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--------------------------------- [36] More on apparent Robinson bid --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Ridsdale said: "It does not matter who comes in for him or how much money they offer us, we are not going to sell the best young goalkeeper in Britain." [Yes OK - but what about Paul Robinson though? As we all know the "best young goalkeeper in Britain" is not for sale because he's at maine rd. BWOO HAHAHA HAAAAAA - on the bench? - BWOO HAHAHA HAAAAAA ] --------------------------------- [35] Beckham letter writer in court --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: >From Ananova 'A woman who stole letters from the flat of David and Victoria Beckham has been sent to crown court to be sentenced. Chinyelu Mary Obue hired a taxi to take her 230 miles from her home in Scotland to the Beckhams' home in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Last month the 37-year-old from Edinburgh admitted theft and deception while a further charge of burglary was dropped. District Judge Phillip Dodd, sitting at Macclesfield Magistrates Court, sent her to crown court for sentencing. Referring to medical reports he said: "The doctors agree you are ill and the best place for you is a hospital. "They also agree there must be certain restrictions on your liberty in that your shouldn't be allowed to discharge yourself unless someone agrees it is in your interest and in the public interest. "This court cannot impose these restrictions and the crown court can." In July Obue told a taxi driver to take her to Cheshire, claiming a friend would pay the £300 fare. Once in Alderley Edge, she walked into the communal hallway of the England captain's mansion block home and took a dozen letters. Obue, whose address was given as Macclesfield General Hospital, will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on January 2.' --------------------------------- [34] Christmas comes but once a year --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: To the outside world but here in the happy f**king dimension that is Red News we celebrate it every year, with a cold naked shower in the Atlantic Ocean and then brandy morning, noon and night - goose for dinner, crab for tea and a visit to the STD clinic first thing. Whatever, you can help the RN cause by buying Xmas presents via our Blackstar and Amazon links to the right, taking out a 10 issue UK sub to Red News (costs just £16.50) we can deliver our new issue for Xmas Eve (the issue with the wrong date on the cover - have we mentioned this?) or the new issue itself, just £2.50 including p&p in the UK. --------------------------------- [33] Not just idle Barthez speculation --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: We first heard about this, this morning from a very good source and wanted to check it out. Seems United are interested in Leeds goalie Paul Robinson, and have been sniffing around with £8m in the pocket. It does seem to suggest even if just early enquiries - forgetting the recent Barthez mishaps - that as has been said before, Fabien might be looking for a move this summer. Ridsdale: "Paul Robinson is not for sale - it's as simple as that. It does not matter who comes in for him or how much money they offer us, we are not going to sell the best young goalkeeper in Britain.He is always going to be a Leeds United player. He is very much part of our plans and it would certainly send out the wrong signals if we decided to let him go. It's difficult to keep him satisfied. He wants first team football, but I spoke to him only a few weeks ago and I told him that his time would come here at Leeds. We are not in the business of selling our best players. We had two enquiries about players recently and politely refused both of them." --------------------------------- [32] HOW MUCH! --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Nantes away ticket details NANTES AWAY TRIPS Nantes (Away) 20 February 2002, 19:45 We are to receive an allocation of approximately 3,000 match tickets at an equivalent price of £30 each for our next away game in the competition versus FC Nantes, to be played on Wednesday 20 February. These are being offered to all club members who either wish to make their own travel arrangements or who wish to travel on one of the club's travel packages. Application forms for match tickets only and club travel will be available upon request from the Membership Office from 9:00 Saturday 1 December and applicants will have until 17:00 Friday 11 January to return their application. If making an application Season Ticket and League Match Ticket Book holders are requested to produce voucher 71 duly completed. If oversubscribed priority will be given to members who have purchased a ticket from the club or travelled with the club for any of the previous away games in the competition so far this season. It should be noted that if applying for a match ticket only and demand exceeds the ticket allocation received, a ballot will take place in order to determine the successful applicants. If applying for match tickets only it should also be noted that you should provide the following information on the official booking form: - 1. The names of those members wishing to purchase a ticket together with their membership and passport numbers. 