January 3, 2008
Everton supporters have unofficially named their planned Kirkby stadium as New Goodison. The stadium’s capacity is rumored to be about 50,000 seats. The project, which is being run in joint venture with Tesco, would see a major rejuvenation of the area with over 400 million pounds invested.
The application includes “development opportunities” for the accessible town centre, counting an unspecified leisure system and a six-figure venture in Kirkby market. Notably, the scheme also has about ten million pounds of road development and work intended to trim down the impact of the vast improvement on surrounding areas.
In the year 2000, Everton confirmed plans for new 50,000-seat stadium that would be a part of the King’s Dock expansion in Liverpool. Many supporters at that time were found out that, of those questioned, 85% would rather depart Goodison Park for a new stadium. Being part of the bid, Everton would be arranged a “preferred bidder” standing and would add 30 million pounds for the project. Yet, the club still failed to raise the money required and were obligated to pull out the project in the year 2003.
In 2005, Liverpool announced their plan to build a stadium to replace Anfield. Everton then assembled with the city council, the Sports Minister, and representatives of Liverpool to talk about the prospect of a ground-share. The offer was however not welcomed with significant interest by either club. Liverpool then continued with the project alone.
Now that Everton has decided to go on with the stadium plans, a greater part of Everton season-ticket and shareholders voted yes to the move outside the city borders last summer. Some fans and concerned Kirkby residents, however, went up against the idea.
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January 3, 2008
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has ignored rumors that he is about to be replaced by Geordie legend Alan Shearer who has retired 18 months ago. Sam Allardyce however admits that his position at Newcastle has become unstable after the Magpies lost their third consecutive match. He, however, is undaunted and believes that he is doing his job better than ever. He still has high hopes despite mounting pressure on the team.
Pressure mounted even more through Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce as he was caught deeper into trouble when Manchester City finished their wait for a Barclays Premier League triumph at the worst possible pitfall moment for the former Bolton boss.
After a run of unacceptable fallouts this season, and after scoring only one point from a possible six from Derby and Wigan, Sam’s occupancy at Newcastle United seemed wobbly. On Boxing Day, 2007, an appeal appeared online for Chris Mort, suggesting Sam Allardyce’s being removed from his post as urged by Newcastle fans.
Allardyce has had a considerably good record during his term. When Glenn Roeder resigned from his post as Newcastle manager, he signed a contract with the club as manager on June 2007. He started as a player for the Wanderers. He also played for Coventry, Huddersfield, Sunderland, Milwall, Preston North End, Tampa Bay and West Bromwich Albion. After retiring as a player, he moved into coaching teams Preston North End and Sunderland, prior to moving on to management contract with Limerick.
Despite all the rumors and disappointing feedbacks from the fans, Allardyce remains confident with the way he is handling the team.
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January 3, 2008
Being in the relegation zone, Hearts have begun their hunt for a new manager. Vladimir Romanov has implicitly disclosed his interest in running Hearts as the Tynecastle club begins the seek-out to assign an experienced football manager who will take total control of all on-field affairs.
The conventional set-up previously favored by Romanov, majority shareholder of Hearts, wherein decisions greatly affecting the team were taken by Anatoly Korobochka, sport director, Stephen Frail, assistant head coach, and Angel Chervenkov, assistant coach and Romanov also contributing regular ideas, is to be discarded because of Heart’s disappointing performance, being in 10th place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and having lost five consecutive matches.
A Hearts spokesperson divulged that the appointment of a new manager is not to be rushed. They are taking their time in considering the best options and no approach has been made to any candidates yet.
Jim Jefferies, the present manager of Kilmarnock is said to be the number one candidate for the vacancy. The Hearts’ board of directors is apprehensive to assign a name that will settle anxious fans and have told some people that they have in mind “a manager presently with another Scottish club”.
Jefferies is also a former player whose defensive flexibility often scores against him in the attacking Hearts team in the early 70s. Jefferies has enjoyed significantly greater accomplishment as a manager compared to when he was still a football player.
In 2002, he signed to manage Kilmarnock in Scotland. He has kept the team in a reputable position in spite of the need to reduce the club’s wage bill, reaching the closing of the CIS Insurance Cup last year. Jefferies is at present the longest-serving manager of a club in the Scottish Premier League.
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January 3, 2008
Phil O’Donnell, a veteran Motherwell captain at 35 and a father to four children, collapsed due to a heart failure during a Scottish Premier League match against Dundee United seconds before he was about to be substituted. The doctors tried to treat him on the pitch but to no avail. Five minutes after, he was taken through an ambulance to the Wishaw General Hospital.
