|
P
|
GD
|
PTS
|
||
| 1 | Hearts | 5 | 12 | 15 |
| 2 | Kilmarnock | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 3 | Hibernian | 5 | 4 | 10 |
| 4 | Rangers | 5 | 2 | 9 |
| 5 | Celtic | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| 6 | Inverness CT | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| 8 | Motherwell | 5 | -4 | 4 |
| 9 | Dundee Utd | 4 | -4 | 4 |
| 10 | Falkirk | 5 | -7 | 3 |
| 11 | Dunfermline | 4 | -2 | 2 |
| 12 | Livingston | 5 | -11 | 1 |
However, reports from Italy suggest the Serie A champions are preparing
a massive bid of £15m plus defender Jonathan Zebina and midfielder Enzo
Maresca for Vieira. Spanish giants Real Madrid are also reported to have
re-entered the race to sign Vieira after Steven Gerrard decided to stay
at Liverpool.
There are also rumours that Robert Pires is the subject of some interest
from the Turin club and he wants more than the one year contract extension
that has been offered by Arsenal.
Could be a new look at Highbury this season, personnel-wise, although hopefully
the style of football will remain the same.
Powell back in the Valley
Chris Powell has rejoined former club Charlton in a one year deal. The 35 year old defender left the Addicks last summer to join West Ham, who he helped to promotion from the championship via the play-offs. He made 200 League appearances for Charlton in his first stint and joined them from Derby County in June 1998.
When leaving Charlton, Powell said: "I always felt I would finish
my career at Charlton but I had a decision to make and West Ham offered
regular football." The left-back initially joined the Hammers on loan
before completing a free transfer to Upton Park in December 2004. He seemed
likely to stay with the Premiership newcomers but the lure of his former
club has proved too much too resist. Powell has earned five England caps
during his career.
Moving right along
Hearts defender Andy Webster would like to speak to Rangers about a move,
but Tynecastle boss George Burley wants to keep the Scotland international.....
Birmingham have accepted an undisclosed bid from Leeds for striker Robbie
Blake......Luis Figo, it seems, dreams of life beside the Mersey. The former
world player of the year said "It's my dream to play for Liverpool
but dreams don't always come true."......It is reported that Brazilian
Julio Baptista now wants to spend another year in Seville......Northern
Ireland international Keith Gillespie didn't impress enough at Leeds to
stick......
Footiemad news item
July 10, 2005
Liverpool busy in marketplace
Reds' manager Rafael Benitez would be interested in acquiring Chelsea defender
William Gallas, with a central role in mind for the French international.
This would suit the player, who was forced to assume the left-back role
for much of last season at the Bridge, with a preference for the middle
of the back four. Now it is a question of the London club's willingness
to part with him. Gallas' agent has said Chelsea don't want to sell him.
The Anfield club have signed Valencia midfielder Mohamed Sissoko for £5m
from under the nose of neighbours Everton, subject to a medical. The young
Mali international is well known to Benitez, who signed the 20 year old
when he was in charge of the Spanish side.
Still on Merseyside, the Pool are still looking to sign Luis Figo and Peter
Crouch. The club has agreed personal terms with Figo but have been put
off by Real's £2m asking price, having originally thought they would get
him on a free transfer. The Southampton striker would likely cost in excess
of £5m, as he is well thought of by Harry Redknapp.
"All we can do is wait. We have possibilities and Figo and Crouch
are two of them," said Benitez. "I'm happy with the squad we
have but I'm trying to bring in two or three players."
Wenger must bide his time
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is an admirer of Manchester City and England
midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips, but will not make a move until Chelsea
have shown their hand. The Blues are reportedly set to bid about £20m for
the 23-year-old.
Wenger said: "I like him but we are in a market where you let Chelsea
make decisions and then come in after. There is a price for Chelsea and
a price for everybody else and that is why we have to wait until they decide."
The Frenchman is aware that the Gunners do not have the financial capabilities
of Abramovich's club.
Moving right along
Southampton keeper Antti Niemi would like to rejoin his old boss Gordon
Strachan at Celtic......Frank Arnesen says Chelsea and Arsenal were at
the front of the line to attract players, while Spurs were at the other
end and that is why he wanted out......Alex Ferguson is apparently not
overly concerned by Rio Ferdinand's reluctance to sign a contract extension......Australia
would like Dutchman Guus Hiddink to coach the national side on a part-time
basis, while he continues with PSV......Rangers beat a Canadian X1 4 -
1 in Toronto to kick-off the pre-season tour. They face Dinamo Zagreb on
Tuesday......
Footiemad news item
July 9, 2005
Can Owen accept Bernabeu role
He had always been a big fish in a big pond. Now that he has moved to a
different pond, maybe bigger, he is only considered to be an average fish.
Can Michael Owen adjust to another season of riding the pine for big stretches?
How will it affect his position with the England team? He, and others,
have been told this is their lot in life with Real Madrid and if they don't
like it, go elsewhere. The 25-year-old striker was unhappy at his lack
of first-team action last season and has been linked with a return to the
Premiership.
Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said: "You can't have the attitude
that you will only stay if you are playing. Those who want to be here just
to play are better off going. If you are here it is to be a member of the
squad."
Luxemburgo's criticism was also aimed at Liverpool target Luis Figo and
Spanish international midfielder Guti, who have all voiced their frustration
at not playing regularly. He added: "We are always talking about Michael
Owen leaving. Look, he has a contract here - like Luis Figo. Whether they
will play or not is a different story. I am the one who picks the team
and if I think someone should not play, then they won't play. If Guti said
he didn't like it here and was going to go and find another club, he should
have gone. But as he is here it is because he didn't find another team,
and he should appreciate the work."
Real's imminent move for Brazilian striker Robinho is set to leave Owen
even further down the pecking order. His former club Liverpool, Arsenal,
Manchester United and Chelsea are all reportedly interested in bringing
him back to English football.
Seems like it's bowel movement time or get off the pot.
Downing to extend his Riverside stay
Middlesbrough's young winger Stewart Downing is about to sign a new five
year contract with the club. The agent of the 20-year-old, who has interested
Premiership rivals Spurs, met with Boro officials and agreed in principle
to a new contract.
"We met with Stewart's agent and agreed in principle a new five-year
contract," said Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb. "Stewart
will sign on his return from Portugal next week."
Boro turned down a bid from Tottenham last week for Downing, who had rejected
two new contract offers.
Moving right along
Ryan Giggs thinks Man. U are good enough to challenge for the title this season, citing lack of concentration last year. I wonder what he's been smoking!......Steve Gerrard and Jamie Carragher both sign on at Anfield until 2009......Rangers want Peter Lovenkrands to show what he can do if he wants to stay......The memory man has told Man. U. he wants £120,000 a week before he'll sign, according to the Daily Mail. Rio, you're nuts and, if they give it to him, the club is crazier......Another insane suggested possibility, this time in the Daily Telegraph,
has Chelsea prepared to pay £83m to bring Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho
from Barcelona to Stamford Bridge.......
Footiemad news item
July 8, 2005
Juve taking Real's role
It is summertime again and the Patrick Vieira speculation resurfaces. This
time, however, it is not Real Madrid as the villain, but Juventus who admit
they want the Gunners' skipper. General director Luciano Moggi has been
attempting to seal a deal for the 29-year-old, but said: "Arsenal
don't want to sell him."
Reports in Italy say it is Arsenal's £14m asking price that is holding
up the deal, with Juve offering £5m plus midfielder Stephen Appiah. Moggi
said: "I haven't said that he is too expensive. In any case we will
have to meet them again." He said recently: "Obviously, they
will not let him go cheaply as he is a magnificent, winning midfielder
but if Arsenal are willing to do business, we'd buy him tomorrow."
Time will tell.
Ferdinand talks are going nowhere (at present)
Manchester Utd. and defender Rio Ferdinand, who are supposed to be talking new contract, are apparently not even talking about the weather. Maybe the memory man forgot to show up.
The 26-year-old had been discussing a new deal at Old Trafford before the
end of last season, but United were frustrated as discussions stalled.
Agent Pini Zahavi told The Independent: "No-one is having talks. There
is no need to speak. He has two years. There was at some stage an idea
for a new contract but we could not reach an agreement."
United are still hopeful Ferdinand will stay, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson
warned before the FA Cup final that he wanted the deal sorted out, but
there has been no sign that the two sides are close to an agreement.
Figo on Merseyside (maybe)
Portuguese international Luis Figo is still a possibility to don the red
jersey of Liverpool. The 32 year old has agreed personal terms with the
club and was poised to sign. Then reports surfaced that Rea Madrid, who
were previously thought to have released the player, wanted a fee.
"An agreement exists with Liverpool, but the decision rests on Real," said agent Luis Douens. "If they want money I believe it will be hard."
According to the Liverpool Echo, the Bernabeu club want £2m for Figo, who
they bought for £37m in 2000 from arch-rivals Barcelona.
That doesn't seem too out of line, although he'd likely be looking at a fair chunk of change as a weekly stipend.
Moving right along
Charlton have agreed a fee with Newcastle fo 21 year old midfielder Darren
Ambrose......Birmingham boss Steve Bruce rekindles interest in Lee Bowyer......The
St. Andrews club admits it was interested in Craig Bellamy and had a bid
accepted, so are probably somewhat galled that he chose Blackburn......Leicester
City and Leicester Tigers have given up on their plans to groundshare......
Footiemad news item
July 7, 2005
Ewood Park is springing leeks
Since Mark Hughes took over as Blackburn manager, there has been a distinct
flavour of the Principality in Lancashire. First he spirits Robbie Savage
away from Birmingham on the pretext that Blackburn is closer to home. Now
another yahoo, Craig Bellamy, from the Valleys is in town for a medical.
We'll wait and see, but soon John Toshack may just pick Blackburn Rovers.
Liverpool is the place
Just hours after the Steve Gerrard declaration of love everlasting, Jamie
Carragher will sign a two year contract extension, keeping him at Anfield
until 2009. The 27 year old had an outstanding season last time around.
"We have been talking with Jamie Carragher and we expect the contract
to be signed before the end of the week," said chief executive Rick
Parry. "He was outstanding for us last season and is clearly a big
part of our plans."
The club has also re-signed Didi Hamann and Djimi Traore.
Now that's long term
England keeper Paul Robinson is about to sign a new seven year deal with
Tottenham. The 25-year-old will commit himself to the club on a long-term
basis after an impressive first season.
Robinson, who cost £1.5m when he arrived from Leeds, had been the subject
of reported interest from clubs at home and abroad. However he said: "There
has never been any doubt on my part that this is where I want to be."
He added: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year here and the chairman
showed his commitment to me by signing me in the first place and by signing
this new deal. I'm repaying that faith."
Moving right along
Julio Baptista keen on Arsenal move......Javier Saviola, 23, is surplus
to requirements at Barca......Newcastle have put in a bid for Emre......Steve
Lomas looks set to leave Upton Park after eight years. The Northern Ireland
international is not in Alan Pardew's plans for next season and could end
up in Edinburgh......Harry Redknapp is counting on Marian Pahars to regain
form after missing last season entirely......Man U South African international
Quinton Fortune will miss six weeks following knee surgery......Mark Burchill
has signed a two year deal with Dunfermline......Cardiff will get its share
of Olympic football in 2012......
Footiemad news item
July 6, 2005
London gets 2012 Olympic Games. Congratulations
Love-in at Anfield
Just a few hours after declaring his wish to leave Liverpool, Steve Gerrard
has done an about face and decided to stay. It seems he misunderstood the
club's 'we want Gerrard to stay and will up his paycheck to £100,000-a-week'
statements to mean that the the powers-that-be at Anfield, the fans, the
population of the city and even the county didn't want him.
Now, once again, all is well on Merseyside. Gerrard told the Liverpool
Echo: "The last five or six weeks were the hardest of my life because
I wrongly believed the club didn't want me. This won't be happening again
next summer or ever again."
The skipper could even sign a new contract worth about £100,000-a-week
as early as Wednesday evening. He said: "I don't want to get into
attaching blame to anyone. If I blame anyone, it's myself. I wanted my
future sorted out as soon as possible after the Champions League final
and when that wasn't the case, the longer it went on, the more misunderstandings
there were. There was confusion and doubt in my mind. I had discussions
with the manager, but the reports of bust-ups are complete nonsense. Now
I know how much the club wants me."
It's about now that the trumpets blast, the fireworks start to go off,
rockets flying everywhere, the scene pans to a full moon and then back
to the bed with Stevie, Rafa, Rick et al laying there smoking contentedly.
Change at the top at the Den
Millwall chairman Jeff Burnige has resigned after two months on the job,
citing personal reasons. A club statement said he would remain a director
of the company and the football club, adding that a replacement for Burnige,
who took over from Theo Paphitis, will be named shortly. He appointed former
Millwall striker Steve Claridge as the club's new manager on 21 June.
Moving right along
Arsenal target, Brazilian striker Julio Baptista, has said he doesn't want
a renewed contract at Sevilla......Lee Bowyer could be returning to Charlton,
where he started his career......Hernan Crespo will be back in Chelski
blue this season, according to his agent......As there have been no takers
for his signature, Hugo Viana will be back with Newcastle and trying to
win a place with the team......Rangers have signed French defender Jose-Karl
Pierre-Fanfan from PSG on a three year deal......
Footiemad news item
July 5, 2005
The stampede begins (and we're not talking Calgary)
Chelski have already put in a bid, believed to be £32m, for Liverpool skipper Steve Gerrard, who appears to want away from Merseyside. The chief executive of the Anfield club, Rick Parry, has said the bid will be turned down. Gerrard's advisors have cancelled, at least for now, contract negotiations. Real Madrid certainly have the England international on their wish list for the upcoming season and are rumoured to be willing to pay the midfielder £130,000 per week, while the EPL champs want to hold the line at a mere £90,000. (cheap bastards). According to reports, Gerrard currently earns £60,000 per week at Anfield.
This one won't go away.
Robson lands another
Baggies boss Bryan Robson has clinched the move of Steve Watson from Everton
on a three year deal. The 31-year-old has turned down the offer of a new
one-year deal at Everton.
The WBA manager said: "Steve has great experience and will be a valuable
addition to the squad. I tried to sign him when I was manager at Middlesbrough
but just missed out. I'm delighted to get him this time."
The former Newcastle and Aston Villa player, who made 28 appearances for
Everton last season, can play at centre-back, right-back and in midfield.
This follows Robson's earlier signing of former Birmingham midfielder Darren
Carter for £1.5m. Carter, 21, signed after passing a medical on Monday
and Robson said: "I'm really pleased we've added Darren to the squad.
He is a very promising youngster who has a big future ahead of him."
Best assault claims go no further
Happily, George Best will no longer be asked to answer a couple of assault
charges for which he was bailed on June 9. He had been due at the police
station tomorrow, but a statement said that was now cancelled.
Best's agent, Phil Hughes, said legal advice was being sought. Mr Hughes
would not make any other comment on the latest developments. He had previously
said his client was vigorously denying both accusations.
Moving right along
David Moyes has suggested Mikel Arteta drop his wage demands if he wants
a permanent deal with Everton......South Korea international Park Ji-Sung
has been given a work permit so is now cleared to play for Manchester Utd......Ulrik
Laursen has left Celtic to return home to Denmark, signing for Odense for
a £50,000 fee......Peter Crouch is keen to move to Liverpool according
to Saints' boss Harry Redknapp......Former Chelsea keeper Ed de Goey has
signed a one year contract extension with Stoke City......Newly promoted
West Ham have signed three defencemen to long term deals. Danny Gabbidon,
25, and James Collins, 21. have moved from Cardiff, while Paul Konchesky,
24, has moved north of the River Thames from Charlton......
Footiemad news item
July 4, 2005
Happy INDEPENDENCE DAY to our friends south of the 49th
Whining Harry can think about football again
Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, he of the oh-so-fragile ego, can concentrate
on playing football again, after his libel suit against Gary Lineker has
been settled out of court. This comes after a jury failed, last month,
to come to a conclusion on whether Lineker had made defamatory remarks
about the Australian's transfer from Leeds.
Poor Harry, 26, had sought damages for the "hurtful and humiliating
attack" in a July 2003 Sunday Telegraph column. The terms of the settlement,
reached on Friday, have not been revealed.
During a seven-day trial in June, Australian international Kewell claimed Lineker, 44, had accused him of being a fool and implied he was guilty of dishonourable conduct over his transfer to Liverpool in 2003.
Bellamy gets more time to find a club
Newcastle have given Welsh bad boy Craig Bellamy another week to find a
new home. The 25-year-old spent the last half of last season on loan at
Celtic after a row with Magpies boss Graeme Souness.
"Craig Bellamy is not due to return to training until next week along
with those who took part in international matches," said a club spokesman.
Celtic, Aston Villa and Everton lead the chase to sign the Welshman.
With the striker's exit looking ever more certain, Souness could start
the season with only Shearer and youngster Michael Chopra as his strike
force. Shola Ameobi is still at the club but will miss the start of the
campaign through injury.
Moving right along
Everton hoping to sign pair, Emiliano Moretti and Lamine Sissoko, from
Valencia......Oman international goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, 23, has signed
a three and a half year deal with Bolton. He will finish the Norwegian
season and arrive at the Reebok in October......Benni McCarthy puts gun
to Porto temple...trade me now or I'll play out my contract and go for
nothing..the South African wants to go to Blackburn......World Cup play-offs
may cause a venue problem for the Republic of Ireland. 'The answer is to
win the group' says FAI chief executive John Delaney......Alex McLeish
hopeful of signing three more......Hibs boss Tony Mowbray urges Derek Riordan
to re-sign with Easter Road outfit......
Footiemad news item
July 3, 2005
Glazer saga......Gill happy
Manure chief executive David Gill is content in the knowledge that the
new owners will not be looking to decimate the team in order to reduce
the debt, following a meeting with Malcolm's lads.
He told BBC Radio Five Live: "The Glazer family have experience in
sports ownership and realise that success on the pitch drives what happens
off it. I think I can say that Wayne Rooney will definitely not be sold."
Gill said his meeting with Joel, Avi and Bryan Glazer this week had calmed
fears that the debt incurred in the takeover would force the Glazers into
drastic measures - such as the sale of the 19-year-old England forward.
He also insisted that money will be made available to manager Sir Alex
Ferguson and that there would be no cap on the transfer budget.
Gill added: "There is no transfer cap. The Glazers made it clear that
money will be made available, although I do not think there is a huge amount
of investment needed in the team. All along the strategy has been about
making us strong on the pitch because if you don't have a successful team
what you want to do commercially will not work. Everything follows from
succes on the pitch and the Glazers realise that."
The CE also moved to quell rumours that Old Trafford would be sold and
leased back to the club to help ease the Glazers' debt burden. He said:
"Joel Glazer and his brothers have been categoric on that. There is
no need to do it as they have got the finance in place. We own all our
assets, whether it be Old Trafford or our training ground at Carrington,
and such a move is simply not required."
Gill also felt that a change in United's ownership structure from a publicly-quoted
company to a private one owned by the Glazers may benefit the club. In
a reference to Chelsea, whose Premiership title was financed by owner Roman
Abramovich, Gill said: "Being a private company as against a a publicly-quoted
one, is in football today, the right model. Some of our competitors are
not publicly quoted and it was becoming increasingly difficult for Manchester
United to compete at the highest level being a quoted company. As a publicly-quoted
company there is pressure to get a good return on assets like Wayne Rooney."
Gill also said the Glazers had not given Ferguson any ultimatum to deliver
success. "There are no specific targets and the Glazers understand
that you cannot guarantee success," said Gill. "They know you
have to give the manager the tools, in terms of players, to ensure you
can compete at the highest level. Our goal is to be in the top three or
four teams in Europe, competing in and winning the Premiership and FA Cup
and doing better in Europe."
Now he just has to convince the morons and thugs that pass themselves off
as fans of the club. The response from Shareholders United should be interesting.
Crespo not keen
Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, who had believed he was secure in Milan
for another season on loan, has suddenly had his world turned upside down.
The problem is the inability of Chelski to attract any striker of note
to the Bridge and now their need for Crespo may be greater than his need
for them.
The 29-year-old striker told The People newspaper: "Chelsea are trying
to convince me to go back but what I really want to do is stay in Italy.
I never had a problem with boss Jose Mourinho. I have not spoken to him
but I have been told it is possible he has changed his opinion of me."
Crespo, who turns 30 on July 5, has been a big hit for Milan, scoring twice
in the Champions League final defeat at the hands of Liverpool and is loathe
to return to London. "I'm having the worst summer of my life because
I don't know at what club I will be at in two weeks time," he added.
"Since losing the Champions League final the only good thing that
has happened has been my wedding."
Moving right along
Keith Gillespie would like a contract with Leeds......Graeme Souness, the
bookmakers' choice as first managerial casualty of the season, vows to
beat the odds......Charlton have signed 19 year old French left back Kelly
Youga on a free transfer from Lyon......Pompey striker Ricardo Fuller,
surplus to requirements on the south coast, has failed a medical at Sunderland......Dwight
Yorke insists he won't be partying in Sydney......Watford have signed 25
year old winger Martin Devaney from Cheltenham
Footiemad news item
July 2, 2005
Henry happy at Highbury
Arsenal goal machine Thierry Henry, who only needs six more to become the
club's all-time leading scorer, is adamant he is going nowhere. The 27
year old striker has been touted as a target for Spanish champions Barcelona.
Henry intends to stay in North London and said: "I have no intention
of going anywhere. I'm very happy at Arsenal. It's the family spirit that
matters. I heard that Spanish clubs are ready to pay out to secure my transfer
but that's no part of my plans."
The mercurial Frenchman has already set his sights on reclaiming the title
in the club's last season at Highbury. He said: "We did not go backwards
last season but getting the title back will be very difficult."
Arsenal have insisted they have no intention of selling the star.
Still at the shrine
According to his agent, Jose Antonio Reyes is about to be offered a contract
until 2010 with Arsenal. Jesus Rodriguez de Moya dismissed speculation
linking Reyes, 21, with a move back to Spain with Real Madrid.
Moya told the Daily Star: "Despite everything that has been said,
Arsenal are happy with Jose and have shown it with this offer. We've not
talked about Real because we've never received an offer."
Reyes has proved a big hit at Highbury since his £10.5m capture from Seville
in January 2004. Speculation surrounding a return to Spain reached a height
last February when he was caught out by a hoax telephone call from a Spanish
radio station. Reyes admitted to somebody impersonating Real Madrid director
of football Emilio Butragueno that he wanted to play for Real.
Moya added: "Reyes will have the final word, but he is happy in London now."
£26m and climbing
If the French sports daily L'Equipe is to be believed, Chelsea have already lodged a £26m bid for Michael Essien. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has insisted any club interested in signing the Ghana international midfielder will have to pay more.
Aulas told L'Equipe: "Even at £26m I will not sell Michael Essien. The offer will have to be considerably higher."
Last season Essien was voted Player of the Year by France's National Union of
Professional Footballers (UNFP).
Essien is one of the most sought-after players in Europe after another
impressive campaign for Lyon, who have just captured their fourth successive
Ligue 1 title.
Z to A
Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden, out of contract at Middlesbrough, has agreed
to move to Anfield on a free transfer. The 28-year-old has agreed personal
terms and passed a medical, and will complete the formalities on Monday.
He will sign in time to be eligible for Liverpool's Champions League qualification
campaign on July 13.
Zenden joined Middlesbrough on a permanent basis last summer after a successful
season on loan from Chelsea.
Moving right along
Laurent Robert told to keep his mouth shut by Portsmouth......With any
luck, Gaizka Mendieta will be ready to start the season with Middlesbrough,
after coming back from injury......Dundee defender Lee Wilkie has undergone
major knee surgery for the second time in 18 months......Michael Johnson
fit to start season with Derby......West Ham interested in Cardiff central
defenders Danny Gabbidon and James Collins......
Footiemad news item
July 1, 2005
Happy CANADA DAY
What can they do?
The Glazer family appear to be able to say all the right things and still
won't be given a chance by that group of idiots under the Shareholders
United umbrella.
Shareholders United chair Nick Towle told BBC Sport: "They are just
warm words to appease the fans. Where will the money come from? Now the
banks have their hooks into the club, they will say what happens."
Obviously, under the previous regime financial matters were irrelevant
and until the Glazers came along there were no restraints of a monetary
nature.
Towle's comments are tame in comparison with those other fans - and some
of their protests have enraged United chief executive David Gill. He said:
"Quotes from various people calling the Glazers repulsive are not
right. Those kind of comments by supposed fans repulse me and it makes
me wonder what they think they are achieving."
No lesser individual than Bobby Charlton seems to be OK with the situation.
Now all that is needed is the nod of approval from the King.
What goes around
After an acrimonious move from south-west London to Manchester eighteen
months ago, the miserable excuse for a human being, Louis Saha, now appears
surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and could be on his way to a season
long loan with Everton, although what David Moyes has done to deserve him,
god only knows.
In hindsight, Fulham boss Chris Coleman is possibly smiling a little as
a result.
Gerrard departure talk won't go away
Spanish press reports of Steve Gerrard's imminent arrival at the Bernabeu
are drawing no comment from the powers-that-be at Anfield. The article
quoted Gerrard as saying he is tempted to leave Anfield for Madrid during
talks with Reds boss Rafael Benitez about his future.
The newspaper AS says Gerrard has ruled out any chance of a move to Chelsea and that if he does depart Anfield it will be for a club outside England.
The report claims that when Benitez asked if Gerrard wanted to stay at
Liverpool he replied: "We'll have to see. The interest from Madrid
is extremely tempting. The offer from Madrid is very special. It is difficult
to say no to them. If I were to stay in England, I would only play for
Liverpool."
The report says Real are willing to more than double Gerrard's wages and
will pay him over £8m a year. Madrid have brought in a high-profile name
for the last five years and As says that they have earmarked Gerrard as
this summer's big money move.
Moving right along
FIFA has scrapped the '10 yard rule' for dissent, a move not welcomed by
the Premiership......Jeremie Aliadiere has completed his one year loan
move to Celtic......Newcastle are said to be interested in Manure striker
Alan Smith......Despite an end-of-season difference with Spurs, Fredi Kanoute
insists he wants to remain with the North London club......Inter Milan
have cancelled Christian Vieri's contract a year early......
Footiemad news item
June 30, 2005
Manchester madness
So the Glazer family own Manchester Utd. For all the fans of that club,
who for years now have thought that the world was theirs, it is time to
accept there are two sides to a coin.They have got to realise they are
the victims of the success they have enjoyed.
The three Glazer lads on the board of directors had to be taken from Old
Trafford yesterday by police van to avoid being harrassed, or worse, by
about 300 lunatics outside the ground. It was their first visit to the
ground since the takeover. Echoes of "die, Glazer die" rumbled
around the stadium, in itself less than pleasant.
In short, these dickheads are protesting the sale of the club to Malcolm
Glazer, whom they abhor without knowing him, by a group of people, including
John Magnier and J P McManus, described as peerless by Shareholders United
vice-chairman Sean Bones, whom they now appear to deify without knowing
them. The football club, once revered around the world after Munich and
during the sixties, has become a symbol of money and power in the sporting
world. Their marketing prowess is undisputed. They became a very successful
public company because of success on the field and at the merchandise cash
registers. Public companies are bought and sold daily, or the Stock Exchange
would be redundant, so should it come as no great surprise that someone
may want to own the whole pie rather than just a large piece of it.
Personally I think it looks good on them and, if Malcolm Glazer is indeed
the epitome of their worst nightmares, they deserve each other.
Moving right along
Kevin Phillips moves to Aston Villa for £1m and signs a two year deal......Real
Madrid say Michael Owen going nowhere......Newcastle express the same sentiments
regarding Jermaine Jenas......Sammy Lee appointed assistant manager at
Bolton. Will continue England role on a part-time basis......Birmingham
have signed Mehdi Nafti on a permanent basis from Racing Santander. The
Tunisian midfield international spent part of last season on loan at St.
Andrews and has penned a three year deal......Tony Stewart has completed
his move from Man U, via a year long loan to Hearts, to Hibs......Harry
Redknapp blasts some Southampton players for being content to take a paycheck
and not putting in an effort. He brands them useless and unsaleable.......QPR
interested in Tor-Andre Flo but manager Ian Holloway is not holding his
breath......Brazil beat Argentina 4 - 1 in the Confederations Cup final
yesterday in a game which highlighted the state of the stadium roof after
heavy rain. Not a good place to watch the game. Germany beat Mexico in
the game for third place......
Footiemad news item
June 29,2005
Class act retires
Arguably the finest player to grace Stamford Bridge as a Chelsea player
has decided to retire from the game. Gianfranco Zola has pulled down the
curtain a week before his 39th birthday.
Zola had a fine season in Serie A with Cagliari, leading to speculation
he might play on for another 12 months, but the former Napoli and Parma
star, a legend at Stamford Bridge, has confirmed he will now retire. He
said: "It was not an easy decision, but I felt an ever stronger desire
to dedicate myself to things that I have neglected over these years."
Zola, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Parma for £4.5m from Parma in 1996, played for Chelsea for seven years, but returned to Italy to finish his career with Cagliari. He scored 80 goals and helped the club win six trophies during his seven seasons at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian international was awarded an OBE for services to football in
a special ceremony in Rome in November 2004. He received the title of Honorary
Member of the Order of the British Empire from the British ambassador.
He deserved better treatment than he got from Chelsea at the end of his
stay at the Bridge. Good luck to him for his future.
Magpies want Bellamy gone, permanently
If Celtic want Craig Bellamy, they had better step up to the plate with
a permanent deal. Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "We played
fair with everyone by letting him go to Celtic on loan since the start
of the year. We wouldn't and couldn't do that again. We won't let him go
on loan."
The Glasgow giants have been given first option to sign the Wales striker,
and new boss Gordon Strachan is hopeful of clinching a deal. Shepherd said:
"If Celtic come in with an offer everyone knows we will help them
in any way we can. When they took him on loan I promised them first option
and I will honour my word."
Everton and Aston Villa are both interested in the 25 year old, whom Magpies
boss Graeme Souness has vowed will never play for him again after a much
publicized bust-up last season.
And the beating continues (gums, that is)
Still at St. James' Park, the Frenchman with the active gums, Laurent Robert,
appears not to want the sleeping dog to lie. Not satisfied with the two
week fine imposed for his scathing attack on Graeme Souness, the winger,
due out of there tomorrow, has said that Jermaine Jenas, on Spurs' wish
list, is ready to quit the club. What happened to the days when lads did
what they were paid for..........play FOOTBALL
It has just been reported that Robert has been fined another two weeks wages for this latest outburst. He really must have wanted to get that off his chest
Stoke to name new boss
Having surprisingly fired manager Tony Pulis yesterday, Stoke City are
expected to announce Dutchman Johan Boskamp as their new head man.
Boskamp, 56, was a member of Holland's 1978 World Cup squad, and has wide
coaching experience. As well as coaching Belgian side Anderlecht and Genk,
Boskamp has coached the Georgian national team and worked in the Middle
East.
Pulis was dismissed on Tuesday, two months after signing a new two-year
deal with the Potters. His firing came as a surprise to many Stoke fans,
but his departure has ended any possibility of director Peter Coates mounting
a takeover bid for the club. Coates launched a bid to take over the club,
with the condition that Pulis remained in charge.
Stoke's Icelandic owners took a pre-emptive strike by showing Pulis the
door and the speed with which they have arranged Wednesday's press conference
indicates they had Boskamp lined up.
Moving right along
Liverpool and Steve Gerrard are set to begin talks today over the skipper's
future at Anfield with the number £80,000-a-week being bandied about for
a long term deal......Alex Ferguson is confident that Cristiano Ronaldo
will stay at Old Trafford for the long haul......Mateja Kezman leaves for
Madrid medical with sour grapes over the Chelsea interlude in his career......Leeds
have signed Steve Stone to a two year contract after the ex-England player
was given a freebie by Portsmouth......
Footiemad news item
June 28, 2005
Still not the best of friends
Winger Laurent Robert, although on his way to Portsmouth on Friday, is
still on Newcastle's payroll until then. The club have decided to fine
the Frenchman two weeks wages for his verbal broadside on manager Graeme
Souness.
Robert, 30, told The Sun that the Magpies would have lifted the 2005 Uefa
Cup "if Souness had the intelligence to see what was going on. If
he keeps going like he has, he'll get fired and deserve it," he added.
Robert had also blasted the manager on the eve of the UEFA Cup quarter-final
defeat at Sporting Lisbon for leaving him on the bench. He also claims
there are others in the Newcastle dressing room that share his sentiments.
Not a lot of room for concilliation, one would think.
Chelski may turn again to Crespo
Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, on loan with AC Milan from EPL champions
Chelsea, may be summoned back to London as the club are desperately trying
to solve their 'striker crisis'.
Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman were clearly not up to the task, on last
season's form. The club's advances to Samuel Eto'o of Barcelona and Andriy
Shevchenko of AC Milan have been rebuffed. More recently Juventus have
sneered at an offer for David Trezeguet, as have Atletico Madrid for Fernando
Torres. There is more talk of a 'Michael Owen to the Bridge' move.
Poor old Hernan seemed really happy in Milan, now this! At least they haven't
sunk so low as to be making overtures to Middlesbrough regarding the always
smiling Dutchman.
Moving right along
Glazer now up to 98% of Manure stock in his hands......Robin van Persie
has been released from a Rotterdam jail after a rape accusation, without
any charges being laid and is free to return to London......The F.A. has
charged agent Carl Dunn with improper conduct, for touting a player still
under contract. (it's time something was done about these pariahs)......TNS
will play their Champions League game against Liverpool at Wrexham's Racecourse
Ground......Middlesbrough have signed Bayer Leverkusen defender Emanuel
Pogatetz to a five year deal that could end up costing £1.8m.
Footiemad news item
June 27, 2005
If it's not one thing, then another
Arsenal midfielder and skipper Patrick Vieira has spent the last two summers
firmly in the sights of Real Madrid. That may be the case again this summer,
however there is now interest from another source, Serie A champs Juventus,
who have admitted they would like to sign the elegant French international.
The Turin club has rejected a £30m approach from Chelsea for striker David
Trezeguet, 27, and are instead intent on strengthening their squad. To
that end, Juve managing director Luciano Moggi has identified Vieira, 29,
as a potential summer target.
"What we want is a midfield partner for Emerson - and our wish is
to buy Vieira if Arsenal are willing to sell," Moggi is quoted as
saying in The Sun. "Obviously, they will not let him go cheaply as
he is a magnificent, winning midfielder but if Arsenal are willing to do
business, we'd buy him tomorrow."
Arsene Wenger has said Vieira will be going nowhere.
Celtic seem to like the loan route
The Glasgow club are looking to sign young Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere
on a season -long loan and Arsene Wenger has given the idea his nod of
approval.
"It is a possibility. There are other clubs interested in him but
it's fair to say Celtic are the favourites," said Wenger in the Daily
Record newspaper. "I would be happy for him to go to Celtic. He would
have the chance of getting experience in Europe. I've spoken with Gordon
Strachan but it's up to the player."
Wenger, who expects the striker to decide on his future within a week, signed Aliadiere in 1999.
The 22 year old Frenchman has made just a handful of starts in his time
at Arsenal and has had to contend with a number of injuries, most notably
a knee ligament injury that ruled him out for most of last season.
The best laid plans
TNS, the Welsh club looking to dethrone European Champs Liverpool in the
1st qualifying round, appear about to lose their first skirmish, moving
their home tie to Goodison Park. Managing director Mike Harris is ready
to sound out Everton about playing the game there on July 12 or 13. However,
BBC Sport understands that even though no request has yet been made, major
structural work at Goodison means it would be unable to stage the game.
Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and The Racecourse Ground at Wrexham are on
stand-by.
TNS boss Ken McKenna is a diehard Evertonian and Harris was hoping that
Uefa would agree to the switch. He said: "It would make sense to play
both legs in Liverpool." But even if Uefa sanctioned the move, which
is unlikely because it would effectively mean the game being played in
a different country, the work on the pitch and the stadium at Goodison
means it would not be ready to stage the game.
Moving right along
Argentina beat Mexico on penalties and will now face Brazil in the Confederation's
Cup Final on Wednesday......Walter Pandiani is thought to prefer Zaragoza
over the Midlands Riviera (St. Andrews)...... Unhappily another footballer
found dead. 26 year old Gary Bownes, top scorer with the Dungannon Swifts
of the Irish League last season, was found dead on Sunday morning, a day
after attending pre-season training with the Swifts......Leicester boss
Craig Levein has been put off by the value placed on some of his targets
currently with Scottish clubs......
Footiemad news item
June 26, 2005
Real or imaginary
It doesn't make a lot of difference. The word from Frank Lampard's agent
Steve Kutner is that Real Madrid have offered £20m, plus England striker
Michael Owen and midfielder Santiago Solari for the Chelsea star. The Premiership
side have apparently spurned the offer, which begs the question 'what value
is put on Lampard, or alternatively, how little are two players, previously
considered world class, worth?'
Whichever side of that coin you are looking at, the answer is absurd.
Wenger fires a salvo
Two world class players will be brought in as Arsenal try to regain the
Premiership title from 'Arrogance Athletic' south of the river in the capital.
The Gunners finished 12 points off the pace last season, but boss Arsene
Wenger vows they will rebound.
"I will win back our place at the top of that table by putting into
action plans I have been working on," he told the News of the World
newspaper. "It includes recruiting two world-class players to make
us stronger."
Wenger is expected to bring in Stuttgart midfielder Aleksander Hleb, while
reports suggest that the Gunners boss has put in a £14m bid for Santos
striker Robinho. The 21-year-old has been courted by Spanish giants Real
Madrid but the player's agent Juan Figer claims that Arsenal have now jumped
to the front of the queue for the talented forward.
At the same time, Wenger has insisted that Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira
and Robert Pires are going nowhere, although those coming in may be dependant
on moving some of the current squad out of the door.
A Portuguese whine on the King's Road
Chelski boss Jose Mourinho is singing the blues already over scheduling
for next season. He cited the fact that the Blues have to play away from
home in the Premiership after each of their first five European outings
next season. To add to his ire, rivals Arsenal have been handed five corresponding
home fixtures on those weekends.
"It is always Chelsea who get the worst games, the worst fixtures to play,
while Arsenal always have the best ones," he told The People newspaper.
The miserable man is still bitching about the 5th round cup game they lost
to Newcastle last season.
"That game didn't come at the right moment because we had to play
Newcastle on Sunday and then Barcelona two days later," the Portuguese
manager said in a special edition DVD review of Chelsea's title-winning
season. Nobody anywhere else in Europe would believe this."
Welcome to the world.
Moving right along
Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan scoffs at £6m Everton bid for Andy
Johnson......Two Mexican players have been sent home from the Confederations
Cup for taking a banned steroid and face lengthy bans. Mexico's results
will stand and they play Argentina for the right to face Brazil in the
final. Brazil beat Germany 3-2 in yesterday's semi-final......Sadly, Hugo
Cunha, a midfielder with Portuguese Division One side Leiria, died playing
football with friends while on holiday south of Lisbon......Ex Anfield
star Ian Rush has said it is unlikely he will turn out for TNS in their
Champions League meeting with his former club......
Footiemad news item
June 25, 2005
If you've got the money (part 1)
Arrogance, flouting the rules of conduct and total disregard for ethics
are all perfectly acceptable. It appears that the Frank Arnesen matter
has been settled, according to Spurs, 'in principle', for a cash payment.
The terms are confidential but a figure of between £8m-£10m has been suggested.
Chelscum have avoided being brought before the powers that be for an illegal
approach to the Dane. They are already subject to a suspended 3 point deduction
for 'tapping up' Ashley Cole. Arnesen is now free to cross London and ply
his trade despite having had commitments at Tottenham.
Ain't cash grand!
If you've got the money (part 2)
Chelski and Manchester City have reportedly reached an agreement on an
£18m deal for winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. A couple of newspapers say
the England international has already agreed a five year deal to be part
of the King's Road scene.
City boss Stuart Pearce had hoped to keep the highly-rated Wright-Phillips,
who signed a new contract last season, but the club are heavily in debt
and could not refuse the offer.
Ain't cash grand! Think, if there were no contracts signed, all of which
appear worthless, how many trees would be saved.
Same day, but later..
It now appears that City have received no formal bids for the England man.
Wright-Phillips has not indicated any desire to move anywhere, so maybe
a tree somewhere can breathe a little easier.
TNS will get full respect
Liverpool skipper (at least for now) Steve Gerrard has vowed that the European
champs will not treat the Welsh side lightly in the first qualifying round
of this year's competition. He also seems pleased with their geographical
location.
Gerrard told The Sun: "We wanted a team as local as possible and we're
pleased with the draw when you consider some of the places we could have
gone to. We know we're massive favourites but we'll treat them with total
respect and won't underestimate them."
Moving right along
Juan Sebastian Veron is effectively away from Chelsea. He has signed with Inter Milan on a two year loan deal, after which his contract with the London club expires. Now he must be a happy man......Portsmouth have an interest in Norwich keeper Robert Green and could bid up to three million......Craig Bellamy insists he has no wish to leave Newcastle. That could be interesting......League Two Macclesfield will be bringing in Kevin Sandwith, Kevin
Townson, Martin Bullock and David Beresford on July 1. Bullock and Beresford
were released by Blackpool and Tranmere respectively, while Sandwith and
Townson will be out of contract with Lincoln and Rochdale......Liverpool
keeper Chris Kirkland appears to prefer the Hawthorns to Celtic Park to
spend time on loan......
Footiemad news item
June 24, 2005
Champions League draw
Not a bad draw for the Pool in terms of distance, TNS are considering moving
their home game to Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.
First qualifying round draw
Game 1 LIVERPOOL v TNS
Game 2 FC Haka
v Pyunik
Game 3 HB Torshavn v FBK Kaunas
Game
4 FC Levadia Tallinn v Dinamo Tbilisi
Game 5 NK Gorica
v KF Tirana
Game 6 FC Kairat Almaty v FC Artmedia
Bratislava
Game 7 PFC Neftchi v FH Hafnarfjordur
Game
8 Rabotnicki v Skonto FC
Game 9 GLENTORAN v
SHELBOURNE
Game 10 Dinamo Minsk v Anorthosis
Famagusta
Game 11Sliema Wanderers v FC Sheriff
Game
12 F91 Dudelange v NK Zrinjski
(Ties to be played over two legs 12/13 July and 19/20 July)
Celtic get going in round two.Second qualifying round draw
CELTIC v FC Kairat Almaty or FC Artmedia
Bratislava
HB Torshavn or FBK Kaunas v LIVERPOOL or TNS
GLENTORAN or SHELBOURNE v Steaua Bucharest
(Ties to be played over two legs 26/27 July and 2/3 August)
Manure deny Owen a targetMaradona has made a good recovery after undergoing drug rehabilitation last
year and a gastric bypass operation in Colombia in March.
It's coming up 'High Noon' in the Arnesen row
Spurs have given Chelsea until 12.00 BST tomorrow to resolve the Frank Arnesen situation. Photographs have been published showing the Dane on Roman Abramovich's yacht, in what Chelsea say was a purely social occasion. Yeah, right.
"Having seen the pictures we've contacted Chelsea and set them a deadline,"
said a Spurs spokeswoman. "If we don't reach agreement by noon on
Friday, we'll make a formal complaint."
Spurs suspended Arnesen on 4 June after claiming Chelsea approached him
without consent.
Chelski have now surely surpassed even Manchester Utd. for sheer arrogance
and disregard for rules, ethics and morals.
Moving right along
Southampton defender Claus Lundekvam wouldn't be averse to joining Gordon
Strachan again up in Glasgow......Looks like Belozoglu Emre could be in
Newcastle next season. Graeme Souness has flown to Turkey, hoping to tie
up a £6m deal for the Inter Milan midfielder...... Yeovil boss Gary Johnson
has turned down a move to Derby County......USA international winger Eddie
Lewis, out of contract at Preston, has joined Leeds for two years plus
an option, subject to getting a work permit......
Footiemad news item
June 22, 2005
A club is taking shape
FC United, the club started by disgruntled Manchester Utd. fans is slowly
taking shape. Karl Marginson, an ex-Rotherham and Macclesfield striker,
a lifelong Red Devils fan, was recruited because of his experience of the
local semi-professional scene. The new outfit has been accepted into the
North West Counties League for 2005/06.
"It is incredibly exciting to be involved at the birth of a project
such as this," the 34-year-old said. "As a kid I used to play
on the pitch used by Newton Heath 100 years ago, so I had no hesitation
in accepting."
They have already been contacted by 260 potential players for the open trials on
Sunday, 26 June - while an emergency general meeting on 5 July will determine
the new club's board.
The club will play in the Northwest Counties League, Division 2 and have
announced they will play in a red, white and black strip.
Bowyer concerned over safety
According to David Sullivan, co-owner of Birmingham City, Newcastle's Lee
Bowyer declined to join the Midlands club because of fears for his physical
well-being.
"Steve Bruce, we thought, had talked him round," Sullivan told
the Birmingham Evening Mail. "But he was genuinely worried that one
night there would be 10 Asians waiting outside his house ready to kick
seven bells out of him. We are not going to beg if someone clearly doesn't
want to join us."
That's an odd reason.
Moving right along
Chelsea have spent another £8m for left-back Asier del Horno from Athletic
Bilbao......Manchester Utd have agreed a fee of about £4m for PSV Eindhoven's
South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung. The deal is subject to a medical
and obtaining a work permit......Guinea defender Mohammed Camara has signed
a two year deal with Celtic, to become Gordon Strachan's first buy......Wigan
midfielder Jason Jarrett will join Norwich on a free transfer......
Footiemad news item
June 21, 2005
F.A. 'grubby girl' looking for compensation
The former PA at the F.A., who resigned last August after knowledge of a couple of her liaisons had become public, is now seeking about £30,000 in compensation.Not bad, if you can get paid for being on the job while on the job
Figo to Newcastle?
Not at £90,000-a-week.
Bowyer to Villa Park
Unlikely. David O'Leary knows the animal.
Discrimination
Volker Roth, head of UEFA referees committee, has ruled out Pierluigi Collina as a possibility for the 2006 World Cup. The best referee in the world will be over the age limit of 45 when the competition begins. What a shame!
Moving right along......
Pat Clarke has signed for another year with Raith Rovers......Kidderminster
defender Simon Weaver has inked a one year deal with Scarborough......Pompey
want to bring back Aussie striker John Aloisi for another kick at the cat......
Footiemad news item
June 20, 2005
Toffees want Bellamy
????
Lennon still one of the Bhoys
Celtic midfielder has agreed a new one year deal to stay in Glasgow, according
to the club. He will sign on his return from vacation. It is understood
that he will be made club captain.
"I've never been lucky enough to have a player like Neil in any of
my previous sides," said manager Gordon Strachan. "We tried our
best to make people like that but it is a special type of player, a special
discipline."
Footiemad news item
June 17, 2005
Routledge moving to North London
Tottenham and Crystal Palace have agreed an undisclosed compensation package
for out of contract winger Wayne Routledge. It is thought the player had
agreed terms with Spurs, but Palace had wanted £3m in compensation. Spurs
have had two previous bids for the 20-year-old Routledge turned down, including
one of about £2m in January. Because of his age the Palace winger is not
available on a free transfer.
McNamara unhappy with Celtic story
Jackie McNamara is somewhat concerned that Celtic have inferred that his
move to Wolves is all about money. He feels his reputation has been harmed.
The club insist they had given the Scotland international a very generous
offer.
McNamara told the Daily Record: "I feel my name has been dragged through
the mud to spare Celtic's blushes." He added: "My move to Wolves
has nothing to do with hard cash. I'm going to Molineux for the same money
I got in my last season at Celtic Park."
McNamara singles out chief executive Peter Lawwell as the villain of the
piece, claiming he reneged on a promise given by former boss Martin O'Neill
to increase his wages.
Moving right along......
Real Madrid's Guti would apparently not be averse to a move to the Premiership......Milan
Baros now expresses desire to stay at Anfield......Liverpool have released
Argentine defender Mauricio Pellegrino after 12 games......Mateja Kezman
rejects Benfica, at least for now......Mixu Paatelainen will stay at Love
Street......Arsenal don't know if Robin van Persie will be available when
pre-season training starts July 4......Mikael Forsell denies having a full
medical at Everton and suggests the Toffees might be telling a little porkie......
Footiemad news item
June 16, 2005
Bowyer move stymied
Lee Bowyer's move from Newcastle to Birmingham appears to have left the
rails after some St. Andrews fans protested on the net. Birmingham appeared
close to completing a deal for the 28-year-old midfielder, but the move
has hit a late hitch.
Blues owner David Sullivan felt Bowyer would have been a great addition
to the club despite his past troubles, however, a group of fans registered
their oppositon to the move with an online petition. The player has said
he doesn't want to go where he is not wanted.
Souness hit with fine
Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has been handed a £20,000 fine and a two-match
suspended touchline ban for being less than complimentary about referee
Barry Knight.
Moving right along......
Bolton sign El Hadji Diouf to a four year deal after he spent last year at the Reebok on loan from Liverpool......Robert Pires and Arsenal are still a year apart from signing a contract extension. The Gunners have offered one year, the French midfielder wants two......Ipswich midfielder Tommy Miller looks set to join Sunderland......Because of Champions League play Liverpool have had to cancel their summer tour of Japan......
Footiemad news item
June 15, 2005
Piece from planet OT
Cristiano Ronaldo (or his agent) want more from Manchester Utd. The 20-year-old
is only two years into a five-year contract, but agent Jorge Mendes wants
an improved contract.
Mendes said: "I think he will stay, but I also have to do what is best for my client. In three years he will be the best player in the world. He signed the existing contract at 18 after only a handful of games for Sporting Lisbon, but now he is a star."
Ronaldo joined Manchester United in a £12.6m deal in 2003 and has proved to
be a major success.
If Manure had the balls, they'd tell him to finish his contract and get
out of Dodge, or sell him now.. Maybe Glazer will have more in his scrotum
than, it would appear, most of the other owners. Agents are a blight on the game.
It's nice to be in Europe
Champions League winners Liverpool have earned £20.5m from their European
run to top the tournament's earnings table.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal made up three of the top four Champions League earners, with Manchester United in eighth place. Chelsea secured £18.8m from television money and performance bonuses, Arsenal were fourth with £15.7m, while Manchester United picked up £10.9m. Beaten finalists AC Milan were third with £17.5m and Celtic bagged £7m.
The figures do not include gate receipts, another area where English clubs
outperform their European rivals.
Moving right along......
Newcastle will announce the arrival of Scott Parker this afternoon......Not-so-safe
hands Roy Carroll has completed a deal with West Ham......Laurent Robert
has inked a three year deal with Portsmouth, after it looked like the move
might be to Lancashire......Rafael Benitez quiet on reported Luis Figo
to Liverpool move......
Footiemad news item
June 14, 2005
Anyone remember Hedgehoppers Anonymous?
Good news week it's not. Arsenal's Robin van Persie has been arrested in
Holland on suspicion of rape. Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has been
arrested, back in April, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
George Best has been arrested regarding the alleged indecent assault of
a young girl, under 13, last month. He was also arrested on the same date,
June 9, on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm against a 34
year old woman.
Moving right along..
Newcastle look like they have got Scott Parker from Chelsea for £6.5m. At a reported £55,000-a-week they are welcome...... Rangers have signed Marseille captain Brahim Hemdani to a four year deal......Long
time Celtic defender Jackie McNamara appears ready to move to Wolves to
get a two year deal, while the Bhoys only offered one year......
Footiemad news item
June 13, 2005
Gerrard wants his future sorted out
Liverpool captain Steve Gerrard wants to know where he will be playing
next season. Despite having two years left on his current contract he wants
talks with the club before the new campaign gets underway. It seems he
has been linked with a move away from Anfield for some considerable time
and someone more cynical than myself might feel he has a gun to the Liverpool
temple.
Newcastle exodus continues
Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien has completed a £2m move to Portsmouth, signing a four year deal with the south coast club. Lauren Robert is close to a move to Bolton, while Aaron Hughes has gone to Aston Villa. It can't be long before Lee Bowyer is shown the door and Craig Bellamy is already.history.
Footiemad news item
June 11, 2005
Champions League winners, but......
Rick Parry, chief executive of Liverpool, says the Anfield club must strengthen
as they were clearly only fifth best in the Premiership.
"Our first 11 is fine, but it's when you get below that and you have
to battle for points. That's where we have fallen short." said Parry.
"At the end of the season the league table doesn't lie. We need a
better squad, we need more strength and depth. How do you improve a team?
You get better players of course."
Some of the first 11 were found to be wanting on many occasions.
Les Ferdinand gets MBE
Bloody hell!!!!!!!!!!
Peter Pan alive in East London
Teddy Sheringham has signed a new one year deal with the Hammers. The 39 year old will get another crack at the top flight. Does he think he's Stan Matthews? Good luck to him.
Finn will be at the Reebok three more years
Jussi Jaaskelainen has apparently agreed a new three year deal with Bolton.
There had been some doubt after talks stalled last season, but all is now
well.
The Finland international's agent Peter Harrison said: "I can confirm
Jussi has agreed a three-year deal. Jussi is delighted it has all been
sorted out and he will be signing when he returns from holiday."
Tim Cahill wants Harry Kewell for Everton
So do Liverpool.
Footiemad news item
June 10, 2005
Liverpool get place in 1st qualifying round of Champions League, UEFA have
confirmed today. Manchester City will not, however, be given the Anfield
club's UEFA Cup berth.
Man. U. fans squirming
Reports that the new owner at Old Trafford plans, among other things, to
raise ticket prices by 54% over the next five years has got fan group Shareholder
Utd. crying into their beer. The price of the average ticket will go from
£30 to £46 by 2010. Champions League games will cost 25% more starting
next year.
Things get better. The club will play a game in Tampa annually. It is not known if it will be against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, or which set of rules will be used. Ferguson, or his successor, will be capped at spending £25m a season for
the next five years.
Mr Glazer reportedly intends to increase Man Utd's revenues by 52% to £245.6m
by 2010 from £161.5m this year, the Times reported. The increase will be
achieved through a 61% increase in match day sales, a 13% rise in media
sales, and 76% increase in sales of merchandise and other commercial activities.
Oh Happy Day
Can they, can't they
Liverpool will learn their Champions League fate today. It is to be hoped
they will be allowed to defend the championship they won last month.
Improved TV deals for Football League
The Football League has extended its broadcasting agreement with Sky and
ITV for three years in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £110m. The new deal represents an increase in revenue for the 72 Football League
clubs of more than 40% on the previous deal of £25m a season over four years.
Footiemad news item
June 9, 2005
Robson on the wagon
Bobby, not Bryan, has climbed aboard the England bandwagon for World Cup
2006 victory. He also goes right out on a limb and mentions Wayne Rooney
as a possible star of the tournament. Of course, the young rascal has to
stay on the straight and narrow, but old Bob is a believer.
Bad advice
The heavenly left foot, Liam Brady, believes the miserable malcontent, Ashley Cole, recieved bad advice. No kidding! Pat and Ray's kid brother, the head of youth development at the 'marble halls' thinks he should sign a new deal. I hope he is playing somewhere else by the start of the season. That goes for anyone not totally committed to the club.
Scotland didn't disappoint
Here at footiemad, we thought they were shyte and were not too upset when
proved right.
Best pies and Boyd close to signing
Heady times at Kilmarnock for sure. The club are confident Kris Boyd will
re-sign within the week.
Hleb close to Highbury deal
Half of the 'things they say in Minsk' brother act, Alexander Hleb, is
close to an £8m move from Stuttgart to Arsenal. That will keep Freddie
on his toes.
Footiemad news item
June 8, 2005
Talk about getting well paid
Chelsea's wage bill for the 2003/04 season came in at £115m, £38m more than Man U and £45m more than Arsenal, who won the title that year. Wonder what it cost them to win it this season?
Still at the Bridge, l'affair Arnesen continues to drag along. Chelsea
and Spurs are, apparently, light years apart on the compensation the 'tappers'
would pay the 'tappees'. It could yet go to the league for settlement.
As punishment, the league should dock the Blues 15 points from last season
and drop them to League Two for next year.
Transfer values going crazy again
Spurs have turned down a £4.5m bid from West Brom for Fredi Kanoute. WHY? Even stranger, Southampton have reportedly rejected a £5m offer by Liverpool
to take Peter Crouch off their hands. Notwithstanding Crouch has just won
his first cap for England, neither of these guys is likely to be mistaken
for Pele. Both clubs would make a profit, albeit small in Spurs' case,
on these plonkers.
Belarus beware
The footballing juggernaut from north of Hadrian's takes its show to Minsk
today, eager to show that Saturday's abject performance was no fluke. Though
they took the three points against Moldova, the Tartan faithful have to
be a little concerned about the quality.
The Republic travel to the Faroe Islands
Footiemad news item
June 7, 2005
G-Day at Old Trafford
Malcolm Glazer's three boys appointed directors of Manchester Utd., a day
the fans have been eagerly awaiting. Next it will be reported that Custer
actually won the Battle of Little Big Horn. God bless the good ship 'Manure'
and all who sail in her.
An end to greatness
Former Chelsea and France defender, Frank Lebeouf, has announced his retirement.
This mountain of a centre back is 37. The game will no longer be the same.
Arrogant Blues think Arnesen dust will settle soon
Chelsea insist they can come to a deal with Spurs over the Frank Arnesen
affair. What blight will next emerge from King's Road? The league has to
let Kenyon and his cronies know that the Manchester United attitude will
no longer be tolerated.
Footiemad news item
June 6, 2005
Signatures on contracts
Following a transfer request from Radhi Jaidi, Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has come up with a novel concept which players may want to try. Mr Gartside is of the opinion that if an individual signs a contract he should be prepared to honour it. Very interesting thought. Now he just has to convince a couple of the other Premiership clubs (Chelsea and Manchester Utd shall remain nameless) to try it.
The sweet smell of success
Still flushed from the victory over mighty Moldova on the weekend, Scotland
boss Walter Smith has declared he will walk to Minsk for the game with
Belarus on Wednesday. He will be without Jackie McNamara, injured, and
Paul Hartley, suspended, for that encounter, however footiemadandy has
declared himself fit and available. footiemadmarty is so convinced of a
tartan triumph that he is taking the corporate jet to the Americas instead
of heading east with the kilted horde.
Footiemad news item
March 27, 2005
Shell Shocked Scotland Shaken in San Siro
Italy upset Scotland with a shock 2-0 win at the San Siro in World Cup
qulifying action.
This is the first ever defeat for manager Walter Smith in his entire career
as Scotland's coach since taking over from that wee German guy. It's unlikely
that the result will affect their prestigious FIFA World Cup rankings but
it may mean that Scotland will once again be excluded from this years hot
new Sony Playstation game "World Soccer 2006". Scotland haven't
been included in the game since the Atari version put them in by mistake
in the late 70's.
Walter played down the result..."I had to lose sometime. people knew
it wouldn't last forever and in a way I'm glad that the monkey is now off
my back". he said as a 40 foot gorilla clung to his belt buckle.
England Team win the Lotto
After their surprise win over N. Ireland, every one of the England team
bought a lotto ticket "cos like, we felt really like lucky annat"
and they all won the jackpot. Becks has a new tattoo as well, possibly
"LOTTO WINNER" somewhere on his body. England may now be in with
an outside chance of actually qualifying.
Footiemad news item
News for Feb and a bit of March. 2005
EPL Round Up
Arsenil's problem is that they can't score any tap ins, flukes, bounces
off the back of the neck, or anything at all really inside the 6 yard box.
They all have to be crafted beauties. That's why they will always struggle
to win big. That plus the fact that Ashley Cole is a lying turd.
Looks like Chelsea/Chelski/Chelscum (take yer pick) will win the title this year despite an ever increasing support for Manure, of all people, to overtake thum.
Mourinho really is a complete twat. Totally classless and about as rude a manager as I've seen...............that's why he fits in so nicely at Chelscum.
The rest of the also rans are, on the whole, a pretty boring and predictable
bunch of overpaid journeymen.
Bellamy? Dickov? Phillips? Radstinky? come on..................GEEZABREK!!!!!!
Watchin Fulham play Crystal Palace is as about as exciting as a post from
Redman.
World Cup Round Up
And then we have Scotland travelling to Italy this month for a tussle with
the best of Seria A. Course, we huv been playing well recently with a good
result against eerrrm...New Zealand...and errmm,......Canada.....and erm...the
brillyint victory over both Trinidad and Tobago (on the same day) so don't
think the Italyins should be too much bother.
Ooh...one last wee request...if we do happen to get thumped in the San
Siro.........please, please let somebody break that kunt Totti's leg. Thanks.
Footiemad news item
January 20th, 2005
Stenhousemuir 0-0 Queen's Park
Stenhousemuir and Queens Park fought out a drab 0-0 draw at a rain-sodden Ochilview.
The 481 fans were a bit fed up ah wid think. Especially the travelling
fans.
Anyway, we have programs in the footiemad shop...bound to appreciate in
value.
"A Trialist" made his debut..................................you heard it here first.
I would recommend you change yer footiemad phantasey phitba teams.
Footiemad news item
January 19th
Wenger Vows never to talk about Fergie again
Arsene Wenger vows never ever to talk about the Old Trafford manager again......but
then the next day, he tells a newspaper that Fergie is "out of order":
hahahaha oooaaaah!!!!..he told a porky pie..
Meanwhile, Fergie said that Arsene knows who flung the pizza in the tunnel
at OT but he's not telling anyone who it is. Just wait till his mummy get's
a hold of him.
Mourinho says the title's his
And finally Jose Mourinho says the title is in the bag.....no kidding
Sherlock 10 points clear an what 15 games to go?
Footiemad news item
January 16th, 2005
Wenger finished with Ferguson
Arsene Wenger has finally had enough of Ferguson and has announced that
the two are now finished. The break up ends months of speculation that
the couple weren't getting along too well. Citing irreconcilable differences,
it's almost certain that they will have to stop shagging immediately and
that sleepover kits will be removed from each others houses, "toot
suite" as Arsene would say. This definitely leaves the door open for
Mourinho who shared a bottle of (screwtop) wine with Fergie last week.
More on this later...................................
Footiemad news item
January 15th, 2005
Here's a nice wee round up of the pysh we now have to watch on a Saturday because of overinflated...players...managers....commentaturrs...you name it............whit is the beeyooteyfull game coming to???
$$$$$$$$ signs and the accompanying, media inseminated, raped, pillaged
an &*^%$ up the $%^& blown up, total pysh.
The working man's game has now gone waaaaaaaay over the top....I think the final straw for me will be when I see a team, say a Middlesborough, with WALMART on their shirts (no...wait.... make it Manure)....I think at that point
I will throw in the towel .
Looking forward to Juventus tomorrow tho, at least the Italian league are
tryin to do something with the 2 foreign player rule. In the UK it seems
to have gone the other way
Liverpool (of all teams) had two ...2!!!!!!!!! English players on the field
today. Nothing against the imports but in the long run it's not a good
situation for footbal.........in England or anywhere else.
If you think the SPL was bad in terms of a two horse race for the last squinty years...then I would draw your attention to the fact that the EPL has managed to get themselves into the same situation in what?? the past 2 or 3??
No more Blackburn, Notts Forest, Aston Villa, Leeds or Derby as champions methinks, not for a looooooooooooooog while. Anyway, this wee post jist sums it up...........................................
LIVERPOOL VS MAN UTD
"I thought Hyypia was caught in 2 minds whether
to hit it in the box or play it wide so he was just standing there
thinking of his options but now I know why Big Ears hasn't moved for 45
minutes. When the telly unfreezes it should be a cracking last 90
seconds.
Speaking of Big Ears, what a nasty little man he is with all the
sophistication of a half wit. What's he going to do, take on the Kop?
If someone ran out of there at you hard boy, you would whiz your pants.
He's an Oik, makes Alan Smith look like Prince Edward.
The commentator has a pathological hate for goalies?. He was
revelling over Dudek's mistake. OK so he fukced up but you don't have
to enjoy it so much. Me thinks when he was 11 he asked Peter Bonnetti
for an autograph and the Cat told him to get stuffed so he weed
himself. Deep psychological scars apparently.
And what about the wind-up about consecutive clean sheets and how many
hours since ManUre let in a goal. He must have mentioned it a dozen
times before he actually mentioned a lino may have missed a goal in the
Spurs game. I didn't see that one but apparently one of the angles
revealed that the whole ball had indeed just crossed the line.
Forty five gone in the 10 o'clock games and nearly all is right
with the world. Norwich, Palace and Southampton are losing.
Unfortunately so are Tottenham.
BTW I just took another look at the tely and I think Hyypia's decided to shoot (could be any minute now). Come on you Spurs!
Hugh
Sw6
Footiemad news item
January 10, 2005
Scottish Cup 4th round draw:
Aberdeen v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Ross County or Airdrie United v
Clyde
Queen of the South v Gretna or Dundee United
Ayr United or Stranraer
v St Mirren
Partick Thistle or Hearts v Kilmarnock
Alloa Athletic v
Livingston or Morton
East Fife or Dunfermline Athletic v Celtic
Hibernian v Brechin City
Ties will be played on February.5 or 6
F.A.Cup 4th round draw
Derby v Watford or Fulham
Man Utd v Exeter v Middlesbrough
Cardiff or
Blackburn v Colchester
Chelsea v Birmingham
West Ham v Sheff Utd
Oldham
v Bolton
Arsenal v Wolverhampton
Everton v Sunderland
Nottm Forest v
Peterborough
Brentford v Hartlepool or Boston
Reading or Swansea v
Leicester or Blackpool
Burnley or Liverpool v Bournemouth
Southampton v
Portsmouth
West Brom v Tottenham
Newcastle v Coventry
Charlton v
Yeovil
Ties will be played on the weekend of January 29 and 30.
Can he do it again?
Former West Brom manager Gary Megson has been appointed to the vacant post
in charge at Nottingham Forest. The 45 year old takes over from caretaker
Mick Harford, who leaves the City Ground along with first-team coach Des
Walker.
"Candidates of the track record of Gary Megson become available infrequently and it was too good an opportunity to miss," said chairman Nigel Doughty. "We felt we had to make a change at this particular time. If we had left it another five games and remained in the same position in the Championship table, not only would we have found ourselves with a strategy that wasn't working but also one that we could not change. It would have been virtually impossible to attract a manager of genuine quality to the club with so few games remaining. I would like to thank Mick Harford for the way he has led the club and conducted himself since the resignation of Joe Kinnear. He has brought a refreshing honesty and dignity to the position and I would like to wish him all the best in his future career."
Megson has been out of work since being sacked by West Brom in October after saying he would quit at the end of his contract in June. He began his managerial career with Norwich in December 1995 and has also had spells with Blackpool, Stockport and Stoke.
He began his managerial career with Norwich in December 1995 and has also had spells with Blackpool, Stockport and Stoke. Megson, who spent over four years at the Hawthorns, took over with the Baggies in the lower half of Division One. He guided them into the Premiership in only his second full season, but they lasted just one year in the top flight. Megson again got them promoted in 2004 but his relationship with the West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace deteriorated.
A much-travelled midfielder in his playing days, Megson spent three months at
the City Ground in 1984 but failed to make a single appearance under Brian
Clough.
Bhoys win cup match up
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill felt his side were deserving of their Scottish
Cup third round win over Rangers.
"I'm very pleased to get through. With such a slender lead you're
never quite there until it's over," said O'Neill "Chris Sutton
and John Hartson were a handful all afternoon, although I had my heart
in my mouth towards the end when Rangers had chances to equalise. They're
very dangerous at set pieces but all in all I thought we were worthy winners."
Celtic are now heavy favourites to win the Cup.
Bits and Pieces
Robbie Blake confident he can win starting spot at St. Andrews......Darren
Huckerby denies he could be on his way out at Norwich......Aston Villa
have lost midfielder Gavin McCann for six weeks with a knee injury......Liverpool
are linked with Madrid back-up keeper Cesar......F.A.Cup 4th round draw
takes place today......The Exeter v Man. U. replay will take place on Jan
19 and will be shown live on TV. This will be a big money win for the Devon
club, regardless of the result on the pitch......
Footiemad news item
January 9, 2005
Four down
There are already four Premiership clubs that can concentrate solely on
their survival efforts in the top flight. Aston Villa, Crystal Palace,
Manchester City and Norwich were all beaten yesterday in the third round
of the F.A. Cup and can direct their entire energy to the fight to remain
in the lucrative EPL.
In today's action, at halftime at Loftus Road, Yeading and Newcastle are
scoreless. At Highbury, Stoke take a 1-0 lead in first half injury time.
Scottish Cup, Third Round
Celtic beat Rangers 2-1 at Parkhead. Hope footiemadmarty enjoyed his first
live Old Firm encounter.
He used to be a Toffee
Kevin Campbell has negotiated his release from Everton to end a six year
stay on Merseyside. Discussions were completed over the weekend. He was
one of Everton's highest-paid players on more than £35,000 a week and had
six months left on his contract. The signing of James Beattie, and the
blossoming form of young reserve Nick Chadwick meant Everton were happy
to allow Campbell to leave early.
The veteran, who played his last game for the club in the midweek win over
Portsmouth, joined Everton from Nottingham Forest for £3m in January 1999
and went on to be captain at Goodison Park. He is likely to join Premiership
strugglers West Brom soon, having also had an approach from Championship
outfit Wolves. His departure could herald the end of an era at Everton,
with DuncanFerguson unlikely to be offered a new contract when his current
deal runs out in the summer.
Bits and Pieces
Manchester Utd. boss Alex Ferguson apologised to fans after the 0-0 draw
with Exeter at Old Trafford yesterday......Crewe striker Dean Ashton has
agreed terms with Norwich and will sign on at Carrow Road after a medical......Championship
side Wigan have signed Swedish midfielder Andreas Johansson from Djurgarden
for an undisclosed fee......Paul Sturrock appears to have Sheffield Wednesday
moving in the right direction, now fourth in League One......Hearts midfielder
Patrick Kisnorbo looks ready to become the third Jambo to move to Leicester.
He is likely to sign a pre-contract agreement and join the club in the
summer...... Paolo di Canio has been caught up in a 'facist salute' row
playing for Lazio in their 3-1 win over Roma...... Antti Niemi would be
willing to talk to Man U.......
Footiemad news item
January 8, 2005
Cup tie rescheduled
The Third round Cup-tie between Burnley and Liverpool, due to be played
last evening at Turf Moor, was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.
It is now scheduled to take place on January 19.
Saturday's Oldham v Manchester City game is one of several in doubt, after
high winds have damaged two of the stands at Boundary Road.
North of the Wall, several Scottish Cup-ties have been postponed. Gretna's
tie against Dundee United, Morton's match at Livingston and Airdrie United
at Ross County were all called off.
Strachan wants back in the game
Gordon Strachan, idle for almost a year, wants to get back into management
and hopes it will be with a team not plagued with relegation worries. The
Scot left Southampton in February 2004 and has been linked with a number
of jobs since then, including the top jobs with Scotland and Portsmouth.
"I just want to come back," he told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
"I hope the job is something a wee bit different from the ones I had
at Southampton and Coventry, which were a struggle against relegation."
Hartson happy at Parkhead
The big Welshman has signed a new contract that will keep him at Parkhead
until June 2007. John Hartson has ended months of speculation by inking
the new deal with Celtic.
"Reports that said I was looking for a move elsewhere and I was using other clubs to gain a better deal are not true at all," said 29-year-old Hartson. "I always wanted to stay and I made that clear to the manager. It was just a matter of sorting a few things out."
Hartson, who once had signing talks with Rangers, moved to Celtic Park from Coventry in August 2001 and has scored 77 goals in 139 appearances.
"I have enjoyed the success I have had in the previous three-and-a-half years - winning the championship in my first year and the Uefa Cup run when we had a few good results," added Hartson. "I have also scored plenty of goals and I look forward to achieving more success which is all that I want."
Meanwhile, Celtic will listen to offers for utility player Momo Sylla.
Ashton chatting with Canaries
Crewe striker Dean Ashton and Premiership strugglers Norwich are continuing
talks today aimed at the youngster moving to East Anglia. The Railwaymen
accepted a bid - thought to be in the region of £2m - for the 21-year-old
on Friday and the player travelled to Carrow Road to meet club officials.
"Talks ran on late into the night and are now set to continue on Saturday," said a statement on Norwich's website. "It means that Ashton will not be available to feature in Crewe's FA Cup game with Coventry on Saturday."
The 21-year-old has scored 17 league goals for the Championship side this season and has been interesting a number of Premiership clubs. Dario Gradi, his manager at Crewe, said Ashton is ready for the Premiership.
"It is time for him to go on and test himself at a higher level. He is ready and heading in the right direction," said Gradi. "Norwich are a good club. They are a very well run club, and it would be a great chance for him if he wants to go there. I've made no secret of the fact that I would like Dean to stay into the summer - but with Norwich trying to retain their Premiership status, the deal is now or never for them. We understand that, and maybe the offer wouldn't be there in the summer."
Gradi added: "I know people will be disappointed if Dean goes, but the exciting thing for us is that there is a chance for others to come through. We have strength in depth, better than we did last year. "
Ashton has also been linked with Aston Villa, Everton, Tottenham and
Birmingham.
Hat-trick hero gives approving nod
England's 1966 hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst has been one of the first group
of fans being given a tour of the new Wembley Stadium and has given the
facility his OK. The supporters, accompanied by the three goal man, were
allowed into one of the completed sections of the ground, which should
be finished in a year's time.
"It's going to be great to have a national stadium which is going to be the best in the world," he said. "I'm as excited at coming to the new Wembley as coming to the old Wembley."
Hurst said it was ridiculous to have considered building a national stadium away from the traditional home of English football. "You wouldn't move Lord's or Wimbledon. You don't have a national stadium in a provincial city," he said. "The disappointing factor is how long it took initially to decide where and how to build it, but I think we'll look back on those reports and laugh."
Fans seemed impressed by what they saw, but were more concerned about how
easy and costly it would be to get tickets when the project was complete.
"As fans, we were fairly confident it would be a superb stadium,"
said Ian Todd, president of the Football Supporters' Federation. "What
we are interested in is what the prices will be, and how easy it will be
to get here and get away from the ground."
Bits and Pieces
Newcastle have had a £5m bid for Manchester City skipper and central defender
Sylvain Distin rejected. He had previously played on loan at St. James'
Park......The Magpies' are also in a fight if they want Luis Boa Morte
from Fulham......Jay-Jay Okocha takes the BBC African Footballer of the
Year award for the second consecutive year......Ryan Giggs will be back
in two weeks, not six, as originally feared......Arsenal have completed
a £1.5m deal with Beveren for Ivory Coast utility defender Emmanuel Eboue......Kevin
Keegan is resigned to losing Nicolas Anelka, it's just a question of what
he can recoup from the sale......Martin O'Neill has called for cool heads
on Sunday, when the Old Firm meet in a Third Round Scottish Cup clash.
Alex McLeish is confident there will be no carry over from previous meetings......Wrexham
have had their appeal against the deduction of 10 points for going into
administration turned down......
Footiemad news item
January 7, 2005
Cup for sale
The oldest existing F.A.Cup, the second, is to be sold at auction. The
trophy will be the highlight of Christie's sale of football memorabilia
on May 19 and is expected to fetch between £200,000 and £300,000. This
particular edition was presented to winning teams between 1896 and 1910
and replaced the original trophy, which was stolen from a shop window in
Birmingham. It was held aloft by Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield Utd., Bury,
Aston Villa, all on two occasions, and Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Everton,
Manchester City, Wolves, Manchester Utd. and Newcastle.
In 1895, Aston Villa won the competition for the second time, beating West Bromwich Albion 1-0. That November, during an FA committee meeting, the club had to report that the cup had been stolen from the shop window of William Shillcock, a football and boot manufacturer in Birmingham, which had been proudly displaying the trophy. Although a £10 reward was offered to anyone who could recover the cup, it was never seen again. Instead, Aston Villa FC were fined £25 which covered the cost of a trophy "as nearly as possible like the old cup". This replacement was presented to Lord Kinnaird in 1911 to commemorate his 21st anniversary as president of the Football Association.
The newly-designed third trophy, introduced from the 1910-11 competition,
was in use until the Cup Final of 1990-91. It remains at FA headquarters
in London's Soho Square. The fourth and current trophy, an exact replica
of the third, has been in service since the 1991-2 Final.
Bits and Pieces
Reading have signed 38 year old Les Ferdinand for the balance of the season......Barcelona
are reported to have an interest in Spurs striker Freddie Kanoute......Liverpool
might have an interest in Nicolas Anelka, if they don't get Fernando Morientes......Spurs
defender Dean Richards, out in the cold at White Hart Lane, would like
to stay in the Premiership......Coventry have begun the search for a new
manager following Peter Reid's departure......Despite rumours of his return
to Ibrox, Barry Ferguson's agent claims he is very happy at Blackburn;......Robbie
Savage booed by Birmingham fans while playing for the reserves against
Newcastle....
It's a Cup weelend
The draw for the F.A. Cup third round:-
07 January 2005
Burnley
v Liverpool,
19:45
08 January 2005
Birmingham
v Leeds,
15:00
Bournemouth
v Chester,
15:00
Cardiff
v Blackburn,
15:00
Charlton
v Rochdale,
15:00
Chelsea
v Scunthorpe,
15:00
Coventry
v Crewe,
15:00
Derby
v Wigan,
15:00
Hartlepool
v Boston
Utd, 15:00
Hull
v Colchester,
15:00
Ipswich
v Bolton,
15:00
Leicester
v Blackpool,
15:00
Luton
v Brentford,
15:00
Man
Utd v Exeter,
15:00
Milton
Keynes Dons v Peterborough,
15:00
Northampton
v Southampton,
15:00
Notts
County v Middlesbrough,
15:00
Oldham
v Man
City, 15:00
Plymouth
v Everton,
17:30
Portsmouth
v Gillingham,
15:00
Preston
v West
Brom, 15:00
QPR
v Nottm
Forest, 15:00
Reading
v Swansea,
15:00
Rotherham
v Yeovil,
15:00
Sheff
Utd v Aston
Villa, 12:30
Sunderland
v Crystal
Palace, 15:00
Tottenham
v Brighton,
15:00
Watford
v Fulham,
15:00
West
Ham v Norwich,
15:00
Wolverhampton
v Millwall,
13:00
09 January 2005
Arsenal
v Stoke,
14:00
Yeading v Newcastle,
13:45
The draw for the Scottish Cup third round
08 January 2005
Arbroath
v Aberdeen,
15:00
Ayr
v Stranraer,
15:00
Berwick
v Brechin,
15:00
Clyde
v Falkirk,
15:00
East
Fife v Dunfermline,
15:00
Gretna
v Dundee
Utd, 15:00
Hibernian
v Dundee,
15:00
Kilmarnock
v Motherwell,
15:00
Livingston
v Morton,
15:00
Montrose
v Queen
of South, 15:00
Partick
v Hearts,
15:00
Raith
v Alloa,
15:00
Ross
County v Airdrie
Utd, 15:00
St
Mirren v Hamilton,
15:00
Edu is now able to begin negotiations with other clubs because Fifa
regulations allow players to start talks six months before their contracts
expire.
Last month Arsene Wenger said he we was hopeful Edu would sign a new deal and played down suggestions that the lure of a club like Real Madrid would be too strong for Edu.
Last month Arsene Wenger said he we was hopeful Edu would sign a new deal and played down suggestions that the lure of a club like Real Madrid would be too strong for Edu. The 26 year old added that he had been encouraged by Wenger's support for him. "I still have a good relationship with Arsene Wenger - he's always said he wants me to sign."
Savage saga ongoing
Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan has probably hit the nail right on the
head when he accuses Robbie Savage of manufacturing his proposed move to
Ewood Park. Savage has handed in a written transfer request, saying he
wants to join Blackburn so he can move nearer to his family in north Wales.
However, Sullivan told BBC Radio Five Live: "Footballers only work
an hour or so a day. If he wanted to drive to Wrexham each afternoon he
could easily do that. If you sign a new contract a couple of months ago,
then you should honour it."
Savage, who was dropped for Birmingham's Premiership game with Bolton on
Tuesday night and has trained on his own this week, has been ordered to
play for the club's reserves tonight. He will turn out against Newcastle's
second-string at Southern Premier League side Solihull Borough's Damson
Lane ground.
Blackburn have already had bids of £2.2m and £2.7m turned down, and have
been told they will have to pay £3.5m if Savage is to move to Lancashire.
In the meantime he is stuck in limbo at St Andrews, but Sullivan agrees
with the hard-line approach that Blues boss Steve Bruce has taken.
"Because someone's offered him a little bit more money - or a lot
more money - he thinks he can walk out by misbehaving," Sullivan added.
"He thinks ultimately we'll have to give in. But it makes a nonsense
of his initial contract. Otherwise we might as well let every player be
on a week-to-week contract - we can get rid of them when we don't want
them and they can leave us when they want to leave us."
If the players were on a 'pay-for-play' scheme, there would be a hell of
a lot of squawking, particularly from those that happened to get seriously
injured. The biggest source of amazement to me, however, is that Blackburn
find this yahoo's talent so essential to their survival in the Premiership.
Bits and Pieces
Spurs Pedro Mendes feels he was robbed 'of a special moment' at Old Trafford.
NO KIDDING...... Clinton Morrison has been charged with improper conduct
by the F.A. for his push on Nicky Hunt...... Dinamo Moscow striker Dmitri
Bulykin has been given permission to talk to Crystal Palace about a possible
move...... West Brom will make funds available for Bryan Robson to strengthen
his squad...... Liverpool have signed Mauricio Pellegrino from Valencia
on a freebie......
Footiemad news item
January 4, 2005
Harry and his boy team up
Ex-Spurs skipper Jamie Redknapp has joined his Dad, Harry, at Southampton,
where he has signed a six month deal, after being given a free transfer
by the North London club. The 31 year old midfielder passed a medical on
Monday and is likely to debut for the Saints tomorrow against Fulham.
"I am so excited about this - it's a great club to come to and a big challenge for me," he said. "The fact that I am helping my Dad out comes into it a little bit but the main thing for me is to be playing again."
Redknapp joined Spurs from Liverpool in 2002 and made 53 first-team appearances for the club. He was appointed club captain following the departure of Teddy Sheringham in 2003 but he has made only nine league starts this season.
"Michael Carrick is playing well in midfield and I did not see myself getting back in," explained Redknapp. "I really think this will give me a new lease of life. It has given me a lift already and I cannot wait for Wednesday night."
Redknapp also thanked Spurs for allowing him to leave. "They were
great about it and (manager) Martin Jol even said when I finish playing
to come and talk to him about a coaching role."
Meanwhile, Spurs England U-21 central defender Calum Davidson has joined
Southampton on loan until the end of the season.
Buffel and Rangers talking turkey
Belgium international Thomas Buffel's agent is in Glasgow today, talking
contract with Rangers. Ibrox officials will meet Dirk Degraen with a view
to bringing the Feyenoord midfielder to the SPL. A fee in the region of
£2.5m has been agreed between the clubs for the playmaker.
Benfica and Stuttgart are also thought to be interested in signing Buffel, but Degraen told BBC Scotland: "Rangers are the only club I am allowed to talk to." Asked if he was confident a deal could be done he added: "I will be able to tell you that after the meeting."
Last week Rangers chairman David Murray said: "With Buffel, the talks are ongoing and we would be reasonably hopeful on this deal. At the age of 23, the player is an attractive prospect because he has that key talent of being able to link midfield to attack."
Buffel has made only 15 appearances for Feyenoord this season after falling
out with manager Ruud Gullit. He has 18 months of his contract still to
run, but could be signed in time to face Celtic in the Scottish Cup on
Sunday January 9.
Bits and Pieces
Birmingham are really steamed at Robbie Savage after his written transfer
request......Liverpool get the OK from Valencia to talk to Argentine defender
Mauricio Pellegrino, who would be given a free transfer......It looks like
Stevie Crawford will be heading to Dundee U