NYHETER: Ex-player/-manager news, Part I

[kjelvi]

R.I.P.
Don Weston
Wing-heeled Leeds striker



Donald Patrick Weston, footballer: born New Houghton, Derbyshire 6 March 1936; played for Wrexham 1958-60, Birmingham City 1960, Rotherham United 1960-62, Leeds United 1962-65, Huddersfield Town 1965-66, Wrexham 1966-68, Chester 1968; married (one son, two daughters); died Mansfield, Nottinghamshire 20 January 2007.

When the progressive young manager Don Revie guided
Leeds United into the top tier of English football as
champions of the old Second Division in the spring of
1964, Don Weston was one of his most potent attacking
weapons.

The foundation of the Yorkshiremen's success was a
formidably flinty rearguard featuring the likes of
Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter and Paul Reaney, while
the most influential individuals were the tiny but inspirational Scottish schemer Bobby Collins and his rising midfield henchmen Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles. But it was the wing-heeled Weston, frequently damned by historians' faint praise as a mere journeyman front-runner, who supplied much of the crucial cutting edge.

As Collins put it, "Don had a turn of foot like
nobody's business" and, during that memorable season,
as Revie proceeded with his painstaking construction
of a team destined to bestride the national game by
decade's end, the north Midlander employed it to such devastating effect that he finished joint top-scorer, on 13 goals, with the left-winger Albert Johanneson.

Usually operating at centre-forward or inside-right,
the shortish, wiry Weston relished dropping deep,
where he was difficult for his designated marker to
locate; then he would sprint at wrong-footed
defenders, frequently climaxing his dash with a
powerful shot.

He compensated for lack of extravagant natural talent
through fitness and dedication to his craft, though
later he would be revealed to lack the necessary class
to thrive among the First Division élite.

When Weston had arrived at Leeds in December 1962 as
part of the "Revie revolution", he was enlisting with
the club for the second time. After appearing for East Derbyshire Schoolboys, then working briefly as a coalminer near his hometown of Mansfield, he served United as a 16-year-old amateur, but refused to sign as a professional for personal reasons.

There followed National Service at an army camp near
Rhyl, in North Wales, and it was while excelling in
military competition that he was spotted by the local
Football League club, Wrexham. After enlisting at the Racecourse Ground on amateur terms, Weston was so keen to impress that he went Awol to play in one game, being confined to barracks for two weeks for his pains.

Undeterred, the intrepid escaper bounced back to earn
a professional contract with the lowly Third Division
club, for whom he netted 21 goals in 42 appearances
during 1958/59 and the first half of the following
campaign, before joining Birmingham City for £15,000
in January 1960. However, he failed to settle and 11
months later he stepped down a division, moving to
Rotherham United in a £10,000 deal.

At Millmoor, Weston flourished immediately, his goals
helping United to reach the two-legged final of the
League Cup in 1960/61 and, after a 2-0 first leg home
victory over Aston Villa, the Merry Millers seemed set
to lift the trophy in its inaugural season. But Villa
prevailed 3-0 on the night, 3-2 on aggregate.

Thereafter the pacy marksman continued to perform
creditably for Rotherham, enough to persuade Revie to
pay £18,000 for his services in December 1962. Having
been bought to fill a gap left by the departed hero
John Charles Weston might have been on a hiding to
nothing, but he slotted in smoothly in central attack
alongside another recent purchase Jim Storrie, his
cause enhanced immeasurably by a début hat-trick at
home to Stoke City.

Weston missed only seven games in the Second Division
title campaign which followed, but although Revie kept
faith with him at first, as Leeds made a rousing
return to the First in 1964/65 he receded to the
fringe of the team following the purchase of the
England centre-forward Alan Peacock.

In October 1965, with his 30th birthday approaching,
Weston moved to Huddersfield Town but featured only intermittently for the Second Division promotion hopefuls before rejoining Wrexham, by now in Division Four, in December 1966.

