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Date: Wed May 06 16:59:50 GMT+00:00 1998
Mail: barry@www.red11.org


         PONTINS PREMIER LEAGUE

                     P  W D  L  F  A Pts

 UNITED             24 14 4  6 55 29 46
 Leeds United       22 13 3  6 44 27 42
 Blackburn Rovers   23 11 7  5 41 28 40
 Aston Villa        23 10 6  7 33 23 37
 Birmingham City    24 9  7  8 33 29 34
 Stoke City         24 10 4  1035 41 34
 Everton            23 9  6  8 33 31 33
 Preston North End  24 10 3  1132 48 33
 Derby County       23 9  3  1131 45 30
 Liverpool          23 8  5  1031 40 29
 Nott Forest        24 7  5  1237 51 26
 Tranmere Rovers    23 4  9  1138 48 21
 Sheffield Wednesday24 4  7  1327 40 19

UNITED will be Champions :
if Leeds United fail to win their last 2 games

Barry your editor
This Issue:
1. Stam signs (Sporting Life)
2. Telegraph Report  Man Utd (2) 3 Leeds (0) 0
3. United - Sheep TV report
4. BATISTUTA SET TO LEAVE FIORENTINA
5. Terje Fkjeldes / Jimmy Nielsen
6. Keane's injury
7. Mirror Article  FERGIE: WE'LL BOUNCE BACK AND WIN TITLE
8. Cardiff City v. Man United

++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++


Beckham sports a new hair colour at the game against Leeds United 


Sender: "Manchester United Football Club (soccer)"
              
From: Michael McDonagh 
Subject:   Stam signs (Sporting Life)

              STAM COMPLETES DREAM UNITED MOVE

              Jaap Stam claimed it was a "dream come true" to complete
              his record 10.75million move to Manchester United from
              PSV Eindhoven.

              The Holland international, who becomes the world's most
              expensive defender, agreed a seven-year contract with the
              Old Trafford outfit. But Stam, 25, will not officially become a
              United player until July 1.

              "It's a great feeling," he said. "As a little kid I adored
              Manchester United and I like the club very much."

              United boss Alex Ferguson said: "It's a major signing for us
              and he's a fantastic player. We're really delighted to get
              him."

              Ferguson enjoyed a double celebration with his
              two-year-old racehorse Queensland Star winning at
              Chester - its second victory in as many outings so far.

              Stam agreed to waive most of his 15% cut of the transfer fee
              to facilitate the deal and delighted United chairman Martin
              Edwards claimed it was one of the easiest negotiations he
              had conducted with a player.

              "We are delighted he has committed himself to Manchester
              United and it was one of the easiest negotiations I've ever
              been involved in," said Edwards.

Beckham sports a new hair colour at the game against Leeds United 



Subject:  Telegraph Report  Man Utd (2) 3 Leeds (0) 0

Loss of title stings United into display of defiance
By Henry Winter

Man Utd (2) 3 Leeds (0) 0

 ARSENAL'S gauntlet has been picked up, the challenge accepted. Last night,
in a stadium reverberating with defiance, Manchester United responded to
Arsenal's coronation with a powerful statement of intent.

It was not just the way the deposed champions brushed aside a disappointing
Leeds, nor the manner in which they confidently unpicked the visitors'
massed defence, producing goals for Ryan Giggs, Denis Irwin and David
Beckham. What should concern Arsenal was the desire etched in Alex
Ferguson's post-match words. After paying tribute to Ars¸ne Wenger's side -
"We recognise what champions are made of" - United's manager said: "There
are one or two things you can do: you can wither and die or do something
about it."

As ambitious as ever, Ferguson is busy turning strong words into action. As
the celebrations ripple around Highbury's environs, Arsenal supporters may
care to consider some of the sights and sounds from Old Trafford yesterday.

Jaap Stam, £10 million worth of Dutch footballer of the year, sat in the
stand and today undergoes a medical before finalising his move from PSV
Eindhoven. "It's a shame that United are not the champions this season but
next year they will be," Stam said. "I'm absolutely sure of that."

Stam will be installed by pre-season, scheduled by Ferguson to begin on July
7. Such a date may prove awkward if England enjoy a good run at the World
Cup finals.

After glancing admiringly at Stam, United's supporters voiced their approval
of another defender who may one day become a popular first-team regular. Wes
Brown, a talented teenager, arrived in the second half to deliver a debut of
real promise. Tall, quick and mobile, the under-18 international produced
one dispossession of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to signal his quality. "We've
got great hopes for him," Ferguson said.

Yet if there was one defensive display to purr over it came from Gary
Neville. Whether tackling, tracking or raiding down the flanks, Neville
delivered a performance of real all-round accomplishment. Afterwards he
outlined how he and his colleagues were feeling, how determined they were to
reclaim the high ground.

