While asking for money used to be the source of embarrassment, online giving "has taken the fear out of it", says Rhyan Romaine, a non-profit consultant and professional grant writer.

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His dignified manner added to the growing respect for Grant, who had already enhanced his professional reputation by overseeing consecutive wins over United and Liverpool.

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The defeat dropped West Ham back into the relegation zone and Hammers boss Avram Grant believed Vidic should have been sent off for a perceived professional foul on Demba Ba rather than the yellow card he received when the visitors were trailing 2-0.

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"He knows what he's doing today means nothing for tomorrow, " confirmed Cohen, another friend of Grant's, who is now the chairman of Israel's Professional Footballers Association.

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Having spent almost my entire professional life around intellectual entrepreneurs in the not-for-profit sector, both as a grant seeker and grant giver, I often found the same type of responses.

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It said those asked to leave were being given a grant, "which can help those concerned to re-enter social and professional life", and that expulsions to Romania were being carefully co-ordinated with the government there.

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Take Beechen Cliff grant maintained comprehensive school in Bath, for example - with pupils coming mainly from middle class, professional backgrounds and consistently above-average exam results.

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