Weston departed the Racecourse for the second time in
1968, following differences with the new boss Alvan
Williams, then served Chester fleetingly before
finishing his playing days with non-League Altrincham
and Bethesda Athletic. Later he returned to Mansfield,
where he ran a car dealership.

Fra: The Independent


http://www.leedsfans.org.uk/leeds/players/413.html

[kjelvi]

Barmby to make return for Tigers


Hull talisman Nick Barmby is set to return to the starting line-up for the crunch home clash against relegation rivals Southend.

The former England international has not started a game since the 2-1 home victory over QPR 2-1 on January 13, when he sustained ankle ligament damage.
But having trained fully during the past fortnight, Barmby is poised to return to the side and form a three-pronged attack alongside Dean Windass and Nicky Forster.
Tigers boss Phil Brown is hoping midfielder Dave Livermore and on-loan Bolton striker Ricardo Vaz Te will be passed fit.
Livermore, who has scored two goals in his last three games, recently underwent successful keyhole surgery on his knee.

Kilde: http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1823_2027379,00.html

[kjelvi]

Hulse ahead of schedule
Sheffield United striker Rob Hulse could make a surprise return to action for the start of next season.

Hulse broke his leg during The Blades' defeat at Chelsea earlier this month and revealed his fear that his career could be over.
The initial prognosis suggested that it could be Christmas time before the forward was ready to make his first-team comeback.
But United manager Neil Warnock now admits there is a chance Hulse could be back in his plans for the new season in August.
"Rob has been back in Sheffield to see the surgeon and he's been told that the injury has knitted well," Warnock told the club's official website.
"The surgeon said that he could be okay for pre-season and he needs that challenge to be ready for the start of the season.
"That is great news because we thought it might be after Christmas.
"Rob's had injuries before and he knows the challenges that lie ahead and he's got to put in the hard work now."

Sporting Life

Også: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/6463961.stm

[berlin]

quote:Originally posted by kjelvi

The following events happened over the years on March 30:


1993: Manchester United's Eric Cantona (pictured) is fined £1000 for spitting at supporters of former club Leeds United

Cantona er uansett en mann/spiller jeg respekterer, høyt!
Hans holdning til football commersialism står det respekt av,
hvilket var grunnen til at han la opp i tidlig alder.

[kjelvi]

I farta 30/3

CCC:

Leeds - Preston 2-1: 0-1 Brett Ormerod (5)
Danny Pugh og Brett Ormerod spilte hele kampen for Preston, mens Michael Ricketts ble byttet inn i 60. mins.

Div. 1:

Tranmere - Carlisle 0-2: 0-1 Danny Graham (10).
Shane Sherriff hele kampen for Tranmere, mens Danny Graham spilte hele for Carlisle.

Div. 2:
Hartlepool - Chester 3-0.
Craig Hignett inn for Pool i 78. mins.

[Leedsulf]

Ser at Kilgallon starter for Sheff U idag. Det er vel hans første kamp?

[kjelvi]

Gary Megson and Andy Ritchie are slugging it out to become the new manager of Huddersfield.  (Daily Mirror)

[kjelvi]

Jubel for Sully, Sean og Sam

Trioen Sead McDaid (ex-Leeds), Neil Sullivan og Sam Hird (de to siste på utlån fra Leeds) vant Johnstone's Paint Trophy med Doncaster Rovers foran 60.000 tilskuere.
--