"It's a feeling of hurt," the England international said. "You set out at
the start of the season to win the League and the European Cup. They were
the two trophies we went for and we failed. We have got to put it right next
season."

Neville was swiftly involved yesterday, building moves as Leeds fans crowed
their support for Arsenal. "You're not champions any more," they sang.

United responded in the best manner possible. After six minutes, a break by
Neville punished Ian Harte's failure to cut out Gary Pallister's drilled
pass. Having just kept the ball in play, Neville crossed beautifully for
Giggs to head in.

United were in control, attacking in waves across Leeds' 4-1-4-1 set-up.
Their second goal stemmed from another angled delivery, this time from Irwin
on the left. Teddy Sheringham was flattened by Harte and, with typical calm,
Irwin placed the penalty to Nigel Martyn's left.

Leeds' intermittent threat stemmed from counter-attacks, the ball invariably
heading towards Hasselbaink. A lively, if lonely front-runner, the Dutchman
was rarely supported consistently from midfield. When Leeds managed to
create an opening, as David Wetherall did for Lee Bowyer, Neville stepped in
to clear.

Yet Leeds should have had a penalty when Nicky Butt clearly handled an
inswinging free-kick from Harte. Gary Willard, though, was having none of
it, much to George Graham's irritation. "He's one of the poorer refs," the
Leeds manager said, "but that's not to take away from our poor performance."

Fifth-placed Leeds, all but certain to make the UEFA Cup, were enlivened by
Harry Kewell after the break, the Australian twice going close. But United
were always in command. Just before the hour United added a third, Beckham
finishing with a glorious volley.

To round off Leeds' disappointment, Gunnar Halle was dismissed for two
bookable offences. Europe awaits for them; for United, this summer looks to
be a time of reviving hopes.
Beckham sports a new hair colour at the game against Leeds United 



Date:         Mon, 4 May 1998 22:53:41 +0300
Reply-To: "Manchester United Football Club (soccer)"
              
Sender: "Manchester United Football Club (soccer)"
              
From: Terry Dale 
Subject:      United - Sheep TV report
To: MUFC@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU

It was quite an entertaining game and we looked very good again in short
bursts of activity. I wonder why we couldn't have put in more
performances like this over the past couple of months. Leeds came to get
something from the game to enhance their UEFA ambitions so it wasn't one
of your typical pointless powderpuff end-of-season games with nothing at
stake. Leeds tried but were comprehensively beaten. We played in fact
with gay reckless abandon at times, and one can only suspect that the
team does much better when freed from tension. (Not that having Alex
glaring from the touchline is exactly relaxing.)

If Jaap Stam was in the stands as reported, I wonder what he thought
of it all? The defence looked pretty solid. As he watched a cultured
defensive display poor ol' Jaap was probably thinking he'd be our sixth-
choice defender after Pally, Johnsen, May, Berg and, yes, Wes Brown!
There were some fine performances from the whole team again. Gazza Neville
excelled, but so did Becks and Giggs and even Superstar May. Sporting his
new haircut (which, I believe, was very fashionable in the 1930's) David May
put in another rock-solid performance. I don't think he will be leaving
Old Trafford next year, but Fergie seems to be sending those "farewell"
signals to Berg.

Our first goal came on 6 minutes after some Kanchelskis-type wing play by
Gazza Neville. His cross was met sweetly by Giggs' head (he can't have
meant that, can he?). On the half hour we were 2-0 up thanks to a Dinnnis
Irwin penalty. Doing something useful for perhaps the first and last time
in the game, Teddy "earned" the penalty by caving in under a lightish
challenge from a Leeds defender. The replays of the incident suggested that
Teddy might do well in Hollywood if his career at OT doesn't work out. (And
it won't, I think.)

There was a nice shot of the Leeds coach and internationally well-known
convicted criminal, George "Fingers in the till" Graham, ejaculating
violently on the touchline. And was that a Rolex that twinkled cheekily on
his wrist? Stolen no doubt, the rascal. He looked desperate to get
something from the game, but it would be nice if Leeds could miss out
on Europe again if only because the primeval slime that supports
them are such sad buggers.

Phil Neville came on for Dinnis in the second half and, after our third
goal on 59 minutes, there were run-outs for the young, impressive Brown
and the old, once-impressive Choccy McClair. (Actually, "run-out" may not
be the right word for Choccy. It was more of a "wheeze-out".) The third
goal resulted from Andy Cole's persistence. As he attempted to barge his
way through, the ball ballooned up and was headed out straight to Becks
on the edge of the box. He volleyed the ball home hard and low. A fine goal.
Pity about the hair, though. Why does Posh insist on dolling him up like
Dolly bloody Parton? Anyway, true to form, off went Becks to the Sheeps'
corner to indulge in a little provocative vengeance for the boos they'd
directed at him the whole game.

