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LATEST NEWS:
Off Field News
Dabizas Car Crash
After helping Greece go top of their EURO 2004 qualifying group with a 1-0 win at home to the Ukraine, Nikos Dabizas was involved in a car crash just hours later. In the early hours of the morning Dabizas smashed his car into traffic lights and luckily got out of the car before it caught fire! Dabizas we understand escaped with just a broken arm which is now in a cast and some cuts to his face. All Toon fans wish Dabizas all the best and hope he makes a speedy and full recovery.
Transfer News
Ronaldinho Latest
The latest news on Ronaldinho is P.S.G are open to doing a deal with us for the Brazilian superstar, but while they want Laurent Robert back in part exchange, they also may want our French left back Oliver Bernard. P.S.G have upped their asking price to around 14m pounds after more clubs have reportedly become interested in signing him. Man Utd have been after Ronaldinho for a while now, with Beckham set to leave Old Trafford in a multi-million pound deal Ronaldinho was seen as the replacement for his off field money making endevours (sponsorship, merchandise etc...) are of the same stature as David Beckham's, or there abouts anyway.
With P.S.G looking likely to sell the player, The Toon has come in looking to hijack the bid, offering them money as well as a replacement in the player we brought from them just two summers ago, Laurent Robert. It looks unlikely that if it's a straight choice between us and Man Utd that Ronaldinho would chooose the Toon, but if we include players in our offer there seems a high chance Man Utd may not even get in the running as P.S.G will reject their offer in favour of ours.
Further complicating matters, if it's true they want Bernard as well, is whether or not we would be willing to part with the French full back. Last season, after a slow start Bernard took huge strides forward, becoming a valuable member of the starting XI, his performances made him a fan favourite with the Toon Army. However as the season ran to a close, stories emerged Bernard may be in trouble with the police with a women being raped and Bernard possibly being involved in some way. The story seems to have gone away after a brief mention, rather surprising as this usually is in big headings on the back page which leaves us to believe Bernard wasn't involved.
So it remains to be seen what happens with Ronaldinho with everything rather cloudy at present over the transfer gossip but Ronaldinho would certainly be a welcome addition to the Toon for the club and fans alike as the player is a very, very exciting, talented footballer who's worth on the pitch in midfield or attack is matched or even bettered off the field with his worth to the club he plays for.
Team News
Fit For Opener
Alan Shearer will definitely be back, fully fit for the new season when it rolls around. Shearer was in a touch of doubt after picking up an ankle injury (small fracture) late in the season against Sunderland, which forced him to miss the last two games of the season but speaking earlier today Shearer has said there has been no complications, he feels fine and should be able to return to training when his team mates do.
Shearer said: "Everything is fine at the moment and to tell the truth I haven't done any running or anything like that since the end of the season. I'm just back from a holiday in Barbados and my ankle stood up to being on the jet skis and banana boats with the kids, so I must be OK. When it happened I was told I could not have picked a better time to be injured because if it had occurred during the season I would have been out for six to eight weeks. But I will be back in training with the rest of the lads on July 3, although the physiotherapists want me in a week earlier as a precaution to make sure there are no problems."
Transfer News
Patience Is A Virtue
Sir Bobby Robson has promised the Toon Army that the club will make transfer buys this summer and that the club will not rush into any or panic into making any buys as he looks to make sure he brings in the right men. The season only ended in the middle of may but already the Toon are daily being linked to new faces, from Brazilian Ronaldinho to Norway's Morten Gamst Pedersen. Already this summer Newcastle have agreed terms with England midfielder Lee Bowyer and agreed a contract extension with 'keeper Tony Caig while having also placed 5 players on the transfer list and are resigned to losing Steve Caldwell on a free at the end of June when his contract runs out.
But speaking of the transfer market Sir Bobby said: "The chairman has done well for me lately considering all the bills he has to pay and a stand to pay for as well as having a big staff. But we have spent some decent money in the transfer market recently on players such as Titus Bramble, Hugo Viana, Darren Ambrose and Jermaine Jenas. We have also spent a little bit of money on Lee Bowyer. We have signed him and we now have a very good squad. We are looking at the transfer market all the time to see just what is available but we will not rush and we will not panic. However, do not forget we are not in the Champions League proper yet - although we hope to be - and as a result we cannot go out and spend 10m pounds on two players with money we have not got. There is not much happening in the transfer market at the moment and I don't think there will be until the end of June when players' contracts are up."
Transfer News
Mixed Emotions
Newcastle United Academy graduate Jamie McClen is resigned to the fact his future is not at the club he grew up loving. McClen at the start of this month was placed on the transfer list with 4 other players (Acuna, Elliott, Quinn and Dabizas) and although he realises his future is elsewhere and leaving will give him a fresh start and new opportunity he has mixed feelings about leaving Newcastle United.
McClen said: "As a player I want first team football and that just didn't happen last season. I've got slight mixed feelings about the situation, but overall it has to be a good move for me. In professional terms, the opportunity to move on to a club who want me is exciting. I honestly don't know where I'll go, but one's things for sure - I'm going to give it everything I've got. I'd wanted to go out on loan last season but the gaffer wouldn't have it. I need first team football and, at 24 years of age, it's no time to be a regular in the reserves. As a Newcastle supporter all my life it does feel a bit disappointing that the club are letting me go, but it had to happen one day."
"I've had some great times here and I'll always be a Geordie and I'll always support the Toon. Obviously I'd like to go to as big a club as possible, but we'll see what turns up. All I ask for is the opportunity to prove myself. Lee Clark also loved the club, but just like me he wanted first team football. Of all the clubs to offer it to him it was Sunderland. I now know what he felt like when he left, and I can tell you that I also understand him wanting to stay in the North-East. But I'd go anywhere - as long as I was playing. It's not the longest of careers and I'm as hungry now to get on in the game as I've ever been."
Off Field News
End Of An Era
Sir John Hall has sadly cut his financial ties with Newcastle United today, selling his shares back to the club. It was Sir John Hall, who with Kevin Keegan, completely transformed the club into what it is today. From a club on the brink of (old) division 3 football to a top Premier League force.
Sir John, 70, yesterday sold 16.61 million shares, 12.22 million owned by him personally and a further 4.39 million owned by his company Copia Holdings, to Newcastle United plc. The club intends to cancel these shares, reducing the total number on the market and so increasing value for remaining stakeholders. The deal means chairman Freddy Shepherd now has a 25pc stake in the club while the Hall family retains 41.1pc - 25pc in trust and the rest owned by Sir John's son, Douglas, through the development company Cameron Hall. Shares remained unchanged at 34.5p at the end of trading yesterday. Sir John, who took control of United after a four-year boardroom battle in 1991, will loan the club half the cash he is getting back for a year to help finance the deal.
A spokesman for the plc said: "Sir John stepped back from the club and the company several years ago and this deal ends his personal financial involvement. It was very much Sir John's decision both to sell his shares and to offer the club the chance to buy them. The shares have been sold at 27.1p, less than the market value. The deal still has to be rubber stamped by shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting.
Last night Freddie Shepherd said: "Sir John has decided to step back to pursue other business interests. The club was facing bankruptcy in 1992 when I came in with Sir John and Douglas Hall. He is a great man who has done wonderful things for this club. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sir John for his huge contribution to the club."
Team News
Sir Bobby Tribute To Dabizas
Sir Bobby Robson has paid tribute to long-serving center back Nikos Dabizas less than a week after the experienced defender was one of five senior players transfer-listed by Newcastle. United's boss thought long and hard about the decision to offer Dabizas for sale, but the Greek international is out of contract next summer and would be free to leave Tyneside for nothing in 12 months. That situation, combined with the addition of England's Jonathan Woodgate in January, persuaded Newcastle's manager it may be time to part company with yet another of his blue-chip players.