2. Details of your travel arrangements or proposed travel arrangements, which should include date of departure, return date and name of accommodation if applicable. The club will have the following travel packages available:- OPTION 1 : Day Trip from Manchester, price £210 plus £30 match ticket; OPTION 2: Coach Trips (2 types); Both departing Old Trafford with pick-up points en-route to Dover: Type A Coach Flyer - £85 plus £30 match ticket; Type B Coach Trip with overnight stay - £125 (based on 2 people sharing) plus £30 match ticket. In addition and subject to demand the club are to arrange a 2 day VIP trip from Manchester. The price has yet to be confirmed but will include one night's accommodation at a first class hotel in Nantes city-centre. It should be noted that all these packages are available to all club members. For further information on club travel, please telephone the Membership Office during normal office hours on either 0161 868 8462 or 0161 868 8464, whilst information regarding match ticket only applications can be obtained by telephoning either 0161 868 8455 or 0161 868 8467 again during normal office hours. Information regarding match ticket availability and club travel arrangements for our away game versus Boavista to be played on Tuesday 19 March will be announced via all our usual channels as soon as we have been advised the ticket allocation we are to receive for this game. For information regarding ticket availability for the home games in the competition can be obtained by telephoning the 24 hour Ticket & Match Information Line on 0870 757 1968. --------------------------------- [31] Oh and another thing --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: What with the wrong date on this new issue on Sat (IT IS THE DECEMBER ISSUE) we're not doing too well today. For Fulham you also have to say whether you mind standing or not. --------------------------------- [30] Story 26 - Fulham away tickets --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: deadline is Wednesday. --------------------------------- [29] Weird and silly stories --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: by gary The good old Sun, page 3 That's My Boing Proud Beckham takes Brooklyn for lessons on gym trampoline Brroklyn Beckham is a high flier just like his dad - after having trampolining lessons. Proud David, 26, takes his boy for sessions at the gym. Becks and Victoria, 27, look on as the two-year-old leaps around - and then have a go themselves. This story is so sad I can't even bring myself to type any more about it - suffice to say there is a really cheesy quote from the gym owner - "I panicked when David was on the trampoline. I feared he'd fall and injure a leg. I didn't want England's future on my shoulders." Errr, yeah... right(!) The Sun page 15 carries the story of a Manchester PR company director who stripped down "to French knickers and stockings to play a lap-dancer in a company video". Apparently it is a promotional video that the company will send to existing and potential clients and is a seven minute long spoof telling the story of "the fall of Manchester United - whose manager visits a lap-dance bar to cheer himself up." I wonder if they'll be sending a copy to Our Martin for Christmas? --------------------------------- [28] That Korean Becks story in full --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: The Sun (who else?) page 75.... Riot Police rehearse by chanting "David Beckham" Korean police sang David Beckham's name as they staged mock riots to prepare for World Cup hooligans. Cops held one of the drills at Suwon Stadium near the South Korean capital of Seoul with more than 100 officers pretending to be troublemakers. The law enforcers are clearly expecting trouble from English fans as they clapped and chanted "David Beckham" as well as "Come on England" and "Hooligans". --------------------------------- [27] Let's get it on --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Juve game is at 3pm today after TV pressure, expecting about 1,000 fans. Good to see they've been looked after as ever. --------------------------------- [26] Fulham Away ticket details --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Fulham (Away) Sunday 30 December, 14:00 (Please note this fixture has been rearranged from Saturday 29 December). We have received an allocation of approximately 1,600 tickets, 1,000 of which are reserved seats priced £22 adults, £16 over 65's and £10 under 16's and 600 uncovered standing tickets priced £18 adults, £13 over 65's and £8 under 16's. Postal applications only are now being accepted from Season Ticket Holders only, enclosing voucher 30 (duly completed), relevant payment, sae and the following 3 match vouchers properly affixed to this seasons official voucher sheet (2001/2002): 31 (Lille OSC) 32 (Deportivo) 33 (Olympiakos). (RN comment - doesn't have deadline so we advise get your application in NOW!). --------------------------------- [25] David Gill denies Veron clause too --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Big guns have come out to deny this one... "There is no chance of a get-out clause in there. It is a straightforward contract as per any player we sign. There is no get-out clause. When we are buying a player we want to secure them for the length of their contract and we are not interested in putting get-out clauses in contracts." --------------------------------- [24] Stam will know result of 2nd dope test today --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: "I am praying the second test will prove my innocence, but I'm not holding out much hope. After all, I failed the first test even though I know I have not taken any banned substances, so why not the second? In the ideal world this madness would be over in days but, for my own sanity, I have to be more realistic. I am still living in a nightmarish limbo at the moment following my positive nandrolone test, although I hope to learn more about my fate within a week. The Italian Olympic Committee is due to undertake a counter analysis of my