Lee header hands Donny glory



Graeme Lee headed an extra-time winner as Doncaster beat Bristol Rovers 3-2 to lift the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the Millennium Stadium.
The Rovers skipper guided home Sean Thornton's corner in the 110th minute to hand the Yorkshire club victory on their first appearance in a major final.
English club football now bids farewell to the Millennium Stadium, and few of the previous 31 finals staged in Cardiff since February 2001 could have started so frantically.
A crowd of 59,024, a record for the Football League Trophy since the final was switched to Cardiff, witnessed a scintillating opening as Doncaster raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening five minutes.
Sean O'Driscoll's side had struggled to find the net in the build-up to the game - just one goal in the previous four matches had seen their League One play-off hopes hit the buffers - but Jonathan Forte broke the deadlock after just 55 seconds.
Bristol Rovers' defence had been notoriously difficult to breach in the competition but the usually reliable Steve Phillips and Chris Carruthers contrived to gift their opponents the lead.
The duo hesitated over a bouncing ball eight yards out to allow Jason Price to nip in and poke the ball goalwards where Forte gratefully accepted the simple task of tapping into an empty net.
It was the first goal Paul Trollope's side had conceded in the competition but the League Two side were soon to suffer the same fate.
The Bristol backline stood statuesque as a long clearance by Doncaster goalkeeper Neil Sullivan bounced on the edge of the 18-yard line and Paul Heffernan gave chase.
The Irishman, making a surprise return to action after a month out with ankle ligament damage, struck the rising ball across Phillips' despairing dive and into the far corner for his ninth goal in the competition.
Trollope's side had two penalty appeals waved away by referee Graham Laws when Lewis Haldane and then Craig Disley lost their footing inside the area, but both appeals were more in hope than expectancy.
Bristol Rovers looked dead and buried at the break but they produced a stirring second-half display to force extra time.
It was third time lucky for them after the interval when Paul Green was adjudged to have impeded Sammy Igoe's attempts to get on the end of a dangerous Richard Walker cross.
Walker took the penalty and although Sullivan got a hand to the ball he only helped it into the bottom left-hand corner, and Trollope's men had a lifeline.
They were level just after the hour when Walker reacted quickest to his blocked cross to beat Sullivan to the ball and poke into the centre of the penalty area for Igoe to half-volley home from six yards out.
Only a superb one-handed save by Sullivan to claw Igoe's free-kick away from the top corner prevented Bristol Rovers from completing a memorable comeback.
Doncaster, under the cosh for much of the second half, could also have won it at the death but Heffernan dragged his shot wide from the left side of the area.
Doncaster were first to threaten in extra-time when Phillips parried James Coppinger's angled shot, and Steve Elliott had to react quickly inside his six-yard area to clear the danger under pressure from a prowling Heffernan.
Bristol Rovers came closest when substitute Andy Sandell flashed a low shot narrowly wide from 10 yards out with what was his first touch.
But Lee had the final and decisive say.

[kjelvi]

KEVIN BLACKWELL is ready to crack the whip at Luton by calling his players in for extra training.
The new Hatters boss has scheduled double sessions in an attempt to boost the club’s survival bid in the Championship.
Blackwell said: "The players have got to show they’re up for it â€" the rebuilding programme starts now.
"I want to get through a lot of ideas and that will take more time than just one training session."
Blackwell has asked former Newcastle and Leeds coach John Carver to help with training until the end of the season. (The Sun)
---

Luton recruit Ellis

After meeting with Kevin Blackwell on Thursday, Luton have offered the Assistant Manager's position to Sam Ellis, and his appointment will be announced shortly.
Sam has been working with Stoke City's academy for a short while but is relishing the opportunity to get back to working with first team players.Prior to his involvement with their academy he was working with Tony Pulis on first team matters.
Sam's CV lists first team involvement at Manchester City, Blackpool, Bury and Burnley, as well as being Kevin Blackwell's assistant manager at Leeds until becoming a casualty of Blackwell's sacking by the club some nine months ago. He was back in work immediately at Stoke City but the lure of rejoining his former boss was too great to remain at the Potters.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis told local paper "The Sentinel":
'Sam goes to Luton with our very best wishes and I don't blame him one bit for wanting to take up the opportunity down there.
'Sam has a lot of respect in the game after working at all levels. He's been brilliant for us behind the scenes in his relatively short time with us and I personally have really taken to the big fella.'

http://www.luton.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=59384

[kjelvi]

quote:Originally posted by kjelvi

Jubel for Sully, Sean og Sam

Trioen Sead McDaid (ex-Leeds), Neil Sullivan og Sam Hird (de to siste på utlån fra Leeds) vant Johnstone's Paint Trophy med Doncaster Rovers foran 60.000 tilskuere.