However, Robson was happy to admit: "Nikos is a fantastic guy and he's been a very good player during my time at St James' Park. Even when things weren't going for him last season, he behaved impeccably and he never came knocking on my door complaining about the situation. If he wants to stay another season then he can, but he knows he has a fight on his hands for a first-team place. We have three excellent center halves in Jonathan Woodgate, Titus Bramble and Andy O'Brien so there is a chance he wouldn't play much next season if he stayed."
Meanwhile newly-promoted Portsmouth have moved to the front of a pack of Premiership and European clubs chasing Dabizas' signature and United may well accept a nominal fee in order to help one of the club's most loyal servants. The former Olympiakos favourite, central to his country's phenomenal 1-0 Euro 2004 qualifying victory in Spain at the weekend, has never let Newcastle down and chairman Freddie Shepherd accepts United have had more than their money's worth out of the no-nonsense defender. "There's no denying that Nikos has been a great servant to this club and has been a regular in the side since I've been here," added Robson. "The signings I've made and the emergence of Steve Caldwell didn't help his cause in the second half of last season but he kept cool and remained professional. He is a superb ambassador for his country and I wouldn't be surprised if he stayed in the Premiership."
Transfer News
Spurs Cort-ing Shola
The Toon's recent offer of Carl Cort in part exchange for Tottenham fullback Steve Carr has been rejected by Spurs. However they have left a window open for Newcastle to get Carr, but the deal Spurs are willing to listen to would have to include Shola Ameobi, not Carl Cort! This basically ends the chances of Carr joining Newcastle, England U/21's international Shola Ameobi is not for sale, the adopted Geordie looks to have a huge future in the game after taking enourmous steps forward last season in his development and the chances of Sir Bobby being willing to part with the striker are slim and none.
Cort looks set to leave St James' Park this summer with rumours of Bolton and Wolves being interested but not having made a firm offer yet. Sir Bobby seems keen to let the injury plagued striker go as well, with Sir Bobby having also offered Cort in part exchange for Southampton's full back Wayne Bridge, but chances are that was just paper talk. Cort joined the Toon in the summer of 2000 but has since been plagued with injury after injury setting him back time and time again. The question now isn't will Cort go, it's when, and to who?
Ex-Mag News
Toon Masters Of The North
It was just like old times. That was the verdict from a "stiff and weary" John Beresford after Newcastle United won the Northern Masters tournament at the Telewest Arena last night. The United squad of Gary Kelly, Kevin Scott, Ian Bogie, Brian Kilcline, Chris Withe, John Beresford, Rob Lee, Liam O'Brien, Ruel Fox, and player-manager Peter Beardsley romped home in last night's qualifier.
United beat Everton and Middlesbrough 1-0 thanks to goals from Bogie and Beardsley. They then hammered a hapless Sunderland 7-1, with Beardsley helping himself to no fewer than five goals to go with others from Fox and Lee. That put United into a final against Boro, who were overwhelmed 5-2 as Beardsley again took the honours with a superb hat-trick to take his tally for the night to nine. Lee and O'Brien were Newcastle's other scorers, with former United man John Hendrie scoring for Boro together with a bizarre headed own goal by Kevin Scott.
Beresford said: "I thought I was in a time warp because it was just like old times. Rob Lee and myself did all the work, with Pedro grabbing all the goals. We are all still a bit stiff today but we have nearly three months to recover." United will play in the finals at the Telewest Arena on September 7.
Transfer News
Toon Looking For Some Aussie Tarka
Well the heading may be a bit cheesy, in reference to the Aussie bush slang for a meal, tucker, but the player in question is far from cheesy. David Tarka is a 20-year-old defender with a lot of promise who's forced his way into being a regular for Australia's best team, the Perth Glory in the last 2 seasons. At 18 many in Australia tipped the young defender for big things, but were surprised with how quickly he rose to the top of the Perth Glory team. Establishing himself as one of the top defenders of the NSL and after helping Perth to their first title win Tarka is now expected to be one of a few players who move to Europe this summer for bigger and better things.
Newcastle, if Sir Bobby follows up his interest, though will face stiff competition for the defenders services as no fewer than 4 other English clubs have invited Tarka for trials this summer. West Ham, Birmingham, Leeds and Everton will all also trial the youngster this summer, with west ham getting first taste of his talents.
Transfer News
Stevie C For Nothing?
Newcastle face the prospect of losing defender Steve Caldwell for nothing if he moves abroad. believe they will be due up to 750,000 pounds in compensation should the wantaway Scottish international clinch a dream move to Portugal or Germany when his contract expires this month. But Sporting Lisbon - favourites to see off Borussia Moenchengladbach and another Bundesliga club - insist they need not pay a penny for the player. The Lisbon giants claim a loophole in FIFA's regulations on free transfers involving players under the age of 24 means they can sign Caldwell, 22, for nothing.
His agent, Paul Martin, told the Sunday Sun: "If Steve signs for an English club, Newcastle will be due compensation - but not if he goes abroad. The new FIFA rules entitle a club to compensation if a young player leaves on freedom of contract to join a foreign club. But previously, that player could go for free. And if that newly-expired contract was signed before September 2001 - like Steve's contract - then the old regulations apply."
Martin added: "If Newcastle want to dispute it, that's up to them. They can say what they like. It's down to FIFA in the end." And we can reveal that FIFA's regulations appear to back up the argument. They state: "Contracts between players and clubs concluded before September 1, 2001 will continue to be governed by the previous version of these rules."
If Caldwell was to move to another English club, there is no argument that Newcastle would get compensation. And Martin confirmed that was what had scuppered an approach by Sunderland for Caldwell, as we revealed last week. "Sunderland sounded me out about him but the compensation was a problem," he said. "Until they sell they can't sign anyone. If we waited until the end of the summer there might have been some hope of that deal, but Steve wants it all sorted before then. But we're still waiting to see if anything materialises Premiership-wise."
Transfer News
Gareth Too Old For Toon
Freddie Shepherd has today come out and dismissed rumours once and for all of Newcastle being interested in Middlesbrough and England international defender Gareth Southgate. Rumours of the Toon being interested have been going on for a good while, at least the last few months and although a deal always looked doubtful with Southgate, his agent and Middlesbrough all saying the rumours were false, Shepherd saying he's not interested as Gareth is too old for the Toon have surely finally laid to rest the rumours of Southgate joining Newcastle.
He said briefly on the matter: "Our strategy is to get younger players in and it's a strategy that works. No disrespect to Southgate. He's proved his worth with England and is a great player. But he's 32, and why would we want to break with our policy when we are seeing a side grow up together?"
Ex-Mag News
Never Should Have Left
Rob Lee will tread the familiar streets of Newcastle this afternoon wishing he had never been away. Just 16 months have passed since the midfielder rated United's best buy of the last 15 years brought a decade on Tyneside to a close. But that absence has been as painful as it has brief. True, Lee left Tyneside in slightly strained circumstances after failing to win assurances of a new contract from the Magpies board. But that dispute was as nothing next to the rancour and recrimination which awaited him at Derby County. And now, a free agent and pondering whether to prolong his playing career or throw his lot in with one more club, Lee cannot help but reflect wishfully on the old high life at St James' Park. "I can't deny me and the family miss Newcastle," says the 37-year-old, who renews acquaintance with several former United team-mates in today's Northern Masters tournament at the Telewest Arena.
"You don't spend 10 years anywhere and forget it in a hurry - and Newcastle isn't just anywhere, it's a fantastic place. The club, the fans, the town: everything up there is special. I loved it at the time and I have to say I appreciate it even more since I've been away. I was green with envy last season watching all Newcastle's big Champions League games." Little wonder. Lee's time at Derby encompassed relegation, unpaid wages and the one of the messiest managerial sagas in football's modern history. Or, in his words, "a nightmare".
He explains: "I've parted company with Derby. They're a great club with nice people but massive problems. The whole thing turned into a bit of a nightmare - and that's an understatement. Last season was easily the most difficult of my career. I went there on the promise that they would sign other top-class players to retain their Premiership status, but it turned out they didn't have the money and got relegated. Then the last year has uncovered more problems than anybody knew about - even John Gregory."
The saga of aforementioned manager Gregory's suspension, and now his sacking, hardly helped an atmosphere which also took its toll on Lee's long-time Newcastle team-mate Warren Barton. "Warren was captain last season and took the brunt of quite a few fans' opinions on what was going wrong," he added. "I felt for him because we were all suffering in a team with just too many young, inexperienced players to cope with life in Division One. But Warren's still there and he'll tough it out."
Toughing it out is not a necessity for most of the players Lee left behind at United. And although still a Cockney by birth and dialect, he is as keen as any Geordie to see the success of the last two seasons at St James's translated into silverware. "Newcastle are so, so close to winning something," he adds. "The fans, who were fantastic to me in my 10 years there, deserve it. But it might have to be in one of the cups rather than the league because Manchester United in particular are still looking so strong. I've got no doubt Newcastle will strengthen. But the trouble is Manchester United will too."
Transfer News
Nobby Not Going
Nolberto Solano will not be leaving Newcastle United this summer as Sir Bobby Robson attempts to build a squad capable of challenging the Premiership's top two and mounting a serious assault on Europe. The Magpies' manager last night ridiculed suggestions that the club's Peruvian winger would become the most high-profile casualty of Lee Bowyer's imminent move to Tyneside. And Robson, who has described Solano as the most consistent South American to grace English football for 20 years, sees the former Boca Juniors playmaker as a key part of his immediate plans.
Robson said: "As a club we have never made any comment about Nobby's future, but I have seen certain stories which amaze me. I can assure our supporters he is going nowhere. He is contracted to Newcastle until 2006 and I'm staggered there have been suggestions he is going to move simply because we have strengthened our midfield. Lee Bowyer can play a wide variety of positions including the right of midfield, but it's well known that he's suspended for six matches in Europe. With that in mind, we would be foolish to sell any of our senior midfield players. We have a top-class squad and I am always looking to add to that squad. What I do not intend to do is diminish the quality we already have at St James's Park." Freddie Shepherd added: "There is no way we would want Nobby to leave. We have a number of midfield players who can play in a variety of positions and the secret is making sure we have strength in depth."
Transfer News
Okoronkwo Not Coming
Nigerian international defender Isaac Okoronkwo will not be joining Newcastle this summer despite rumours that the defender was in Tyneside recently to finalise a move to newcastle. The Nigerian was on trial last December and although it was a successful trial and he is available on a free this summer Sir Bobby has stressed that while the defender did trial and is available for the Toon, he feels that the Nigerian is not better than what we already have at Newcastle so will not be looking to bring in the defender.
Team News
Robson Can Help Lee
Shola Ameobi believes Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson is the man who can help Lee Bowyer repair his damaged reputation. Bowyer recently signed a four-year contract with Newcastle after turning his back on boyhood heroes West Ham following their relegation. Now Ameobi says Robson can ensure Bowyer hits the headlines for all the right reasons. Ameobi - who is preparing with England Under-21s for their European Championship qualifier against Slovakia at Sunderland on Tuesday - said: "He is an excellent player and, as he has been in the England set-up, he is a great acquisition. He has had his problems and he's going to be around other Newcastle players who have been in the Press, but hopefully he will be in the papers for the right reasons. But there's no better manager to handle him. He is top class and a very respected man in football, as everybody knows. He knows what he's talking about. Sir Bobby has helped Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer become better players. There is no reason why he couldn't do the same with Bowyer."
Manager News
Robson To Take Flak On Chin
Sir Bobby Robson has insisted that he is big enough and man enough to take the criticism over the signing of Lee Bowyer. Bowyer's addition to the team has brought about some criticism from certain people in the media and certain sections of the Newcastle faithful. Bowyer is a player who's off field trouble in recent years has given many of the public a view of him that isn't too kind, but Sir Bobby, who lead the charge to sign Bowyer when he became available on a free, believes it will be the right decision and that he will just have to take the criticism that comes his way right now.
Robson said: "I knew the criticism would keep on coming. And I knew it would be directed at me. But you don't have to worry about me. I have a broad back and I can take the criticism. I won't argue with the people who are having a go at me. They have a point and they have to write what they feel. It's their job to write articles, but I am a football manager and their roles and my role are completely different. They do not have to get results for Newcastle United, but I do. I understand their point of view completely and utterly, but we will not be replying to them. We will take any criticism on the chin. We expected the criticism and we took this into consideration when we took the decision to sign Bowyer."
Sir Bobby added: "I am running a football club and we went ahead with the signing on the promise that Bowyer will be a good lad and will behave properly, and in the football sense he will be an excellent signing for us. Newcastle United can only improve by signing good players. And Lee Bowyer is a good player."
Transfer News
Emerton Latest
Latest on the ever on-going saga of Brett Emerton to Newcastle is that both Arsenal and Birmingham City may be interested in the Australian midfielder. Arsenal were interested last summer but no move went through with no concrete evidence of why and with Wenger not having a lot of money to spend this summer, due to Arsenal's new stadium plans, Emerton may be seen as a great addition for a cheap price by Wenger who is in need of a right sided midfielder with Parlour not often in Wenger's favour and him being forced to play a striker in Wiltord there often.
Meanwhile it's believed Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce has made an enquiry into the Australian's price tag as he looks to sure up his squad for next season, after surviving the drop last season. Bruce is rumoured to have been put on Emerton by Emerton's Australian team mate, and Birmingham City left winger Stan Lazaridis.
Team News
Chopra's Chance To Come
Sir Bobby Robson, speaking on Michael Chopra told of how he likes the progress the young Geordie has made so far in his career and that his chance will soon come. Many Toon fans were a little disappointed Chopra didn't get more of a chance last season in the first team, especially as we watched Everton youngster Wayne Rooney come in and shine under the spotlight. But Sir Bobby, speaking on Chopra said: "Of course Michael's making progress - look at what he's done in the last year. He's played in the Champions League, the Premiership, the Nationwide League and an FA Cup semi-final. I think that proves he's moving forward, and we think he has a huge future at St James' Park. Michael just has to soldier on and apply himself and his chance will come."
Academy News
Players To Be Transfer Listed
Youth Academy players Ross Gardner and James Beaumont have been placed on the transfer list after all the recent trouble they've had at the club. The story basically goes that James Beaumont, Ross Gardner and Neale McDermott all complained that academy coaches Peter Beardsley and Kenny Wharton had been bullying them and treating them unfairly. Neale McDermott put in a transfer request and was sold for an undisclosed fee last January to Fulham. But Ross Gardner and James Beaumont decided to take things further, they forced the FA to step in and hold a tribunal.
Results of the tribunal were that the coaches had no case to answer and ruled in favour of the coaches. A statement afterwards from the club said they were: "delighted with the outcome" and "disappointed that the two players took this course of action." They further added: "The decision clearly vindicates the support given to Kenny Wharton and Peter Beardsley by the Club." Despite the clubs obvious joy over the outcome, most fans are disappointed, not at Beardsley and Wharton - who are Toon heroes for what they did as players for us - but rather disappointed this couldn't be resolved and it will see us lose, in total, 3 England youth international players in Gardner, McDermott and Beaumont to our Premiership rivals who could be worth millions of pounds in the not too distant future.
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