Venables claims court victory

The England soccer coach Terry Venables claimed victory in a High Court battle with a former business partner yesterday despite being awarded only half his costs of pounds 125,000. Mr Venables won nearly pounds 50,000 in damages over a failed pubs venture but his claim for more than pounds 144,359 was rejected.

His former business partner, Paul Kirby, must pay pounds 36,089 with pounds 12,973 interest and around pounds 100,000 of Mr Venables's costs plus his own. Lawyers for Mr Kirby, an FA councillor, claimed the costs ruling meant Mr Venables would still be out of pocket.