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It was colder in Chicago than at the South Pole yesterday. Of course it's summer at the latter.

got #2 as well now - tea has revived me

Happy New Year Jolan. I hope you've had a good break.
I've also seen #1 and, like Chris, am going to have a cup of tea before I have a go at the rest.

In case I can't get on later, nice clues, Jolan (think I've got 'em all). Back to the woodpile...

....and #3 (with electronic assistance - never heard of it, and I'm not entirely unknowledgeable in that field!)

Hi again jolan,
I've got the first 4 but having to disappear so unlikely to look in again soon. I'll check when/if I get #5.
Thanks again, nice variation so far.

1- MAN U FACTOR Y
2- E STRANGE MEN T
3- GREISEN (subtractive anagram)
4- BEETLE OFF
5- BACK NUMBER (ten)

1 MANUFACTORY (plant)

FACTOR (agent) inside MAN U (fairly famous football team) Y(ard)

2 ESTRANGEMENT (division)

STRANGE MEN (unconventional soldiers) inside ET (alien)

3. GREISEN (rock)

subtractive anagram "rendering all so" less "and roll"

4. BUMBLE BEE? (only because it was once "scientifically proven" that it couldn't fly)

5?

Thanks jolan - very clever clues, as always. Great start to the year.

Welcome also, ginge, imagcq and Rossim. We seem a little short of friends today. After effects of Christmas? Certainly not! lol

The cold hasn't dulled your sharp brain Ari, 5/5 and well done Chris 3/5. I'll append my workings below (although no real need)

Happy New Year to those absent ones also. See you next week. John

1. famous football team = Man U; yard = y (measurement); agent = factor; man u (factor) y = MANUFACTORY = factory (Chambers) = plant.

2. unconventional soldiers = strange men; alien = ET; e(strange men)t = ESTRANGEMENT = division (Chambers Thes: division = estrangement = division)

3. subtractive anagram (leaves & undisciplined) of “rendering all so” – “ and roll” = GREISEN = a rock ... (Chambers)

4. insect = beetle; indisposed = off; BEETLE OFF = to fly (RAF slang – Chambers)

5. This form of “net” is “ten”. BACK NUMBER = no longer useful (chambers def)

Only the first one for me Jolan.
Not feeling very bright this afternoon. Like the weather!
Thanks again for some clever clues.