Newsletter #674

The main news is that Stevie Lomas will not be joining either the Blues or West Ham United as he has decided to continue with the Hammers, in spite of Harry Redknapp’s obvious willingness to let him go. Doubtless this news will be greeted with disappointment by some and joy by others. I’m afraid I definitely fall into the last category, as £3.7m is a lot of money for a workhorse, unless that is, he really would make the difference between survival and relegation! Despite the ‘loss’ of Lomas, Royle is apparently set to let both Tony Grant and Ian Bishop go, which may suggest that he has other potential midfield targets lined up. Jobbo also looks to be close to a deal with Tranmere, but one deal which definitely is done and dusted, is the signing of Carlo Nash from Stockport.

Next game: Leeds United at home, Saturday January 13th 2001

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NEWS SUMMARY

Part I: Transfer News and Rumours

Royle Has Alternatives After Lomas Snub: Manchester City have failed to make Steve Lomas their next signing. But Joe Royle has revealed that he has other targets in mind now the West Ham man has decided not to move to Maine Road. City and Everton each had a bid accepted for Lomas, and the player has spoken to both clubs. But after talks with both Joe Royle and Goodison boss Walter Smith, the player opted to remain with the Eest Londoners. Royle had earlier confirmed that he had possible alternatives if the verdict didn’t go City’s way – though he said that Chelsea’s Dennis Wise was never on his list. “There are other alternatives I could turn to if the Steve Lomas deal fails,” he revealed, “but I didn’t speak to Chelsea or Dennis Wise’s representatives.” The Blues have also been linked again with Russell Latapy of Hibs, although the Trinidad and Tobago international won’t be the man the Blues enlist to help their survival battle – the player is set to remain with the Edinburgh club until the summer, when he’s out-of-contract.

City Complete Nash Signing: Manchester City have completed the signing of Carlo Nash. The goalkeeper has joined the Blues in a £100,000 move from Stockport. Wolves made a late bid to hijack the deal, but once City were interested, Nash made clear he had no desire to speak to other parties. “It is a pleasure to come to a big club like City and there were never any doubts in my mind,” he revealed. “I was linked with a few other clubs, but once City came in and made an offer that was it.” The 27-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half year deal, and his arrival appears to mean the end at Maine Road for young goalkeepers Steve Hodgson and Richard McKinney. Both were transfer-listed on Thursday.

Bishop and Grant Set to Leave: Manchester City currently have a midfield injury crisis and have failed to add a reinforcement this week after being turned down by Steve Lomas. But even so, Joe Royle has agreed to let Ian Bishop and Tony Grant leave Maine Road. Bishop is in talks with Sheffield Wednesday after the Blues agreed to let the playmaker move to Hillsborough on a free transfer. And Grant is negotiating with Barnsley, who have, it’s claimed, agreed a £400,000 fee for the ex-Everton man. West Bromwich Albion, where the 26-year-old has just had a successful loan spell, are also interested though it’s as yet unclear whether the Baggies are prepared to meet City’s asking price. With Kevin Horlock, Mark Kennedy and Gerard Wiekens all on the injured list and Jeff Whitley only just returning to fitness, it’s surprising that the Blues are prepared to release two midfielders at this stage, unless Royle has another target lined up for an imminent arrival.

Jobson Set for Permanent Move: Richard Jobson could finally leave Manchester City this week. The veteran defender is set to complete a free transfer move to Tranmere. Jobson is on loan with the First Division club and has played in a winning side in both of his first two games at Prenton Park. Manager John Aldridge says that the player is keen to sign for the Wirral outfit on an extended basis – and has indicated that the interest may well be mutual.

Bolton Deny Dickov Rumours: Bolton Wanderers have denied any interest in Paul Dickov. Press reports earlier in the week had linked the Manchester City striker with a move to the First Division promotion chasers. Dickov looks likely to lose his regular starting place following the recent acquisition of Darren Huckerby. And it was claimed that Bolton were prepared to try to take advantage of the situation by making a £1 million bid for the Scot. But manager Sam Allardyce says this isn’t the case. “I’ve not spoken to Joe,” he maintained, “and I wasn’t even aware Paul was available.”

Rumoured Target Wise Staying at Chelsea: Manchester City were linked over the weekend with a move for Dennis Wise if the attempt to sign Steve Lomas failed. But now that Lomas has announced he’s staying at West Ham, there’s no chance of the Blues landing the Chelsea skipper. Wise had asked for a transfer after his recent omission from the London outfit’s line-up. But the midfielder has now had a change of heart and decided to stay at Stamford Bridge. In addition to City, the 34-year-old had been linked with Rangers, West Ham, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, while Blackburn manager Graeme Souness has claimed he was on the verge of sealing a deal to take the player to Ewood Park before his change of heart over his Chelsea future.

Royle Denies Hinchcliffe Speculation: Manchester City have been linked with a move for former player Andy Hinchcliffe. But Joe Royle has moved to deny talk that the Sheffield Wednesday full-back could return to Maine Road. Wednesday boss Paul Jewell claimed that the Blues had wanted to take Hinchcliffe on loan with a view to a permanent free-transfer signing. And while the player’s current injury problems mean that such a move is not on the cards at present, Jewell says that the 31-year-old could still join the Blues when he regains fitness. However, Royle is telling a different story. “I haven’t spoken to Sheffield Wednesday or Paul Jewell,” he told the official City website at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/. “The player is sidelined through injury at the moment. I know it has been mooted in the past, but there is nothing happening there.” Meanwhile, City have also rubbished speculation that Argentinian defender Julian Maidana could be set to arrive at the club on trial with a view to a permanent £1 million deal. The Tallares Cordoba centre-back has recently had an unsuccessful trial period at Blackburn.

Jim Whitley Returns from Swindon: Jim Whitley went to Swindon on loan last month hoping to earn a permanent move away from Manchester City. But the Northern Ireland international is returning to Maine Road after a month at the County Ground. Whitley made his début in a win over high-flying Rotherham in mid-December. But he then injured his shoulder in the following week’s victory over Bury. And though the 25-year-old returned for last week’s FA Cup tie against Coventry, a recurrence of the same injury forced him to leave the action at half-time. And now, Swindon boss Andy King says the player needs to go back to City and get fit. “Jim has struggled with the injury since he’s been with us which has been disappointing,” said the Robins’ boss. “He still hasn’t recovered from it so the best thing for him is to go back to Maine Road and get it sorted out there.”

Part II: Miscellaneous News and Views

Half-Year Results Show Operating Profit: Manchester City this week announced their half-year financial results. And the Blues have made a profit for the first time in five years. Thanks to the massive increase in television revenues in the Premiership, turnover has more than doubled from £7.17 million in the first half of the last financial year to £15.02 million this time round. And the club has made a profit of £376,000 compared to a loss of £996,000 the year before, showing an operating profit of £2.8 million compared with a loss of £300,000 in 1999. So David Bernstein is well aware of the implications if Premiership status is relinquished this spring. “It is self evident that we need to stay and progress in the top flight,” he said. “We are focussed on doing this while maintaining our commitment to longer-term progress and stability.”

“Wanchope to Miss United Match” Talk Premature: Costa Rican face ten more World Cup qualifiers before the end of 2001. So Manchester City will be hoping that the Costa Rican FA continues not to enforce the five-day rule in respect of Paulo Wanchope. The striker will in any case be suspended for the first of his country’s games in February, having picked up a booking against Guatemala last weekend. And the second match, against Trinidad & Tobago on 24th March, falls on a free weekend in the Premiership. The Costa Ricans then face the USA on 25th April – prompting reports earlier this week that Wanchope would inevitably miss the return derby match at Old Trafford four days earlier. In fact, while the Costa Rican FA could insist on his absence from the United clash, they haven’t done so in similar circumstances when the Blues have played at West Ham and Coventry this season. And there’s no indication yet of a change of policy on their part.

Rochdale Friendly Shelved to Later in Season: Manchester City have not yet managed to arrange a date for the proposed friendly at Rochdale. But the Third Division promotion-chasers are hopeful that the game will take place during the current campaign. It had originally been intended to play the fixture before Christmas, but the Blues’ Worthington Cup commitments put a block on several potential dates. And though recent postponements mean Rochdale face a congested programme in the coming months, director Richard Bott says a match against City is still on the cards. “We are definitely still looking to get the game on,” he affirmed. “It’s just a case of finding time to fit it into the calendar.”

Part III: Reserve and Youth News

Date Set for Youth Cup Tie: Manchester City’s youngsters will be back in FA Youth Cup action next week. The Blues visit Luton on Tuesday, 16 January for a fourth round tie. City have high hopes of progress in the competition after their 5-1 rout of Fulham in a third round replay before Christmas. And the result against the Londoners will give the City youngsters hope that they can overcome the challenge posed by Luton. Meanwhile, on the same evening the City reserves play their first fixture of 2001 when Everton visit Hyde.

Part IV: Leeds at Home, Team News and Preview

City Looking for First League Double: Manchester City look for an improvement in home league form this Saturday. And the visitors to Maine Road will be a team the Blues have already beaten away from home earlier in the season. City take on Leeds in a clash which is vital to their hopes of moving out of the relegation zone. And while David O’Leary’s side has underachieved this season, currently lying twelfth in the Premiership, the Yorkshiremen possess a host of star names so are sure to present a tough challenge. However, with Joe Royle looking to home games to pick up most of the points needed for Premiership survival, the City boss will be hoping for a repeat of the fine display which clinched a 2-1 win at Elland Road in September. And Darren Huckerby, Alfie Haaland and Danny Granville, the three ex-Leeds stars likely to be in the Blues’ starting line-up against their old club, will be equally keen to put one over on their former team-mates.

Whitley Set for Weekend Return: Jeff Whitley could be back in the Manchester City side for the weekend game against Leeds. The midfielder has missed the Blues’ last four games with a knee injury but was back in training on Tuesday. Whitley had been due to play in a reserve friendly against Blackburn, but in a last-minute change of plan trained with the rest of the City squad instead. And Joe Royle hopes that the Northern Irish international will be fit to take his place against David O’Leary’s side on Saturday. “Jeff came through yesterday’s session well,” commented Royle, “though that was mainly to test his running. Hopefully if he comes through a week’s training he will be available.”

City Wait on Huckerby Fitness: Darren Huckerby limped out of Manchester City’s FA Cup win over Birmingham last week. And the Blues are anxiously waiting to see if the striker will have recovered in time to face his former club Leeds at the weekend. Huckerby scored a fine solo goal during his brief run-out against the First Division side, and generally showed that he adds another dimension to the Blues’ attack. But he hasn’t trained yet this week after twisting an ankle in the win over Trevor Francis’s side, and it will be Thursday before Joe Royle is able to assess whether the ex-Coventry man will feature in Saturday’s game. Meanwhile, hamstring injury victim Gerard Wiekens will almost certainly be unavailable for the Leeds clash, but Steve Howey, who was also substituted against Birmingham after feeling his hamstring tighten, should be fit to play.

Post Script

eBLUEPRINT: The original City fanzine is now online at http://www.e-blueprint.co.uk/ with a top City news service, fans’ forum, online poll and new features set to be added over the coming weeks. Anyone wishing to contribute, advertise supporters’ meetings or make general comments should contact Frank Newton by e-mail at Frank@bluecoll.demon.co.uk.

Peter Brophy (peterbrophy@mancity.net)

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RESERVES ACTION

The second string face Everton at home next Tuesday 16 January in the Reserve Premier League. Kick-off 7pm at Ewen Fields, Hyde. Free to s/t holders, nominal entrance charge to others.

Heidi Pickup (heidi@mancity.net)

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GOATER’S PAST

In Heidi Pickup’s match report, she couldn’t remember Goater taking a penalty for City before. I wish I couldn’t either!

Cast your mind back to Chesterfield at home, two seasons ago. 1-1, not long to go. Jamie Hewitt punches the ball off the line, red card, penalty to City. The Goat was having a mare (interesting image), but decided to redeem himself by grabbing the ball and taking the penalty himself… final score 1-1.

As an aside, wasn’t he to be our fifth penalty taker at Wembley?

Andy Noise (andrew.noise@cel-international.com)

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CHORLTON BLUES

The next Chorton Blues meeting is on Tuesday 16th January at South West Manchester Cricket Club, Ellesmere Road. Events kick off at 7.30 pm. Confirmed guests include Andy Buckley, Richard Burgess, Nicky Reid and City legend Ken Barnes. All City supporters are welcome to attend. Contact Larry on 0161 226 0445 for further details

Larry Higgs (larry.higgs@virgin.net)

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OFFICIAL WEB SITE AND WHY BLUES

I am still having trouble with the official MCFC site; surely I cannot be the only one? If you have any ideas of a way round the crashing and stalling I am getting please let me know. Yes, this happens only on City’s site.

I have noticed the absence of ‘Why blues’ recently. I really enjoy these articles. I seem to remember a clever chap coming up with the idea of reprinting the original ones from the early days when the circulation was smaller. This seems to me to be a great idea. It would be good to read how you and a few of the other “originals” came to be Blues. I am sure many would agree with me.

Paul Keelagher (Blueboy@netspace.net.au)

P.S. We can certainly think about reprinting some of the early ones if there’s a call for it, thought they are all available on the WWW:

Manchester City Supporters’ Home Page: http://www.uit.no/mancity/

Ashley

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KETCHUP ETC.

In answer to Sharon Hargreaves, I think she is probably alone in carrying around spare tommy ketchup in her pockets at the match. When I leave for the match, I make sure I have at least eight sachets of powdered Becks. When the inevitable happens at half time you just nip to the front of the queue, whip a plastic beaker and go and stand in the rain until you have a full glass of water. Pour in your powdered German pils and hey presto instant half time session is under way. I also have an inflatable programme holder and a set of roll out praying mats for cup matches and last game of the season cliffhangers. After Wembley I now regularly take extra knee pads which can be fitted in extremis from a small pouch in the back of my cap. Finally I sometimes take the 42 bus with me in kit form which can be assembled quickly and efficiently and means not having to hang about when your sachets of Becks have run out. The West Midlands police confiscated my picnic table though. I think maybe we should meet up.

Simon Curtis (SimonCurtis@Linguarama.com)

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BERT 36

The new issue of Bert Trautmann’s Helmet will be out on Saturday and includes a major Andy Noise article on City’s youth set-up, Howie de Blue and Mike Billinge on the derby and the consequent press coverage, The Maine Road To Glory video reviewed, why the Premier League is a damp squib, Points Of Blue, Fabulous Freak Wins and Bob Ellis’s memories from the 1940s and ’50s as well as all the usual stuff. There really is no other alternative! See Blue View for details and the weekly update.

Noel Bayley (noelbayley@iname.com)

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OPINION – TREVOR FRANCIS: A DELUDED IDOL

“To find ourselves 3-0 down was unbelievable because City only had three efforts on goal,” commented the deluded one-time Maine Road idol.

I don’t remember ever being so incensed by anything written in your fine Alpine journal.

I agree the scoreline flattered us. I agree Francis is often deluded (in the same way that every manager is, from time to time). But, ‘Idol’? ‘Idol’? Jeez! No way.

He spent his entire (and thankfully short) time at Maine Road injured, falling over, being tripped up (ok, not entirely his fault), whinging, being injured a bit more seriously, slipping up, moaning, looking dumb, falling down and being injured some more. If he was an idol it was to the physiotherapists and masseurs only.

There are some who say he could play a bit. He could, but he could lie on a treatment table better than anyone.

As you can tell, I didn’t take much to this ‘woyning’ Brummie. How about some more nominations of disliked former players?

Simon Fink (simon.fink@mail.virgin.net)

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REQUEST – STRANGE STADIUMS

I’ve been a MCIVTA subscriber for about four years and obviously I’ve noticed that you receive correspondence from all over the globe. I’m a freelance writer and I’m planning an article for Total Football magazine on the world’s strangest professional football stadiums – I’m looking for ones near volcanoes, on geographical fault lines, high up in the mountains, below sea level, that sort of thing – and I wondered if any other readers had visited any such venues. If you know of any such venues, I’d very much like to hear from you.