During the match, O’Donnell was about to be replaced by Marc Fitzpatrick, but he momentarily fell to the ground prior to the substitution. The players in the field and the audience were in shock during the incident. Everybody thought that he merely fainted since he was unconscious on the floor, but the people never really expected that the game was going to be his last.
In connection, Wednesday’s Old Firm match amid Celtic and Rangers has been rescheduled as tribute and respect to the death of O’Donnell last weekend. The match is the third Scottish game supposedly to be held on Wednesday.
Motherwell boss Bill Dickie confirmed the death shortly after the match. He had a difficult time explaining what had happened over the last few hours and was clearly still in a state of shock. The fans, O’Donnell’s family and the club were grieved by what has happened.
Tributes from all around the world has been given and reported through the television and the net. His death has been compared to that of Antonio Puerta earlier this season.
The funeral service will be held at South Lanarkshire on Friday noon. The Funeral Mass at St Mary’s Church, Hamilton, will be followed by incarceration in the nearby Bent Cemetery. O’Donnell’s wife, Eileen, has requested that the church service be exclusively for friends and family. Directors, management and players of Motherwell FC, representatives from other football clubs and football organizations will be welcome.
Unfortunately for the fans, given the limited number of seats in the church, they will not be able to witness the service but will be given the chance to show their respect in the cemetery. After the internment, the family and friends will be having a reception at Fir Park.
In the middle of all these, it is still worth remembering how O’Donnell has been an asset to the football world. What he made of his career is truly remarkable. His 17 years in British football tells a story of solid achievement, loyalty, and talent. He has had injuries throughout most of his career, but it has been considered as a manifestation of his hard work and determination to be a better player despite knowing that he is less gifted than the others.
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January 1, 2008
Damien Johnson, 29-year old skipper of Birmingham will be out for two weeks at the least, after having suffered from a severe fracture in his skull. He is expected to be out again by January 12 for the Arsenal match where he will be expected to wear a protective head gear.
The Northern Ireland international has been through surgery subsequent to being hit in the face during the first half the 1-1 draw with Fulham. It obviously has been a bad hit. The club and the fans were not very happy about it. Johnson is expected to be up and running again after the dilemma, although the incident might make a difference in his performance, considering how badly it has been.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish on the other hand believes that Damien will be okay after the surgery and will be ready again for the trip to Arsenal on the 12th. He is confident with the midfielder’s recovery.
Johnson is remembered to have earned his first call to the Northern Ireland national football team on May 1999, when he came on as a replacement in the 1–0 win against the Republic of Ireland. After that, his appearances as substitute was followed with one against Luxembourg, Finland, Hungary and Malta, prior to making his first full show-up versus Yugoslavia at Windsor Park, Belfast in the year 2000.
On March 2007, he made his 46th appearance for Northern Ireland in the 2-1 home European Championship Qualifying triumph against Sweden. Being a helpful player in his national team, Johnson is likewise much known with the “Green and White Army” of Northern Ireland fans for his 100% effort and commitment.
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January 1, 2008
Dundee United manager Craig Levein insists that their club is not willing to lose Barry Robson for a cheap price. Celtic has hinted their interest on Robson but was warned that unless they make a deal worth two million pounds, they determined to keep the Scotland international. According to him, Robson is a part of the team’s long term plans and it will be ridiculous for them to just sell a quality player at a low cost.
Indeed, the 29-year old midfielder has bloomed under manager Craig Levein, being predominantly efficient when moved into central midfield. He has been an asset for the team being a talented player. It was in August 2007 when Robson was given his first full international appearance when chosen for the match against South Africa, that being his debut as a second-half replacement. He was then called up for the next squad on the month of September for the double-header against France and Lithuania but was unsuccessful to make an appearance. Locally, Robson’s goal-scoring form sustained with three goals in the first five matches. This helped him keep hold of his place in the squad for games against Georgia and Ukraine.
However, some observers say that Barry Robson is 29 and he would have moved to one of the old firm long before now if he was really that good and considering his age, he may not improve much as a player. Putting him in a better team, they say, will probably help him become a better one.
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December 31, 2007
According to Gordon Strachan, it is the players who decide for their own future with the club. They are open to deals as long as their players are willing, although they also encourage them to stay if they deem it possible. If Bobo Balde decides to stay with the Celtic, then he can do so and the club will be more than supportive with his decision.
The 32-year-old signed a contract with the club until 2009. Many thought that he has played his last game with his team this season, but decided to stay before the last transfer window closed.
Balde fail to spot the start of the 06-07 season subsequent to finding out that he had to undergo surgery because of a unrelenting stomach muscle problem. He returned to the team in the month of November but suffered a broken leg during a match. The Guinea international was sent-off during the first half of the 2-2 draw against Dundee United. He was then ruled out again for several months.
Strachan doesn’t have any regrets about leave-taking Balde on the sidelines pending this week. Balde made his first appearance this season on December 26, 2007 precisely a year after his last, in a 2-0 triumph to Dundee United. His attendance aided Celtic to their first away win in roughly 15 months. He was then awarded “Man Of The Match” for his remarkable performance.
Strachan again emphasized that Balde, who is scheduled to leave for the African Nations Cup after his next two games against Gretna today and against Rangers on January 2, still holds his future in his own hands.
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December 31, 2007
Being ten points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is still confident about winning the title this season. After four goalless draws this season putting them ten points behind the leaders and nine points behind Manchester United, Benitez is still bright with assurance. The Reds boss rejects being downcast.
As the January transfer window approaches, he is ready to push into the January transfer market and spend some to overcome the “player crisis” in his club. He has not named names, but he has hinted that he will be ready to spend for noteworthy players for his club. However, unless it is not put on paper, he will still keep on trying to get the right players at the right “restricted price”. According to him, he will do whatever it takes to put things back at their right places.
Indeed, there is no doubting about his credentials. After steering Valencia to a league and UEFA Cup double matching up the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the 03-04 season has been an achievement. Under Benitez’ supervision, it was Valencia’s second La Liga title-win in three years.
Benitez is a perfectionist of some sort and is a very technical coach, which may have resulted to his having a degree in Physical Education. He uses computer technology to keep an eye on his players’ diets and physical progress. His coaching made him the man that he is today. The club is hopeful that he does even better to help out on the team’s way to the top.
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December 30, 2007
Juande Ramos was firm when he said that it is Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy who will settle on whether Dimitar Berbatov stays with the club or not. After bagging four goals during the 6-4 victory against Reading during the weekend, the Spaniard was one of the many who received accolades from the fans.
It was reported last March that the Tottenham board strained Martin Jol to pick Dimitar Berbatov for FA cup tie against Chelsea. In addition, Berbatov was strongly rumored to be a target for a move to some of Europe’s biggest clubs during the January transfer window.
Berbatov is considered to be one of the most valuable players Tottenham has in possession, so the coach obviously wants to continue to get hold of a treasure which will be to the club’s advantage. Berbatov is also said to be Man Utd boss Ferguson’s favorite, whom he has been eyeing for a long time.
There had been assumptions that Berbatov would be drawn in a big money transfer to Manchester United or Chelsea but he publicly announced that he is very happy with Tottenham. Tottenham have also stated that they have no intent of selling the gifted striker. Berbatov played the new season with information of a gap between him and ex-Spurs manager Martin Jol. Despite this, the striker has been performing really well so far.
Ramos is however determined to keeping Berbatov but the striker’s long-term career still mainly depends if Spurs would get into European championship this season or not.
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December 30, 2007
Because of the many issues linked to the Manchester United Premier League club this season, Alex Ferguson has taken the initiative to remind his players to stay out of trouble. If anyone violates his rules on club discipline again, he warned them that he will not hesitate to sell any of the biggest stars he has in his team.
Although he kept his silence on the issues about his club players, he obviously has not been happy about it. After being on the headlines because of a Christmas party dilemma which eventually ended in rape claims, the coach has become impatient with his players’ behavior. They obviously need a little whipping. Until now, Ferguson has declined to comment on the party which led to player Jonny Evans being arrested.
It was reported that the United boss solicited a fine of one million pounds for those players involved in the party. The fine has been the biggest ever given by a Premier league club for breach of discipline. Ferguson has banned conducting any parties whatsoever to avoid unwanted incidents.
The team has been doing well in their previous games although United had their most terrible start of the season under Ferguson suffering a 1-0 defeat in opposition to city rivals Manchester City. However, United improved and triumphed in their next three Premier League matches. Man Utd were victims of a shock outcome when they were defeated ar 2-0 to Championship side Coventry City in the 3rd round of the League Cup in September 2007, subsequent to Ferguson’s fielding a worn-out side which nonetheless incorporated more than a few million pounds-worth of international players such as Wes Brown, Michael Carrick, John O’Shea, Anderson and Nani.
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