What a great goal

Today we tell how one desperate victim, a 44-year-old mum called Becky, was driven to attempt suicide by an illegal lender.

Becky was sucked into a depressing cycle of debt after borrowing just £50 to pay for her kids’ school uniforms.

It’s a simple necessity of life. With Christmas coming up, presents to buy, food and decorations to provide, making ends meet is a desperate task for many.

Becky has a warning: Don’t be tempted by smooth-talking loan sharks offering a quick fix.

As weeks passed, falling deeper into the red due to the exhorbitant interest rates demanded by her avaricious lender, and too ashamed to tell even her husband, Becky twice took overdoses in a bid to kill herself.

She was saved in the nick of time when police broke down the door and is now getting help from counsellors.

Becky’s loan shark was a neighbour she once regarded as a friend.

Sadly, her case is not unique. There are thousands of Beckys struggling not only to provide for their families but with the mental anguish of disappearing in a vortex of uncontrollable debt.

They need help. Many turn to sharks because legitimate lenders, banks and building societies, refuse even short term loans, at fair rates of interest, due to bad credit records.

Investigators from the England Illegal Money Lending Team, a Government-funded unit set up to fight the problem, has written off £75million in illegal debt and helped 30,000 back on to an even keel.

But the underlying causes need addressing to stop people using loan sharks in the first place.

LOYAL football fans have long been sidelined in the management of the clubs they love.

In too many cases inept management has sent clubs into administration with ruinous debts.

European supporter-run clubs such as Bayern Munich and Barcelona show a better way.

Labour’s plan to put supporters on the boards is a well-placed opening shot.

It will require tough regulation to make ensure its success.