The Mail On Sunday Prize Crossword 1576 Sunday January 20Th 2013

[jonty23]

Hi, I am totally confused. i guess 35) down must be Pleat, but when did he play for England? David Platt did but that does not fit in, so is the compiler mixing up the two? Further 39)across must be azure, but that is not adeep blue close to purple to my knowledge. Anybody any views on this? kind regards, Jonty.

[factor-fiction]

Where is your E from in Pleat because PLATT should be right? Thanks

[factor-fiction]

What letters do you have for 39a please?

[curleyhead]

pleat is correct, english football player, and england manager. 39 across is azure.

[glasman]

Would have thought the same as you about azure but I found this-

1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Colours) a deep blue, occasionally somewhat purple, similar to the colour of a clear blue sky

[factor-fiction]

This is confusing.
jonty says the clue says he played for England but curleyhead says the clue says "English football player" which is okay. Pleat was English but only represented England at schoolboy level I think.
But both say clue also says "England manager". Pleat was a manager but not for England as far as I know

[jonty23]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I still do not recall David Pleat paying for England. David Platt did , but did not manage Luton Town. Pleat and Azure must be correct, but a poor clue. Kind regards, jonty.

[whitehill]

David Pleat is the Luton manager, according to Google

[factor-fiction]

>"I still do not recall David Pleat paying for England. "

But the clue doesn't say he played for England, does it?

[columbus]

clue doesn't say he played or managed England , just that he was English. I'm English but I've not managed the England side. IDIOTS

[baza]

clue reads:- David -----, former English football player and manager of Luton Town. [5]

[factor-fiction]

Which 'IDIOTS' are you referring to, columbus?