---------------------------------
[18] ITV show some sense
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
>From the Observer:
ITV are refusing to show live coverage of the Champions League semi-final second-leg
match between Leeds and Valencia next Tuesday - even though they have the power to do
so.
The news has provoked outrage from Leeds fans and the Football Supporters Association,
who have demanded the channel show the club's biggest game in 26 years.
The match will go out live on ONdigital - with ITV showing highlights later on in the
evening. However, Guardian Unlimited has learned there is nothing in ITV's contract
with Uefa that stops them showing the game.
Oh dear
---------------------------------
[17] More FA inspired bolloxs
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
Again from the People:
Plans for next weeks Cup final include eve-of-game firework display from the people
who brought you the Olympic closing spectacular.
There will also be an 'artistic' display on the pitch, symbolising the magic of the FA
Cup. With two opera singers also on the bill.
---------------------------------
[16] Just when you thought you'd seen the last of them
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
>From the Sunday People:
Carling are ready to sponsor ITV's all-singing, all-dancing Premiership Match of the
Day coverage next season.
And with the network planning to broadcast at least four Premiership programmes per
week, Carling reckon they will get just as much exposure as Barclaycard... for a tenth
of the pounds 40million price.
---------------------------------
[15] FA Cock up part 9876576
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
>From the Mirror:
THE FA last night insisted it will move the FA Cup Final away from Cardiff if the
Worthington Cup fiasco is repeated next weekend.
---------------------------------
[14] FA cock up part 9876575
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
>From the Observer:
Reports suggested he (Crozier) was 'under pressure to resign' after a letter from
Crozier to Culture Secretary Chris Smith - in which the FA asked the Government to
help fund a new stadium while keeping sensitive details 'under wraps' until after the
election - was leaked.
One report suggested Crozier had asked for an initial £150 million towards the £660
million cost of the new stadium and then provide monthly cash to save the
controversial project.
You couldn't make it up!
---------------------------------
[13] Christie a Utd fan apparently
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
As the Derby scorer enthuses:
"It's the most brilliant day I've ever known. We came to Old Trafford and we were just
not expected to win but we got there because of the great team performance."
---------------------------------
[12] A massive job?
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
To stay up the Eidiots have to win at Ipswich tomorrow night and beat Chelsea in their
last game of the season - and Middlesbrough have to lose their final game at home to
West Ham.
---------------------------------
[11] Fergie confused
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
'The celebratory mood of our fans probably made it difficult for the players. We
didn't know whether they were cheering us or Derby.
Tricky from this end too
'It was disappointing. You want something better for your fans before receiving
another trophy, but Derby deserved their win.'
---------------------------------
[10] Eric preparing for management?
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
'I think (beach soccer)it's great preparation, since group management is sport,'.
'Tactically, it's another thing, but it's a team sport, they're all old professionals,
and even if it's not football, there are similarities in substitutions, technique,
preparation and movement.'
'Yes, in theory it could be good preparation, but for the moment I don't think so, I
mean, I've got lots of work with this, and I take great pleasure in carrying it out.'
---------------------------------
[9] Eric didn't want to kid anyone
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
. 'I preferred to quit, because I've always thought of playing at 100 per cent of my
capabilities,' he adds. 'I could have made fun of everyone and carried on playing just
to enjoy myself. But that's not my style. So, I've discovered another sport, it's
another passion, and I'm starting from scratch again.'
---------------------------------
[8] Eric playing a balancing act
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
'For the moment, I'm balancing the two, cinema and beach soccer,' he says. 'But if one
day I have to decide, I would choose beach soccer. I was born for sport and I would do
everything I could for it. There's nothing more passionate or exciting than sport.'
---------------------------------
[7] But he clearly tired of the pro game
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
'No, I don't miss the game,' he says, avoiding eye contact, stumbling on words. 'I
quit because...' 'I was...well,'. 'The game itself, yes, I mean, great...' He stops
for a second and clarifies the thought. 'To be good you need to prepare yourself and
make many sacrifices, and I was tired. I started very young. I played my first
professional match when I was 17, and by the end I was tired. Mentally tired, I no
longer had the strength to make such an effort.'
---------------------------------
[6] The man himself enthuses about beach life
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
As Eric says:
'For me it's a beautiful game, with plenty of action. There are more and more teams
reaching the same level, the game is more balanced, so there's more suspense. There's
great goals, spectacular goals. There are players who are...' he pauses, reminding
himself of his role as ambassador, '...players who are... well, I won't say old, but
not in top condition. But if we take the Brazilian example, we can have two or three
ex-pros, plus younger ones, and manage to form a team capable of competing at
international level.'
---------------------------------
[5] Joel on why Eric loves beach soccer
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
>From the Observer Sports monthly:
'Eric is fully involved in the sport.'He loves it because it reminds him of our games
when we were kids. The beach for Eric means all the happiness of childhood. We
produced our best form for those five-a-side games on the beach. When they took him to
organised beach soccer, it was love at first sight.'
---------------------------------
[4] Derby given rough ride
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
PA report:
As Derby's team coach left Old Trafford it was involved in an incident with some
United supporters.
The coach apparently stalled and was surrounded by United fans some of whom rocked the
coach and threw items at the windows before security officers were called and a police
escort guided the team out.
---------------------------------
[3] Fergie - not the end for this team
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
"This is not the end of this Manchester United team. We want to continue the progress
and success that the supporters deserve and we are going to get it again next year."
---------------------------------
[2] Fergie - we were casual
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
"I thought we were a bit casual in the first half but after Derby scored, and in the
second half particularly the urgency was much better.
"At the end of the day I think Derby deserved their victory, and I am pleased for Jim
Smith.
"But it doesn't detract from a fantastic achievement by my players over the season.
The desire to do things the right way speaks volumes for their character and their
ability. We are all proud of them.
"Winning that trophy means everything to everyone at this club.
---------------------------------
[1] Bald Eagle in rbit
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, May 6, 2001 by tb:
"The lads were magnificent, they gave it everything.
"It has been difficult but I never lost belief that we could do it. To do it at Old
Trafford makes it even more special.
"We have shown this season what we can do against sides like Liverpool and now we have
got a result at Manchester United.
"It's an enormous achievement and so important for this club - it's more important
than ever to stay in the Premier League, but there's no way I want to be doing the
same thing next year."
---------------------------------
[18] Opta stats
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, May 5, 2001 by bar-knee:
For today's game. Us first (in case you were wondering!)
35 Games 36
ATTACKING
77 Goals scored 35
2.20 Ave goals per game 0.97
46% Shooting Accuracy 43%
15% Goals to shots % 12%
PASSING
18347 Passes 12162
79% Pass completion % 67%
DEFENDING
75% Tackle success rate % 71%
25 Goals conceded 58
0.71 Ave goals conceded per game 1.61
DISCIPLINE
418 Fouls 565
40 Yellow cards 80
3 Red cards 3
---------------------------------
[17] More transfer gossip
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, May 5, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From Calciomercato:
According to reporters in the Argentinean press, Valencia would have turned down
Manchester United $15ml bid for defender Fabian Ayala (formerly at AC Milan). Leeds
would be targeting the player as well but according to manager Cuper: "Ayala is not
for sale."
---------------------------------
[16] Keano advisor on Celtic rumours
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, May 5, 2001 by bar-knee:
Michael Kennedy says:
"When his career is over, yes, he may well move to Celtic.
"By that I mean when his career is over down here - but at this moment he is committed
to United and he will be staying there.
"Hopefully he will be renewing his existing contract which still has two years to run,
so any such move is a long way off I'm afraid.
"I have spoken to him about Celtic many times. It's fair to say if he did go to
Scotland, Celtic are the only team he'd play for.
"But at the moment it's not even being considered. Roy has not been promoting the idea
at all. He goes to watch an Old Firm game every year because he likes to see good
football."
