sempuki

United to be sold Dec 15 2006 By The Journal Newcastle United last night refused to comment on reports that a £227m bid for the club had been accepted. The reports say secret talks have led to a joint bid by American financiers Polygon and the United Bank of Switzerland being accepted unanimously by the club's board. The club remained tight-lipped about the prospect of a takeover which is now said to be in the "due dilligence" stage and expected to be completed in the New Year. Under-fire chairman Freddy Shepherd will receive £20m for his shares while major shareholders, the Hall family will reportedly walk away with around £48m from the deal. And Glenn Roeder is expected to stay on as manager with a transfer kitty of £20m at his disposal. The shock takeover scuppers rival interest shown by investors The Belgravia Group, who had been going through a similar due dilligence process, without making a firm bid for the club. Polygon and UBS had reportedly been speaking to the Magpies since the summer before putting an offer of 93p per share on the United board's table. With the deal picking up the club's debts of around £87m, the offer values the club at £140m. One season ticket holder and shareholder, Jonathan Wells, last night told The Journal he was happy with the reported deal. "Anybody buying Newcastle for less than a couple of hundred of million would have been getting a bargain so I think Freddy Shepherd has held out for a better price," he said. "I think it's probably good news. I think there's always been money to spend, though not as much money as the richer clubs. "A transfer kitty of £20m doesn't even go a quarter of the way towards what some of the clubs have. It's a question of whether we're ever going to challenge the top five. We looked like we were going to five years ago but have drifted away from that. "It would be nice to get back into the Liverpool and Arsenal area of the Premiership."

He's right I amended it! Anyway this is absolutely massive news if it's true and this morning could be very interesting. Tara Freddy!

GLENN ROEDER will get a huge transfer war chest if the £227million sale of Newcastle goes through. Toon boss Roeder can expect a £20m windfall should American financiers Polygon and the United Bank of Switzerland complete the New Year deal. Chairman Freddy Shepherd and the Hall family will also be huge winners. Shepherd will pick up £20m from the deal while former owner Sir John Hall and his son Douglas should scoop around £48m. Sir John paid £3m for the Toon in 1991. It will be another Premiership club takeover by foreign backers. They have pledged NOT to get involved in the playing side — unlike new West Ham supremo Eggert Magnusson, who sacked boss Alan Pardew this week. http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-10151,00.html

Maybe the reports of Crouch and Wes Brown at the weekend had some truth.

CROUCH MOVE TO END IN FAILURE? PETER Crouch is a shock target for Newcastle United in the January transfer window. But the odds look against Glenn Roeder landing the 6ft 7in striker, who has netted nine times for Liverpool this season. And much could depend on the imminent take-over at Anfield by Dubai International Capital, with the super-rich investors likely to back manager Rafa Benitez in the transfer market once the expected £450m deal goes through. Crouch is not an automatic choice for Benitez, who also has summer acquisitions Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt to choose from up front. Roeder would not confirm United's interest, but he did say: "I'm an admirer of the way Peter Crouch plays and the fact that he also scores goals." Crouch, of course, would also be cup-tied in Europe, having played in the Champions League for Liverpool this season. Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka had been a target of Newcastle's in August, but the deal never got off the ground and United's interest in the forward is now dead, while Roeder has ruled out moves for defenders Jonathan Woodgate, Sylvain Distin and Fulham's Zat Knight. Both have been linked with the club in recent days as speculation intensifies ahead of January 1. But Roeder said: "I'm not interested in bringing Jonathan Woodgate, Sylvain Distin or Zat Knight to Newcastle United." It is also understood that another one-time target, Blackburn Rovers' right back Lucas Neill, is no longer on Roeder's shopping list.

Puntastic!

.com reckon he's got 5 yellow cards and will be banned for Wednesday. God knows what our defence will look like.

If the Zog gets banned maybe O'Brien will get a start - he'll have more chance than Luque!

Even with a full team Chelski away is a virtual write-off. The home game with Watford is more important in my opinion - hopefully Ken Dire will be back, maybe Parker for Emre although hopefully not Carr - I don't think it's co-incidental we are on a run without the leprechaun in the team.

Shocking when you see probably up to 8 starters are out.

Relief after nearly messing it up.

Newcastle's business ventures could see stakes rise to £240m Michael Walker and Ewan Murray Friday December 8, 2006 The Guardian The Belgravia Group, a Jersey-based business considering a takeover of Newcastle United, is understood to have made solid progress over the past few weeks in its discussions with the club. Belgravia has been studying the club's books and has now reached a stage where it is assessing if, when and how to make a successful bid to take control at St James' Park. It appears Belgravia is satisfied with the initial part of its audit but a city source said it is not a question of moving from there to an immediate offer for the shareholdings of the Hall family (41%) and the chairman, Freddy Shepherd (29%). An estimated fee for the club is £150m but it is believed there is a simultaneous negotiation relating to possible business ventures surrounding the club. That could take the price towards £240m. Belgravia and Newcastle United plc refused to confirm yesterday whether Shepherd had met the senior figures of Belgravia. Both parties seem keen to continue talks in private despite impatience on Tyneside for a resolution to something first announced on August 21.