original sample — basically a re-test of their first results — and I should know the results next week. All I can do at this stage is keep myself fit and ready to return to the team at any time. The experience of players like de Boer and Davids has shown the authorities can decide to lift or reduce suspensions at any time." --------------------------------- [23] Oh dear --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: The SUN reports that Korean police are training on how to cope with hooligans by getting pretend mobs to chant 'One David Beckham' at them... --------------------------------- [22] Suits you sir --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Gianluca Vialli: "When United are at their best, I am close to orgasm. It is a true wonder. They have a super-technical midfield with Beckham, Giggs and Scholes working their socks off. Only in Italy do we have the myth of the No10 shirt not wasting energy trying to defend." --------------------------------- [21] More Sammy Mac on Carroll/Barthez --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: "Roy's temperament is right for the big stage, his skill has never been in doubt. All he has ever needed is the chance to express himself — and the biggest club in the world has given him that. I'm absolutely certain if Alex picks Roy he will not be disappointed. Nothing fazes Roy. I can remember when I gave him his full international debut, he was Mr Cool, totally focused. Barthez made at least four outstanding saves at Arsenal but he gets pilloried for two mistakes. Without Barthez's saves, United would have been out of the game long before he made errors." --------------------------------- [20] Oops, mistake but don't worry IT IS DECEMBER ISSUE! --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: The cover of the new issue on Saturday will say October/November on it - issue 82 - but trust us it IS THE DECEMBER ISSUE - NEW OUT ON SATURDAY so bag yourself a copy (as ever Red News, having problems organising a piss-up in a brewery...) --------------------------------- [19] He's getting on a bit now! --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Ryan Giggs, 28, today. --------------------------------- [18] The Utd denial about Veron --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: came after the Mail said that Barca wait in the wings with a £30m bid for Veron as he is allowed to invoke the clause after one year. --------------------------------- [17] We're so upset we're crying here --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: >From the Mirror 'CONTROVERSIAL agent Eric Hall has had his business ordered into liquidation after the High Court granted his former accountants a winding up order. Accounting firm Silver Levene began proceedings against Eric Hall Management Ltd earlier this year, claiming it was owed a "substantial amount" in unpaid fees after withdrawing its services from Hall in February.' --------------------------------- [16] Old hat for our regular readers --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: With specualtion again that Veron could be on the move in the press - and talk of a get out clause Paddy Harverson has said: "There is no get-out clause." Regular Red News readers will know this of course, as we carried confirmation from a senior Utd source over 2 months ago. Catch up hacks. --------------------------------- [15] Fergie sticks with Barthez --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: The Mirror reports that Fabien is to be given 'one last chance' by Fergie for the European game next week - no mention of Saturday though. Carrington has really - and about time- shut up shop and started to stop the leaks although we do hear that the bald headed one is mightily pissed off by the way he's been followed by press and photographers this week. AD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM HERE in the plain text email version of the daily news. Please support your news slaves at http://www.rednews.co.uk --------------------------------- [14] More from Sammy Mac --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: "Carroll's attitude has changed 100 per cent. When I first took over with Northern Ireland, he didn't like working. But now after every session the hardest thing is to get him off the field. He works really hard now and it is clear the difference going to United has made. It's obvious he's listening to what he's being told and he's at the right place to learn. He's got everything now to be a great goalkeeper. He's a good age, got great ability and his attitude has improved." --------------------------------- [13] Sammy Mac on Barthez/Carroll --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: "Reputation wise, Barthez is the best goalkeeper in the world. But he is making mistakes and Sir Alex will be looking at him in training to see if there is any adverse reaction. He hasn't hesitated in dropping goalkeepers who have made mistakes in the past as the Italian lad [Massimo] Taibi and Mark Bosnich can testify. Sir Alex has now got to decide whether to stick with Barthez or give Roy a chance and I know if Roy does play he won't let anyone down. He's done well in the games he has played for United and, in the Lille game [in the Champions' League], he made three saves in the first half which kept United in the game. On his debut against Aston Villa he did all right, even though he conceded a goal early on. He also did nothing wrong in his other appearances against Sunderland and Arsenal. Sir Alex will know what Roy is capable of. He bought him and he will have assessed him carefully in training. Ultimately it is down to Sir Alex, but I have no doubts that Roy can do a g! reat job if Sir Alex turns to him." --------------------------------- [12] The Official Bloopers Tape ... --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by redend: ... just released a few weeks ago. Strange timing that United released this tape earlier this month. You'd think they'd have waited until after "Black October" and "Brown November" to grab a few more from the Wes, Gaz & Fab act. Or ... hang on ... does this now lead us to the logical explanation for why we've seen all these errors bunched into such a short space of time in the last two months? If the team can produce enough spectacular boobs (leave it) then they can knock another one out (no - leave it - a boobs video) before Christmas. Aha - its all the evil PLC's fault as usual then - interfering in team matters. Only problem with that theory is that the PLC flogged off most of the video rights ridiculously cheaply a few years back - and of course Nike are taking over merchandising for United too. 'Hold on - did I say Nike are taking over merchandising?' "Yes you did." 'I thought so.' Nike + Ronaldo + Team Sheet + World Cup Final = Ringing Bell? No, I think you'll find that 2 + 2 = 5 Ah well - nice try. Anyway if you like this sort of thing (its probably crap) here's the the blurb and link: Manchester United - The Official Bloopers Tape Live again those moments they didn't want you to see. £14.29 http://www.blackstar.co.uk/scp/id/rednews/video/item/7000000065296 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news Manchester United - The Official Bloopers Tape --------------------------------- [11] Yawn, yawn - for those of you interested --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: The World Cup draw can be seen on the web as Fifa has launched the official website for next summer's World Cup finals. Fifaworldcup.com --------------------------------- [10] Oh no, stuck in Turin! --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Juventus' Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen was called off due to fog for the 2nd week on the trot. They are now trying to see if they can play it tonight - imagine that, forever stuck in the s**thole of Turin! --------------------------------- [9] Teddy - Fowler was like me at Old Trafford --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Sheringham: "In the first year it probably worked for me at Manchester United but with the rotation system, footballers want to be playing consistently and in every game and so it might not always work. You want to be playing in the big games, let's put it that way, and Robbie hasn't been. They (Liverpool) had a lot of cup finals last year and he was on the bench or playing 10 or 15 minutes in those games and that's not what football is all about. That's the way the game is going at the top level but once he gets back (playing again) I've got no qualms about him getting in the first team, he will have no problems about that." --------------------------------- [8] What a choice! --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Blackburn or Leeds?! Souness said: "There was a very real prospect of us signing Fowler, but his first choice was Leeds although we were a close second." --------------------------------- [7] The 25 soon becomes 26 --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Blackburn 2 city 0 - another trophy dream over, another year to notch up in a few months time. And for such a massive game - a chance to get into the last 8, how many thousands did city take. Don't believe the talk of 15,000 out of the 17,000 gate which will probably be told by tomorrow lunchtime - they couldn't even sell half of the bottom tier, occupying top and 50% of the lower. Best fans in the world though - obviously too far to travel... Kevin Keegan took it well! : "I don't care what the FA do, or how much it costs me, I will always speak my mind. :I'll show them a tape of the match if they want. "It was shocking refereeing. You have got to have some common sense, but he didn't have any for the Premier League and that's why he's in the other divisions. I just felt it was a wet pitch with the ball skidding all over the place and he showed a lack of common sense, which I think is the first requirement of a referee, and I have told him so. Write as much as you can about him because that's what he likes. Write about Uriah Rennie, don't write about the match, write about him - that's what he wants. He's always been the same. I thought he was poor and then he started giving decisions for us, and I don't think he got many right. I don't care what it costs me, I'll give them a tape of the game and they can make the decisions. I just felt he was poor." --------------------------------- [6] A Red Perspective --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: by Sarah Over the past few years the characteristics of football supporters have changed dramatically. Of course there are still the hard-core fans who will follow the clubs no matter what happens, but there are now other types of fans on the scene who have been actively embraced by the commodity known as 'the beautiful game'. The disasters of the 80s, the introduction of CCTV and the changes in fan culture have led to the development of smaller, safer grounds. This advancement has seduced members of society who would rarely have been seen attending football matches previously. There are many more women, children and businessmen as the game turns its back on its working class roots in order to target those with a more disposable income. Spiralling ticket prices only succeed in alienating more and more people every year, pricing life long supporters out of the game, as greedy clubs look how to make the quick buck. Lower down the leagues the problems are not as severe, as supporters are generally made to feel more of a part of their club. Bradford City fanzine editor, David Pendleton is full of admiration for fans of Bradford's non-league sides, "non-league fans are great. I have some friends who are Bradford Park Avenue fans and I can only admire their dedication. One of these supporters is worth 100 Premiership hangers on". Matt Blackburn, editor of Halifax Town fanzine, 'Shayven Haven' agrees. "The five years Halifax spent in the non-leagues were very enjoyable. The supporters were extremely friendly and a lot of the clubs had excellent set-ups, better than a lot of third division sides. Many of the grounds had social clubs that were very welcoming for away fans. Third division clubs aren't so welcoming". Non-league fans are not watching big name players in big grounds like their league counterparts, but their passion for the game is just the same, it is just that there are less of them. This in-balance of numbers is reflected in the lucrative market of football publishing. Nowadays, if you venture into the magazine section of WH Smith you are confronted by dozens of football titles, some dedicated to one individual club, others are more general, but there is only one that deals exclusively with the non-league scene. This monthly publication is entitled 'Team Talk' and editor, Tony Williams is full of praise for the very heart of the non-league scene, the supporters. "Whether it's people selling programmes or working in the club shop, they're all contributing something to the club. The non-league scene is a big family and supporters of all clubs receive a warm welcome wherever they go. If you go to a non-league ground you'll find the people there are givers not takers". Sadly, amidst the bright glow of post-Premiership/Euro 96 'euphoria', football is now seen as "the thing to do" on a Saturday afternoon. People who wouldn't have been seen near a football ground ten years ago now proclaim to be fans of their adopted team since birth and give the clubs a bad name. No more is this the case at the 'glory teams' like ourselves, Manchester United Football Club. If any team has the slightest whiff of success people want to be associated with them, changing teams every couple of seasons. These people follow the results; they do not follow a football team. In fact, many just buy the club shirt and claim to be "in the know" when 'their' team is involved, all from the comfort of their armchair of course cause they "can't get tickets to game". The old ticket myth no longer washes with this red. It's just easier for these people not to go. After all, if you went to a game how could you ring up 606 to complain at the final whistle? Ten years ago we would have given our right arm to be in the position we are now, challenging for honours every season. Yet for some this is still not enough and they feel that all they need to do is whing . Fergie has lost the plot, Barthez is a clown, United should not have sold Stam, United shouldn't have bought Veron, Fergie should go now etc. etc. Yet these people forget that Fergie is the man who brought us all this success. One bad result though and all past glories are forgotten, "he should go now" they bleet. And as for the rest of the squad, none of them are good enough; sell the lot they scream hysterically to anyone who will listen (unfortunately usually to the likes of 606 while clued-up football fans cringe at embarrassment at their antics). Now, any red should tell you that Manchester United do not have a divine right to win the Premiership trophy every season, in fact, it would be bloody boring if they did. Give me some kind of challenge anyday. Remember last season, for the most part is was a largely forgettable state of affairs as the rest of the league (yet again) just could not cut it when it mattered. Now it seems some of these teams have finally got their act together and are challenging the mighty reds for honours. "About bloody time" I say, cause the longer we are being pushed, the higher the standards we will have to set for ourselves, and the more likely we are to progress in Europe. We have been missing a challenge for too long and it has caught up with us. The Megastore brigade will probably not agree, after all they're only here to support a team that wins more often and not, they have no real links with the club and will not be missed when the success comes to an end, great things cannot last forever after all. Though try telling them that when they are beaming with delight at the sight of seeing an item in the Megastore that they have not seen before, Christmas coming early. The fanzines have been there in good and bad, though the players have not always appreciated our efforts (always written with the best efforts though, honest). Alex Ferguson explained in an interview with 'Red Issue', in 1989, (fanzines) "maybe started with the best of intentions but, like a lot of things, they can get out of hand. I've read quite a few and I feel some of them are quite destructive. Players along and some of them are personally insulting. Why should players take that?" He may indeed have a point but we do pay our money (and other peoples) so we have the right to an opinion. The player criticism can get out of hand though (witness the hysterical reaction on United internet sites after the reds dare to lose a game). United fans have been spoilt in recent years, but as long as the sacred 11 give their all in the red shirt then we can have few complaints, something that has not been done recently, especially against Liverpool. Speaking after another particularly uninspiring Pool away performance in 95, Fergie said, "I don't think the players showed the passion required for this type of football. When we play Liverpool I, and everyone connected with the club, expect the players to fight". The team should have those wise words tattooed on their arm after the recent spineless display. Against City last season it was the same and the question needs to be asked "do United really know what these games mean to the supporters anymore?", "Do they even care". The Manchester lads in the team should know better. Those of us who have to work and live amongst the blue filth need a good performance to make our lives safe from ridicule on a Monday morning. The same with the scousers. Everyone knows smug Liverpool fans, they are multiplying like the devils spawn and none of them ever go to games. Games against them matter, always have done, and United looked scared of them, no make that terrified. The old, great United teams would never have rolled over and died like that. Sure, the old United sides did not have the quality of the current squad, but they knew what being United meant to us. In the world of money, Ferraris and mansions, do the players even care anymore? I don't think Fergie is as sure as he once was. "United in crisis" is a headline that had been written too often in the last decade, usually ending up with egg on collective faces, and who would bet against it happening again this season? However, some quarters (and that's players and supporters) need to recapture what "being a red" really means. I suggest getting out a video of a certain game that took place on 26/05/99 and watching the never say die attitude, the chasing for every ball, the endless determination because that is Manchester United. Cause the rest is just a bonus. --------------------------------- [5] A Red Perspective --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: by Lee Becks hasn't yet signed his lucrative contract extension, expected to be worth c.£100k a week. In the summer, Kenyon believed the deal should be done by the start of the season. He then had to revise this and expected Becks to sign on the dotted by Christmas, if not before. He now says that there is no deadline as Becks remains contracted to summer 2002. Meanwhile, Becks says he loves the club, its his boyhood club and he would like to stay if United show that want him. I am just not convinced. Here's a question How many millions does Dave need before he is happy? What issues are so contentious that they still remain unresolved - Is it really just the money? United have denied that current uncertainty about Fergie's replacement is a factor in the impasse. But they've also continuously denied having a shortlist, sticking to the media smokescreen of 'we'll start thinking about it after Christmas'. If this were true, then the Board and Kenyon specifically have been derelict un their duty to the club. Dave has oft let it be known he prefers a central midfield berth. He's played there more often for In-ger-lund than United. I can't imagine he was too chuffed to see a world class midfielder in JSV arrive in the summer then, can you? Could future tactics and Becks' role in them be the key to things? If he's not then convinced by the new boss's plans, may he try a Bosman to Real/AC/Lazio? (If Fowler can leave the dirties, then most anything can happen.) I don't think United's board would dream of allowing a £40M asset to depreciate to nil over the next 18 months, do you? Can someone hand the boy a bloody pen please. AD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM HERE in the plain text email version of the daily news. Please support your news slaves at http://www.rednews.co.uk --------------------------------- [4] IF --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: IF - Ruud Van Kipling This is a crude adaptation of a much loved, classic piece of prose, "IF", which embodies the sentiments that all United fans should take heed of at this time - (with apologies to Rudyard Kipling). I thank you. Eamonn - (Mancunian exile- living in Leeds - yes really!) IF "If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust United when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can draw huge crowds and keep your virtue, And triumph in Europe - nor lose the domestic touch; If neither Arsenal, Liverpool nor Leeds can really hurt you; If all teams compete with you, but none too much; If you can dream of trebles and not make dreams your master; If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by Hacks who write their lies of United's desperation, Or watch the team you gave your life to, bowed not broken, And stoop and lift them up with songs of exhortation; If you can force your heart, and nerve and sinew To serve your turn when you're three-nil down and sing with all the Red belief that's in you and then score five - that's why we'll keep our crown!; If you can fill the unforgiving season with 90 points accrued, yours is the League and everything that's in it, And, what's more, - you'll be Man United, my son." Ruudyard Van Kipling --------------------------------- [3] NEW RED NEWS - WITH GREAT UNITED SONGS Vol.3 INSIDE - OUT ON SATURDAY --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: Issue 82 is a new Red News out on Saturday - a bumper biggest ever £2 Xmas special. WOW! Inside this massive, massive edition contains the latest third volume of our GREAT UNITED SONGS collection, with brand new songs and verses - and all the Utd classics from 100 years of Utd songsters. Twice in the past we have quickly sold out of previous editions so we advise you to get hold of a copy of this completely new update as we expect the same to happen. Spread the word too! Also inside Red News issue 82 AGM overview Lille & Bayern reports Wes Brown interview Utd fan and Olympic sprinter Darren Campbell interview Utd fans express their views on recent on field events Gossip - exclusive and revealing Memories of Utd Pitch Invasions Tony Smith GREAT UNITED SONGS VOLUME 3 All this and much more for just £2. We will definitely have sellers at the top of Sir Matt Busby Way (by Legends cafe), half way down Sir Matt Busby Way, the left hand side of Salford Quay bridge as you're approaching the ground, the bottom of the Red Cafe bridge by the main road - and elsewhere. Best bet is to bag yourself a copy BEFORE the game as we want to head to the pub quickly afterwards! So grab yourself a classic, help the cause and get 150 classic Utd songs. --------------------------------- [2] Next Fans United Day --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: is on Sunday December 16th at Wimbledon. The match is NOT all ticket. The WISA website http://www.wisa.org.uk/fansunited/ http://www.wisa.org.uk/fansunited/ contains full details of tickets, train times and the protest march to the ground. --------------------------------- [1] A good point indeed --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, November 29, 2001 by bar-knee: As Mike points out that Paddy Crerand got it slightly wrong in saying last season we lost to Liverpool, Arse and Newcastle as we have done away from home this year - last season we drew there 1-1, just feels like we always lose there. Paddy, we know what you mean. Defend the faith! AD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM HERE in the plain text email version of the daily news. Please support your news slaves at http://www.rednews.co.uk --------------------------------- [30] A good point --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, November 28, 2001 by bar-knee: Paddy Crerand pointed out in the Arsenal match commentary, apart from Bolton, the 3 (away) games that we've lost in the league are the same ones we lost last year and we still won the league by a street! Don't you just love the bloke. --------------------------------- [29] Vialli on Becks --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, November 28, 2001 by bar-knee: Gianluca Vialli: "I don't think Beckham and Owen will come (to Italy) because their clubs don't need the money and will never sell them. English players are born in a different environment which is difficult to leave behind. It could only change if they would like to try Italy - not for money but to prove themselves in a championship as notoriously hard as Italy's. In England, football is a sport - in Italy, it is a game. Sport is based on honour, respect for the rules and the opponent - in the game, the object is always to get a result" AD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM HERE in the plain text email version of the daily news. Please support your news slaves at http://www.rednews.co.uk --------------------------------- [28] Transfer gossip --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, November 28, 2001 by bar-knee: Can't see it though as those high up at United simply don't have much preference for Davids from Tribal Football.com Reports out of Italy today suggest that Juventus and Manchester United are considering swapping Edgar Davids and Juan Sebastian Veron. Veron is in his first season at United after moving from Lazio but it is believed he hasn't settled in well at United. Since his return from suspension Davids has been linked with a move away from Juventus and this could well be the opportunity. Juventus is desperate to have a leading midfield playmaker to replace Zinedine Zidane and Veron is considered the ideal candidate.' --------------------------------- [27] Oi, leave it out --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, November 28, 2001 by bar-knee: French actress Brigitte Bardot: "Korea needs to listen to what foreigners say about the eating of dogmeat as it harms Korea's image. Though Koreans do not eat their pet dogs, eating dogmeat is part of Korean culture. I don't mean to make the football teams boycott the international event. I just hope the Korean government introduces the law prohibiting Koreans from eating dogmeat" --------------------------------- [26] Ref doesn't mention Barthez gesture --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, November 28, 2001 by bar-knee: But FA still keen? >From Ananova ' Ananova : FA set to contact Barthez over alleged gesture Fabien Barthez is likely to be contacted by the FA over his alleged gesture to Arsenal fans during Manchester United's defeat at Highbury. Referee Peter Jones has not mentioned the incident in his match report when Barthez allegedly gesticulated behind his back to the home supporters. The FA will now probably write a letter to the United goalkeeper to seek his explanation of events. Barthez, whose two late blunders gifted Arsenal a 3-1 win, may well be charged with bringing the game into disrepute, but it would be extremely unlikely that he would be suspended. The French international is more likely to receive a warning about his behaviour and at worst a fine.' --------------------------------- [26] Scholes not banned for World Cup --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, November 28, 2001 by bar-knee: PA story 'Paul Scholes has been cleared to play in England's opening match of the World Cup finals after Fifa removed the threat of a one-match suspension. Scholes picked up his second booking of England's qualifying campaign in their final group game at home to Greece. However, as expected, Fifa confirmed that players with two bookings from the qualifying stages will not have any suspension carried over to the finals next summer.'
