---------------------------------
[22] Talksport - Safe Standing Debate
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by redend:
These are the numbers for joining the Safe Standing debate on TalkSport tomorrow night:
08704 20 20 20
08700 40 50 60
+44 207 959 7800
Or visit the website at (link:http://www.talksport.net) www.talksport.net and email
the show.
(link:http://www.safestanding.com) www.safestanding.com will be sending out more info
tomorrow.
---------------------------------
[21] If you all hate Scousers....
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by redend:
This article in The Guardian is going to kick up a stink. It shouldn't be confused
with being unsympathetic towards the victims of a horrific crime - although that is
DEFINITELY what will happen - and once again obscure the arguments & causes.
A brave piece of journalism on yet another subject that is not allowed to be
discussed?
You be the judge:
(link:http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,5673,512636,00.html)
http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,5673,512636,00.html
Here's a couple of paragraphs from the article:
If Denise (Bulger) had been born in Manchester, she wouldn't have spent 10 minutes,
never mind eight years in this soul-sapping limbo. The idea that she is a "fighter"
who has sacrificed her own peace of mind for a great and noble calling is a classic
piece of Scouse self-delusion. Scousers' propensity to linger over every misfortune
until another comes to replace it makes them uniquely suited to the demands of the
Bulger mourning marathon. While other cities might have faltered and found something
else to distract them, Liverpool's talent for nursing resentments ensured that it
would feel, eight years on, just as enraged about Bulger's murder as it was the first
moment it heard.
The speed with which the place erupted into fury last week is a tribute to Scousers'
dogged refusal to put something down when it looks like it might still bear fruit. As
long as there's still a drop of righteous indignation to be squeezed from this
unfortunate affair, people such as the radio DJ who broke down on hearing the news
that Thompson and Venables were to be freed will be on hand to mop it up. He will do
this because he is part of a community that excels in finding ways of feeling good
about itself that don't involve any real effort. Being the perennial victims of a pair
of notorious murderers is a much easier route to the moral superiority that every
Scouser sees as their birthright than the more irksome alternative - actually doing
something good.
---------------------------------
[20] Kenyon - Hey Big Spender.....
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by redend:
.....on shareholders dividends?
>From the MEN:
"There is no mad panic at Old Trafford. We are continuing to look to strengthen the
squad. We are working through our list pretty well.
[That's the problem - you're not supposed to be "working through the list" - you're
supposed to stop at the top and buy the one's the most successful manager in history
has put there.]
"We, the manager, me and the rest of the people involved, are confident we will
achieve what we set out to do in a bid to strengthen the team. We are working on the
actual issues and not the speculative ones. We are happy that we are in control of
the process. We're not concerned about anything and we don't react to headlines. We
are just busily going about our business to make sure we have got the right squad for
when we start the season.
"We are confident that the ones we are going for are the right ones for us and it is
not just about bringing new names in. It is about the whole balance and getting the
ones who are actually going to improve the team. We think we are in pretty good shape
as it is and this is the odd tweak."
[The odd tweak? Methinks you are not "shopping at Harrods" either then.]
"I think we are on track. It is not a quantity list we are working on it is a quality
list."
"We're still more than confident that top class players want to come and join
Manchester United. We are still a team players want to come to. We are not concerned
about players thinking otherwise and our supporters shouldn't be concerned either.
"We will continue to prove that we can, and do, attract the best be it a Nistelrooy,
a Stam or a Barthez. The players we have targeted in the past join Manchester United
and are keen to be part of it. As for spending you mustn't forget, even though it
seems ages ago since we did it, that we got Ruud van Nistelrooy for £19m when it was
the right time and the opportunity was right.
"We'll do the same with the rest of the players we want to bring in. We have
demonstrated that when we need to we'll spend money. We have done it previously and
we'll do it again."
[No matter how you dress it up the budget has been inadequate to compete with the
other top European teams since we won the Treble. You've got to invest OUR money EVERY
year if you want to compete - bad news for dividends - but that's the way it is.]
---------------------------------
[19] Gary Nev coughs up for Bury
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
>From (link:http://www.Teamtalk.com) www.Teamtalk.com
Manchester United star Gary Neville is ready to dip into his own pocket to help out
financially-struggling hometown club Bury. Cash-strapped Bury have launched the Save
Our Shakers appeal in a bid to raise much-needed funds to stave off mounting debts.
The club, currently in takeover talks with Turkish businessman Alex Tarsus, have been
in financial limbo since their majority shareholder, stockbroker Hugh Eaves, was
implicated in a City scandal a year ago. Chairman Terry Robinson has admitted that
the financial constraints are making life hard at Gigg Lane. He said: "The ongoing
difficulties surrounding the sale of shares make planning for next season rather
difficult and speculative."
However, United and England defender Neville has offered to stage his soccer schools
in Bury this summer and is set to donate all profits from the scheme. He said: "I'm
delighted to stage one of my soccer schools in my home town and I'm equally delighted
to help Bury's appeal."
---------------------------------
[18] More on the Nike deal
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
>From Shareholders United
(link:http://www.shareholdersunited.org) www.shareholdersunited.org
Nike are to get exclusive sponsorship, licensing and merchandising rights, but United
retain control over the brand and how it is used (for example, the product range).
All Manchester United's current merchandising activities will be transferred to a
business run by Nike (but with United representatives on the board). This reduces
costs and management time.
Under the contract, United will receive £20.8m per year from Nike (rising to £25.4m in
later years). This replaces the profit made on merchandise sales, which have been
somewhat disappointing recently, and the royalties from current kit manufacturers
Umbro, which will cease.
On United's side of the deal, the club must stay in the Premiership, and most
significantly, achieve a European competition place every season, if these sums are
not to be reduced. If profits exceed a certain target, the club receives a half share
of additional profits too.
This is Nike's single biggest merchandising deal, and one sure to receive a lot of
attention. From a commercial perspective it offers United the chance to boost the
merchandising revenue internationally with very little risk.
---------------------------------
[17] Karl on Away ticket allocations
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
(link:http://www.shareholdersunited.org) www.shareholdersunited.org
SU: I suggested that the away tickets which end up on the black market are often from
executive and box holders, especially for less popular matches.
KE: "Absolutely. That's why we've narrowed down their allocation. They complain that
they pay for eight seats a home game, and we narrow them down to one or two tickets
for an away game. We have evidence from the past, when they got more than two they
got into the wrong hands.
It's a tricky area, away games, and it's made harder by our fans' behaviour in
standing up. I believe that Sunderland have already put it on their website that
we're only getting 1,000 tickets."
You know why they do it? I asked. "Because they can sell them to their own fans," he
replied. I expressed a personal opinion that United were just rolling over and dying
in accepting low away ticket allocations.
"That doesn't come under me," Evans replied. "I wouldn't necessarily disagree with
that, but that is with the powers that be."
---------------------------------
[16] Karl on future developments
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
(link:http://www.shareholdersunited.org) www.shareholdersunited.org
SU: Looking ahead, had he any plans to computerise the ticketing system further?
KE:"We have looked at smart card access to the stadium, which would replace the season
ticket. It seems to work at Ibrox with the flow of 38,000 people. Obviously there
would be a capital outlay, so we're just thinking about it at present. Another thing
I've asked our IT department to look into is electronic balloting for away matches,
although we'd probably only put three quarters of the tickets on this system. The
theory is that you ring up and register an interest in going to Sunderland, then you
phone back within a week to see whether you've been successful. It's just
convenience, then we could get rid of those damn awful token-sheets that I hate. Again
it won't be next season."
---------------------------------
[15] Exerts from Shareholders Utd interview with Karl Evans
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
(link:http://www.shareholdersunited.org) www.shareholdersunited.org
Of ticket office fame
SU: Did he see touting as a big problem?
KE: "Absolutely, and as a fan nothing annoys me more. But I get letters from people
saying they paid £200 for a ticket for the West Ham cup game, claiming they couldn't
get a ticket any other way, when in fact the match went on open sale. I think: 'Well,
if you were such a fan, then you would know they went on general sale.' You've got to
cut them out of the equation, they're not real fans."
SU: Yet the demand for overpriced packages seems to be there? I suggested.
KE: "Well the demand for tickets for Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds is there. But
11 matches this season have gone on general sale. So the demand is increasing for the
big games and diminishing for the smaller ones." I pointed out that when I spoke to
people on these trips about the horrendous prices they've paid, they say: "Well you
can't get tickets any other way." None of them had ever heard about the Membership
Scheme, which allows you to apply for tickets for every game.
