Now, here's a nice young Welshman...
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Now, here's a nice young Welshman...
Copyright 2001 MGN Ltd.
Sunday Mirror
July 1, 2001, Sunday
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 4,5
LENGTH: 914 words
HEADLINE: CAR VERY MUCH, SON;
ENGLAND HERO MICHAEL OWEN SPENDS POUNDS 212,000 TAKING FAMILY ON LUXURY HOLIDAY THEN BUYS THEM PORSCHE, 2 MERCS AND 2 AUDIS
BYLINE: Shekhar Bhatia
BODY:
A CONVERTIBLE, dark blue Porsche purred into the cul-de-sac and drew up outside one of five neat detached homes.
Shortly afterwards, a purple Mercedes SLK rounded the corner and was parked in front of the house next door.
A gleaming Mercedes CLK followed suit, followed by two top-of-the range Audi TTs which pulled into the driveways of two other homes.
By this time, the affluent private road resembled an exclusive car showroom. Which was a big surprise to the residents when they arrived home together from a luxury holiday. All are relatives of football hero Michael Owen, and all were astonished to find that the prestige motors were their surprise homecoming present from soccer's 21-year-old Mr Nice Guy.
Michael had already treated the group - his parents, girlfriend, two brothers, two sisters and one friend - to a pounds 52,000 sunshine break in Dubai.
After living in the lap of luxury for 10 days, they were relaxed and happy as the two people carriers from Manchester Airport pulled into the cul-de-sac in Hawarden, North Wales. And they whooped with sheer delight when they realised the cars belonged to them.
The Porsche Boxster convertible with alloy wheels - worth up to pounds 39,000 - was for elder brother Terry, 31. Sitting on the drive of sister Karen's house was the purple Mercedes SLK, worth up to pounds 31,000
For the rest of the family - mum and dad Terry and Janet, brother Andrew, 30 and younger sister Lesley - there was a pounds 32,000 black Mercedes CLK and two Audi TTs, one silver and the other a stunning, deep burgundy, worth up to pounds 29,000 each.
The total car bill for England and Liverpool star Michael, could be as much as pounds 160,000. During the journey from the airport, Michael kept his latest act of generosity secret.
But once they caught sight of the new gifts, sister Karen, 24, gave him a big hug and they all rushed to view the cars up close.
Andrew ran his hand along the bonnet of his sleek black Mercedes, as if he were making sure it was for real.
Then they all vanished inside Terry and Janet's home for a few minutes before emerging again and sitting in the cars, just running hands over steering wheels and familiarising themselves with their new "toys". A short time later Terry took his Porsche for a spin, taking down the hood to enjoy the afternoon sunshine.
He was followed by Karen in her new Merc, while Michael put his feet up, satisfied that his great giveaway had gone exactly to plan.
Looking bronzed and wearing shorts and a T-shirt, he later emerged to say: "I just wanted it to be a big surprise for everyone.
"We've had a great holiday and now everyone wants to try out and enjoy their cars."
Sue Bonsall, mother of Michael's girlfriend Louise added: "He had been planning this surprise for months. Michael is very close to his family and is extremely generous." Sue and her husband were let in on his secret by Michael before he went on holiday.
They spent two days taking delivery of the cars and secretly moving them into the close.
Michael had previously paid pounds 750,000 so his family can all live in the five homes in the road.
His parents are next door to brother Terry, sister Karen has the next home with boyfriend Tim - and brother Andrew has the house next to that.
Although the fifth home is empty at the moment, Michael, who earns pounds 3.4million a year in club wages and sponsorship deals, is believed to have bought it for Lesley, 17. For the first part of his great giveaway, Michael had hired five two-bedroom villas called Beit Al Bahar (houses by the sea) at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai - described as one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
Rates for the villas are around pounds 1,215 a night.
A brochure for the complex says: "Set in an oasis of beautiful, lush gardens and facing an expanse of sandy, private beaches, Beit Al Bahar offers a first -time glimpse into the fascinating life of the traditional Arabian village."
When he arrived, Michael found his name inscribed in the doorway in Arabic script - and he and his guests had the call of a 24-hour reception and private gardens.
The party also enjoyed a plunge pool within their villas, outdoor dining areas and food from 18 fine restaurants within the nearby grounds of the five- star hotel.
The rooms were stuffed with Arabian decor, sofas and wooden furniture, woven Persian carpets and antique art works.
There was also a multi-channel television showing soccer highlights on the local sports station.
By co-incidence, fellow Liverpool star Emile Heskey was staying in the hotel at the same time. Michael played golf, walked along the beach with girlfriend Louise, dined on the finest seafood and lounged away the hours with his family at the five star deluxe complex.
Owen, who himself drives a Jaguar, also enjoyed a round of golf at the nearby Dubai Creek Hotel.
He later went for a drink at the Sports Bar at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel with a golfing partner.
His family were given a small taster of what was to come when they were ferried around in taxis - most of Dubai's cabs are luxury Mercedes saloons.
SILVER AUDI TT
pounds 29,000: for brother Andrew
BURGUNDY AUDI TT
pounds 29,000: for sister Lesley
BLACK MERCEDES CLK
pounds 32,000: for father Terry
BLUE PORSCHE BOXSTER
pounds 39,000, for brother Terry Jnr
PURPLE MERCEDES SLK
pounds 31,000: for sister Karen
GRAPHIC: BIG SECRET: Michael arrives at Manchester Airport, his family still in the dark about what's waiting back at home; LUXURY: The family's Dubai holiday villas; MOTOR HOME: The excited Owen family gather round their new cars shortly after arriving back from their luxury holiday to find their private close filled with gleaming motors
LOAD-DATE: July 1, 2001
Sunday Mirror
July 1, 2001, Sunday
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 4,5
LENGTH: 914 words
HEADLINE: CAR VERY MUCH, SON;
ENGLAND HERO MICHAEL OWEN SPENDS POUNDS 212,000 TAKING FAMILY ON LUXURY HOLIDAY THEN BUYS THEM PORSCHE, 2 MERCS AND 2 AUDIS
BYLINE: Shekhar Bhatia
BODY:
A CONVERTIBLE, dark blue Porsche purred into the cul-de-sac and drew up outside one of five neat detached homes.
Shortly afterwards, a purple Mercedes SLK rounded the corner and was parked in front of the house next door.
A gleaming Mercedes CLK followed suit, followed by two top-of-the range Audi TTs which pulled into the driveways of two other homes.
By this time, the affluent private road resembled an exclusive car showroom. Which was a big surprise to the residents when they arrived home together from a luxury holiday. All are relatives of football hero Michael Owen, and all were astonished to find that the prestige motors were their surprise homecoming present from soccer's 21-year-old Mr Nice Guy.
Michael had already treated the group - his parents, girlfriend, two brothers, two sisters and one friend - to a pounds 52,000 sunshine break in Dubai.
After living in the lap of luxury for 10 days, they were relaxed and happy as the two people carriers from Manchester Airport pulled into the cul-de-sac in Hawarden, North Wales. And they whooped with sheer delight when they realised the cars belonged to them.
The Porsche Boxster convertible with alloy wheels - worth up to pounds 39,000 - was for elder brother Terry, 31. Sitting on the drive of sister Karen's house was the purple Mercedes SLK, worth up to pounds 31,000
For the rest of the family - mum and dad Terry and Janet, brother Andrew, 30 and younger sister Lesley - there was a pounds 32,000 black Mercedes CLK and two Audi TTs, one silver and the other a stunning, deep burgundy, worth up to pounds 29,000 each.
The total car bill for England and Liverpool star Michael, could be as much as pounds 160,000. During the journey from the airport, Michael kept his latest act of generosity secret.
But once they caught sight of the new gifts, sister Karen, 24, gave him a big hug and they all rushed to view the cars up close.
Andrew ran his hand along the bonnet of his sleek black Mercedes, as if he were making sure it was for real.
Then they all vanished inside Terry and Janet's home for a few minutes before emerging again and sitting in the cars, just running hands over steering wheels and familiarising themselves with their new "toys". A short time later Terry took his Porsche for a spin, taking down the hood to enjoy the afternoon sunshine.
He was followed by Karen in her new Merc, while Michael put his feet up, satisfied that his great giveaway had gone exactly to plan.
Looking bronzed and wearing shorts and a T-shirt, he later emerged to say: "I just wanted it to be a big surprise for everyone.
"We've had a great holiday and now everyone wants to try out and enjoy their cars."
Sue Bonsall, mother of Michael's girlfriend Louise added: "He had been planning this surprise for months. Michael is very close to his family and is extremely generous." Sue and her husband were let in on his secret by Michael before he went on holiday.
They spent two days taking delivery of the cars and secretly moving them into the close.
Michael had previously paid pounds 750,000 so his family can all live in the five homes in the road.
His parents are next door to brother Terry, sister Karen has the next home with boyfriend Tim - and brother Andrew has the house next to that.
Although the fifth home is empty at the moment, Michael, who earns pounds 3.4million a year in club wages and sponsorship deals, is believed to have bought it for Lesley, 17. For the first part of his great giveaway, Michael had hired five two-bedroom villas called Beit Al Bahar (houses by the sea) at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai - described as one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
Rates for the villas are around pounds 1,215 a night.
A brochure for the complex says: "Set in an oasis of beautiful, lush gardens and facing an expanse of sandy, private beaches, Beit Al Bahar offers a first -time glimpse into the fascinating life of the traditional Arabian village."
When he arrived, Michael found his name inscribed in the doorway in Arabic script - and he and his guests had the call of a 24-hour reception and private gardens.
The party also enjoyed a plunge pool within their villas, outdoor dining areas and food from 18 fine restaurants within the nearby grounds of the five- star hotel.
The rooms were stuffed with Arabian decor, sofas and wooden furniture, woven Persian carpets and antique art works.
There was also a multi-channel television showing soccer highlights on the local sports station.
By co-incidence, fellow Liverpool star Emile Heskey was staying in the hotel at the same time. Michael played golf, walked along the beach with girlfriend Louise, dined on the finest seafood and lounged away the hours with his family at the five star deluxe complex.
Owen, who himself drives a Jaguar, also enjoyed a round of golf at the nearby Dubai Creek Hotel.
He later went for a drink at the Sports Bar at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel with a golfing partner.
His family were given a small taster of what was to come when they were ferried around in taxis - most of Dubai's cabs are luxury Mercedes saloons.
SILVER AUDI TT
pounds 29,000: for brother Andrew
BURGUNDY AUDI TT
pounds 29,000: for sister Lesley
BLACK MERCEDES CLK
pounds 32,000: for father Terry
BLUE PORSCHE BOXSTER
pounds 39,000, for brother Terry Jnr
PURPLE MERCEDES SLK
pounds 31,000: for sister Karen
GRAPHIC: BIG SECRET: Michael arrives at Manchester Airport, his family still in the dark about what's waiting back at home; LUXURY: The family's Dubai holiday villas; MOTOR HOME: The excited Owen family gather round their new cars shortly after arriving back from their luxury holiday to find their private close filled with gleaming motors
LOAD-DATE: July 1, 2001
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