--------------------------------- [35] Blomqvist still hopeful --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Of playing for Utd reserves in the coming weeks.
"I know those around me thought I would never play again but, deep down I have never given up hope." --------------------------------- [34] Quote of the weekend --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Ex Blue Michael Hughes, now playing for Wimbledon "What are city's chances of promotion? I'll have to be diplomatic after that display" --------------------------------- [33] Latest title odds --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: United 8-11 Arse 4-1 Liverpool 9-2 Leeds 5-1 --------------------------------- [32] More on France game --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: France coach Roger Lemerre: "I don't want to enter the controversy but I think this petition is like a boycott of a national team. It is very serious. It is true to say that this trip will be very long but France are ambassadors because we are the world champions. I can understand the clubs' plea but I cannot accept it. No-one has the right to take the players hostage, and in a case like that they are only instruments. The proposition of playing the game against Australia in Europe was unacceptable." --------------------------------- [31] Oh dear --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: More on the losing betting punter, from the Mirror 'Spurs fan loses £10,000 after half-time bet on win IT was a dead cert - Spurs were 3-0 up at half time and couldn't lose. Could they? One punter was so confident he bet £10,000 on Tottenham to hold on for victory against Manchester United. At odds of just 1/16, he would make just £625 profit. It seemed like easy money. But the mystery gambler watched in horror as United scored five second half goals to clinch an incredible 5-3 victory on Saturday. The Blackpool-based internet punter, who understandably does not want to be named, was left empty handed after Juan Sebastian Veron's strike had put United 4-3 ahead. Graham Sharpe, spokesman for William Hill, with whom the bet was placed, said: "It just shows that trying to buy money is a risky business." Mr Sharpe said the £10,000 was the biggest odds-on losing wager his firm had seen. He added: "I suspect this punter is now a lapsed Spurs fan. We are not naming him because he has already suffered enough." Bookies are expecting more bets on seemingly odds-on certainties when tax is abolished in betting shops from next Saturday.' --------------------------------- [30] Joke of the day --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: When agreeing on a contract at Spurs Dean Richards, insisted on them buying him a house in london, to oblige, Glenn got him a three up, five down! cheers, Crewy --------------------------------- [29] United announce latest financial figures --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: MANCHESTER UNITED PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 July 2001 2001 2000 Audited Audited 000 000 Turnover 129,569 116,005 Operating profit before amortisation of players, exceptional costs and joint venture/associates 31,680 30,073 Profit before tax 21,778 16,788 Earnings per share 5.8p 4.6p Earnings per share before player trading, exceptional costs and joint venture/associates 8.6p 8.1p Final dividend per share 1.39p 1.32p Operating Highlights: Record turnover of £129.6 million, an increase of 12% (2000 - £116.0 million) (Operating Profits before player amortisation, exceptional costs items and joint venture/associates of £31.7 million, up 5% (2000 - (£30.1 million) Gate receipts higher at £46.2 million (2000 - £36.6 million), due to expanded capacity of 67,700 (last year 58,000) and one additional home game (27 compared to 26) Sponsorship income increased to £22.5 million (2000 - £18.5 million), boosted by the agreement with Vodafone and Platinum Sponsors Exceptional costs of £2.1 million mainly relating to restructuring of the merchandising operations Other Highlights: £303 million strategic alliance with Nike from 1 August 2002 £50 million investment (gross before proceeds from disposals) to strengthen the playing squad and majority of first team squad secured on new long-term contracts Second phase of development of Carrington training complex on target to open in Spring 2002 at a cost of £7.5 million Agreement reached with Bank of Scotland and Zurich Financial to launch a new range of affinity financial services products under the MU Finance brand in conjunction with our current partners, MBNA and the Britannia Building Society Professor Sir Roland Smith, Chairman of Manchester United, said: 'These excellent figures for turnover and profitability differentiate Manchester United from most other football clubs playing in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.' CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Results and Dividend The Board of Manchester United is pleased to announce another set of excellent results for the year ended 31 July 2001 in which both turnover and profit before tax are higher than in the previous year. Twelve months ago I opened my statement to you by congratulating the team on retaining the Premier League Championship for a sixth time in eight years. I am delighted to report that last season the team once more retained the title. To win one of the highest honours in domestic football three years in succession is testimony to the commitment and motivation of the playing and coaching staff and to everyone associated with the Company. Turnover reached a record level and amounted to £129.6 million (2000 - £116.0 million). Operating profit before amortisation of players and exceptional costs was £31.7 