Thanks, Keith Stuart (kstuart@popmail.dircon.co.uk)

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REQUEST – NOKIA

Here we are, basking in the post-Xmas gloom, and I’ve got yet another ‘Nokia Ring-Tone’ query; basically, how do I program the Blue Moon ring-tone onto a Nokia 3210e? Apologies for covering old ground with this one…

Sean Murray (seanm@alderleyrd.freeserve.co.uk)

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HUMOUR – QUOTES OF THE YEAR

“What the f**k is art? A picture of a bottle of sour milk lying next to a smelly old jumper? What the f**k is all that about?” – John Gregory.

“Away from home our fans are fantastic, I’d call them the hardcore fans. But at home they have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don’t realise what’s going on out on the pitch.” – Roy Keane.

“We have people coming here to admire the scenery and enjoy their crisps.” – Sir Alex Ferguson on Manchester United fans.

“People say footballers have terrible taste in music but I would dispute that. In the car at the moment I’ve got The Corrs, Cher, Phil Collins, Shania Twain and Rod Stewart.” – Andy Gray.

“I hate to admit this but I don’t even know how to make a cup of tea or coffee. I can boil a kettle for a pot noodle and I’ve been known to warm up some food in the microwave.” – Michael Owen.

“I would like to have Brooklyn christened but I’m not sure which religion yet.” – David Beckham.

“For Burnley to win they are going to have to score.” – Chris Kamara.

“He will be called Ronald, because we like going to McDonald’s.” – Ronaldo on his baby.

“It is necessary to wear the sandals of humility and not let the win over Manchester United go to our heads.” – Vasco Da Gama coach Antonio Lopes.

“Young Gareth Barry, y’know, he’s young.” – Kevin Keegan.

“Red blood flows through Dyke’s veins.” – Mihir Bose of the Daily Telegraph, describing the extent of the BBC director general’s devotion to ManYoo.

“Very few of us have any idea whatsoever of what life is like living in a goldfish bowl – except, of course, for those of us who are goldfish.” – Graham Taylor.

“Bryan Robson has been a victim of his own success.” – Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb.

“This is déjà vu all over again.” – Sky Sports Spanish football commentator.

“Ken Bates is a football cretin.” – Martin O’Neill.

“Francis Jeffers is a disgusting, dirty little t**t.” – Sander Westerveld.

“There will have to be a bubonic plague for me to pick Di Canio.” – Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

“I’d like to be a dog. Dogs are nice. They can sleep any time, they wag their tails and on top of that they can get stroked all the time.” – Emmanuel Petit.

“West Ham can take it or leave it. Our £15m bid for Rio Ferdinand already constitutes a world record for a defender and is a measured valuation. There will be no more.” – Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale, less than a week after upping his final offer by £3million.

“I am a Nigerian and I will remain a Nigerian until the day I die.” – Kanu.

“The Fat Wombats.” Contestant on Australian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, asked to name Aussie women’s soccer team The Matildas.

“Against France we’ll have to be at our best both technically, tactically and spirit-wise.” – Kevin Keegan.

“It was with a homosexual, I was barely 14 years old. But let’s be fair, I wasn’t the only one who did it. He was a man in Bauru that all our team visited.” Pele on losing his virginity.

“It was the first serious relationship I had after separating from my wife Rose. Xuxa was 15, still a virgin and had a boyfriend who she fought with. Xuxa’s father gave me permission to go out with her. I didn’t like virgins so I told her to sort her ‘problem’ with her boyfriend. Then, after a little while, we became ‘friends’ and started going out frequently.” Pele again.

“We gained more from the game than they did… except they got the points.” – Brian Little.

“I would not sign for another club, not even if I was offered 15 million dollars. However, it would be different if they were to instead offer me 15 different women from all around the world. I would tell the club chairman: ‘Please let me make these women happy – I will satisfy them like they have never been satisfied before’.” – Sasa Curcic.

“There is a world of difference between football and sex – no question about that. I can’t achieve an orgasm by looking at a team-mate, but it would be a totally different matter with Cindy Crawford.” – Sasa Curcic.

“Wendy Toms has never been taken from behind by a 14-stone centre half.” – Joe Royle.

“When he was dribbling, he used to go through a minefield with his arm, a bit like you go through a supermarket.” – Bobby Robson on Gazza.

“Argentina won’t be at Euro 2000 because they’re from South America.” – Kevin Keegan.

“I’m an emotional person and I enjoy crying. You know the film Beaches with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey? Sometimes, when I want a good cry I put it on.” – Sensitive Ian Wright.

“They should leave David Beckham alone – he’s a great striker.” – Zoë Ball.

“Argentina are the second best team in the world, and there’s no higher praise than that.” – Kevin Keegan.

“Is Dreamcast the name of the team?” – Prince Philip’s reaction to seeing an Arsenal shirt complete with sponsor’s logo, during a trip to Highbury.

“When he sees my boobs he likes to come out with the Austin Powers line ‘Machine gun jubblies – how did I miss those?’ He also goes: ‘I put the grrr in swingerrr. Yeah baby!'” Actress Emily Symons on boyfriend Matt Le Tissier.

“Alessandro del Piero reminds me of Robert Rosario when I had him at Coventry.” – Bobby Gould.

“He’s a water carrier, a hard worker, a bit of a dog… a ferret.” – David Pleat on Didier Deschamps.

“He used to play tapes of Bill Shankly talking. I remember that and a singer he liked. I don’t know who it was but it was crap. He played it on the team bus too and all the boys hated it. Until one night it got chucked away. If he’s still wondering who threw that tape off the bus, it was me. So maybe he was right and I’m not to be trusted.” – Gordon Strachan on Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I now have a farm in Lanark. I’ve got two pygmy goats – Gin and Tonic.” – Andy Goram.

“If I were Marcello Lippi, people would have had more faith in me.” – John Barnes.

“Darlington will become the most successful club in England.” – George Reynolds.

“Working with people on a field turns me on.” – Graeme Souness.

“I got the Shania Twain album for Christmas, but my new tip is Gabrielle. I’m a bit of a weenybopper, really.” – Trevor Brooking.

“I’m not going to look beyond the semi-final – but I would love to lead Newcastle out at the final.” – Bobby Robson.

“When I lived in rural Oxfordshire, I was walking home across a field when I stroked a cow. The damn thing butted me in the orchestras.” – Mark Lawrenson.

“I do go to football sometimes but I don’t know the offside rule or free-kicks – or side kicks – or whatever they’re called.” – Victoria Beckham.

“Real Madrid are like a rabbit dazed in the headlights of a car, except this rabbit has a suit of armour, in the shape of two precious away goals.” – RTE Commentator George Hamilton.

“Welcome to the Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona that is packed to capacity… with some patches of seats left empty.” – George Hamilton.

“Dennis Wise, Vinnie Jones and John Fashanu must be turning in their graves.” – Carlton Palmer.

“I’ve seen some players with very big feet… and some with very small feet.” – David Pleat.

“David’s most annoying habit is that he picks his toes with one of those long prong things from Boots.” – Victoria Beckham.

“If there’s one thing Gus Uhlenbeek’s got, it’s pace and determination.” – Ray Houghton.

“When you’re walking onto a bus and trying to get there before the person in front of you, that’s a different level of competition to playing in front of 80,000 people.” – Graeme Le Saux.

“I’ve seen all the other Euro 2000 teams on video and no coach has as many good players as I do.” – A pre-tournament Kevin Keegan.

“I was inbred into the game by my father.” – David Pleat.

“I’m not a person who goes into a deep depression after a defeat. I try to remain reasonably upbeat. I’m realistic enough to know that results of football matches are often unpredictable and, when all is said and done, things don’t always work out as one would wish!” – Kevin Keegan, writing in the England vs. Germany programme.

“Zinedine Zidane could be a champion sumo wrestler. He can run like a crab or a gazelle.” – Howard Wilkinson.

“There’s still 45 minutes to go – for both sides, I would guess.” – Brian Marwood.

“Players who have more great games than other players are the great players.” – Graeme Souness.

“It should be a good match because they’re a good football team as well and we’re a good football team. It should be a very good match.” – Peter Taylor.

“If Plan A fails, they could always revert to Plan A.” – Mark Lawrenson.

“We started poorly, we finished poorly and we were poor in the middle. Even when we were 1-0 up after five minutes I knew it was a disaster waiting to happen.” – Bournemouth player/coach Peter Grant.

“It’s his first cap, so he’s not got a lot of experience at this level.” – Brian Marwood.

“Unconsciously, I fell in love with the small round sphere with its amusing and capricious rebounds which sometimes play with me.” – Fabien Barthez.

“Achilles tendon injuries are a pain in the butt.” – David O’Leary.

“I certainly wouldn’t put money on myself. Working as a national manager is out of the question.” – Sven-Goran Eriksson, six days before accepting the England job.

“If you’d been at school, he would have been the boy who ate worms.” – Neil Ruddock on Stan Collymore.

“I usually don’t have sex. Not on the same day. I say no thanks. I guess that, mentally, I want to keep the feeling in my feet and that’s why. I think the feeling sort of disappears out of your feet if you have sex before. I have tried before and my feet felt like concrete when you are supposed to kick the ball.” – Freddie Ljungberg.

“Veggard Heggem, my word, he must have a Yamaha down his shorts.” – Terry Butcher.

“I was a bit anxious when I got to the stadium, but in all fairness if hadn’t been anxious I’d have been worried.” – Leeds’ Paul Robinson.

“I like the comfort of jeans, and the elegance of a suit. But above all, I love the sensuality and sexuality that emanates from leather. It multiplies one’s sensations tenfold.” – Emmanuel Petit.

“England are numerically outnumbered in the midfield.” – Mark Lawrenson.

“It’s real end-to-end stuff… but unfortunately it’s all up at Forest’s end.” – Chris Kamara.

“We were in an awkward position against Yugoslavia, in that in order to win we needed to score more goals then they did.” – Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho.

“The reason we went out of Euro 2000 wasn’t anything to do with what happened in the last minute against Romania.” – Gary Neville.

“The fans might have envisaged a long string of away defeats strung together like a pearl necklace but we have shown that will not be the case.” – Manchester City chairman David Bernstein.

“When we go out in the evening I like to go for it. I love the traditional English gentleman look with cuff-links, highly-polished shoes and even a money clip.” – David Seaman.

“I have doubts about his mentality. I don’t think he’s a thousand percent mentally.” – Eamonn Dunphy.

“It was as if … (long pause) … the palm of Xavier’s hand deflected the ball away. And that’s what I call hand ball.” – Garth Crooks.

“This game is, I think, what my children would describe as ‘pants’.” – Gary Lineker.

“I haven’t got a clue about the exact number of women I had – four or five maybe. But I regret it deeply.” – Kieron Dyer on his eventful holiday in Ayia Napa.

“I like to breed players that attack people.” – David O’Leary.

“The Northampton striker went through the Stoke defence like a combine harvester on summer holiday.” – Sky Sports’ Brian Beard.

“Don’t get the idea I’m an Indian devotee but they taught their children how to listen – they had to hear the wind, the trees and the earth talk. You can hear the earth, you know.” – Former German coach-in-waiting Christoph Daum, who later failed a drug test.

“The players literally only have to fall out of their beds to be on the training pitch.” – Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood.

“If you buy a man who is half-dead, everybody may be happy off the field, but on the field you’ll have major problems.” – Arsene Wenger.

“It can’t be Sunday every day. There are also Mondays and Tuesdays.” – George Weah.

“He walks around the kitchen going ‘I’m a gay icon, they love me.’ The thing is with David is that he doesn’t care. He’ll go out in his skirt and his bandana and he doesn’t care what people say.” – Victoria Beckham.

“Northampton is a massive club.” – Goalkeeper Adam Sollitt.

Origin unknown but submitted by Toh Hsien Min (hsienmin.toh@extramedia.com)

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WWW MANCHESTER CITY SUPPORTERS’ HOME PAGE:
http://www.uit.no/mancity/

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DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in MCIVTA are entirely those of the subscribersand there is no intention to represent these opinions as being thoseof Manchester City Football Club, nor of any of the companies anduniversities by whom the subscribers are employed. It is not inany way whatsoever connected to the club or any other relatedorganisation and is simply a group of supporters using this mediumas a means of disseminating news and exchanging opinions.

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Ashley Birch, mcivta@tollbar.u-net.com

Editor: