Who cares about Watford?:lol:

Who cares about Watford?:lol:

 

oh come on don't say that...:(

What if I do? j/k Our national goalkeeper will be from 2nd league lol

Ranson launches £90m Man City bid

 

 

Former Manchester City full-back Ray Ranson has made a £90m offer to buy the club, reports BBC Radio Manchester.

Ranson, who has previously tried to buy Aston Villa, made the move on Monday.

 

The bid covers the club's shares, loans of about £24m to major shareholders John Wardle and David Makin and debts to other creditors.

 

Ranson, who is thought to have the backing of other businessmen, is said to be prepared to provide a transfer kitty of around £20m for new players.

 

Reports in on Monday claimed former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who failed in a bid for Liverpool in 2004, was interested in buying City with partners from China and the Middle East.

 

But it appears Ranson has made a firm offer for the club, who have been the subject of takeover rumours.

 

Chairman Wardle admitted earlier this month that the club was in talks with potential investors.

 

Ranson, who also played for Birmingham, Newcastle and Reading, made over 200 appearances for City, where he started his career.

 

The 46-year-old multi-millionaire made his fortune from insurance and from football finance and has also invested in football analysis company Prozone.

 

He made two bids for Villa before the Midlands club were bought by American billionaire Randy Lerner.

 

City are expected to react to Ranson's offer within the next 48 hours.

 

If they were to change hands City would become the fifth Premiership club to be sold in the last year - but the first to stay under British control.

 

Portsmouth, Villa, West Ham and Liverpool have all been taken over by foreign investors since last summer.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/6586641.stm

What if I do? j/k Our national goalkeeper will be from 2nd league lol

 

that's true...and a blooper again with Man City...:\

:) I still dont get that when two teams draw in the same round how is it possible that Manutd have increased their start?

Man Utd are still 3 points ahead of Cheslea, with 4 games to go.

 

----------

 

Meanwhile, if Ipswich beat Leeds and Hull beat Cardiff next weekend, Leeds are down :D

So is it

Leeds are down :D

:D :lol:

yes they dont deserve to stay up

New Pompey Stadium:

 

 

Portsmouth have unveiled plans for a new 36,000-seater stadium.

 

It will be built on reclaimed land in the city's dockyards, while the 20,000-capacity Fratton Park will be demolished and 750 new homes built.

 

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie said: "This will be the most spectacular stadium, set against the backdrop of the harbour."

 

The venture will be jointly funded by the club and Sellar Property Group, with the stadium opening by 2011.

 

The stadium has been designed by architects Herzog and De Meuron, which is also responsible for the Allianz Arena in Munich - one of five new grounds built for the 2006 World Cup.

 

As well as the new ground, the proposals also include plans for about 1,500 apartments, as well as restaurants, cafes and other leisure amenities.

 

Storrie added: "Portsmouth is moving into a new dawn with the backing of owner Alexandre Gaydamak and these are very exciting times for the club both on and off the field.

 

"The new stadium, along with plans for the club's new training ground at Titchfield, is proof of where we want Pompey to be - playing at the highest level and in a stadium that is reflective of a top Premiership side."

 

Planning applications will be submitted later this year and providing these are successful, work on the new stadium will begin in 2009.

 

It looks so god damn ugly :???:

It looks like a potty. And 36,000... not really moving into a new dawn is it

From 20,000 it is.

in a stadium that is reflective of a top Premiership side."

 

I think not... try 50-60000 if they want to achieve that in time for when its built - and then they've got to fill it. I suggest merging with Southampton!

Good idea that Ian.

 

When are Man City and Man United set to merge?

City can only wish!

 

£5.5m fine for West Ham for the Tevez/Mascherano transfers. No points deduction

It looks great Dave

City can only wish!

 

£5.5m fine for West Ham for the Tevez/Mascherano transfers. No points deduction

 

And I best they will appeal against the decision and the FA will reduce the fine to a mere 10 pence.

Saints confirm takeover approach

Southampton could be the latest club to be taken over by an American after the club confirmed a takeover approach.

 

A statement to the Stock Exchange said: "We have received, and are considering, a preliminary approach."

 

Speculation has linked Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the world's 19th richest man, with the Saints.

 

A source close to Allen told the Daily Mail: "He sees Southampton as a sleeping giant, a family-supported club with traditional values."

 

The Stock Exchange statement added: "The board note the recent rise in the company's share price.

 

"The board's consideration is at an early stage and there is no guarantee that any offer will be forthcoming."

 

Allen owns the Seattle Seahawks NFL franchise and the Portland Trailblazers NBA outfit and the source said: "We see the value in taking the brand global."

 

Allen retains his interest in Microsoft as an investor in Dreamworks animation studio, and is a backer of the SpaceShipOne project to launch commercial space flights.

 

Forbes magazine estimates his fortune at £9bn.

 

Several ultra-wealthy Americans have snapped up English football clubs, headed by the Glazer family at Manchester United, George Gillett and Tom Hicks at Liverpool, and Randy Lerner at Aston Villa.

 

American billionaire Stan Kroenke is involved in a battle to take over Arsenal.

 

Championship club Southampton have been searching for new investors since Michael Wilde replaced Rupert Lowe as chairman last summer.

 

Millionaire property developer Wilde himself resigned earlier this year after failing to attract investment.

 

Story from BBC SPORT:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/6600255.stm

 

Bah, who needs American money. Russian/Irasiel money is just as good

Looks like the crap exchange rate is not putting off the American investors. As for Paul Allen, if he's willing to put a load of cash into the club and doesn't start doing shit like selling off players ..... woo yay! I personally would prefer multimillionaire William Champion bought the club. ;)

Everton 2-4 Man Utd

 

Wayne Rooney (left) scored United's third goal

 

Manchester United battled back from two goals down to beat Everton and move five points clear in the title race.

 

Everton took the lead on 12 minutes when Alan Stubbs' free-kick was deflected in off Michael Carrick.

 

On 50 minutes, Manuel Fernandes smashed into the top corner to double their lead but John O'Shea halved it when he swept in after Iain Turner's error.

 

Phil Neville's own goal levelled the score before Wayne Rooney put United ahead and Chris Eagles sealed the win.

 

The result means United moved two points further away from Chelsea, who were held by Bolton

2-2, with three games to play.

 

United started with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench after he suffered a knock in training, and Darren Fletcher was out of the squad completely. In came Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Alan Smith.

 

Everton were forced to replace keeper Tim Howard, who is on loan from United and therefore ineligible, with 23-year-old Turner. Up front, James Vaughan replaced the injured Andrew Johnson and Manuel Fernandes also started.

 

Before the match Everton paid tribute to former player Alan Ball, who died on Tuesday.

 

Ball's son Jimmy and daughters Mandy and Keely placed a wreath at one end of the ground and Everton players warmed up with jerseys bearing Ball's name and number.

 

There was also a minute's applause for the former Everton star and World Cup winner.

 

And the emotional atmosphere may have fired Everton up, as they came tearing out of the blocks and were almost ahead on two minutes when Joleon Lescott hit the bar with a header.

 

With the home support roaring their approval - and disapproval at their former darling Rooney's every touch - the hosts continued to push forward and take advantage of a sluggish start from United.

 

And on 12 minutes, Everton took the lead when Stubbs fizzed in a low free-kick from 30 yards and keeper Edwin van der Sar was beaten by a deflection off Carrick.

 

However, United soon began to take control of the half after weathering some tenacious Everton tackling.

 

But Everton continued to battle and some of their aggressive tactics had United boss Sir Alex Ferguson raging on the touchline and flapping his arms in vain like a flightless bird.

 

His frustration was not eased as Rooney had a shot saved at the near post and the striker headed tamely into the arms of Turner.

 

After the break United quickly resumed their offensive and Rooney, again, was denied after three Everton bodies flung themselves into the path of his shot.

 

But out of the blue - the ranked mass of blue that had been Everton's defence - came a quick counter-attack, and a lethal one at that.