million compared to £30.1 million last year and profit before tax increased by 30 per cent to £21.8 million (2000 - £16.8 million). Earnings per share were 5.8 pence (2000 - 4.6 pence), an increase of 26 per cent. Adjusted earnings per share (excluding player amortisation, profit on disposal of players and exceptional costs) were 8.6 pence (2000 - 8.1 pence), an increase of 6 per cent. The Board is recommending a 5.3 per cent increase in the final dividend to 1.39 pence per share (2000 - 1.32 pence per share) giving a total dividend for the year of 2.0 pence per share (2000 - 1.9 pence per share). These excellent figures for turnover and profitability differentiate Manchester United from most other football clubs playing in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Further details of the financial performance of all our operations are contained in the Financial Review on pages 5 to 9. Investment Following our elimination from the European Champions Cup at the quarter final stage for the second season in succession, the Board, in consultation with Sir Alex Ferguson and senior members of his coaching staff, decided that significant investment in the first team squad was required. The acquisitions of Juan Sebastian Veron, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Carroll for a combined sum of just over £50 million ensure that the team is able to compete at the very highest level in both European and English football. Since the year end we have transferred Jaap Stam to Lazio for £15.3 million and acquired the registration of Laurent Blanc from Inter Milan on a free transfer. In addition, we have renegotiated the playing contracts of several members of the first team squad. Whilst this will result in a significant increase in wage costs for the current financial year, these contracts secure many of our top players to Manchester United for the foreseeable future and, together with our newly acquired players, can be viewed as a significant investment for the future. In my previous report at the interim stage I referred to the fact that we had received planning permission for the second phase of work at our Carrington player training complex comprising an indoor hall with associated facilities and an all weather floodlit pitch, at a total cost of £7.5 million. The project is progressing on schedule and should be available for use by Spring 2002, providing our players at all levels with a fully integrated training facility which we believe is amongst the best in Europe. People Following the changes to the executive leadership of the business announced 12 months ago, we have decided that further strengthening of the executive team is required as we move forward in developing the business. David Gill has been appointed Group Managing Director and will be responsible for the day to day operations of the business allowing Peter Kenyon to devote more time to develop and direct the future strategy of the business. We have commenced the search for a Group Finance Director. Whilst the team, Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaching staff receive many plaudits given their achievements over recent years, the Board would also like to thank our team of people off the pitch whose efforts contribute greatly towards the smooth running of the Old Trafford stadium and the general success of the business. We would also like to thank all our loyal supporters who have ensured every home match was sold out and gave the team tremendous backing away from home. In addition, we are very appreciative of all our other customers, key commercial partners, and sponsors who have continued to support the full range of Manchester United activities throughout the year. I am delighted that we have reached agreement with Sir Alex Ferguson concerning his continuing role for the Club following his planned retirement from team management. The Board is considering an initial list of potential candidates to succeed Sir Alex as Team Manager and it is envisaged that this critical process will commence in early 2002. I became Chairman of Manchester United on 24 April 1991 in preparation for the flotation in May that year. My current service contract expires on 31 March 2002 at which point I shall retire having presided over 10 years of unprecedented success for Manchester United both on and off the field. For me it has been an exciting and satisfying experience. The Board is actively considering who will take over from me at the end of March 2002. Future Prospects and Strategy We have entered the new financial year as Premier League Champions once again, seeking to become the first team to win four English league titles in succession. In addition, I am sure Sir Alex and his players will be more determined than ever to bring the European Champions Cup back to Old Trafford in May 2002. Controlling player costs remains the most important single challenge in our business. Over the last decade we have been successful in funding increases in player costs by growing our top line revenues in excess of wage increases and we are determined to maintain that strategy in the medium term. We firmly believe that the most effective method of delivering the required top-line growth is through the formation of innovative and exciting partnerships with global companies which combine the brand strength of Manchester United and our huge fan-base with their expertise in their specialist product areas. The alliances with Nike, due to commence in August 2002, and Vodafone are two examples of such partnerships. In my previous report I referred to our intention to extend our range of financial services products offered to our fan-base. We have reached agreement with Bank of Scotland and Zurich Financial to market