Isn't Mark Stimson (former blonde bombshell now baldy) the manager there?

Baba's backed over boo-boysDec 7 2006 By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle Glenn Roeder jumped to the defence of his left-back Celestine Babayaro after Newcastle United's excellent victory over Reading at St James' Park. The Nigerian international returned to the side for the first time since he injured his groin at Watford a month ago and, not surprisingly, looked a bit ring-rusty. But it was his miskick in the move which led to Reading going 2-1 ahead in the 42nd minute which led to the former Chelsea man being booed by the home supporters. And for a spell at the start of the second half, Babayaro had the ignominy of again being targeted by his own fans, before they got behind Roeder's team with what can only be described as magnificent support. I asked to interview Babayaro and match referee Rob Styles to explain why he had disallowed what looked like a perfectly good Antoine Sibierski goal when Reading were rocking at 2-2. But neither Babayaro nor Styles appeared, and I was told that Roeder was "dealing with" the situation regarding his left-back. And sure enough, after the match Roeder said: "Babayaro showed immense courage and bravery to play through that difficult period. "I was quite surprised at the reaction he was getting when he was on the ball early in the second half. "But he kept showing for the ball and playing well and it all changed again and our supporters got behind him again." While Roeder was talking, I was told that Babayaro was sitting in the dressing room with his head in his hands being comforted by assistant manager Nigel Pearson. I wrote in the Chronicle last night that Babayaro is not popular with the fans and he should ask himself why. But at least, as Roeder pointed out, the left-back had the bottle to come through that awful 15-minute period at the start of the second half, and for the sake of the club, I can only hope the fans get behind the player. After all, as revealed in the Chronicle last night, Olivier Bernard is struggling to play again this season because of a hip problem similar to that of Shola Ameobi, leaving Babayaro as United's only recognised left-back.

Roeder plans swap for Bent Newcastle United have asked Charlton to let them know if they decide to sell Darren Bent in January and are prepared to offer James Milner and Steve Carr in part-exchange. St James’ Park manager Glenn Roeder has made £10 million-rated Bent his priority with Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi set to miss the majority of the season and Albert Luque getting ready to return to Spain on loan. Chairman Freddy Shepherd is reluctant to spend another large sum after investing more than £40m on Owen, Luque, Damien Duff and Obafemi Martins in the last 18 months. Bottom club Charlton are reluctant to sell Bent in the transfer window if they feel they have a chance of staying in the Premiership but know he wants to move to a bigger club. Roeder is also keeping tabs on Bolton striker Kevin Davies. Talks over a new three-year deal have stalled, with manager Sam Allardyce refusing to get anywhere near Davies’ request to be paid £30,000 a week. Bolton have resurrected Davies’ career but the player does not want to be taken for granted.

Sounds good to me and the transfer window might be exciting for once as we'd definitely be going for players at the top end of the market.

I remember being very impressed at the time with John Gallacher but he seemed to completely disappear without trace. Didn't Sumo get 36 goals and McGhee 25? Awesome statistics it must be said.

Thought it was. Will you be mentioning the horror of the Mackem ice cream man and gargoyle? - one of my worst ever experiences watching the Toon. I had my GCSEs the next day and all I could think about was how gutted I was.

What was the game when we won 5-4 and McGhee scored a brilliant individual goal in the last minute after being 4-2 down?

First home win since August - hallelujah!

West Sham winning.

Perhaps I'm being overly (and unusually) optimistic but if Roeder is looking at players at the top end of the market like Huntelaar does this mean we have money to spend?

Ex-Blade Billy in benefits swindle FORMER Blades striker Billy Whitehurst has narrowly escaped jail for fiddling £12,000 benefits. During his career Whitehurst played for several top clubs and was described by TV pundit Alan Hansen as the opponent he had feared the most. But, as a footballer whose career ended in 1993, Whitehurst never earned the big money associated with today's top players, Barnsley magistrates heard. And when the one-time Thurnscoe brickie's career ended, he turned to gambling and in just one day at the races, lost his year's income from investments. Whitehurst, aged 45, of School Street, Great Houghton, and whose other clubs included Newcastle, Sunderland and Doncaster Rovers, pleaded guilty to six charges of falsely obtaining money from the department of work and pensions and asked for other offences to be taken into consideration. Prosecutor Gerald Casey said Whitehurst had signed forms saying he was not in receipt of any other income when in fact he had an occupational pension of £322 a month and was paid £12,232 in benefits that he was not entitled to. Steve Smith, defending, said: "He was a top player at a time when footballers did not get the financial rewards they get these days." He said when Whitehurst retired he had a legacy of footballing injuries to his back, knees and ankles which made him incapable of doing most jobs. To make matters worse he enjoyed gambling and when he retired and found work difficult he turned more and more to gambling as a "solace". "His entire annuity went in one day, his wife of 20 years showed him the door, it broke down his marriage, many of his so called friends and hangers-on deserted him and he is now living in rented accommodation," he said But Mr Smith said since fully admitting his false benefit claims, Whitehurst had finally admitted his addiction to gambling and his wife has indicated she will have him back. "He admitted his guilt at the earliest opportunity and had admitted his gambling problems. He is at last facing his demons." Chairman of the bench David Dennis sentenced Whitehurst to an 18-month rehabilitation order and ordered him to pay £120 costs. He said: "It is always sad when somebody who has been respected and admired by lots of people goes off the rails, but the fact is that you have broken the law and these are serious offences. If you had not immediately pleaded guilty it is almost certain you would have been given a custodial sentence." Whitehurst declined to comment on gambling losses and described his soccer earnings as "a pittance". In 1991 he was fined £250 after admitting failing to take a breath test and obstructing a police officer. In 2000 he was cleared of assaulting a woman drinker and causing affray during a row at the pub he then ran, the Butcher's Arms in Thurnscoe. As police prepared to revoke his licence, Whitehurst surrendered it saying: "I've had enough of running a pub and it's become too much hassle."

I wish! Double dutch blow for Roe Nov 21 2006 By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle Newcastle United's plans to go Dutch in the January transfer widow have been thwarted because Ajax can pay their own way. Glenn Roeder has targeted Ajax's 26-year-old striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar and left-back Urby Emanuelson, but has already been told from Amsterdam to back off. Roeder is always reluctant to talk about any transfer targets, but he admitted today: "Like a lot of Premiership managers, Huntelaar and Emanuelson are two players I greatly admire, but Ajax are insisting they are not for sale." While a lot of the talk was about fellow Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt in the summer, Roeder would loved to have brought the man called The Hunter to St James' Park - but after paying e9m for him, Ajax see him as part of their future. Where United missed the boat was in February 2005 when Huntelaar played against them and scored for Heerenveen in a UEFA Cup match in the Dutch town. United have already spotted the potential of the 20-year-old Emanuelson, but so too have Ajax and Holland after he was capped for the first time against the Republic of Ireland in August. United know that their fans are expecting additions to their paper-thin and injury-hit squad, and Roeder insists: "We know what parts of our team needs strengthening and we will be acting accordingly." United are desperate for a couple of strikers, while another central defender and a left-back would come in more than handy in January. The whole football world - including the agents - know that United are desperate for new players, and fans can expect all sorts of weird and not-so-wonderful names to be thrown at them in the next couple of months. Even by United's standards the number of players they were linked with over the weekend was astonishing - but none of them will be finding a peg in the St James' Park dressing room. United love Alan Smith's aggression, but he is not a natural goalscorer so you can rule him out. Aston Villa midfielder Steve Davis was strongly linked with a move to United over the weekend, but Roeder is not interested. The Magpies are well off in midfield, but if they do find they want to strengthen here they have a player in mind with a Premiership club - and it's not Davis. As far as central defenders are concerned, Berne Young Boys' Ivory coast international Steve Gohouri, Leicester's Aussie Patrick Kisnorbo and Valencia's David Navarro were all said to be targets over the weekend - but none are. Navarro has already got up United's nose by saying that he is going to turn down a move to St James' Park because he fears Newcastle will be relegated. This prompted Roeder to say: "Before you can turn anybody down you have to be asked." Roeder has distanced himself from reports linking Newcastle with a bid for former striker Lomana LuaLua, who is believed to be unhappy at Portsmouth. United were also linked with Celtic striker Shaun Maloney over the weekend, and although they will have a high-powered delegation at Parkhead tonight - including Roeder and chairman Freddy Shepherd - for the Champions League game with Manchester United, I am told there is no specific player they are watching.

Christmas deadline as Belgravia mulls over move for Newcastle Michael Walker Tuesday November 21, 2006 The Guardian Belgravia, the company in talks with Newcastle United about a possible takeover at St James' Park, expects to have made either a formal offer, or to have walked away, by Christmas. Effectively that leaves five weeks for the parties to reach agreement and, with Belgravia into their period of due diligence, City sources said yesterday that a bid is "imminent", although that means weeks rather than days. January's transfer window is a key factor in the self-imposed deadline. Newcastle and Belgravia want to have a sense of certainty going into January, with a Belgravia spokesman saying yesterday that, regardless of speculation about the value of the land around St James' Park, the primary focus would be on improving the club's Premiership standing. Despite sceptical noises from within St James' about Belgravia's true intentions - there appears to be little belief, publicly at least, that the Jersey-based company will make a bid - Belgravia stressed yesterday that any takeover could not be classified as hostile. "We are in discussions which are ongoing," a spokesman said. That has been Belgravia's stance since August 21, when it was first revealed that discussions had begun and when they were entitled to begin inspecting the books under the due diligence period. Newcastle's position, reiterated by the chairman, Freddy Shepherd, at the weekend, is that there has been no official offer from Belgravia or any other party, and even if one or more is forthcoming it does not have to be accepted. However, discussions can be at an advanced stage before any formal bid is declared under Stock Exchange rules. Newcastle are facing injury problems for Thursday's Uefa Cup visit of Celta Vigo. Damien Duff and Craig Moore will have scans today on injuries picked up in the 1-1 draw at Arsenal. Duff hurt a knee and faces a fortnight out of action, and Moore is also likely to miss the match. This leaves Newcastle with only three fit defenders for the game.