Sam ikke i troppen:

Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Lescott, Elliott, Hinton, Carruthers, Igoe (Sandell 100), Disley, Campbell, Haldane (Lines 105), Lambert, Walker (Nicholson 100).
Subs Not Used: Mike Green, Anthony.
Goals: Walker 49 pen, Igoe 62.

Doncaster: Sullivan, O'Connor, Lockwood, Lee, McDaid, Coppinger, Paul Green, Stock (Wilson 101), Forte (Guy 87), Heffernan, Price (Thornton 60).
Subs Not Used: Gareth Roberts, Dyer.
Booked: Coppinger, Stock.
Goals: Forte 1, Heffernan 5, Lee 110.
Att: 59,024

[Jon R]

60 000??? For å se en kamp mellom to League 1 lag??? Er ikke det flere enn Leeds-Watford ifjor? [:0]

Jon R.

[berlin]

quote:Originally posted by Jon R

60 000??? For å se en kamp mellom to League 1 lag??? Er ikke det flere enn Leeds-Watford ifjor? [:0]

Jon R.

Husker ikke, uansett RÃ...TT!!![:0][:0][:0]

[Per-Stian]

quote:Originally posted by Jon R

60 000??? For å se en kamp mellom to League 1 lag??? Er ikke det flere enn Leeds-Watford ifjor? [:0]

Jon R.

Bristol Rovers byggjer om stadion sin og har fått løyve frå FA om å bruke Nye Wembley. Men det var overraskande mange som ville sjå Rovers-Donkey.

[berlin]

quote:Originally posted by Per-Stian

quote:Originally posted by Jon R

60 000??? For å se en kamp mellom to League 1 lag??? Er ikke det flere enn Leeds-Watford ifjor? [:0]

Jon R.

Bristol Rovers byggjer om stadion sin og har fått løyve frå FA om å bruke Nye Wembley. Men det var overraskande mange som ville sjå Rovers-Donkey.

1.april var i går.

[kjelvi]

BOOTHROYD KEEN TO KEEP KING



Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd has vowed to "fight tooth and nail" to hold on to striker Marlon King this summer.

The Jamaica international has been linked with a summer move to Aston Villa, where he would be reunited with former Hornets forward Ashley Young.
Blackburn and Bolton are also rumoured to be interested in the 26-year-old player who fired in 22 goals last season.
"I don't want Marlon to go anywhere," Boothroyd told www.thisishertfordshire.co.uk.
"You don't get rid of your best players unless you are offered ridiculous amounts of money for them. Ashley was a different kettle of fish.
"We are and always will be a selling club because we can't compete with Manchester United or Chelsea, but we will do all we can to keep our best players. Marlon is one of our best players and I will fight tooth and nail to keep him."

TeamTalk

[kjelvi]

KILGALLON CONVINCED OF BLADES' SURVIVAL
Matt Kilgallon has seen enough to convince him Sheffield United will remain in the Barclays Premiership this season.
After more than two months on the sidelines with an ankle injury following his £1.75million move from Leeds during the transfer window, Kilgallon finally made his Blades debut on Saturday.
Asked to operate at left-back, central defender Kilgallon was unable to prevent United from slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Bolton.

Hele saken: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8668_2034001,00.html

[kjelvi]

Spring happy with Blackwell decision



Luton midfielder Matthew Spring says he has "no qualms" with boss Kevin Blackwell, despite rarely playing for him during their time at Leeds.

Spring made just six starts for the Elland Road club during his 14 months there, and left to join former United first-team coach Adrian Boothroyd at Watford in August 2005.
But Spring was keen to stress that his and Blackwell's time at Leeds was now water under the bridge.
"This is a new chapter in his managerial career and a new chapter in my career to come back to Luton, so we'll have to see how it goes. Hopefully it will be a good one," said Spring.
"I'm happy with the decision I made to leave Leeds and I think he was to let me go. I went on to do well individually and personally, so I've got no qualms and I don't think he has either.
"We met and we spoke and everything's fine. He pulled me in and we had a chat. I said: 'Look, we've both moved on from that'. He's moved on, I've moved on, so it's fine."

TeamTalk

[kjelvi]

The following happened on April 3 over the years:

1999: Robbie Fowler celebrates scoring a penalty against Everton with his infamous snorting gesture.

[Sleivind]

Hvordan går det meg Kilgallon i Sheff Utd egentlig? Såg han spilte nå i helga, det var vel den eneste kampen han har spilt for de til nå? Har han vært skadet?

[kjelvi]

quote:Originally posted by Sleivind

Hvordan går det meg Kilgallon i Sheff Utd egentlig? Såg han spilte nå i helga, det var vel den eneste kampen han har spilt for de til nå? Har han vært skadet?

Jepp.
Var skada da han reiste sørover. Skadet til nå.

[kjelvi]

John joy at Luton No2 role



Geordie coach John Carver has revealed how he cannot wait to help Luton Town get out of trouble in the Championship after joining the Bedfordshire club as assistant to new boss Kevin Blackwell.

The pair have been reunited at Kenilworth Road after spending time together at Leeds this season - but now face a fight with the Elland Road side to preserve their position in English football's second tier, with games starting to run out.
However, as the hectic Easter period looks to get under way, Carver is relishing the chance to keep the Hatters afloat.
He told the Chronicle: "I'm delighted to be back in football.
"I did need a rest after my experiences with Leeds, but I am very grateful to Luton and Kevin Blackwell for the chance to be back in the game
"The rest of the season is a good challenge for us all at Luton."
Carver left Leeds after succeeding Blackwell as boss, but was replaced by former Chelsea duo Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet.
Yet despite a mini-revival by Leeds, the Yorkshire club are still in deep trouble and are staring League One football in the face - unless they can produce title-winning form in their last six games of the season.
Carver - who was today still being linked with the managerial vacancies at Rotherham and Bradford - is now facing a similar task with Luton.
He added: "It's fantastic to be back involved and I cannot wait to get started."
During his time as No 2 to Sir Bobby Robson, Carver helped Newcastle into the Champions League in a successful stint in the dug-out alongside a true football great.
Now the coach is hoping to continue his footballing education with Luton, but dismissed speculation he would be returning to the North East to manage non-league outfit Gateshead.
He says: "Gateshead is a club close to my heart after a stint as caretaker manager, but having been involved in the professional game I think I have moved on.
"I enjoyed my time there and I wish Ian Bogie the best of luck in his role as temporary boss."
Carver is now looking forward to Luton's crunch home clash with Southampton on Saturday.

Kilde: icNewcastle.co.uk

[kjelvi]

Hulse hoping to help out


Striker Rob Hulse intends to do his bit to help Sheffield United's desperate battle against relegation - if only from the stands.

The former Leeds player returned to the Blades' training ground this week after surgery on the broken leg he suffered against Chelsea last month.
He plans to be at Bramall Lane to watch his team-mates take on Newcastle on Saturday and has promised to give his full support.
"I'm hoping to be at the Lane this weekend and at every home game for the rest of the season - maybe a few away ones as well," he told the club's official website. "I'm looking forward to seeing all the lads and to give them my support.
"The swelling is coming down and the pain is easing off. I want to start doing stuff now, but I have to wait for the wounds from the operation to totally heal before I can get in the swimming pool.
"Then it is a case of doing muscle work for my thigh, as well as upper-body work."

TeamTalk

[kjelvi]

I farta 3/3

CL:
PSV - Liverpool 0-3.
Jermaine Pennent inn i 88. mins.

CCC:
Burnley - Plymouth 4-0.
Steve Caldwell spilte hele kampen for Burnley, mens Andy Gray ble byttet ut i 85. mins.

QPR - Preston 1-0.
Michael Ricketts og Danny Pugh hele kampen for Preston.

[kjelvi]

The following happened on April 4 over the years:

2002: Leicester City confirm Micky Adams as their new boss.
2005: Lee Bowyer is fined six weeks' wages after his infamous altercation with Kieron Dyer.

