Ex-wife murder shock for former footballer A FORMER South Yorkshire football star told today of his shock at learning that his ex-wife had been murdered. Ian Banks, aged 45, who played for Barnsley and Rotherham United, was married to Debra Ellis around 20 years ago. The 45-year-old Rawmarsh mum was found with severe head injuries at a house in Laughton-en-le-Morthern at 2am on Sunday. Detectives arrested a 46-year-old man at the semi-detached house in Mellow Fields Road where she died. He is believed to be the victim's boyfriend and works as a local doorman. He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries. She visited the house in Laughton-en-le-Morthern frequently, according to neighbours, who were left stunned by her death. Speaking at his detached home in Lee Wood Close, Brampton Bierlow, Mr Banks told The Star: "I am shocked about it obviously, but I have not spoken to Debra in a long while. We were married for a short time about 20 years ago and it's in the past. It's a long time ago and I don't want to go into it." Mr Banks has been married for 18 years to the sister of the wife of ex-Chesterfield boss Nicky Law. His attractive dark-haired partner said outside their home: "It's a horrible thing to happen. I feel terrible about it." Mr Banks, a former midfield player, was well-known throughout the South Yorkshire football world, enjoying stints at Barnsley and Rotherham United. The Mexborough-born star also played for Huddersfield, Bradford and West Brom before he became number two to brother-in-law Nicky Law at Chesterfield in 2000 but left in 2002. An inquest is due to be opened tomorrow at Rotherham Coroner's Court. 07 June 2006 Reds facing battle in bid to land Boyd BARNSLEY have been linked to Hartlepool striker Adam Boyd as their hunt for a Championship goalscorer continues. They will have a fight on their hands, though, with Luton Town, Norwich City and Cardiff City all interested in the player. Boyd made his name in the 2004/5 season scoring 27 goals for a Hartlepool side that made it to the League One play-off final only to lose to Sheffield Wednesday at the Millennium Stadium. Despite an injury-hit campaign last season which saw the forward score only four goals in 12 league starts, it is still expected that Boyd will command a reasonable fee after Hartlepool turned down a £500,000 bid from Luton less than a year ago. Hartlepool are clearly keen to hold on their star asset and Boyd's agent, Garry Thornburn, has issued a statement saying "Adam is very happy at Hartlepool. "We have not talked to any other clubs and will not unless Hartlepool tell us otherwise," he said. Meanwhile, the Reds are also still in the hunt for Newcastle hitman Michael Chopra although they have yet to make a formal offer for the former England Under-21 striker who had a loan spell with them during the 2004/05 season. Chopra is out of contract this summer at Newcastle. But, having made some Premiership appearances last season and with Alan Shearer retiring, he is hoping for a new deal.
Working on the assumption... ...Cardiff aren't going to sign both of them, we should end up with Boyd if we want him! Don't think a North Eastern lad would be tempted by Luton or Norwich.
Except that... ...it might be perceived that Cardiff have more potential and strangely (seeing as they are 28M in debt) financial clout.
His dark haired attractive partner Lazy journalism again. See that Nicky Law wasn't decribed as an ugly bald bruiser.
RE: His dark haired attractive partner I didn't think it was lazy, just inappropriate. Did a journalist offend you as a child or something?