a range of financial services products under the MU Finance brand in conjunction with our current partners, MBNA and the Britannia Building Society. A new range of affinity lending, insurance and investment products will be introduced in late 2001 alongside our existing credit card and savings account products. We have also taken important steps to enhance the facilities available to our supporters through the Manchester United website. This has required renegotiation of our original website agreement with TWI plc. We remain ready to exploit new and existing media rights, on both our website and MUTV, as they revert back to the Clubs from the Premier League. Your Board sees many exciting and challenging opportunities for this business in the future which set us apart from most other football clubs in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. So far as the current financial year is concerned, we have completed our stadium funding and the final major infrastructure project remaining to be completed is the second phase of the Carrington training complex, but we are carrying the costs of a high quality playing squad that is intended to succeed in the Premier League and the European Champions Cup. Looking further forward, the value of other partnerships and opportunities with Nike, financial services and media activities will begin to come through in the second half of the 2002 calendar year and beyond. Professor Sir Roland Smith --------------------------------- [28] More from cuddly Pete --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "We have a huge global supporter base. Something like 40 million of our 50 million supporters are from outside the United Kingdom, but the reality is we have to continue to try and be successful." --------------------------------- [27] Kenyon on Stam --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "Jaap Stam leaving Manchester United was not a financial call. It was a footballing decision. Sir Alex Ferguson and the team discussed the situation and decided to make the move." --------------------------------- [26] Utd still hopeful over Becks deal --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Cuddly Peter: "We have been talking with David for some time and we are continuing that process with David and his advisors and are hoping to bring that to a conclusion." --------------------------------- [25] United press release --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Press Release: Dated 1st October 2001 MANCHESTER UNITED CLINCHES BIG MONEY SIGNINGS WITH THE LAUNCH OF MU FINANCE Manchester United today unveiled its plans for a new team of financial services which it hopes will help lay the foundations for the next generation of the club's sporting and commercial success. By taking out personal loans, insurance policies, mortgages, savings accounts and credit cards and seeking financial advice through MU Finance, supporters of the club will be able to take advantage of competitive financial services products - while also helping generate the income which will allow us to build on the achievements of Sir Alex Ferguson and the team. Uniquely, MU Finance products will also offer fans the opportunity to share in the success of Manchester United through an added bonus based on the performance of the team. For example, when fans invest in an already competitive MU Finance savings account an additional two months' bonus of 1 per cent will be added if Manchester United qualify for the UEFA Champions League. MU Finance is a new venture which sees the FA Premiership champions sign up with Bank of Scotland and Zurich Financial Services as it doubles its existing squad of personal finance partners. For the past four years fans have been able to invest their savings in a Britannia Building Society account and hold a Manchester United-branded credit card with MBNA Europe Bank. Launching the new partnership David Gill, Managing Director of Manchester United, said: 'We are delighted to have joined forces with such a strong team of partners and to offer our fans a range of high quality financial services products which will help them contribute to the future of the club. The money we earn from MU Finance will go toward the development of Manchester United, both on and off the pitch.' Steven Falk, Manchester Unitedís Director of Financial Services, added: 'Extending our range of financial services is an important new step for us. Crucially, we are offering our fans not only products that are competitive in their own right but ones which have a bonus element enabling them to benefit directly from the teamís achievements.' Martin Cutbill, Head of Partnerships and Affinities of Bank of Scotland said: 'Football fans know that teams must be as competitive as possible, and the same goes for financial services products. As the UKís leading partnership bank, Bank of Scotland is pleased to join forces with Manchester United to offer loans in this new venture.' Sandy Leitch, Chief Executive, Zurich Financial Services said: 'As one of world's leading players in our field, we feel a natural affinity with Manchester United. We are convinced that teaming up to give supporters a choice of protection, pension, investment and banking products, as well as face-to-face advice, will bring the club and its fans an equal measure of success.' Gerald Gregory, Sales and Marketing Director of Britannia Building Society, said: 'The success of our savings account shows the potential available to both fans and Manchester United in offering competitive financial services products, and we are very pleased to be extending our relationship with the club for a further five years.' Initially, MU Finance will offer a savings account, a credit card and personal loans, with a range of investment, mortgage and general insurance products available from January, 2002 onwards. Part of this development will involve setting up a Financial Services Centre at Old Trafford where Zurich's financial advisers will offer fans face-to-face financial advice. Customers looking for more information on the new range of MU Finance services can telephone (0161 868 8388) or apply directly for some products via the Manchester United website, Manutd.com. --------------------------------- [24] Euro round up --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Sedan 1 Lille 1 Coruna 2 Vigo 2 --------------------------------- [23] Hoddle still reflecting --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "Maybe I can look back one day and say this was a good thing for us." --------------------------------- [22] Fergie - lucky --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "It will be fantastic in years to come to look back at something like this. I'm a very lucky man." --------------------------------- [21] More from Fergie --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "In that first half we played as if we were feeling sorry for ourselves. You can either give in to that or do something about it and show your determination. They needed to rediscover what they are about. They are the best players in the country and they've got to play like it. Two things happened in the second half. We played with better width and we got a goal at the right time, straight after half-time." --------------------------------- [20] More from Hoddle --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Wonder what Eileen was thinking? "Lord help us if they start keeping clean sheets as well. They nearly did the same thing at Newcastle a few weeks back. They were 3-1 down and lost 4-3, but they could easily have scored five or six. The fact is they have been conceding a lot of goals and for a long time now but they just seem able to kick up two or three gears in the Premiership. Look at what they did to us by throwing caution to the wind. They have shown magnificent character by coming back in so many games when they have gone behind." --------------------------------- [19] More from Spurs --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Glenn Hoddle: "There is a difference between just thinking you might be able to get something out of a game and actually FEELING that you can do it. United know that feeling. They have done it many times before. Such things are about repetition. And when they got a goal back within 45 seconds of the start of the second half, they got that feeling. It was the crux of the whole game." --------------------------------- [16] Spurs still shocked --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Dean Richards: "We were left in a state of disbelief at the end. To be three up at half-time and lose 5-3 is criminal, really. We've got to learn from the mistakes we made. Even when they got a goal back, we should have been telling ourselves we were still two goals ahead. But they are world-class, and they just came to life. They attacked and attacked. If you give them a chance they will grasp it and go for the jugular, which is what they did. I think we deserve to be criticised a bit for letting them back into it, but they also need to be congratulated for the way they played." And I just like the thought of the half-time scenes in the home end as they acted like it was winning the World Cup Final time. And then cue the same spot a half later. Joy. --------------------------------- [15] So that's where he is --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Andy Goram, who made his debut for Coventry at the weekend. "I'm not too fat to be number one. People have got this idea that I'm fat and can't move quickly enough any more. I find that strange. Magnus is the number one at the moment and that's fine by me, but I'm not going to just sit on my butt all season - I want to play. "I'm on a month-to-month contract at the moment but I'm enjoying it at Coventry and would like a run of one, or maybe two years here." --------------------------------- [14] Becks happy --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "We didn't start as well as we could have. Maybe we were a bit tired from the Champions League the other night because that was a hard, physical game. But at half-time the manager was quite relaxed, believe it or not. He said that if we got a goal we could take it from there. He didn't really change things although he felt we should play it up to the front players quicker. Once we got the first goal we knew we could take it on because we've come from behind many times before." --------------------------------- [13] More from Ruud --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "I've never played in a game like it before but I hope there will be more in the future. At half-time we expected the manager to be screaming and upset but he was not. He just talked calmly about what we needed to put right in the second half. One of the great qualities of this team is that we never know when we are beaten. We scored our first goal and you could see Spurs thinking: 'Oh my God, what's going to happen?' When it got to 3-2 in the second half we knew we would win. We will always create chances and play in an attacking style. But that's one thing I've discovered about the Premiership - every game is an absolute thriller." --------------------------------- [12] Cheeky --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Secretary of the French FA, Gerard Enault: "Should the English clubs continue to pressure us we will consider a second game in Australia." --------------------------------- [11] Nothing new there then --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Wor Kev on the 4-0 defeat. "I thought we had 11 players under-perform - as simple as that." --------------------------------- [10] Great quote --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: A Utd fan at the ground on Sat is rung by a Bitter mate of his. The Blue wails as he contemplates what turned out to be a 4-0 defeat by Wimbledon. "At least you're getting stuffed" he told the Red. "Er, no, we've just ******* equalised". Cheer up Kevin Keegan. --------------------------------- [9] More from Hoddle --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "What we know with United is that they've got a clinical finishing ability and don't stop playing. You saw that against Newcastle when they were 3-1 down there and came back to 4-3 before they lost it. I think it was lucky for Deportivo that they scored two late goals against them on Tuesday or else United would probably have done something similar to them. It was not a case of us sitting back when we were three-up. You can change things from the bench but the difficulty is getting the lads to see it. We needed to create some more but what happened was that we just defended too deep in the second half because we couldn't get any pressure on the ball like we did in the first half. It is tempting to say that the way United played in the second half would have overwhelmed almost any side, but I can't hide behind that." --------------------------------- [8] Fergie post match comments in full --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "In the first half they (United) played as though they were feeling sorry for themselves after the disappointment of losing in Spain on Tuesday and the heavy press criticism we've had for that result. You can either do something about it by determination or you can give into it. I'm not saying exactly what I said to them at half time. Why am I always asked that? But the essence of it was to stop feeling sorry for themselves. These are the best players in the country and they should play like that. It is what I expect, but sometimes we've played like it was a practice-match - saying 'you score, and we'll score'. Once the first goal went in for us, though I thought our football was fantastic. You need a bit of luck when you are behind like that and the goal right after half time was key to it. It also brought a little order to the game. We had done all right up to a point in the first half but there was just no end product. Let's face it, they (Spurs) had three strikes and were ! three-up. But they deserved it. They got stuck in and made it difficult for us." --------------------------------- [7] O'Leary tries to compare us with THEM! --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "I don't think there is anybody in the country that is playing well. No-one can say deep down that they are - Manchester United had a brilliant spell at Tottenham in the second half, that was wonderful, and Arsenal got a result yesterday. We know we can play better and all we are trying to do is to be there or thereabouts when things are decided in April and May." --------------------------------- [6] England squad for Greece game --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Teddy gets a recall to cheer him up after Saturday... Seaman (Arsenal), Martyn (Leeds), Wright (Arsenal); G Neville (Man Utd), P Neville (Man Utd), Ferdinand (Leeds), Mills (Leeds), Southgate (Middlesbrough), Ehiogu (Middlesbrough), Carragher (Liverpool), Keown (Arsenal), Ashley Cole (Arsenal); Beckham (Man Utd), Scholes (Man Utd), Gerrard (Liverpool), Barmby (Liverpool), McManaman (Real Madrid), Murphy (Liverpool), Sinclair (West Ham); Fowler (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Andy Cole (Man Utd), Sheringham (Tottenham). --------------------------------- [5] Paddy Crerand on Saturday --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "We should never underestimate this Manchester United side: --------------------------------- [4] United's compensation cheques for fans --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: with tickets for the postponed Olympiakos game should have received their £150 by the end of today. --------------------------------- [3] A game of two halves --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: Obviously - but how about the Utd fans at half-time at White Hart Lane compared to our future selves at full-time, slightly different set of opinions! Time and time again you wonder how many more times we can achieve such unbelievable moments with this Utd side of Fergie's. The list is endless - from Juve to Liverpool in the Cup, we have reached a stage shown on Saturday where the team truly never feels defeated. Think about it. 3-0 down. And we won 5-3. Let it always continue, for surely only United can do this over and over again. After we'd all left WHL and began to celebrate when we'd finally got out of the War Zone that was the SS Road after the game you just could not stop thinking. When we're good, we're good and the times are great...but when we're great. Well, nothing on earth and all that. Last season we moaned about the lack of high excitement games and enjoyable matches - well already we've had 3 cracking, exceptional matches. A fitting finale indeed. --------------------------------- [2] Ruud - meets Bobby Charlton --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "After the game Bobby Charlton came up to me and said 'now you'll know what this club is all about" --------------------------------- [1] Fergie on what the third goal did to Spurs --------------------------------- Posted Monday, October 1, 2001 by bar-knee: "They'd gone by the third goal...we were magnificent"
