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‘Legend’ Manchester train driver breaks down as he finishes his last shift after 52 years

Colleagues say Joe Crean lit up the Manchester Piccadilly depot with his "humour and hard work".

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th May 2023

The emotional moment a popular local train driver finished the last journey of his career before retirement has been caught on video.

After 52 years of driving trains right across Greater Manchester and beyond, 69-year-old Joe Crean pulled into Manchester Piccadilly station for the final time last week, and was was greeted by a PA announcement congratulating him on his outstanding service and thanking him for his many years of hard work.

The “legend” TransPennine Express (TPE) driver from Glossop was also given a hero’s welcome as he was met by the applause and well-wishes of his friends, family, and fellow rail workers.

The moment Joe Crean finished his last train driver after 52 years / Credit: TPE

Joe’s career on the railway began all the way back in 1971 as a steward in the dining car for British Rail, but after lots of encouragement from his colleagues, he then went on to apply to become a train driver and took on the role of trainee driver in April 1975.

After five years of training and working as a driver’s assistant, Joe was able to become a fully-fledged qualified driver in June 1980.

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It was in 2011 that Joe joined TPE as a driver based at Manchester Piccadilly, and during his time with the company, also went on to spend several years as a driver instructor helping to train up the next generation of drivers.

Joe pulled into Manchester Piccadilly station for the final time last week / Credit: TPE

“I have over half a century of cherished memories on the railway, and it means a lot to have shared my final journey with both my family and my railway family,” Joe said as his last shift came to an end.

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Now that he’s closed the door on his rail career, Joe says he’s looking forward to spending some more time with his wife Christine, and sons Gary and Shane, as well as his extended family, and hopes to travel and take some time to relax on holiday.

Aside from that, Joe says he wants to nurture his hobbies more as he loves walking and spending time outdoors.

He also hopes to watch his local team, Glossop North End, and volunteer to help out at the club too.

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Speaking at the end of Joe’s last shift, Matthew Golton – Managing Director at TPE – said: “Joe is amongst the rare few who have achieved the 50-year milestone on the railway, and he has lit up Manchester Piccadilly depot with his humour, hard work, loyalty, and diligence.  

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“Joe’s retirement marks the end of an era but his legacy and contributions towards the future generation of drivers will carry on.

“He has been a credit to TPE, and will be sorely missed.”

Featured Image – TPE

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Jürgen Klopp reveals the main reason he turned down the Manchester United job

Danny Jones Danny Jones The reason why Jurgen Klopp turned down the Man United manager job

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has revealed one of the main reasons he turned down the Manchester United job more than a decade ago.

The ex-Borussia Dortmund boss turned Merseyside hero spent nine years at Anfield, going on to win a Champions League, Premier League, and a collection of cups.

It’s also worth noting that this all came in the years following the departure of legendary Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but there could have been an alternate reality where Klopp carried on where ‘Fergie’ left off, as the now 58-year-old says the club spoke to him during that time.

With Sir Alex leaving in 2013 after the best part of 30 years, Klopp told Steven Bartlett on his most recent Diary of A CEO episode that “of course, they were interested.”

Admitting that the interest was mutual “at one point”, the prospect of joining Liverpool‘s historic rivals clearly appealed to him.

Noting that he was flourishing as an up-and-coming coach (aged 46 back then) in charge of an impressive Dortmund team – adding that even some of his then future players to be at Liverpool flew to watch them play in the Champions League – it’s clear he had plenty of suitors.

However, the retired German footballer turned ‘Gegenpressing’ tactician goes on to explain that despite United trying to poach him from the Bundesliga, it was “the wrong time, wrong moment for me.”

Crucially, he says that some aspects of the conversations between him and the club at the time proved to be a turn-off rather than an incentive, citing talk of ‘the biggest club in the world’ and supposedly “signing any player we want.”

In short, Klopp says that, crucially, it didn’t sound like it would have been his project, drawing parallels to the board wanting to bring back players like Paul Pogba, with arguably similar ‘mistakes’ being made with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. In his eyes, looking backwards simply “never helps”.

You can see the clip in full here:

Had he not turned down the offer, do you think Klopp could have helped rebuild Man United?

According to Klopp, after negotiations seemed to revolve primarily around the kind of players they were going to bring in, he decided the opportunity wasn’t for him.

Nevertheless, it looked like things worked out for Merseyside’s biggest club, at least, as he went on to become one of the most successful managers in the Premier League, managing to break up the long period of dominance overseen by both Manchester United and, most recently, Man City.

As for the red half of Manchester, they at the very least had a good weekend as they finally ended their long wait for a win away against Liverpool.

In case you missed it, you can watch the highlights – including another big clutch goal from Harry Maguire – down below.

What an ending that was, eh?

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Diary of a CEO (screenshots via YouTube)/Tim Reckmann (via WikiCommons)

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More than £2 million in compensation received by underpaid workers in the North West

Danny Jones Danny Jones Underpaid workers North West compensation minimum wage fines

More than £2 million is said to have been dished out in compensation to workers in the North West alone, as the UK government is continuing to crack down on employers underpaying their staff.

Employees from nearly 500 different companies across the region have received the money they owed following a raft of fines in excess of £2.7 million.

Covering the likes of Greater Manchester and beyond, the companies responsible have been revealed by the government as part of the new Fair Work Agency (FWA), which is tasked with shoring up workers’ rights moving forward.

The FWA is part of Labour’s wider ‘Plan For Change’, and hopes not only to correctly reimburse those short-changed but also, with the clear threat of swift action, deter others from trying to do the same in the future.

Released publicly last Friday, 17 October, 80 companies that failed to properly pay approximately 19,000 workers in and around the North West have now been repaid by their employers.

Perhaps most concerningly is that the fines sweep across multiple sectors and sizes, from local independents and SME to well-known high street brands.

From April 2026 onwards, the updated Employment Rights Bill (which also includes the FWA) grants more powers to tackle employers underpaying workers and failing to fulfil both holiday and sick pay. 

This announcement also comes after the National Minimum Wage rate was increased earlier this year, with millions getting a pay rise and those working full-time on the National Living Wage seeing their families supported by an extra £1,400 per year. 

Under the ‘Make Work Pay’ initiative set out by the Labour Party, more than 15 million Brits are expected to benefit from the new measures.

Overall, roughly £6 million has been put back into the pockets of underpaid workers up and down the country following these fines, which are said to have totalled roughly £10.2m. The full list of companies in question can be seen HERE.

Speaking on the news, Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said: “This government is taking direct action to ensure workers get every penny they’ve earned, and to put an end to bad businesses undercutting good ones.

“We’re proud to have delivered a strong minimum wage, and enforcing it thoroughly is crucial in our mission to put pounds back in your pocket. I know this news will be welcomed by brilliant businesses across the country, those who know that happy, well-paid staff are at the heart of building a successful company.

“With our new Fair Work Agency and the coming Employment Rights Bill, this government is keeping our promise to Britain to make work pay again.”

If you fear you might be suffering from underpayment by your employer, you can check that your wages are correct online; alternatively, you can call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 or contact their website for more information right HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Nick Pampoukidis (via Flickr)

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