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------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------- [26] Heinze for reserves tomorrow --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: from Sportinglife 'Gabriel Heinze is set to make his first appearance since September when he turns out for Manchester United's reserves on Saturday. The 28-year-old defender has not played since he suffered cruciate knee-ligament damage in the Red Devils' Champions League clash with Villarreal on September 14 last year. The Argentinian's absence was described by manager Sir Alex Ferguson as "a bad blow" and it coincided with a run of poor form for United. It has also thrown into doubt his participation in the World Cup with Argentina. However, Heinze is set to make his long-awaited comeback to action when United's reserves look to seal the Reserve League title against Aston Villa.' --------------------------------- [25] MUST statement on ticket prices --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: Ticket prices - again! In last week's email we commented on the ticket price rises recently announced by United for next season. This is the first of many such planned rises over the next few seasons, according to the Glazers' leaked business plan. We have issued a statement on this, which can be found at : http://www.joinmust.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25317 http://www.joinmust.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25317 We are also looking into the misleading claims that "only 7 clubs will have a cheaper ticket than £23 and 9 clubs will have a top price over £39 - in some cases almost double". A much fairer way of measuring overall ticket prices is to take the AVERAGE price and on this basis United's average season ticket price will place us fifth highest in the PL (with the 4 clubs above all based in London!). Not all PL clubs have announced their ticket prices for next season (most of those who have will be freezing prices in fact) and when they do, we will be able to give a more definitive guide to where United sits in the table. Taking top and lowest prices is certainly not the fair way to do this. And more to the point - just because Chelsea are shafting their fans doesn't mean United should be shafting us. Still more ticket prices ... Several of our members have undertaken their own assessment of the recently announced ticket price rises and have determined that since the Glazers effectively took control of the club prices have gone up nearly 25%. Whilst they would have us believe prices are still lower than many other premiership clubs, our members have calculated a truer estimate based on the number of seats available at different prices. They estimate that the average ST will cost more than £620 pa, and that only 5% of the seats at OT are available at the club's much touted lowest 'affordable' price. To see this engaging discussion, please visit our forum using the link below. http://www.joinmust.org/forum/showth...t=25316&page=2 http://www.joinmust.org/forum/showth...t=25316&page=2 With these sort of price rises (and more of the same planned for the next four years) how many of our members will be priced out sooner or later? How many are right now coming to terms with the heartwrenching decision and reluctantly letting their season tickets go, instead opting to pick and choose their games next season? With the increase in capacity and a fall in demand as prices rise it will be even easier to pick up tickets next season so the fear factor of missing out has gone now. Anyone attending the funeral on Wednesday of a well known and much loved United supporter would have noted the United scarf which was poignantly draped over his coffin. Do the owners of the "MU Franchise" - the people setting these ticket prices - really understand or care what the club means to such loyal supporters? He'd have been priced out next season after more than 70 years of support. That is sickening to anyone with Manchester United in their heart. Judging by members correspondence we expect the numbers attending reserves and academy games to swell considerably over the next season or two as members opt to get their United fix for free. The times they are a changing ... Keep the faith! Booking a train ticket? var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp/js/101842/608750?' + new String (Math.random()).substring (2, 11); document.write(''); Red News are pleased to recommend a local marketing and design company who can do anything from a few flyers and stationery to full marketing strategies and stunning photography. visit: http://www.touchmarketing.co.uk http://www.touchmarketing.co.uk - they even offer special rates for Red News readers. Red News has started selling goods in its own Shop on e.bay - spread the word! http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RedNewsShop http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RedNewsShop great original t-shirts http://www.sumosam.co.uk/ http://www.sumosam.co.uk/ --------------------------------- [24] Brookes stays on as MUTV consultant --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: from Precision Marketing 'MUTV chief Peter Brookes, who joined Manchester United's TV channel in January 1999 - four months after its launch - is to step down as managing director, to set up his own consultancy, Brookes Media. Man United director of media Sameer Pabari will oversee MUTV in the interim, for the next few months. He is to work with the management team to develop and implement strategies to encourage future growth. Brookes is to continue in a consultancy role. The channel, established in September 1998 in an equal joint venture between Man United, BSkyB and Granada, has more than 100,000 subscribers. It uses a range of media to reach fans, with Brookes claiming telemarketing is the most effective. He told Precision Marketing: "We never get less than 17 per cent take-up with any given campaign" (PM December 17, 2004). Brookes states: "The past seven years have seen some remarkable developments in the landscape of football broadcasting. I'm proud to have been at the forefront of enhancing club media rights. "However, a number of opportunities have arisen which, together with the chance to remain a consultant to MUTV, represent an exciting chance to work on a variety of projects which are not restricted to football. Brookes Media is contracted on a range of business opportunities." MUTV chairman David Gill says: "Under Peter's stewardship, we have grown into the best and most popular club channel in the world. I am pleased that he will remain on hand to advise the station as it enters the world of digital convergence. "We have a bright future, with talented staff" --------------------------------- [23] Rows in dressing room after Sunderland? --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: from Daily Mail 'SIR Alex Ferguson's desperate desire to catch leaders Chelsea boiled over into one of his infamous ' hairdryer' rants at his players after their Premiership hopes disappeared last weekend. The Manchester United manager had watched his team pile the pressure on Jose Mourinho's side with a nine-match winning run and faced bottom-placed Sunderland on Friday knowing victory would cut the gap to just four points. But Ferguson's players let him down for the first time in weeks, prompting the 64-year- old Scot to unleash a trademark tirade in the aftermath of the frustrating goalless stalemate at Old Trafford. According to well-placed United sources, Ferguson blamed Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo in particular for the result. After the game, the manager told the media that the two youngsters had suffered their worst games of the season. In private, he told them: 'You've messed up your chance to make history.' And, in a bizarre re-enactment of the most famous dressing room story of all time, Ferguson kicked a football boot across the floor in anger. In 2002, Ferguson accidentally caught former United midfielder David Beckham above the eye with a boot he sent flying across the dressing room after his team had lost an FA Cup tie to rivals Arsenal. On this occasion, the boot was nowhere near any of Ferguson's players as it thudded into a door. Elsewhere in the dressing room, tempers boiled over as players began to deal with the realisation that their title aspirations were all but over. Comments made in jest in the direction of Ruud van Nistelrooy upset the Holland striker and he briefly became involved in an exchange of words with some of his team-mates. Although other players stepped in to calm that situation, the scenes illustrate just how badly United wanted to catch Chelsea.' --------------------------------- [22] United get grant...for yoga lessons --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: from MEN 'LOTTERY cash is being used to fund gym membership for lawyers, the M.E.N. can reveal. A legal firm in Manchester has been awarded a £45,000 grant to send staff to an upmarket city centre health club to help boost their fitness. Halliwells law firm is one of a number of high-profile businesses in the region to take advantage of lottery-funded handouts aimed at improving the health of office staff. Another £15,000 has been awarded to ITV Granada to help build a gym which will be free to all staff - including top-earning Coronation Street stars. And Manchester United, which owns state-of-the-art training facilities for its millionaire players, will be given £30,000 over three years to fund yoga lessons and lunchtime fitness sessions for staff. The lottery grants were condemned by Withington MP John Leech, who said the cash should go to those who can't afford gym membership.' --------------------------------- [21] Official site on Reserves title showdown --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: 'United need just four points to clinch consecutive FA Premier Reserve League titles, and they could all but secure it with victory over title contenders Aston Villa on Saturday. Victory would not guarantee Rene Meulensteen's side the title, but it would mean Villa would have to win each of their remaining two games and, even then, they could only top the league on goal difference. The Reds are currently five goals better off than their rivals. A draw will mean the Reds have to win at Liverpool in the final game of the season to make sure of the title, with a win for the Midlanders putting them in pole position to clinch the trophy from United's grasp. Rene Meulensteen took his players to the Dallas Cup in America as the Reds had a 17-day break in matches. But the last league outing, a 6-0 mauling of Manchester City, has set United up for a final push for the title. Fraizer Campbell, who scored four of United's six goals against City, says: "We started as we meant to go on for the last three games so really we just need to kick on in the two remaining games." --------------------------------- [20] SIlvestre on playing left back --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: "Coming back to left-back has put a doubt in my mind [about which is my best position]. I'm enjoying playing there but as a United player you enjoy playing in any position. Fitness plays a big part at left-back because you're up and down the wing for the whole game. When you play at centre-half you are more involved in the game but if I'm honest I get the same pleasure out of playing both positions." var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp/img/512755/608750?' + new String (Math.random()).substring (2, 11);document.write(' http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=19134&a=608750&g=512755 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news '); --------------------------------- [19] Scholes on England --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: "I have no regrets about England. I wasn't enjoying it at the time and I think I did the right thing. The World Cup will be the first major tournament I have missed since retiring with England but I have known for a long time that I wouldn't be there so it doesn't make any difference to me. I think if they play for each other then they can do well. At times in the past a lot of players have probably played for a bit of personal glory but this time they look a bit more together and if they do that they have a chance. But it will be difficult. A lot of people in England expect us to win it, but there are so many good teams like Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Italy, France and Germany. It will be a great achievement if they do it but we will have to wait and see." --------------------------------- [18] Scholes on scouting --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: going against what Fergie said a week or so back "The manager thought I was getting bored so he asked me to do a couple of games. I love football so watching the games was something I enjoyed. I don't want to be a scout though! But it has made me think about the future though whilst I have been sat around for the past few months. I will have to put my mind to it at some stage obviously but what I will do I just don't know. A manager? You never know. I have been thinking about doing a bit of coaching. But at the moment I want to concentrate on getting back playing first and then we will see how it goes." --------------------------------- [17] More Scholes --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: "Seriously, even if it remained as it is I would be okay to play. My other eye is really good so that helps. Obviously it is not perfect if one of your eyes isn't 100 per cent but I have played some football in training now and I was okay. There are always things that can help like training the left eye to get used to doing more work if the other doesn't work as well as the other. I shan't need glasses. I won't be doing an Edgar Davids! We have a sports vision specialist/orthoptist at the club called Gail Stephenson and there are a lot of exercises she can help me with to improve things. Gail assures me I will be fine. I know there is a lot of work ahead in terms of physical fitness because I didn't do anything for three months and haven't done that much since. There is a lot of catching up to do. But I am looking forward to it." --------------------------------- [16] Spector's agent --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: "I can confirm that [Jonathan] has dislocated his shoulder. He has already been to the hospital and the injury has been confirmed. It is still too early to know exactly how much time that he will miss, we should know more in the next few days. But at the moment it does not look too good." --------------------------------- [15] Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan in MEN --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: WAYNE Rooney is my choice as footballer of the year. I'm one of the lad's biggest fans, he's a special talent and the award must be coming his way after a tremendous season. He must also be the leading contender to be named young player of the year. He definitely deserves the double honour. He has everything and, mark my words, he'll climb even higher as his career progresses. This has only been a taste of what is to come from a wonderfully gifted world-class striker. Rooney and Arsenal's Thierry Henry are poles apart from the rest. Players like this don't come around that often but when they do you can only sit back and marvel at their performances. Rooney is a fantastic footballer and a lethal finisher. He - brings excitement and there's a buzz every time he touches the ball. This is because he can make things happen. In the past, I've compared him to another true United legend, the great Denis Law. He too was fiery, competitive, passionate and fiercely brave. Rooney is a match-winner. The lad has exceptional pace, scores great goals and creates chances. There's so much to his game. He's got so much going for him and if anyone can make sure he keeps his feet on the ground it's Sir Alex Ferguson. I know there have been stories circulating regarding Wayne and various bookies and footballers do like a bet, they're a competitive breed. We used to play poker for money when I played. You spend a lot of time travelling and you do get bored but Fergie will look after Rooney. I also believe Rooney's exceptional form of late can be carried over with England to the World Cup. There's no reason why it shouldn't but I would be even happier if I could see his international strike partner Michael Owen back in action and confirming his fitness. Rooney and Owen carry the hopes of a nation and, together they could prove too hot for even the strongest defences in the world to handle." Switch to Orange var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp/img/12568736/608750?' + new String (Math.random()).substring (2, 11); document.write(' http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23943&a=608750&g=12568736 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news '); var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp/img/12568751/608750?' + new String (Math.random()).substring (2, 11); document.write(' http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23943&a=608750&g=12568751 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news '); --------------------------------- [14] Ronaldo on international debut --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: "It was a very special feeling,. I was only 18 but had made my debut with the national squad, alongside some players I really admired and it's a moment you never forget. I also think it was very good to gamble on bringing in Mr [Luiz Felipe] Scolari as Portugal coach, and it's obvious I'm very happy with it. Having had my debut at 18 years old, for all the success I've had already, I hope to continue playing at the highest level. I have mixed feelings about all the attention. There was once a time when it was good to be unknown. When nobody knew who I was, I always used to say to myself and my mates when am I going to be famous? When are people going to start asking for my autograph? Now people do know who I am, I ask why I became so famous. But it's very gratifying and important. It means people like my work and admire me as a player and a person so it's obvious there are good and bad things but I'm a footballer and I'm prepared for it." --------------------------------- [13] Ronaldo wants to win --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: "I don't play football just because I like it. I play because I've got an ambition to always win and be the best - to win every trophy and competition I'm part of. I'll be happy when I win the Champions League, the World Cup and the European Championship. This is every footballer's ambition. To finish my career and be able to say I did a good job overall, and say I was handsomely rewarded for it. That's it." --------------------------------- [12] End of Season Awards --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: If anyone wants to come up with a witty award 'nomination' for the next mag/site on an event/story/incident from this season, be great to have some input - feel free to post your award/reason/make 'em laugh... to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------- [11] More Scholes --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: "It would be a waste of time coming back to play if I didn't think I can get back to my full ability. I want to play well, score goals and do something for the team again. The last couple of years haven't been great for me form-wise. I am trying to forget that now and look forward to getting back playing, and playing well. Hopefully, the rest will have done me good. I can't guarantee it will have, but that is what I am hoping for. It has made a change after so many years travelling around and staying away from home to have been with the family the last four months. I have three kids to look after, so that does take up your time. It has been nice to be honest. But I certainly don't fancy retirement just yet. I still want to carry on for a few more years. I signed a two-year extension to my contract last August that takes me 2009. I knew it was more than just nothing and I knew it was serious. But there is a lot of rubbish written in the papers and some of them were even door-stepping at my dad's house trying to find out what was wrong. They weren't given the whole facts, so people just guessed. I knew what they were speculating about and what was being said but I knew it wasn't what they thought, so it didn't affect me. I knew what was wrong and that was all that mattered. I couldn't have played on at the time it began because it was dangerous to continue due to the threat of raising my blood pressure. There was haemorrhaging in the right eye and if my blood pressure had increased whilst playing then it could have possibly caused further problems. The specialists wouldn't let me play at that time. Time will tell how much better it gets and if it clears completely. I test it every day by putting my hand over my left eye and seeing if it has improved. It's hard to tell but I can't read too well with it. In fact I am as blind as a bat!" --------------------------------- [10] From BBC --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4929294.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4929294.stm 'Six men have been charged with violent disorder following the Liverpool v Manchester United FA Cup tie. They are due to appear at North Liverpool Community Justice Court on 28 April, Merseyside Police said. Four other men arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in raids across Merseyside and Coventry were bailed to report to police at a later date. The arrests followed incidents in the Walton Lane area of Kirkdale after the match at Anfield on 18 February.' var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp/img/16139340/608750?' + new String (Math.random()).substring (2, 11); document.write(' http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=17211&a=608750&g=16139340 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news '); --------------------------------- [9] Bolton on Rooney --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: Jay-Jay Okocha Wayne is a great player - I love to watch him. He plays from the heart - you do not see that from many players. He would be my choice as player of the year. Considering he is so young and has played the season under so much pressure, it is remarkable he has come out on top. He can only get better." --------------------------------- [8] From AP --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: 'Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will pay a visit next month to a Hong Kong policeman who is in hospital with severe injuries after being stabbed while on patrol, a report said. The Norwegian, who recently signed a new two-year deal with the Reds, will be in Hong Kong to open the club's soccer school in this southern Chinese territory. He will visit constable Jacky Chu Chun-kwok, a Manchester United supporter left with brain damage and unable to walk after being stabbed in the neck on duty nine months ago, the South China Morning Post said Thursday. "(He) always said he wanted to go to Manchester to see them play," said Chu's wife Chu Choi Yin-ping after hearing the news. Solskjaer is among Manchester United's most popular players and scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999. He heard about the constable's plight from a club representative in Hong Kong, the paper said. Chu's attacker was sentenced to six years in jail.' --------------------------------- [7] Red News 125 deadline --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: Is Monday so if you want to ponder this weekend on a letter, graphic or article, you can send anything to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks --------------------------------- [6] Scholes on Chelsea --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: "Considering the position we were in before Christmas, to push Chelsea this far is a brilliant achievement and it might be even closer next season. As we have proved this year, we usually finish every season strongly, so if we can stay close to them early on, we will have a great chance." --------------------------------- [5] Scholes on contract --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: "I have three years left on my contract and I want to stay at United for that length of time. The blurred vision has not completely gone yet but it has been four months now, so I am not sure it will be completely normal. Obviously, it is not perfect if one of your eyes is not 100% but I have played some football in training and I should be okay to start playing again. My aim now is for next season. As long as I am ready for then I will be happy." Lee Sharpe's book now in paperback, just £3.99! --------------------------------- [4] Subscribe and Support --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: Subscribe to Red News, the actual printed fanzine. 10 issue offer. Make sure you get EVERY issue of Red News, sent to your door! Thanks to our link with the safe, simple to use and world wide massively known paypal you can now order your 10 issue subscription to Red News via credit card - Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Switch or Solo - payment in pounds sterling, ordering online from wherever you live in the world, getting the mag direct to your door for a bargain price. Or send sterling cheque to Red News, P.o.Box 176, Manchester, M16 8LG. Your support by doing this keeps the mag and site afloat. Prices are as follows, please fill in the price column online accordingly Without the fanzine, and your support, there is no website. 100% Independent. 100% Unofficial. Let's keep it that way. RN 124. 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Order by credit card or cheque at... http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shopec68.htmency_code=GBP http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shopec68.htmency_code=GBP NEW UNOFFICIAL ALTERNATIVE SHIRTS http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shop64.htm http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shop64.htm http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shop65.htm http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shop65.htm --------------------------------- [3] Saha wants World Cup place --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: "Things were not looking good for me at the start of the season but now I am back in the race, this is a miracle. We are second in the league, we've won the League Cup and I've scored goals. Everything is fine for me. The fact I was selected in March shows the coach still trusts me. It does not mean that I will go to the World Cup, but I am a fighter and my game has improved a lot." --------------------------------- [2] The Best --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: The Best Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news M, L (28 inches high, 22 inches wide), XL (29 inches high, 24 inches wide) and XXL sizes available Just £15 inc p&p UK, £17 ROW - product code is, simply, BEST You can order by sending a cheque to Red News, P.O.Box 176, Manchester, M16 8LG. Alternatively you can order by credit card - Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Switch or Solo - for any one or any number of the shirts/hoods via the fast, safe and secure paypal. Just make sure you enter the correct product code for each shirt/hoodie (listed on the shop part of the site) when ordering, together with the size (if others than extra large are available, check on each specific item if that is the case) and the correct price - please fill in the price column online accordingly. Prices includes postage and packing. --------------------------------- [1] More Scholes --------------------------------- Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by ed: The specialists wouldnt let me play on as it was, but it has started to get better and I now feel I will be OK for next season. The specialists assured me it would get better but they didnt know whether it would be three months, six months or whatever. I was just ordered to rest. I didnt train for three months but in the last four weeks I have been doing three days a week and on Wednesday, I did my first bit of football and that was okay. --------------------------------- [32] Scholes on hopes --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: "Obviously you are concerned originally when you are told it is serious and you have to rest. But in my own mind I was always confident I would be back playing again. I know that is not definite yet but I am pretty sure it will happen. I don't know whether the vision in the eye will be completely clear ever again but whatever vision I have left in the right eye I would still be able to play. It is not clear but I can see enough to play football I hope." --------------------------------- [31] More Scholes --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: "I still have a bit of blurred vision in my right eye but I am starting to step up training and I just want to get myself ready for next season. I am aiming to take part fully in our first session of pre-season. Hopefully I will get through that and I will then be ready to start the season." --------------------------------- [30] Arteta denies United link --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: "Yes, I will be here next season. "I am really happy here and I have a lot of care for this club and the people here. I really appreciate how the club and the people have been with me from the first day so it is not in my mind to leave. I was at Old Trafford to watch the match. I just like to watch football, there was nothing sinister in it." Booking a train ticket? var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp/js/101842/608750?' + new String (Math.random()).substring (2, 11); document.write(''); Red News are pleased to recommend a local marketing and design company who can do anything from a few flyers and stationery to full marketing strategies and stunning photography. visit: http://www.touchmarketing.co.uk http://www.touchmarketing.co.uk - they even offer special rates for Red News readers. Red News has started selling goods in its own Shop on e.bay - spread the word! http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RedNewsShop http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RedNewsShop great original t-shirts http://www.sumosam.co.uk/ http://www.sumosam.co.uk/ --------------------------------- [29] Surely that's tapping up? --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: from the Times 'HOW special is Ronaldinho? Special enough for Roman Abramovich to turn up with a Chelsea shirt for the Brazilian and all but beg the maestro to join his empire-building at Stamford Bridge. The Russian billionaires interest in the worlds greatest player is well-established, but what was not known was the lengths to which one of the planets richest men had gone to lure him to London. The story is told by Sandro Rosell, a former vice-president of Barcelona and Nike executive, of how Abramovich came to Paris two years ago when France were hosting Brazil in a friendly match. Abramovich himself went to the Brazilians hotel and to the players room with a Chelsea jersey that had the name Ronaldinho across the back of it, Rosell writes in a new book. He wanted him to pose for a photo with it. Intelligently, Ronaldinho said no. At the same time, (Chelsea) chief executive Peter Kenyon made an offer to Barcelona that we rejected out of hand. The offer was believed to have been close to £50 million. That unworn Chelsea shirt is probably sitting at the bottom of a dusty drawer in Barcelona, but it makes a change for Ronaldinho to be given a football jersey. He has reached such exalted heights that, in recent matches against Benfica and AC Milan, opponents have rushed over to claim his shirt at the interval. He obliged Serginho at the San Siro on Tuesday and then, after coming back out for the second half, set up the only goal for Ludovic Giuly, which has given Barcelona an advantage over Milan in their Champions League semi-final. Last years comeback by Liverpool against Milan and FC Portos success in winning the 2004 final have taught us to expect the unexpected in this competition, but it will take something extraordinary to disrupt Barcelona. It is one of the great anomalies of the game that such a club have won only one European Cup, particularly when the shirt has been graced by such talents as Diego Maradona, Romário, Ronaldo and Rivaldo, but there is a sense that Frank Rijkaards team, inspired by Ronaldinho, will give their fans something worth waiting for this year in Paris. There is something fitting in the venue and not just because it was the city where Abramovich found out that money cannot buy him everything. The French capital was also Ronaldinhos home for a couple of unhappy seasons. He did win the 2002 World Cup as a Paris Saint-Germain player but his club career was notable for rows with the coaching staff and tales of nightclubbing. Provided that Barcelona do not succumb to the wiles of Andriy Shevchenko and Kaká at the Nou Camp, Ronaldinho will return to Paris not only as the worlds greatest footballer but as a man who stands on the brink of joining Pelé and Maradona in the games top tier. He will hope that Lionel Messi will be fit to join him. Forced off against Chelsea last month with a thigh injury, the forward has returned to his native Argentina to help his recovery. I rushed to get back before it was time, Messi said. By being anxious about getting back into competition and being with the team, I pushed myself a little too hard. --------------------------------- [28] Indy on the Opus - 1000 to be printed in Mandarin --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/man_united/article358730.ece http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/man_united/article358730.ece Denis Law was back on the Manchester United training ground last week. As was Lou Macari. And Paul Parker. And, bless his socks, Mickey Thomas. The occasion for this grand reunion was a photo-call of past and present players whose images - captured by the leading US sports photographer Walter Iooss - figure in what can honestly be termed a large-scale publishing project. United - the Manchester United Opus - was launched for pre-orders yesterday at Old Trafford by Sir Bobby Charlton and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but anyone rushing to buy it may be well advised to pause and consider a few pertinent statistics. Weighing 5st 7lb - 35kg - and measuring half-a-metre square, this is not so much a coffee-table book as a coffee table. And the cost? Well, let's look at the cheaper end of things first. There is a print run of 9,000 containing the signatures of both Charlton and his fellow knight Alex Ferguson which would only set you back $5,300 (£3,000). You could spend more - $7,100 (£4,050) - for one of the 1,000 versions which also include signatures from Eric Cantona and Bryan Robson. And if you are really determined, you might get your hands on the very first copy which will carry with it the autographs of 50 past and present players. There is no price on it yet, but one City collector has already put up a reserve price of £250,0000 at Sotheby's, where it will be auctioned off and the proceeds donated to the Unicef charity. The man behind this enterprise is Karl Fowler, a former director at Goldman Sachs who has set up his own management group, Kraken Sports and Media. Presumably Fowler's background in corporate investment makes him comfortable with the asking price of the Manchester United books, one that is comparatively modest to that of his first grand publishing project which marked the 50th anniversary of America's Super Bowl. The NFL Super Bowl XL Opus, as its name suggests, was timed to emerge on the day of this year's Super Bowl contest on 6 February. The first 1,000 copies retailed at $40,000 (£22,800), with a further 19,000 copies priced at a bargain basement $4,000 (£2,800). A spokesman for the company was unable to supply specific figures this week on sales, although he did comment that they had been going "remarkably well". Fowler, who is planning similarly grandiose sporting tomes on Wimbledon, Formula One, the Ryder Cup and Diego Maradona, is sanguine about the financial prospects. "We've put up a lot of initial capital, but if it sells as we hope we'll recoup it and end up in profit," he said. "Because of the channels in which we are selling the books we are not handcuffed to giving retailers 50-60 per cent of the cover price, which is a big factor." Those channels include the company website, and carefully selected outlets catering for the collectors' market. A reading room has been prepared for the venture in Harrods, where prospective buyers will be offered champagne and browsing rights. The Super Bowl book will be handled by the commercial behemoth that is NFL marketing, which involves three million credit card holders and 36 million members of the network cable station. Even so, the price is significantly greater than the obvious precursor to this venture - the multi-award-winning GOAT (Greatest of All Time) - A tribute to Muhammad Ali, a half-metre square photographic study of the career of Ali which was published two years ago by Taschen. A total of 10,000 signed copies of GOAT were printed (yes, signed; it took Ali two years) at a basic price of £2,000, and only a handful remain to be sold, according to a spokeswoman for Taschen. Those wishing to pay a bit more were invited to shell out £5,000 for a package that also included signed prints by Howard Bingham and original artwork by Jeff Koons. Eager purchasers included Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Tom Cruise and Madonna, whose own lavish offering to world of publishing, Sex, appears decidedly poky in comparison. Selfridges, one of the main British outlets, has currently sold 20 at £2,000 and 13 at £5,000, with a number of Premiership footballers said to be among the purchasers. As an investment, it is hardly straightforward. The price includes delivery, but unlike Taschen's previous mega-book Sumo - a photographic collection by Helmut Newton that was not, as the title suggests, on the subject of Japanese wrestlers, but as the author suggests, involved naked women - it does not come with its own custom-built display table. The news of Kraken's pricing policy for the Super Bowl book took even the Taschen spokeswoman aback. "Forty thousand dollars for a book? I don't think so," she said. "I would rather buy a flat for that money if I had it. And 20,000 is a large print run. Good luck to them, but it will be very difficult to sell them, particularly at that price." By design, the Super Bowl book weighs exactly one kg more than GOAT, and Fowler has already been in touch with the Guinness Book of Records to confirm its status as the heaviest sports book ever. The content is also heavyweight - 400,000 words written by leading sports writers, with a wealth of photographs and illustrations of every play of every game. Those paying top whack also get a special page with the autographs of every (living) Most Valuable Player from the 40 Super Bowls. The whole hand-stitched package is contained in a silk-bound clamshell presentation box. The Manchester United book is identically presented, and contains a selection of articles contributed by respected journalists such as Hugh McIlvanney and The Independent's own James Lawton which includes a rare interview with Charlton about his memories of the Munich air disaster. Such is the interest in the club in China that there is likely to be an additional print run of 1,000 in Mandarin. Fowler has been working on this large-scale project for two years. "I collected books, and rare books, and I was a big fan of photography," he said. "So, for me, this is not work, this is passion." Meanwhile, The Hand of God has been busy on behalf of the Maradona book, with the subject signing 5,000 autographs for the most expensive versions. So concerned was Fowler to ensure their safe arrival in London that he flew them in from Milan by private jet. No wonder the prices are stratospheric. Pricey or not, however, the projected tome on Formula One has already received 500 pre-orders. "We have had a lot of interest in these books as corporate gifts," Fowler explained. They certainly fit the bill as a grand gesture. But don't run away with the idea that these tomes are the grandest in the world. That distinction is currently held by the volume so familiar to us all - Bhutan: A Visual Odyssey Across The Last Himalayan Kingdom, which weighs in at a tad over nine stone and measures 5ft x 7ft. Now, that is not so much a coffee table as a dining table. --------------------------------- [27] Telegraph on Bobby Charlton --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ 'Memorably described by Jimmy Hill as "the most famous Englishman in the world", a 68-year-old son of a Northumberland coal miner is revered as a living god in countries where Prince Charles and Tony Blair are unheard of. On one occasion, when Sir Bobby Charlton flew to Beijing to accompany the Chinese under-18 squad on a tour of England, his arrival was watched by a TV audience of 300 million. Far more, an awe-struck government official recklessly revealed, than ever switched on for Chairman Mao's meandering sermons. We have followed him from boyhood to knighthood: his return home from the Munich air disaster, the trademark tracer-bullet goals, blinking back the tears with him as he greeted Sir Alf and Sir Matt at their moments of glory. Geoff Hurst may have scored a hat-trick against West Germany, but it was Bobby Charlton who touched the hearts of mankind. To tell him how special he is to us, however, is to reduce him to mumbling incoherence: "Oh, I don't know. . . I appreciate the sentiment. . . I was lucky I was good at the game. . . yes, it is nice to be loved by perfect strangers. . . but it's difficult, quite difficult. . . you've got to behave yourself all the time. . . funnily enough, I've never considered myself solely English - or British for that matter - I'm just a human being. I've had unbelievable benefits because I get invited places most people can only dream about." For decades, Sir Bobby has been a global ambassador for the game that brought him tragedy and triumph. "Some people use football for their own ends - power, politics, whatever - and some use it for financial reasons; but if it's used in the right way, then football is a fantastic means of communication. "I've seen pitches in places where you'd never think it was possible to play football. In Indonesia we came across a field - with all the correct lines - but with 20 palm trees scattered higgledy-piggledy about the pitch. The players had to dribble round them. Ever since, I've been taking pictures of games played in unusual surroundings. "Like an uneven patch of ground, no more than 30 yards by 10, in Rangoon with full-sized goalposts and in the shadow of this massive Buddha. In Norway there's a stadium with the stands and terraces cut out of ice; after the match there's little melted hollows where the spectators' bottoms have been. In Malaysia one time, we went on a tour into the Cameron Highlands and the bus stopped so we could take some photographs. I was looking at one particular mountain, which soared straight up into the heavens, through my binoculars when I noticed this little patch of green. Aye, on a plateau halfway up, there was a cluster of wooden houses and this full-sized football field. Magic. Just magic. "In Senegal, on the spot where six million slaves were shipped, there's a shrine covered with messages from their American descendants. It's really very, very moving. And squeezed into the middle of all this is a crazily-shaped football pitch. The two sets of goalposts are out of alignment and one of the corner flags is on the other side of a stone wall. So when you take a corner, you've got to scale this bloomin' great wall before you can rejoin the game." But let us return to Hampden Park, Glasgow, on April 19, 1958 when Sir Bobby won the first of his 106 caps. "There were 134,000 there that day and I reckon 133,999 must have been Scots. To be honest, I'd probably been picked to play for England too soon - I was only 20 - but I think, because of Munich, they felt sorry for me. Imagine me on the same team as Tom Finney? "I'd been a United reserve two months earlier. I was almost too embarrassed to go over and say 'thanks' when Tom delivered the pass for my goal. There were no England fans, so all you could hear was the silence. I can still hear the sound of the leather ball lashing against the old net. As I was running back to the centre circle I felt something tugging at my shirt. I looked round and it was the Scottish goalkeeper, Tommy Younger. 'Good goal, son', he says, 'good goal'." Forty summers on, does Sir Bobby ever weary of recalling the events of July 30, 1966, and England's historic 4-2 victory in the greatest World Cup final of them all? "Oh, no, not at all. As soon as the whistle went I said to my brother, 'You know, Jack, life for us will never be the same again.' And I was right. From that moment since, there's never been a day when it hasn't been mentioned. Kids come up to me all over the world when I'm coaching and ask [awed whisper], 'Did you play in the World Cup final'? or 'Did you score a hat-trick'? And I've got to say, 'No, that was Geoff Hurst'. "You have to remember Sir Alf had made sure we'd been cosseted well away from the public gaze, so we'd no idea how the whole of England had become gripped with World Cup fever. It was only after we won, and were driving back from Wembley through Notting Hill on the open-topped bus, that it began to dawn on us what it meant to everyone. People were hanging out from every open window." In a 1999 newspaper poll, Tony Blair was voted the person most British adults regarded as their moral and spiritual leader, ahead of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Among the 15-16 age group, however, Sir Bobby was held to be the saintliest in our midst, ahead of Prince Charles, with Blair sixth. Seven years on, the grown-ups might have changed their minds, but I suspect Sir Bobby's heroic position among the youth of today would be unchanged. --------------------------------- [26] Mirror on Ruud --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: 'RUUD Van Nistelrooy's Manchester United future was plunged into doubt last night when Real Madrid claimed they had been offered the striker for next season. As Real football director Benito Flores announced he had advised the Spanish giants to sign Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, Madrid sources alleged that Van Nistelrooy has decided to end his Old Trafford career. The Dutchman has been unhappy at being forced to play second fiddle to Louis Saha since February. And while he insists he wants to extend his stay at United, Madrid's claims will add fuel to the rumours suggesting he is set to leave. The claims about Van Nistelrooy came as the influential Flores, brought into the club in December to replace fellow Italian Arrigo Sacchi as Madrid's transfer guru, signalled an all-out assault for Gerrard in the summer, along with Inter Milan's want a way Brazilian Adriano. Flores said: "I have recommended to President Fernando Martin the highest priority is the signing of a powerful central striker, and Adriano is my choice. "We also need a midfielder of that elite class, in case Zinedine Zidane leaves. Gerrard is the player I have included in that list." Flores' public statement about Gerrard will infuriate Liverpool who have had to fend off the Madrid giants, as well as Chelsea, for the past two summers. But the Italian is new President Martin's closest advisor and his words indicate another concerted bid. That will worry England boss Sven Goran Eriksson after the midfielder admitted his Euro 2004 performances were affected by Chelsea's drawn-out pursuit. Liverpool will not be interested in selling whatever the bid - but a move for Van Nistelrooy could be successful. One insider said: "Real were told that Van Nistelrooy has analysed what has gone on over the last few months and decided it is time to leave. "Of course he is a player that interests Real, but only at the right price. The fact is that he is 30 in July and has suffered from knee injuries." --------------------------------- [25] SKY on Ruud --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: 'One player who could be heading through the United exit door is striker Ruud van Nistelrooy after reports suggested the Dutchman has a clause in his contract will allow him to move to Real Madrid. It is thought the former PSV Eindhoven goalscorer could exercise the reported clause for a fee of £17.5 million. Serie A giants Internazionale have also shown interest in the 29-year-old, who has lost favour with Ferguson in recent weeks.' Open a range of betting accounts and compare odds and get free starting bets when you sign up http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-795737-10360205 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-795737-5966119 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-795737-10295995 Have a Free £25 bet on totesport Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-795737-10351781 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news --------------------------------- [24] More Riquelme --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: "Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo have a great future, they are almost there already. And Old Trafford is one of the historic stadiums in world football." --------------------------------- [23] Cup game arrests --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: from BBC 'Ten men have been arrested in connection with violence that followed an FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Manchester United. The men, aged between 22 and 43, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in raids across Merseyside. One man was also arrested in Coventry. The arrests followed incidents in the Walton Lane area of Kirkdale. Bricks, bottles and missiles were thrown at police as they escorted fans after the match on 18 February. An ambulance carrying the seriously injured Manchester United player Alan Smith also came under attack during the violence. Five of the men came from Liverpool, two from Kirkby, one from Bootle, one from Birkenhead and one from Coventry. They were due to be questioned by officers on Thursday. Chief Inspector Jon Roy, of Merseyside Police, said: "People who take part in disorder should understand that even if they evade arrest on the day, they can expect a visit from us in the future. "Any time there is any form of disorder, we deploy tactics to make sure we can identify those responsible and bring them to justice." Police also recovered ecstasy tablets and a hydroponics system used to cultivate cannabis from one of the addresses.' --------------------------------- [22] Transfer quotes --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: Riquelme "I follow English football a lot on television. I have a clear idea of what the Premier League is like, it is very strong and United have a team crammed full of stars." Duscher "In these last few days I have been speaking with the president and the definite price is £8million. The club (Deportivo La Coruna) need money and I have no problem moving to England." --------------------------------- [21] Scholes --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006 by ed: "My aim now is for next season. It has been four months now so I'm not sure it will be completely normal but I should be OK to start playing again. I don't really know why it happened. Apparently, it is something quite rare in people my age. I was a bit worried but it has been more frustrating than anything else because, while as a footballer, you expect to pull muscles, this was something completely different. Unfortunately, it has happened to me and I just have to get on with it. I didn't ever think I had played my last game or anything like that. I was just determined to get it right and the sooner I could get back the better. As long as I'm ready for next season, I will be happy." bbc say 'The former England international has actually resumed light training at United's Carrington training ground but will not undertake contact work until after the end of the current campaign.' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For United books, videos, DVDs etc http://www.rednews.co.uk/ama.php?id=amazon ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For the very latest news check out the website: http://www.rednews.co.uk Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RED_NEWS_MUFC_NEWS/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