[kjelvi]

Kewell tilbake for Liverpool
10. april gjør Harry Kewell comeback etter et ni måneder langt skadeavbrekk.

Hele saken: http://www.nettavisen.no/sport/fotball/england/article958361.ece

[kjelvi]

Andy Ritchie has agreed to become the new manager of Huddersfield, and will take charge at the Galpharm this week. (Daily Mirror)
--

Ritchie set for Terriers job



Huddersfield are expected to appoint Andy Ritchie as their new manager.

Widespread reports claim Ritchie has agreed to take over at the League One club after holding talks last week.
Huddersfield moved for Ritchie after Phil Parkinson turned down the job at the last minute to stay at Charlton.
Ritchie has been out of work since being sacked by Barnsley last November.
The former Oldham striker is expected to be unveiled at the Galpharm Stadium in the next 48 hours.

Kilde: SkySports
--------

Ritchie set to join Huddersfield

Andy Ritchie has agreed to become the new Huddersfield manager, according to the Yorkshire Post.

He has managerial experience with Oldham and Barnsley but was sacked as boss at Oakwell in November six months after he guided them to promotion.
Ritchie takes over from Gerry Murphy who has been in temporary charge since Peter Jackson's dismissal in March.
Charlton coach Phil Parkinson was set to be unveiled last week, but he had an 11th-hour change of mind.

BBC Sport

[kjelvi]

quote:Originally posted by kjelvi

Kewell tilbake for Liverpool
10. april gjør Harry Kewell comeback etter et ni måneder langt skadeavbrekk.
Hele saken: http://www.nettavisen.no/sport/fotball/england/article958361.ece

Kewell lined up for Latics
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Harry Kewell may play against Wigan in two weeks' time.
Kewell is yet to kick a ball for The Reds this term after injuring himself at last summer's World Cup in Germany.
However, the ex-Leeds ace is back in training and Benitez believes he may be ready to make his first-team return against Wigan on 21st April.
"He's back in training," Benitez said in the Daily Star Sunday.
"But when you've been injured for a long time and you start working hard you get tired and need rest.
"He's close but how close? We'll need to see him playing in some small games first.
"Then after that we'll need to see him play eleven-a-sides.
"He will play again this season, though. Maybe in two weeks' time."

SkySports

[kjelvi]

Mark Viduka has begun talks to extend his stay at Middlesbrough. (Various)
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Viduka: I want to stay


Mark Viduka has told Middlesbrough he wants to stay at the club - but believes the club has to start investing in top-quality players.

The Australia striker is currently in talks about a new deal and says he is now enjoying playing for the side.
But he wants the club to back Gareth Southgate in the transfer market so they can reach 'the next level'.
"I've started talks with the club and we'll have to wait and see how that goes," he told The Journal. "I want to stay if I can. I'm starting to enjoy my football more than I was.
"This year has been a transitional period with Gareth coming in, and it takes time for the team to gel. Now it's started to do that.
"I think everyone would love to see this club taking that next step up and we need to get some more good players coming in because all the good teams who are up there consistently have back-up players as well when there are injuries and things like that.
"We need to get top-quality players in because I think everybody in the dressing room wants to go to the next level as well. The club needs to have faith in Gareth and help him buy the players he thinks are good."
Southgate says he is hopeful Viduka will stay at Boro and is confident the player is worth a long-term deal.
"Viduka's agent and our chief executive are in discussions," he said. "Viduka is a special talent.
"There are times when maybe you think we can take him off now and then he goes and scores one in the top corner. We want him to stay.
"I don't think his performances will deteriorate as he ages. His performances will continue into his 30s."

SkySports
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Også: http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_2048053,00.html
http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=35237

[kjelvi]

The following players celebrate their birthday on April 9:



1975: Liverpool frontman Robbie Fowler (pictured), dubbed the 'best finisher in the Premiership', is born.

[flynn]

Alan Smith.... nuff said

flynn