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.

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.

City were docked 10 points for having gone into administration and then had that increased for undisclosed reasons.

The Football Association intervened when it became clear that their former owner Stephen Vaughan was still part of the consortium which had bought back the club.

“That’s a simple fiscal decision,” Anderson added.

“It’s probably commercial duress, a double sword in the fact that we can’t afford to do it. That’s is the reality of it.”But despite not appealing against the points penalty, Anderson does hope the club can give financial support to new manager Jim Harvey to strengthen his squad.

“Jim has assured me he will be looking at players this week,” Anderson continued. “I’ve had a meeting with the owner [Stephen Vaughan] and he assured me there is money available.

“It goes without saying this squad isn’t good enough. It needs to be strengthened and it is as simple as that.

“It’s there for everyone to see. We will strengthen the squad but we need to bring in the right people.”

Original article: BBC Sport

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.

The U.S. responded with three goals in just over 10 minutes. First, in the 58th minute, combative forward Conor Casey beat the Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares in the air to head in the equalizer. And Casey wasn’t finished, adding a second goal seven minutes later after receiving a defense-splitting through pass from Landon Donovan. Donovan added his name to the score sheet in the 69th minute, beating Valladares with a free kick after Casey was brought down just outside the penalty area.

The United States survived a late scare, with Julio Leon scoring his second of the match in the 78th minute. Then Carlos Pavon missed a golden opportunity to level the score after Jonathon Spector handled the ball in the penalty area. Pavon skied the resulting penalty over the bar, relegating Honduras to its first home defeat in World Cup qualifying.

With the win, the U.S. team guaranteed itself a spot in the top three of its qualifying group: The pressure is now off for Wednesday’s match against Costa Rica. Soccer archrival Mexico also clinched qualification Saturday with a 4-1 victory over El Salvador.

Original article: World Magazine

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.

A statement issued by the club said: “Notts County Football Club this afternoon announced that they have parted company with manager Ian McParland.

“A further announcement will be made shortly.”

The Scot met with chairman Peter Trembling this morning and “parted company” at around midday. Speculation is already rife over his successor, with names ranging from realistic to fanciful.

Roberto Mancini, the former Inter Milan manager, was approached by Eriksson in the summer but is understood to have cooled his interest, despite alleged recent attempts to persuade him to change his mind. Steve McClaren, Iain Dowie and ex-Nottingham Forest manager David Platt have also been linked with the position since the summer, when Munto Finance completed their takeover. Peter Taylor, who left Wycombe Wanderers by mutual consent last week, is another name thought to be in the frame.

It remains to be seen who will take charge of the side for Saturday’s trip to Rotherham United, but Eriksson is highly unlikely to move to the dug-out from his role “upstairs”. He will, however, play a significant role in choosing McParland’s successor.

McParland, who played for County for eight years, had seemed uncomfortable with the publicity generated by the new consortium’s plans for the future and had confided with close friends that he was a dead man walking since Eriksson’s surprise arrival. His departure is the second high-profile exit at Meadow Lane in recent weeks, with Sol Campbell walking out of the club after just one appearance.

Original article: The Times

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?

Ian Davies

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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.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth full-back Djimi Traore has signed a two-year deal with French side AS Monaco.

Burnley

Burnley have made an official bid for Swansea City’s striker Jason Scotland.

Ian Davies

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.

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.

Carvalho & Deco to Inter

Inter Milan are hopeful of taking Chelsea pair Ricardo Carvalho and Deco to the San Siro Stadium.

Windass to Vale?

Veteran Hull City striker Dean Windass is considering a player-coach role at Port Vale.

Celtic star may reign in Spain

Shunsuke Nakamura’s proposed return to his native Japan from Celtic may involve a detour via Spain. Espanyol have shown interest in the player and the 30-year-old’s proposed move back to Yokohama F Marinos, where he started his career, has been put on hold.

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.

Teenage Sensation

Owen was only 19 during France 98, with the World literally at his feet, and the whole of football purred with bold predictions of him blasting Sir Bobby Charlton’s England goalscoring record aside and easily amassing over 120 caps.

Eleven years on and fast approaching 30, Owen has 40 international goals under his belt (nine short of Charlton) and 89 caps, but isn’t in Fabio Capello’s plans.

Why retire now?

Owen’s current contract at Newcastle has come to an end and the Magpies are in no position to renew it at £120,000 a week. £50,000 is thought to be more realistic. However, money shouldn’t be a major concern, as the player was listed in the 2008 Sunday Times Rich List as having a £41m fortune.

Perhaps the lack of feeling wanted by a top club is a factor. Would any of the ‘big four’ be prepared to gamble on the player’s fitness?

Pay-As-You-Play

Despite the retirement rumours, several clubs are reported to be more than willing to sign the player, including Everton, his boyhood heroes.

Everton need to strengthen their attacking options, with Yakubu still recovering from injury and Louis Saha always likely to spend long periods on the treatment table.

Aston Villa and Manchester City are also being touted as possible suitors, with both clubs prepared to offer Owen a game-by-game deal.

West Ham and Spurs have been mentioned, but the player is unlikely to be interested in a move to London.

If Michael Owen does decide to retire it will be a sad day for English football and there will always be speculation about just how successful his career would have been had he remained injury-free.

Ian Davies

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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