 

Fernandes took one touch to move the ball wide of Wes Brown and then rocketed a shot into the top corner from just outside the box.

 

It looked like it might be a bad day for United, but Everton then contrived to ruin it for themselves and ensure Ferguson's men would remain favourites for the title.

 

First, keeper Turner let the ball slip out of his grasp trying to pluck a routine corner out of the air and the ball landed at the feet of O'Shea, who swept the ball home.

 

And then seven minutes later, United were level after another corner when substitute Ronaldo rose highest to head goalwards and Neville put through his own net trying to clear off the line.

 

Worse was to come for Everton 12 minutes later when again they failed to deal with a cross into the area and Rooney set himself up superbly before tucking the ball away into the bottom right corner.

 

Ronaldo had a great chance to add a fourth when clean through one-on-one but Turner did well to block the winger's shot with his arm.

 

But United did score again, when Eagles raced clear and curled a low shot into the bottom corner to move United a step closer to the Premiership title.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6578823.stm

 

:dance:

Chelsea 2-2 Bolton

 

Davies rises to head Bolton level

 

Kevin Davies headed a second-half equaliser as Bolton left Chelsea's title chances hanging by a thread.

 

Davies headed in from six yards to allow Manchester United to stretch their lead to five points.

 

Lubomir Michalik gave the visitors the lead when he calmly shot home from close in but Salomon Kalou's superb header quickly drew Chelsea level.

 

The Blues went ahead when Kalou's powerful header came back off the bar, hit Jussi Jaaskelainen, and went in.

 

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce feared his makeshift line-up - missing six regulars and forcing him to play Ivan Campo at right-back - would struggle to contain Chelsea.

 

And their chances of a dull, battling draw looked slim after a frantic opening, which saw Chelsea on top.

 

But despite their injury problems and the news that boss Allardyce is likely to be quitting in the summer, the away side settled and took the lead after 18 minutes.

 

Nicolas Anelka had already blazed high and wide when he should have scored but when a Campo free-kick caused confusion in the home defence, the ball fell invitingly to giant centre-half Michalik who kept his composure to shoot home from six yards.

 

Chelsea's response was immediate. The impressive Wayne Bridge steamed forward on the left flank and his delightful cross was met by Kalou at the near post and expertly flicked into the far corner.

 

Carvalho was then forced off with a knee injury that must make his involvement in Tuesday's Champions League game against Liverpool unlikely.

 

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had chosen to rest Frank Lampard, Didier Dogba and Joe Cole but Carvalho's injury saw Lampard bought on and Essien revert to centre-half.

 

But the change did not affect Chelsea's attacking prowess.

 

Jaaskelainen made a fine stop to deny Shevchenko - who had earlier wasted a great early chance to put Chelsea in front - and Essien snatched a shot wide after the Bolton keeper missed a Lampard corner.

 

The pressure told when Kalou put the Blues ahead at half-time when he lept to head home another Lampard corner, the ball bouncing down off the bar and hitting Jaaskelianen before going over the line.

 

But Bolton levelled within nine minutes of the restart.

 

Gary Speed's free-kick saw Davies pull away from his marker Essien and the big striker rose unchallenged to head home from in front of Petr Cech.

 

Didier Drogba, on as a half-time substitute for Shevchenko, flashed a cross across goal and a vicious Lampard free-kick went narrowly wide.

 

Joe Cole soon followed Drogba and Lampard into the action but to no avail.

 

Bolton, recognising they were struggling to hold out, took every opportunity to attack and Andranik Teymourian flashed an effort inches over from 25 yards.

 

Abdoulaye Meite was fortunate to get away with a blatant handball on the edge of the area but Chelsea were unable to force a winner.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6578777.stm

 

:dance: :dance: :lol:

Perfect day?

 

No that only comes when Leeds lose and Hull City win. Leeds will be relegated :lol:

Title race is over.

 

Hull are winning, so are Leeds :(.

Leeds 1-1 Ipswich (Alan Lee 88)

 

Leeds relegated in 3 minutes :lol: