November 09, 2003 The Times. Prufrock: United ... and a night of culture Edited by Louise Armitstead
THE Manchester United boardroom provided more fun and entertainment late on Tuesday night than anything that had happened on the Old Trafford pitch earlier. United had just beaten an insipid Rangers team, but as Prufrock slipped into the comfort of the executive bar after the final whistle, the mundane Champions League match was banished from memory. First, Rio Ferdinand strode in. Not far behind was Sir Bobby Charlton, the United and England legend. Goodness knows what he thinks of Ferdinand�s failure to take a drugs test. In fact, his expression spoke as loudly as one of his trademark pile-drivers that once burst nets back in the 1960s. But the business world outnumbered the footballers. There was the retail guru Philip Green supping quietly. It�s unlikely he struggled to find the bus fare for the trip north, having just paid himself �201m. Sir Richard Greenbury, the former Marks & Spencer chairman, was there, chatting discreetly to Roland Rudd, James Murdoch�s new spin doctor, David Gill, Man U�s new chief executive, and Martin Edwards, the club�s president. Behind that gathering was Tessa Jowell, the diminutive culture and sports secretary, ably assisted by advisers. Maybe one of them could replace the outgoing club communications chief Paddy Harveson. With Labour looking shaky and United pressing ahead on several footy fronts, spinning for the Red Devils looks like a better bet than the Red Rose party. And Labour�s favourite broadcaster was also in evidence. Jeff Randall, the BBC business editor, was working away on his expos� of football finances. He was joined by the Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler. No, we don�t know why he was there either. _________________________________________________________________ Is your computer infected with a virus? Find out with a FREE computer virus scan from McAfee. Take the FreeScan now! http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/GtUolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Please use [EMAIL PROTECTED] for general discussion. To unsubscribe send a blank message (from the email account in question) to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Join as a full member of IMUSA today: http://www.imusa.org/join.htm Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