---------------------------------
[14] And talking of the editor of this esteemed organ
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
I hope Barney gets to read this in Greece, cos it will cheer him up no end (as apposed
to getting no end up, if you see what I mean). Just don't use any of the below as a
chat up line Barney!
>From the Indy on Sunday:
Fancy a snog? If so your chances are getting better all the time, according to market
analysts who have tried to work out the mathematical likelihood of getting off with a
stranger in a nightclub on any given night.
Consumer confidence in the ability to "pull" is one of the driving factors in the
clubbing industry's success, says a report for the bank HSBC. The more you fancy your
chances, apparently, the more you are likely to go out on the town and spend.
The good news for lonely hearts is that "as the number of single people in the UK
increases, so does the number of people who want to go out and meet people and
potentially find a partner, which is to say that the 'marginal propensity to pull' is
greater than 0."
The calculations are complicated by the fact that some married people want to pull and
some singles have no interest, so the closest the analysts can come to a conclusion is
that if the number of single people in the country goes up by 10 per cent then the
propensity to pull will rise, "but probably by less than 10 per cent".
Fewer people go to nightclubs now than they did five years ago, and they spend less
per head. The report suggests clubs and bars will make money if they provide safe,
stimulating places for people to meet each other and flirt.
---------------------------------
[13] The Safe Standing campaign is taking off
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
Talk Sport ran a debate (a very pro standing one too) on Safe Standing last Friday -
due to the success and interest, they are devoting more time to the issue this coming
Wednesday (27th June, 7:00PM - 10:00PM - Kevin Day and Mark Webster) Medium Wave 1053
& 1089 or live broadcast on the web www.talksport.net
And don't forget a Red News plug if you can slip it in (as Barney is hoping to do in
Greece as you read this)
---------------------------------
[12] Yorkie scores again...
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
....in a friendly against Bermuda on Sunday.
---------------------------------
[11] Wes on Ingerlund
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
"Something special is happening with the England team. A lot of younger players have
got involved now and the spirit's great, everyone's just connecting at the right
time," he said.
"Sven's brought a lot of new faces in and you look at the team and everyone's playing
out of their skin for him."
---------------------------------
[10] Wes on the ABU's
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
"It's got to the point with United where people are expecting something every year,".
"I mean we won the league by so many points, but still people were always trying to
put us down saying 'well they've done that but where are they in the Champions'
League, where are they in the FA Cup'."
---------------------------------
[9] Wes: Nice to be trusted
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
"It was great that the gaffer had confidence putting me in. It's always hard coming
back from injury and getting fit again so when the manager does put trust in you once
you've come back, it gives you a great boost.
"That's the most games I've ever played in a season so that was great, but now I've
really just got to concentrate on staying at that top level at all times. Sometimes
last season I lacked a bit of concentration in games when you can't really afford to
do that.
"It was hard at first when I came back in, everything was fine midway through the
season, but then near the end I got a little bit tired again."
---------------------------------
[8] Wes: Great achievement
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
"I'm a lot more experienced after last season and that helps, but at the same time
I've got to work on my game and try to get better. There are still a lot of things I
can improve on, I can tighten up mentally and not get as tired later on in the season.
"I played nearly 40 games last season for United and I think that is a great
achievement for myself especially coming back after my injury.
---------------------------------
[7] Wes: I play for the best
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
"I'm playing for the best two managers in the world at the moment,"
said Wes, who is expected to sign a new contract with United sometime
in the next month that will tie him to the club for at least another
five years and net him around £1.5m a year.
"The gaffer's (Sir Alex Ferguson) been No 1 for a long time. He's a brilliant
manager, while Sven has come in and really brought the lads together.
"Sven is a great person and coach. If you ask anyone who knows him, they'll say he is
very quiet but strict if he has to be.
"He's got a very good football brain and that's been seen in the results England have
had. I can only get better playing for those two. They give you a lot of confidence
and always try to get the best out of you.
---------------------------------
[6] Giggsy testimonial latest
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
>From the official site
Tickets for the Ryan Giggs testimonial match against Celtic are "flying out of Old
Trafford - so move fast to get yours!"
Seats are being sold to Season Ticket and LMTB Holders, either at the ground or on
0161 868 8010.
Postal applications from members are being accepted, but will only be processed after
sales to Season Ticket Holders have been completed. A further announcement regarding
availability will be made after 5pm on Friday 29 June.
---------------------------------
[5] We can all dream!
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
>From the official site (that'll be www.manutd.com)
Worthington are running a fans' five-a-side competition to run alongside their
sponsorship of the League Cup, and they're looking for three teams of Reds to take
part.
The Worthington Fives is the first competition to give supporters the chance to pull
on their club colours in a national five-a-side event.
Entry is free and the Worthington Fives Final will be played on the pitch before the
Worthington Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on 24 February. The
Worthington Fives winners will even go into Europe by scooping an all-expenses trip to
a top European game.
"The Worthington Fives offers fans, who'd normally just be cheering their team on from
the terraces, the chance to actually play for the side they support," said the former
England and Watford Manager Graham Taylor, who will be commentating on senior
Worthington Cup matches this season.
"You never know, the competition may unearth a fan who could go on and represent the
club at a higher level." ( I doubt it will be at football though!)
Preliminary rounds for the Worthington Fives begin at the end of July. These events
will be held regionally, and give three teams of fans from each of 92 Premiership and
Football League clubs the chance to play-off and win the right to be their
club’s sole representative in the tournament, going through to the Worthington
Fives first round in August.
Fans can enter now by calling 0800 731 4841; emailing [EMAIL PROTECTED] or
writing to: FREEPOST, Worthington Fives (GI2074), Woking, Surrey GU24 9BR. All entries
must be in by 6 July.
The Worthington Fives will be played at Powerleague Soccer Centres across the country
on weekends prior to corresponding Worthington Cup rounds.
---------------------------------
[4] Eric wakes up the FIFA Fat Cats
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
Long enough to have a go at his charlie comments, before going back to the serious
business of lining their own pockets, sorry promoting the worlds greatest game.
Per Ravn Omdal, president of the Norwegian football federation (NFF), believes he
should have condemned all drug use unreservedly.
"It is a completely meaningless statement," he told Norwegian news agency NTB.
"People who are as famous and as popular as Cantona must show some responsibility.
This is a stupid thing to say.
"We distance ourselves from every kind of narcotic substance, and are working on a
global scale to fight drug abuse.
"This substance is on both Fifa's and the IOC's list of banned substances. We don't
want this kind of development."
[Shut it you nonce.]
---------------------------------
[3] Jordi a Yonner target?
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
Apparently Allardyce wants Jordi on a Bosman. Alaves want 2.5 mill after paying us 1.5
for him to Barca.
---------------------------------
[2] Vieira / Petit latest
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
As we reported here on RED NEWS yesterday (story [9])- and now confirmed by Le
Parisien - usually a reliable source for transfer news:
"A premature announcement of an agreement with Petit and Barcelona has been made by
Chelsea director, Colin Hutchinson. Emmanuel Petit has firmly denied that the deal is
done..."
Alex Ferguson wants to associate Emmanuel Petit with his friend Patrick Vieira, who is
firmly decided to leave Arsenal to join the Red Devils ...."
Make of that what you will. He may well end up at the Rent Boys but the deal is not
yet sealed.
---------------------------------
[1] Mackems show the way
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 by tb:
With interest free ST loans. Hardly rocket science is it Messr's Kenyon & Gill?
Chairman Bob Murray:
"Having already rewarded all of our season ticket holders with a price reduction for
the forthcoming season and introduced new lower priced ticket categories for all young
people aged up to 22 years, we are determined to deliver the Stadium of Light as the
most affordable and accessible in the Premiership.
"It is vital that we continue to expand and develop the club and our season ticket
base is key to this. We are well aware that not all supporters can easily afford to
pay for a season ticket all at once and have been working hard to secure an attractive
payment plan.
"We have designed this scheme to appeal to those supporters who otherwise would be
unable to buy a season ticket. We want to enable as many fans as possible to join us
on match days whatever their personal circumstances and continue to grow the club at
great pace so we can pursue stadium expansion.
"Our policy of affordable and accessible football is admired and recognised nationally
and in line with this we will still continue to hold back some tickets for match to
match sales."
