Newsletter #1029

Apologies for the delay in Thursday’s issue – a little matter of work getting in the way.

So, as England and France join Italy, Spain and Germany out of Euro2004 (and talking of which, that nice referee Mr Meier has a website you can visit and vent your spleen on, see below), the Premiership fixtures were out on Thursday and our thoughts can turn to the season ahead. You can find the MCFC fixtures here: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/fixtures.asp?sublid=First+Team&lid=Statistics

Thanks to Sarah for tonight’s news summary; there are also plenty of transfer news and views, a bit of humour and requests.

Finally, 12 months today since Marc Vivien Foe tragically passed away. City unveiled a memorial in the small garden at CoMS yesterday. R.I.P. Marco.

NEWS SUMMARY

City Get Home Start: City will begin the new campaign at home against Fulham. The new fixture list, published earlier today, shows the Old Trafford derby as the weekend of November 6th (expect Gary Neville to be providing the fireworks!) – with the return match scheduled for the weekend of 12th February (roses might be red, but we will be hoping Manchester is Blue that weekend then! – sorry!). The final match of the season will again be at home – against Middlesbrough (thanks to Mike Cook for bringing this to my attention).

Anelka – a blessing or a curse? ‘The name Anelka is to soccer what a virus is to computers’, claimed one observer commenting on the involvement of Nico’s brother Claude, now investor and manager of Raith Rovers. Allegedly, the three brothers, Claude, Nicolas and Didier, have previously unsettled such greats as Arsenal & Real Madrid.

Keegan Gets Defensive: KK has strengthened City’s defence with the signing of Ben Thatcher, from recently relegated Leicester, and Belgian International goalkeeper, Geert de Vlieger, from Dutch side Willem 11. Thirty-two year old de Vlieger, who has played 42 games as Belgium’s number 1, has thrown down the gauntlet to England and City’s number 1, challenging him to keep his place. He has previously played for Anderlecht, and arrived on a free transfer to sign a two year contract with City Meanwhile, Welsh international Ben Thatcher, who elected to join City rather than Portsmouth, for an undisclosed fee, is a left back who can also play in the centre of defence. Portsmouth are apparently still smarting at the loss!

Jordan Joins… City: Stephen Jordan, the 22 year old former Academy player, has signed a year’s contract with the Blues, providing cover at left back for the aforementioned Thatcher. Jordan made two appearances as substitute last season, including one in the final game against Everton.

The rumour mill keeps turning… With the Manchester Evening News suggesting that Blackburn were offering to swap Andy Cole for Robbie Fowler (too ridiculous for comment)!

Reiziger: Will he, won’t he… will Reiziger join City this year? Reiziger, who is out of contract with Barcelona, recently turned down a move to Spanish champions Valencia, saying he would rather play in the Premiership (thanks to Henk Timmer for this).

Euro 2004: City’s No. 1 has been keeping England in it (and he must at times have wondered if he was back at COMS – e.g. the Gerrard back pass vs. France). However, DJ now firmly believes that England are ‘finding their form at the right time’ – (fingers crossed for Thursday evening). Paul Bosvelt made an appearance for Holland against the Czech Republic, when Dutch boss, Dick Advocaat, chose to play the defensive midfielder in place of Arien Robben. Although not a popular choice with their fans, Advocaat felt he needed to do something to close down Galasek, who had had too much space.

Conspicuous by his absence: One player who isn’t at 2004, but who according to Barcelona’s assistant manager, Henk ten Cate, should be, is SWP. The player caught his eye in last August’s friendly at CoMs. However, in his TV interview he didn’t say whether SWP is on Barca’s very long (!) short-list (thanks again to Henk Timmer).

Also looking good: For Denmark… is ex-City player, Niclas Jensen.

City boss wins praise from the City’s bosses: KK has been voted one of the Premiership’s top managers, coming second only to Arsene Wenger. The survey, run by Venture Finance, among small to medium sized firms, found Keegan to be ‘passionate and driven’ – characteristics that appealed to almost twenty percent of the voters.

In Remembrance: A memorial service for Marc Vivien Foe will be held on Friday, to mark the first anniversary of his death. The time of prayer and reflection will be led by the Club’s Chaplain, Reverend Tony Porter and will be attended by representatives of Marc’s family and Chairman John Wardle, who will plant a Blue Moon rose and unveil a plaque in the Memorial Garden at the new stadium. Fans are welcome to attend the Service and also to visit the garden over the weekend.

Ritchie returns to Scotland? Livingston are reported to have spoken to Paul Ritchie’s agent about a possible move for the former City defender.

A Right Royle Court Case: Joe Royle was sacked because Manchester City felt he was ‘incompetent’… Proceedings continue between former manager, Joe Royle, and Manchester City over whether City were still a Premiership club, despite having been relegated, when they sacked him. Joe claims he is owed more money… and discussions continue, as yet unresolved, about whether he was entitled to a Premiership pay-off, while ‘his’ team faced a future in the First Division. According to Royle’s defence, City could not have been relegated until the play offs had been completed. Confused? I certainly am!

It takes its toll… Former Liverpool striker and one time Blue, David Johnson, has undergone surgery after suffering a heart attack while coaching in Singapore. The 52 year old, who previously played for City, also won eight England caps.

The man who discovered KK dies… Although not directly linked with City, Ron Ashman, the man who discovered KK, has died at the age of 78. Ashman, who was Scunthorpe’s longest serving manager, brought the 17 year old Keegan to the club in 1968. KK then went on to score 18 times in 124 appearances, before being sold to Bill Shankly’s Liverpool for £33,000.

OPINION: SIGNINGS

So we have signed another goalkeeper, Geert De Vlieger. He can’t be concerned about first team football unlike the Icelander who left because of the lack of an opportunity. Oh yes he got one, performed well and never got another chance. We could have had him for nothing but paid £2 million for David James, then had no money to buy van Buyten. Hmmmm.

Arason was available at the same time as we bought James. We have also bought a defender but have let others go for free, as well as selling a good one. Hmmmm.

Talking of players who get a chance and never play again, what happened to that man called Belmadi? Or something like that. He tore Fulham apart one night at Maine Road and was never seen again.

Anyway, Cole sounds good he might score the goal that relegates the Rags.

P.S. KK sold him in his prime and had to explain it to the Geordies on the steps of St James’ Park.

OPINION: CHOP FOR ITALIA?

Hi to everybody from Torino!

I want to reassure all our fans about a possible concern of Lecce, a little South Italian club of Serie A, for Paulo Wanchope.

It’s all wrong! Lecce surely wish to send at the best price his first striker, the 24 year old very good Uruguaian Ernesto Chevanton. Zdenek Zeman, the old new boss (ex-Lazio, Napolie and Roma just 7 or 8 years ago) of this squad, has told to the local Italian newspapers he wants only young players in his squad in the next Campionato.

And, believe me, he’s one of the few men in our football world who always says the truth!

Of course our Paulo is really too old for him, and I think he could be able again for KK and Pearce in 2004/2005.

However, our adored and without money squad needs to keep some Bosman players from Italy: a lot of big and small Italian Serie A and B squads have incredible problems to go on for the next season, so they shall cut more and more players.

I suggest you two perfect unknown players: Fontana, from Fiorentina, and Bernardini, from Atalanta, they will be free from now!

Come on City and good summer to all of you!

OPINION: COLE

As soon as he went to the cess pit, I disliked “Mandy Pole” – see, I can’t even write his name. This turned into a loathing when he scored against us in the 1994/5 Maine Road derby (we lost 0-3) and made a “coffee bean” gesture to Keith Curle. The Daily Star (bless them) took a photo of this and published it in full page colour, which Rags at work posted all over the place. Additionally Pole must be 2-3 years older than Fowler and is better known for his outrageous misses while with the scum and failure to score for the national team.

OPINION: HAMBURG OR US?

Which team is KK managing? First of all, sorry about my English, I’m still German…

Several German papers like the leading “Kicker” reports about the DvB-Transfer to Hamburger SV. The reasons for the transfer to the north of Germany are: a nice club, a German born mother and the other new signing, his friend Emile Mpenza.

However, what I read today makes me really worry about our team manager. KK told the Belgian to do the move to Hamburg because of a nice town where it is easy to amuse yourself. The same KK, who tries (in his words) everything to make the DvB-Transfer to our beloved City possible, is speaking to the player in this way? Which team is paying his fees?

Not only the last season, the worrying accounts, the not-possible-signings for the next season, now he’s sending the players we all want to see in the sky blue shirts to other teams?

By the way, nobody in Germany, except of the HSV-Supporters (they don’t even want to know), knows how they managed to make the €3.8 million deal possible because of empty cash, which was impossible for City.

OPINION: JENSEN

Simon Curtis hit the nail on the head (MCIVTA 1028). Just why did we sell Niclas Jensen? A good, solid player with international and European experience. What’s more, experience and age meant we could have had him for a number of years. Not sure on Ben Thatcher to comment with authority but he does see yellow on a fairly regular basis! Let’s hope he does a good job for us though. I still feel we need a quality centre half and midfielder but hey, unless one or two players are shown the door or we manage to get a couple of bargain Bosmans, I can’t see that happening. Anyway, enjoying Euro 2004 – is it me or does watching England remind you of City? Déjà vu or what!?

OPINION: THE KEEGAN/PEARCE ERA?

A new era is about to start in the history of Manchester City as Kevin Keegan and Stuart Pearce embark on a new season together. Stuart Pearce moves up to Assistant Manager after Arthur Cox retired from his position.

I firmly have faith that Kevin Keegan and Stuart Pearce will have a successful season, and yes with mainly the same players from last season; so many games last season were lost by bad luck, the team so often had played well enough to win.

It’s the defence that needed to be fine tuned and although City did not get DvB, the club has not stopped in its endeavor to reinforce the defence, bringing in Ben Thatcher from under the noses of Portsmouth, and bringing in a very good back up to David James in the Belgian ‘keeper Geert De Vlieger, who comes with a very good reputation.

Two very smart moves by KK, who will be determined to get the new season right.

Keep the faith.

REQUEST: TALKIN’ CITY WEBSITE

Dear TC Users / MCIVTA readers

Sadly we are still experiencing problems with the Talking City website due to what it appears at first glance is the host company going under.

Rest assured we are working hard to restore the service as fast as possible, but so far progress has been very slow.

In the meantime the TC backup board is up and running on Wookie’s website as per normal in the forums section.

http://www.wookieslair.com/

We suggest you bookmark this location in case of future problems as this is where the admin will post the latest details.

Posting on the board requires you to register on Wookie’s site (this is not the same as your TC login although you can make it so if you like) but you are more than welcome to lurk if you just want to wait until the TC board returns. The registration is free as always and is there to protect you and us the same as with the TC board.

We thank you for your patience and look forward to talking with you on Wookie’s Forums. As ever we appreciate your loyalty and commitment to the TC board and value you friendship – we hope to restore you to our usual service soon.

REQUEST: HELP SAVE BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Apologies if you have received this before, but someone pointed out that he nearly deleted it as the title makes it look like spam.

Please help save Brighton & Hove Albion. Please forward to others!

Links:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Falmer/petition-sign.html
http://homepage.virgin.net/tim.carder
http://www.clubsincrisis.com/

REQUEST: URS MEIER WANTS YOUR FEEDBACK

Thought MCIVTA readers may like to send a congratulatory email to our favourite ref. of the moment. Urs Meier. He can be contacted at <referee(at)ursmeier.ch> and here’s his website: http://www.ursmeier.ch/referee/

BLUE HUMOUR

The England Football coach, Sven Goran Ericsson is on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” and has reached the million pound question. Chris Tarrant says “Right Sven, this is for one million pounds, and remember, you still have two lifelines left, so please take your time.” Here’s your question: What type of animal lives in a sett? Is it:

a) badger
b) a ferret
c) a mole, or
d) a cuckoo?

Sven ponders for a while and says “No, I’m sorry Chris, I’m not too sure. I’ll have to go 50-50.” Right, Sven, let’s take away two wrong answers and see what you’re left with. “Badger” and “Cuckoo” are the two remaining answers.

Sven has a long think, then scratches his head and says “No, Chris, I’m still not sure, I’m going to have to phone a friend.” “So who are you going to call, Sven?” says Chris.

“Hmmm.. I think I’ll call David Beckham.”

So Tarrant phones David Beckham. “David, this is Chris Tarrant from ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’. I’ve got Sven Goran Ericsson here, and with your help he could win one million pounds. The next voice you hear will be Sven’s.”

“Hello David,” says Sven. “It’s the boss here. What type of animal lives in a sett? Is it a badger or a cuckoo?”

“It’s a badger, boss.” says Becks without hesitation.

“You sure, son?” says Sven.

“Definitely, boss. One hundred per cent. It’s a badger. Definitely.”

“Right, Chris,” says Sven, “I’ll go with David. The answer’s a badger. Final answer.”

“Sven,” says Chris, “That’s the correct answer. You’ve won One Million Pounds!” Cue wild celebrations.

Next morning at training, Sven calls Beckham across. “Son, that was brilliant last night. I thought I might be taking a gamble giving you a call, but you played a blinder! But how the hell did you know that a badger lives in a sett?”

“Oh… I didn’t, boss,” replies Beckham, “But everybody knows a cuckoo lives in a clock.”

MCIVTA FAQ [v0304.07]

[0] MCIVTA Addresses

Articles (Heidi Pickup)          : editor@mcivta.city-fan.org
News/rumour (Don Barrie)         : news@mcivta.city-fan.org
Subscriptions (Madeleine Hawkins): subscriptions@mcivta.city-fan.org
Technical problems (Paul)        : paul@city-fan.org
FAQ (David Warburton)            : faq@mcivta.city-fan.org

[1] What are MCIVTA’s publishing deadlines?

Deadlines for issues are nominally 6pm, Monday and Thursday evenings.

[2] MCIVTA Back Issues and Manchester City Supporters’ home page

http://www.uit.no/mancity/ is the unofficial Manchester City Supporters’ home page. Created in 1994, it is the longest running of the Manchester City related web sites. Back issues of MCIVTA are also hosted on the site.

[3] What is the club’s official web site?

The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/

[4] What supporters’ clubs are there?

Manchester City FC recognises three supporters’ clubs: The “Official Supporters Club” (http://www.mancity.net/osc/); the “Centenary Supporters’ Association” (http://www.reddishblues.com/CSAWebsite/CSA.htm) and “The International Supporters’ Club” (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/article.asp?article=111845&Title=International+Supporters+Club&lid=Membership).

[5] Where can I find out about the fans’ committee?

The Fans’ Committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. It has its own website, http://www.mcfc-fans.com/ containing info about forthcoming meetings as well as minutes from previous gatherings.

[6] What match day broadcasts are available on the web?

The GMR pre and post match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/gmr/sport_intro.shtml.

Live match commentaries and archives of games, reports and interviews can be found at http://www.mcfctv.com/, whilst an alternate live commentary service, hosted by Yahoo, is located at http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/foot/englandprem/cal/index.html.

[7] Where can I find out if City are live on satellite TV?

http://www.satfootball.com/pl.html provides a listing of Premiership games being shown on UK domestic and foreign satellite channels. Useful sites for North American viewers are http://canadatvsoccer.tripod.com/Fixtures.htm, http://www.foxsportsworld.com/named/FSW/Index/Soccer, and http://www.soccertv.com/.

http://www.foxsportsworld.com/content/view?contentId=1288602 also provides a guide to pubs in the USA showing football.

[8] What’s the music the teams run out to?

At the start of the 03/04 season it was actually a mix of two tracks: Starting with “O Verona” (from the film “William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet”) leading in to “Barber’s Adagio for Strings (Ferry Corsten remix)” by William Orbit. The first part is available on the movie soundtrack (volume 2) and the second is included on a variety of CDs such as Kiss House Nation 2000, Galaxy Hit Mix, Cream Live, Ibiza Chill and Dance Nation 4.

Currently we use a selection of different music, which seems to change each game.

[9] Do we have a Usenet newsgroup?

Yes we do: uk.sport.football.clubs.man-city is our home on usenet. If you are not familiar with usenet, a basic explanation is available here: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci213262,00.html

[10] Do any squad members have their own web pages?

There are a number available and direct links can be found at http://www.uit.no/mancity/players/

[11] Can I buy shares in the club?

Yes you can: Shares in Manchester City PLC are traded on OFEX. The latest prices can be on found the OFEX web site http://www.ofex.com/ (registration required) or in the business section of the Manchester Evening News.

[12] Where can I find match statistics?

Statistics for the current season are available from the club site, but for a more in-depth analysis try http://www.mcfcstats.com/.

[13] Acknowledgements

Thanks go to Damian Quinn, Stephen Webb, Roger Haigh, Martin Price, and Adrian Howarth for the Satellite TV info.

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.

Heidi Pickup, editor@mcivta.city-fan.org

Editor: