news
Fri, 13 Apr 2001 15:19:44 -0700
--------------------------------- [25] Latest team news --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: >From PA 'Jaap Stam has recovered from his groin injury and is fit for Manchester United's noon showdown with Coventry at Old Trafford. Gary Neville will move back across to full-back to accommodate the Dutch international, while David Beckham is expected to start on the bench again. Sir Alex Ferguson has yet to decide on his strike-force and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could start after coming off the bench to score the winner against Charlton on Tuesday. Definitely out is Denis Irwin, who picked up a knee injury against Charlton. Coventry are expected to make just one change for tomorrow's match at Premiership champions-elect Manchester United. Team (from): Barthez, Goram, G Neville, P Neville, Stam, Brown, Silvestre, Keane, Butt, Scholes, Beckham, Giggs, Chadwick, Cole, Yorke, Solskjaer, Sheringham. Team (from): Kirkland, Quinn, Shaw, Breen, Hall, Thompson, Telfer, Eustace, Carsley, Bellamy, Hartson, Chippo, Williams, Zuniga, Hedman (gk), Edworthy, Delorge. --------------------------------- [24] TBC on Old Trafford seats closure - the world goes mad --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: 'Parts of Old Trafford will be closed down because of persistent standing if Manchester United reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council have said they will shut down sections of the West Stand after fans ignored pleas and stood during the quarter-final against Bayern Munich. The council claims the fans' behaviour has left them with no alternative but to put rows of seats off limits to comply with safety regulations. ouncillor Barry Brotherton claimed it was too early to say where, and how many seats would be sectioned off.' But if it is just the West Stand and not K it proves that the reason this has become such an issue is that the club put the Fanzone up there when TBC are worried about safety. Brotherton also stressed that the ban would not apply to any of United's remaining Premiership matches. "If United win at Bayern and there is another match at Old Trafford, then because of the standing that took place at the last match we will look to reduce the capacity in the west tier two," he said. "Just where they are or how many has yet to be decided. We have to do this because fans have not really heeded the warnings and so the capacity in that part of the ground will be reduced." IMUSA chairman Mark Longden claims supporters will always stand because of the excitement of watching games and that the only long-term solution is a return to safe standing. "They seem to think that people stand up as an act of defiance," he said. But that's not the case and people stand up because they get involved in the passion of a football match. It's just impossible to stop that and you will never stop it. It's just ridiculous and all they are doing is leaving themselves open to be sued by anybody who doesn't get a ticket for where they are entitled to be." --------------------------------- [23] Scouse-Sheep result --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Liverpool 1 Leeds 2 Gerrard sent off. --------------------------------- [22] Giggs on Bayern --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: "By the time Munich comes around I will be on song. After the first leg, I knew I needed a couple more games to get back to my peak. Generally the problem has been sorted out. I have done a lot of work with the staff here in the form of stretching exercises to help stop me getting the injuries. It is obviously very frustrating when the problem keeps coming back but, hopefully, we have got it sorted." --------------------------------- [21] Fergie on Giggs --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: "Ryan is looking good again. He just needed games after his recent absence through injury. It is important to have Ryan fit, particularly for those European nights because he tends to thrive on them. He is one of those players who can do the unexpected." --------------------------------- [20] Raimond wants a medal --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: "We've only got six games left, and I have my own goal. I need five more appearances to get a medal, so I'm looking forward to the next few games! As long as I start or come on during the game, that counts as an appearance. Every year it gets more difficult to get a medal. First you have to win the Premiership, which is difficult in itself. Then there's the rule that you need ten appearances to get a medal, so it's not easy. I think this will be my last chance. It's still possible, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Rai's been out since the trip to Valencia You can train a lot but sometimes you need a game to get back to your rhythm. I enjoyed it. I didn't have butterflies! We're concerned about our form at the moment, and we're training very hard to get into the right form for Wednesday. The Premiership is important, but at the moment Bayern in the most important. It is possible. One thing is certain, we can't just hope everything will be fine. We have to work hard from the first minute and try and get the best result. Nobody else can do it for us." --------------------------------- [19] Only one choice for manager of the year --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Fergie. Fergie. Fergie. How else can the ABUs be choosing anyone else bar Fergie. They talk of O'Dreary's great side (trophies - 0) and Houllier's efforts (what price they end up out of the Champs League placings again and only win the Worthless Cup) yet fail to mention they deserve to be manager of the year because of their terrible attempts at trying to catch us. Losing so many games this season - be it Arse, Leeds and Liverpool - gives them no right to be considered. Or give it to Joe Royle, for being the greatest manager in a lot of Reds' eyes. Who else would have given Goater Premiership football. --------------------------------- [18] Spurs ticket details --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United White Hart Lane, Saturday 19 May, 3pm We have received an overall allocation of 2913 tickets of which 1221 are priced at £32 adults £16 under 16s/over 65s (upper tier) and 1692 are priced at £27 adults £14 under 16s/over 65s (lower tier). Postal applications are now being accepted from Season Ticket Holders, on production of voucher 39 (duly completed), letter of application, open cheque (made payable to MUFC), sae and the following 8 match vouchers properly affixed to the official token sheet: 31 (RSC Anderlecht) 32 (PSV Eindhoven) 33 (Dynamo Kiev) 34 (Panathinaikos) 35 (Valencia) 36 (Sturm Graz) 37 (West Ham United) 38 (Bayern Munich). Private Box/Exec Suite and Club Class Members can also apply in the usual manner quoting their facilities held. All applications need to be received in the Ticket Office no later than 12 noon on Saturday 21st April. As we anticipate being heavily oversubscribed a postal ballot will be held to determine the successful applicants. --------------------------------- [17] Bloody clueless --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: So if TBC are removing seats for the next Euro game in the West Stand where do we go from here? Litigation surely as a brassed up Red takes them on but if this doesn't highlight why the Stretty Top Tier should see the Reds moved to the tier below than nothing will. It does smell fishy that these new calls from TBC seem purely out of a concern for the safety issue of the Fanzone due to the gradient - so why did Utd put the Fanzone up there in the first place (ignoring fans calls), with no barricades and move so many people from East Lower up there - surely not to get rid of yet more people from Utd's varied culture. Once again this whole episode has been reduced to a shambolic farce - and if it wasn't so serious you'd be crying tears of laughter with the way it's been handled, again. Something has to be done now - for Utd fans are being punished on their own whilst others up and down the country just piss themselves. Suggested remedies are numerous but if they don't find out what solutions Utd fans feel can work how else will they resolve it. Those who have made this order - you are the weakest link. --------------------------------- [16] Irwin will play for Utd again --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Fergie reckons Denis wil be out for just over a week... "I think it will be 10 days. Denis thinks seven days, but I've spoken to our physio Robert Swire and he thinks 10 days, no more than two weeks." --------------------------------- [15] Fergie - wait for title --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Fergie: "I must say I don't expect to win it tomorrow. People are asking that question 'what happens if you win it tomorrow'. But I don't expect to win it tomorrow. I think we will have to wait until next Saturday." Oh, alright then... "The important thing is that this is a great opportunity and we should not miss these opportunities. I made the point before the Charlton game on Tuesday that we have three home games and we must win them all. I don't think that's a big order and with our form at home we should win these matches. If we win our next two matches, we will win the title and that's the way we're looking at it. We need to win these home matches." --------------------------------- [14] Wenger also getting giddy --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Arse will finish how many points behind but after beating city they suddenyl think - as they did this time last season - that they can steal our crown again next season... Arsene : "The transfer market is not my worry at the moment. We will probably bring in one or two new players in the summer but not more. I am very hopeful we will keep together the players we have at the moment. I want to do that. Everybody seems happy here and wants to stay. I would find it very frustrating if anybody left. We want to get at least much closer to Manchester United next season" Wat 10, points behind? " and so do many other clubs. Hopefully, that will be the case but it is never easy. For instance if Fulham are promoted from the First Division that makes it more difficult for a London club to win the championship because it means one more derby match." What shite... "Every match we play is a difficult one already because other teams always seem to raise their standard against Arsenal. They all have a go at us." Er, isn't it us that they raise their game against? "This season we have done quite well. We have reached the FA Cup final and the quarter-finals of the Champions League and are still in it. But until lately, we have not mastered consistency and that has to do with many things. We have missed key players for too long through injuries and it is always difficult for new players to settle in. People have taken time to adapt. Now I believe they will be much better for the first year they have had in the Premiership." All we can say is...6-1 in your Cup Final --------------------------------- [13] The dream scenario --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Thanks to Sam at www.imanunited.com for this dream bit of news from their site. Please, go on, let it happen "If results go our way and we have won the title by the time we play city, then as united come out the city players will have to line up and clap them on as a mark of respect for the newly crowned champions" Go on, make our day siddy. --------------------------------- [12] Wenger also gets giddy --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: "I hope we can make it closer next season. First, of course, we have to make sure we finish second this time. But we want to make it closer next time if we can. When new players come in, it takes them time to adjust. They will be more comfortable next season and that will help us." --------------------------------- [11] Arse gets giddy --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Fredrik Ljungberg "I know we lost 6-1 up there but if you look at the teams and they have a pretty good day and we have a good day, we are pretty equal. The problem is we are not as consistent as they are. Hopefully that will change next season. The new players who have come here will have been here a year and that will benefit the club. I know from my own experience how difficult it is when you first come to England. It has made me a better player, I am sure of that. In the Arsenal team we certainly have character. I hope people see that. It seems like an insult to have lost 6-1 and 4-0. We think we are better than that and have reacted well after games this season." --------------------------------- [10] O'Dreary on Duberry --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: David O'Leary said: "A lot of fuss has been made about him. But Michael loves it here and the players love him here. They speak to him all the time, so why should we sell him?" Speak to him all the time. Wow. --------------------------------- [9] Straws - clutching at? --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Alfie Haaland: "We are not giving up. As captain I have been hurt with our run. I am devastated by the Arsenal defeat but this game is done and dusted. Now I am just thinking about the match against Leicester. We are not giving up. Even if the fans think the Arsenal game was the final nail in the coffin, until we can't survive mathematically, then we won't give up. We will keep on believing and it might be a good thing we are away on Saturday as it has been hard recently at Maine Road. We started badly against Arsenal but they are a very talented side. There was no way back for us." --------------------------------- [8] Houllier gets angry again --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Houllier said: "Some of the Leeds players have expressed their views about our team. As far as I'm concerned I don't really bother what people think, my concern is my team and what we have to do to succeed. For a boring team we have done pretty well in the cups and not too badly in the league. We have also scored a number of goals. If we score against Leeds it will be our 100th this season." --------------------------------- [7] Zidane - Becks could make it in Italy --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Zinedine Zidane: "David Beckham is one of the best players in the world. Everyone has seen that from his performances with United and England over the last few years. I know there are a lot of teams in Italy who would be delighted to sign him and have him playing for them. But if they do (sell him) I would like to think David would take up the challenge and move to Italy. This is one of the best leagues in the world, and I am sure David would be a very good player here." --------------------------------- [6] Manager of the year for winning nowt! --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale believes Gerard Houllier and not his own boss David O'Leary should be manager of the year. "Gerard has won one cup and is in the final of the FA Cup and has a great chance of winning the Uefa Cup. Leeds have so far won nothing and Sir Alex Ferguson looks like he has won the championship again with Manchester United." --------------------------------- [5] Phil Neville speaks --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: "At Tuesday night s game against Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson made a presentation to Eric Cantona on behalf of The Manchester United Magazine acknowledging him as the greatest ever Manchester United player. The award was decided by the fans, who voted for Eric as their number one player ahead of George Best. It must have been a tough call, because I never saw George play, but from what I ve seen on TV and from what my dad tells me, George was a fantastic player who had everything. It was a truly great honour and privilege to play alongside Eric in a magnificent Manchester United team that boasted the likes of Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes, Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, Andrei Kanchelskis and Peter Schmeichel. Eric joined this club at a time when we d not won the league for 26 years. He, more than anyone else at Manchester United, laid the foundations for the success we ve had in recent years. He set a great example on the training ground; there was many a time he would stay behind after training with the youngsters practising his many skills. He was a perfectionist in everything he did, and he demanded this from his team-mates also. My lasting memory of him was my first full season in the first team; he d been suspended for the first three months of the season for his attack on the fan at Crystal Palace. It was also the year when Alan Hansen said You can t win anything with kids . We had just sold Paul Ince, Hughes and Kanchelskis and everybody was questioning the decisions of Alex Ferguson. Eric could easily have been unhappy at the sale of such great players, plus the severity of his punishment could have forced him to quit England. But because of his dedication to Manchester United, especially its supporters, who absolutely adored him, it had completely the opposite affect. Eric was our captain and the inclusion of the young players into the team brought out his leadership qualities both on and off the field. He had our total respect. He set the standards and we followed. He scored many an important goal when the chips were down, which led us onto winning the double. I don t think we d have achieved that without Eric. People accused Eric of distancing himself from his team-mates, and although he wasn t a shouter, he got his point across in other ways and he never missed a team day out. To this day, when he returns to the club he always goes out of his way to meet and shake hands with the former players. I think when you look at past Manchester United players like Duncan Edwards, George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton there s a possibility that the honour Eric received will be debated by many of our older supporters. Having said that, I doubt that any of them will question the impact Eric Cantona had on Manchester United and I doubt any of them would begrudge this greatest of accolades to one of the world s greatest footballers. The reception he received on Tuesday night from 67,000 supporters was something that is only reserved for very special players and Eric is special." --------------------------------- [4] Get Red News 76 before the game tomorrow --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Red News, issue no.76 on sale before the Coventry game. Just £1.50 - with Barry Brotherton interview from Trafford Borough Council, a guide to just who could replace Fergie and why six Utd fans thought Neil Webb scored a hat-trick against Arsenal in the League Cup...when it was in fact Lee Sharpe. New cover picture featured in the headlines sections on the right. --------------------------------- [3] Ole speaks --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: "We now have the chance to decide the title at home. In the next two games we play Coventry and Manchester City at home. It's important to us to win the title as soon as possible. After two straight defeats in important matches, we wanted to play really attacking football against Charlton and try to rediscover our best form. I think we did that, our attacking was very good and we showed our will to win. I heard we had 28 goal attempts during the match, which I thought wasn't too bad! For a while it looked like it would be one of those nights when we did everything right except put the ball in the net. Posts, legs and a great goalkeeper stood in our way. It looked as if it would end 1-1, but in the end we got the winner. I came on 15 minutes from time and I was happy to score the important goal. I was in the right place at the right time and I finished with a low shot from 15 yards. It was a goal that I felt we really deserved. Even though a 2-1 win against Charlton might seem less than impressive, I would contend that we played really well." --------------------------------- [2] More from Jaap --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: Stam told the Daily Express: "It will be difficult to replace Fergie. He's a great manager. It could be a nightmare for the new manager because everyone knows what Ferguson has done. But I think we are going to get an experienced manager to replace him and at least he won't have to buy a lot of new players." --------------------------------- [1] Jaap speaks --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 13, 2001 by bar-knee: "Ronny Johnsen played his first game since last November in our reserves match on Monday and I m really pleased for him that he s on his way back. Ronny s done extremely well for United since he arrived here. When I came to United at the start of the treble season, I played most of my games with him and we really clicked together. At centre-back, the best thing is to play regularly with the same partner, as you develop a real understanding with each other on the pitch. But then Ronny got a serious knee injury, so he s been out for a long time. It s difficult to say how much he s been missed because the players who ve filled in for him - Gary Neville, Henning Berg and, more recently, Wes Brown - have all come in and done a great job. A lot of people ask me if I ve got any preference about who I play with but I couldn t say because I think I ve performed well with all of them. At this level of football, all the squad know what to do and how to play so it s not too difficult to play with someone new. I ve been in regular contact with Ronny. He s been training at Carrington so I see him more or less every day. Of course he wanted to get fit quicker than he did, but he s remained quite upbeat. It s just that with the sort of injury he s got, it takes time and you can t rush it. When he gets back to full strength he s going to give the gaffer a few headaches when he selects the team - but it s a nice problem to have." --------------------------------- [34] Check this out --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: Try this link: (link:http://www.shitesports.com) http://www.shitesports.com for comment on City's latest game! --------------------------------- [33] Sunday Mirror journalist leaves job --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: PA story just in 'We are receiving reports that the editor of the Sunday Mirror, Colin Myler, has left his post. It follows the publication of a story last weekend which caused the collapse of the trial involving two Leeds United soccer players earlier this week.' --------------------------------- [32] Headline of the day --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: 'Keeper Carlo's first 2 touches in top-flight football are to pick ball out of the net as Gunners run riot' >From the Sun --------------------------------- [31] Irwin out for Bayern --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: His knee ligament injury is likely to put him out for 3 weeks. --------------------------------- [30] IMUSA April article for Utd fanzines --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: THE AGM Members of IMUSA are reminded that the organisation's AGM is just around the corner. Now we are fully constituted - so to speak - there are rules covering the date and election process: Depending on the Club's commitments, the AGM will take place in either the last week of May or (hopefully!), should there be a European Cup Final the week before, the AGM will be put back seven days to the first week of June. The Committee is typically 20-25 members in size, most of whom play a role in running the organisation. Out of that committee, eight or nine Officers are drawn. This year there will be Officer posts up for grabs, and the entire Committee is also up for election and re-election. To stand for the Committee: Either (1) Attend the AGM in person, or (2) Write to the IMUSA secretary at least two weeks before the AGM date - which will be announced on the Web Site (www.imusa.org) as soon as a date is set. Those not present will be able to have an 'election address' read out at the AGM should they so wish. All members present will be able to vote by secret ballot for the Committee. Note that to maximise participation in the election, the constitution permits all those attending the AGM to stand for election. There are no postal ballots. To stand for an Officer post: Nominations must be proposed and seconded by any member of the organisation. All nominations MUST be submitted in writing at least two weeks before the AGM is set. To be an officer an individual has to have been on the Committee for at least twelve months. All Officers MUST also be re-elected onto the Committee to take up their post. To vote for Officers: The election rules permit two methods of voting: (1) By a vote of all those present at the AGM or (2) By a vote of the newly elected Committee. The AGM decides the voting method. Again, there are NO postal votes. Last year's AGM was a torturous affair, however following the pain of last year, the implementation of the above rules should ensure the process is smooth and fair. The AGM also sets out the 'policy' priorities for next season, given the current 'shifting sands' of the relations between Club and match going fan, it is more important than ever to make a contribution in determining the issues IMUSA should focus on. IMUSA remains very much the organisation of the matchgoing Red. For full reports on our impact on national debates such as the return to safe standing areas to local disputes with the Club and Trafford Council, the AGM is very much the place to be. If you think it is time you joined the organisation, then membership is available on the night - you can also renew. Please try and remember your membership cards to save time at the door. Please think about using the AGM as an opportunity to contribute to the organisation through standing for election, renewing your membership or joining for the first time. For more information on the AGM please visit our web site at www.imusa.org at regular intervals. Forthcoming Meetings Committee Meetings: Open to all members Thursday April 12th Thursday May 10th O'Brien's, Stretford Arndale - start 8pm. All members welcome AGM Either Thursday May 31st OR Thursday June 7th: More details to follow To join IMUSA please send a cheque for £5 (£10 overseas) for a twelve month membership to: PO Box 69, Stretford, Manchester, M32 0UZ --------------------------------- [29] And what does he know? --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: Joe Royle on Arse "If they continue to play like that in the Champions League then they can win it. I really believe they can go all the way. Their game is geared to playing away as they have so many 11-second sprinters who put teams under pressure. I didn't see their game against Tottenham but I understand they could have got a lot more goals. No-one likes losing 4-0 but Arsenal were fantastic. Even our supporters clapped them off. There was not one mitigating circumstance in our case. " --------------------------------- [28] Nakata wants to be a Red --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: Japanense Hidetoshi Nakata of Roma said: "I can understand that the Roma coach Fabio Capello is reluctant to change a winning team, but if I continue to be left out, I will have to seriously consider my future. Money and prestige is one thing, but the most important thing for any footballer is playing and enjoying yourself. It is the World Cup in my country next season and I do not want to be on the sidelines. I know that I am loved by Manchester United and I would love to play in England and the Premiership. Playing for United would be an ideal situation. They are a great team and I know that I can help them." Loved by Manchester United - does he know something we don't? --------------------------------- [27] More on South African tragedy --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: Lucas Radebe told Radio Five Live: "When people lose lives like that at a football game it is really, really sad. What happened was absolutely a disaster for all the families of all those people who died - a tragedy. I spoke to a couple of players and they could not believe what was happening. When Kaiser play Orlando Pirates, there is more than 100,000 people who want to come to watch the games. Football has grown since we were re-admitted to international football, and when games like this come up everybody wants to go. Everything has to be perfect. Things like this have been avoided at all costs. Things like this have happened before. When I played one of the games against Orlando Pirates a similar thing happened and about 25 people died that day. That was about seven or eight years ago. It might have been even 10 years ago. Things like this do happen and you do learn from them, especially in a country which always tries to get better. Things will improve. This highlights some of the problems and hopefully things like this will never happen now. It is when these things happen that you must ask the questions." --------------------------------- [26] Keano is a Celtic fan --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: "I've said I would like to play at Celtic at some stage in my career. In two years' time, when my contract is up, if United say I can go, then Celtic is the club I would like to play for. I've been up there a few times and I think it's an outstanding club with an outstanding manager. Hopefully they can do well in Europe next year and obviously with me being Irish I support Celtic." --------------------------------- [25] Keano wants to stay at United --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: "I've got two years left at United on my current deal. There's a new manager coming in next year and he may have new ideas. At the end of this contract I will be 31 and maybe that will be time to say thank you for the memories because hopefully by then there will be new players coming through. We will be buying big players and maybe my time might be then. But I feel great and I feel I can do a job for United for the next few years. I'm pretty confident I can remain at United for the next couple of years and hopefully in the next year or two I might sign an extension." Great news. --------------------------------- [24] Best fans in the world --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: >From RN hot stud Kerry: "Just thought I'd let you know about the self proclaimed best bitter fans in the world - last night you'd probably have expected them to be at Maine Road, doing their bit in their fight against relegation. Nope - I spotted the Gallaghers (and I have to say a very fit looking Nicole Appleton) mixing with the great unwashed at the excellent TopLoader concert." --------------------------------- [23] The only trophy that he'll win all season --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: David O'Leary has won the Carling manager of the month award for March. --------------------------------- [22] South African tragedy --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: And how many times do you think that by the year 2001 you'd have seen the last footballing tradegy. Is nothing ever learnt? A terrible scene last night - and have to say how little coverage there is in the media for such a terrible tragedy. The Football Association have expressed condolences to their South African counterparts and offered help in the aftermath of the Ellis Park disaster. Forty-seven fans were killed in a stampede at the Johannesburg stadium when supporters without tickets tried to gain entry to the Kaiser Chiefs' crunch match with the Orlando Pirates. FA executive director David Davies has phoned South African FA chief executive Danny Jordaan, who had led his country's 2006 World Cup bid. Davies told Jordaan: "Everyone here in England is deeply shocked by what has happened at Ellis Park. We can only imagine how you are feeling and obviously our sympathies go to the families of all those people who have lost their lives in such terrible circumstances. Our predecessors at the FA in England know what it is like to go through such terrible events. I know the impact that those events had on them. "Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody touched by this tragedy in South Africa. Your friends in England will seek to do anything that is helpful at this tragic time." --------------------------------- [21] You couldn't make it up --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: Further to our quiz yesterday about city winning nowt for 25 years, top red Stephen passed the question onto a bitter - who confirmed that they won a trophy for wining the division 2 playoffs...you couldn't make it up. Let's call on the open bus parade on again for finishing second! --------------------------------- [20] Happiness continues --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: Did you here Gary Newbon interview Mike Summerbee on the radio this morning? Hilarity first thing in the morning. Summerbee when asked if he thought City would survive & why he thought they would now start winning games when they'd only won 6 in 33. He got the right hump! Eventually he cut Newbon short, "that's my opinion, goodbye", and slams the phone down. It's great to hear that they are taking it so well. --------------------------------- [19] Spot on comment --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: >From RN reader, David: 'in reference to yesterday's story no.14 about City having sold more season tickets than at this stage last year, I don't know what Mr Bernstein finds so surprising. Surely it is entirely logical for people (even divs) to prefer watching a campaign in Division One where they might win a few games, rather than a depressing season getting slaughtered in the Premiership. In the unlikely event of them coming back up again next year expect ticket sales to dip again accordingly. The City fans know their own level, shame about spudhead.' --------------------------------- [18] Today's Mirror bollocks --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: "Arsenal remained on course last night for the Champions League spot and FA Cup double" Champions League Spot double? What the f**k will they come up with next? --------------------------------- [17] Be afraid, be very afraid --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2001 by bar-knee: For the season ticket renewal letters (with prices, obviously) are at this very moment being printed ready for an imminent send out. Make the prices reasonable lads eh?