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Allen not interested in Wycombe job

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Cheltenham boss Martin Allen says he is staying with Town despite being linked with the job at Wycombe Wanderers, following Peter Taylor’s departure.

He told BBC Gloucestershire: “I moved to Cheltenham six weeks ago and I’m very happy here.

“I know I have a hard job with the lowest budget in the league but there are no distractions for me.

“I’m staying. We had a tough year last year and it’s a challenge to manage here. I’ve no interest in Wycombe.”

In contrast, Peter Taylor has become a serious contender to become Ian McParland’s sucessor at Notts County.

Posted by The Editor on October 12th, 2009

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Chester City withdraw appeal

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Chester have dropped their appeal against the 15-point penalty from the Football Conference.

City had already been docked an automatic 10 points for having gone into voluntary administration following relegation from League Two in May.

New chairman Ian Anderson told BBC Radio Merseyside: “If we were strong financially, I’d say let’s spend £100,000 and take on the appeal.

“But the money now needs to stay in Chester City Football Club.”

Chester are 24 points adrift of safety in the Blue Square Premier after starting the season on minus 25 points.

Posted by The Editor on October 12th, 2009

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USA book World Cup Finals place

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After defeating Honduras 3-2 Saturday night in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, the USA have qualified for next summer’s FIFA World Cup with a game to spare.

Honduras is racked by debate over the removal from office of its left-wing president, but the raucous home crowd was united in delight as its national team dominated the scoreless first half. Immediately after halftime, the hard work of the Hondurans paid off when Julio Leon drilled a perfectly placed free kick past U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard to take the lead.

Posted by The Editor on October 12th, 2009

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No surpises as Magpies sack McParland

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Ian McParland has been sacked as manager of Notts County.

After nearly two tumultuous years in charge at Meadow Lane the Scot had often remarked that nothing surprised him in football. However, his dismissal this morning was sadly all too predictable.

McParland has paid the price for the grand ambitions of owners Munto Finance and was relieved of his post after County’s disappointing 2-2 draw to Torquay United yesterday, with the club in fifth place in Coca-Cola League Two and only four points off the summit.

Rumours have swirled around Meadow Lane this weekend that Sven-Goran Eriksson, their director of football, was due to leave but instead McParland has been punished with his job following a difficult start to the campaign. Yesterday, Eriksson gave short shrift to reports that he has become frustrated with the uncertainty over the ownership at Meadow Lane. He was less decisive when questioned on reports from Sweden which claimed the former Manchester City manager could be approached to take over the national team after their disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign.

Posted by The Editor on October 12th, 2009

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Own goal classic: Chris Brass of Bury

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Unless it’s scored against our team we all love an own goal.

Here’s a gem scored by Chris Brass for Darlington against his side Bury on April 22nd 2006. Chris really suffered for his perfection of ‘own goal art’ as he almost broke his nose in the process.

It was the opening goal of the game though (thankfully for Chris) Bury won 3-2.

Is this the best (or should it be worst) own goal of all time?

Posted by The Editor on June 24th, 2009

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Soccer shorts: Vermaelen joins Arsenal and more

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Football Thing’s one-line round-up of today’s news and speculation

Arsenal

Arsenal have completed the signing of Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen from Dutch club Ajax for an undisclosed fee.

Blackburn Rovers

Greek side Olympiakos have agreed a fee with Blackburn Rovers for striker Matt Derbyshire.

Norwich City

Norwich City have signed Hartlepool defender Michael Nelson on a two-year contract.

Bradford City

Bradford City have signed defender Zesh Rehman on a free transfer following his release by Queens Park Rangers.

Wigan Athletic

Fulham are close to signing Wigan Athletic’s midfielder Paul Scharner for £6m.

Posted by The Editor on June 19th, 2009

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Soccer shorts: Sousa for Swansea

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Swansea City

Despite former Spurs assistmant manager Gus Poyet appearing to have emerged as the front runner for the vacant manager’s role at Swansea City, the Swans have surprised everyone by offering the position to Paulo Sousa.

The former Portugal international has been out of work since being sacked by Queens Park Rangers back in April.

“He will provide Swansea City with a fantastic chance to continue developing and growing over the next few years,” said chairman Huw Jenkins.

Sousa has verbally accepted a three-year-deal.

Keegan back at Southampton?

Speculation is mounting over Kevin Keegan making a sensational return to Southampton.

He first came to Southampton in July 1980 when Lawrie McMenemy lured him back to English football for £400,000 following three years in Germany with SV Hamburg.

Keegan spent two years with the Saints, scoring 37 goals in 68 league games.

During that time, Southampton finished sixth and seventh in successive seasons in the English top flight before Keegan left in August 1982 to join Newcastle United.

BBC Radio Solent sports editor Adam Blackmore told Radio 5 Live: “We’ve seen photos this morning taken on a mobile seemingly showing Kevin Keegan with Matt Le Tissier and former chairman Leon Crouch, although none with the three of them together.

Le Tissier is expected to become Chairman of Southampton if the impending takeover of the club by the Pinnacle Group is successful.

Coyle extends contract at Burnley

Burnley manager Owen Coyle has signed a new contract which will keep him at Turf Moor until 2013.

The Scot guided the Lancashire Club into the Premier League through the play-offs, but had been linked with the vacant manager’s job at Celtic.

Posted by The Editor on June 18th, 2009

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Soccer shorts: Carling Cup, Mowbray and more

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Carling Cup 1st round draw

The draw for the Carling Cup 1st round sees Football League new boys Burton Albion travel to Reading. Full draw here.

New Celtic Manager

Celtic have announced the appointment of West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray as their new manager.

Johnson to sign for the Reds

Liverpool look to have won the race to sign England defender Glen Johnson after agreeing a fee in the region of £17m with Portsmouth.

Posted by The Editor on June 16th, 2009

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Is Michael Owen ready to retire?

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How times have changed for Michael Owen. The former undisputed golden boy of English football, feared by defenders throughout the World and lauded by Europe’s biggest clubs, is, if growing rumours are to be believed, about to announce his retirement.

Injuries

Owen’s injury-plagued stay at Newcastle has proved to be a nightmare, with the player a mere shadow of his former self even when officially ‘match fit’ and raring to go.

The striker’s searing pace is long gone, never to return, and his explosive arrival on the global stage at the 1998 World Cup, with that wonder goal against Argentina, now a distant memory.

Posted by The Editor on June 16th, 2009

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Bye bye Ronaldo

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So, the Ronaldo will-he, won’t-he join Real Madrid saga has finally come to a conclusion.

Hooray! I was getting bored with it.

Arrogance

I don’t like Ronaldo. Not entirely down to him playing for Manchester United (though that is a major factor). His arrogance really gets up my nose and I am jealous of his six pack.

Having said all that, and as much as I hate to admit it, he is without doubt, in my eyes at least, the best player in the World. All other contenders are just that. Contenders.

Teenager

The Portuguese international was only 18 when he joined United from Sporting Lisbon for £12.2m in 2003 and has played a pivotal part in their phenomenal successes over the last six years.

Ronaldo scored a staggering 42 goals for United in 2007/08 and was also the club’s top scorer last season with 26 goals, taking his total for United to 118 in 292 appearances.

United fans are mourning his passing (no pun intended) and fans at all other clubs are no doubt already celebrating. The Premiership as a spectacle will be worse off without him.

Bye Cristiano. Good luck in Madrid. We’ll miss you.

Ian Davies

Posted by The Editor on June 11th, 2009

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