made comments about Nigerian men during a radio phone-in on polygamy

Controversial peer Baroness Flather caused outrage yesterday with a claim that Nigerian men marry four wives because they are lazy.

Speaking on a radio phone-in debate on polygamy, she said: ‘Most of the men in Nigeria don’t do anything, their wives do all the work, that’s why they have so many.’ 

Lady Flather spoke out after a Nigerian caller told how his father had four wives, they all lived together in the same house without arguments and their 11 children were all well educated.

The crossbencher, Britain’s first female Asian peer, recently made controversial claims that some Asian families in Britain have lots of children in order to claim extra welfare payments.

Yesterday’s comments were made as she spoke as a guest on the BBC Radio 5 Breakfast show, presented by Nicky Campbell. 

Campbell was joined in the studio by Khola Hasan, of the Islamic Sharia Council, which says polygamy is on the rise among British Muslims. 

Following the peer’s comment, embarrassed laughter could be heard before Mrs Hasan said: ‘That’s a bit unfair’.

Campbell then interjected: ‘If I’d said what you’ve just said I’d be in the papers tomorrow for racism, wouldn’t I?’ 

But the baroness went on: ‘They have four wives – one to do the farming, one to look after the children, one to look after the man and one to do the housework. It is just a fact. Why should I lie?’ 

Two British Nigerians later called the show and condemned the comments, pointing out that polygamy is a sign of affluence rather than idleness.

Last night Radio 5 said the peer’s views were ‘entirely her own’.

Man United!

Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney Among Manchester United Figures Featured in New York Times Style Magazine

And the winner is... Miss Angola becomes first from her country to be crowned Miss Universe

Adewale Ayuba Builds Magnificent Hotel In Lekki...calls it Sweet Life Homes.

Respected Fuji musician, Adewale Ayuba just hit town with something wonderful.

He just completed a magnificent hotel in Lekki Lagos

The wonderful structure is specifically located on Ivory street, off Jakande round about Lekki,Lagos.

 Courtesy of www.societynowng.com

New Video: Tolu Odukoya ft Onyeka Onwenu - Gifted & Proud

New Video: Tolu Odukoya ft Onyeka Onwenu - Gifted & Proud

Manchester United beat Bolton Wanderers 5-0 on Saturday 10/09/2011.

Pictures attached herewith.