As a matter of fact, the fans singing-taunting battle off the pitch was
sometimes more enteratining than the one-sided battle on it, and I'd be
very interested to hear what exactly was going on in the stands from
anyone who actually attended the match. "Oooh aah Cantona came over loud,
very loud, and clear and had the hair on the back of my neck standing up.
Good ol' Eric, you'll never be forgotten, and how kind of Leeds to sell
him to us for what amounted to the price of a Guinness and packet of
crisps. We owe it all to you Leeds. Thanks. The Sheep also came across
loud and clear with "Arsenal" and the essential "Stand up if you hate
..." A bit bloody annoying in your own stadium, but it made for one of
the best OT atmospheres this season. I wonder if any sheep got sacrificed
after the game?

So three more points to keep up our title challenge. Yes, that's right,
we can still win it. No I'm not completely bonkers. It'll happen like
this: Arsenal are going to get three points deducted for the illegal use
of performance-enhancing drugs and we'll be handed the championship again.
You all know what a checkered history the Arse players have got:
ex-player Merson was forever sniffing coke while Adams used to go around
like a St Bernard dog with a little barrel of whisky under his chin. The
whole team are at it. They eat anabolic steroids for breakfast instead of
Cornflakes and are popping all sorts of performance pills from morning
till night. This has to be true. How else can you explain the fact that
pathetic old turds like Dixon, Adams and Winterburn (who were all
pronounced clinically dead last year) are running around like spring
chickens beating defenders and scoring Maradonna-type goals? They're at it.
Oh yes, they're at it alright. They're all at it. Even Arsene.

Don't worry. The championship is ours again just as soon as Inspector Knacker
of the Scotland Yard anti-drugs unit gets on the case. Aha, and I think I
hear the police siren already ...
__________
Terry
Saudi
feeling a little light-headed.

Beckham sports a new hair colour at the game against Leeds United 



Date: Tue, 5 May 1998 15:51:33 +0200 (CEST)

Subject: BATISTUTA SET TO LEAVE FIORENTINA


                BATISTUTA SET TO LEAVE FIORENTINA

                Unsettled hero Gabriel Batistuta may have played his last
                home game for Fiorentina.

                The Argentinian captain, who was linked with
                Manchester United last year, has revealed he is ready to
                quit the club despite scoring twice in the 5-1 win over
                Brescia.

                Batistuta has always had a difficult relationship with club
                president Vittorio Cecchi Gori, and there whistles for the
                team from the home crowd on Sunday despite Batistuta
                opening the scoring after just 17 seconds.

                "I don't know what's going to happen at the end of the
                season...Cecchi Gori and I have to talk about what's
                best for everyone," said Batistuta.

                "I've been here for seven years and clearly I don't make
                people happy like I used to. 

                "The fans were whistling us and I don't agree with that,
                and even if they whistle the team then they're whistling
                me as well." 

                Batistuta, whose double-strike brought his career tally
                here to 151 goals, added: "At one point during the game,
                I realised that this could be my last game in Florence."

                Despite his 20 goals, it's been a disappointing season for
                the club - Italy's last UEFA Cup place is now the best
                Fiorentina can hope for.
Beckham sports a new hair colour at the game against Leeds United 



Subject:  Terje Fkjeldes / Jimmy Nielsen
To: MUFC@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU

United linked with Norwegian star
It has emerged that Manchester United have been monitoring the progress of
Norwegian Under-21 goalkeeper Terje Fkjeldes after his club Sogndal
confirmed the interest on Monday.
Sources in Norway confirmed an English club had been following the
youngster's progress since February.
United were linked to Spurs' Espen Baardsen then Danish Under-21 star Jimmy
Nielsen last month but had a representative at the Denmark v Norway Under-21
game where both Nielsen and Fkjeldes were in action.
United are thought to be actively searching for a long-term successor to
Peter Schmeichel, currently recovering from a hamstring injury.

Beckham sports a new hair colour at the game against Leeds United 



Date:         Tue, 5 May 1998 16:45:58 -0400
Reply-To: "Manchester United Football Club (soccer)"
              
Sender: "Manchester United Football Club (soccer)"
              
From: Mark Green 
Subject:   Keane's injury
To: MUFC@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU

     Hi my red friends,

     On the subject of Keane, a couple of list members have expressed a doubt
     over whether or not he will be the same player when he returns next year.
     There's no doubt that the injury he sustained to his cruciate ligament
     is the one all footballers fear most.....however, coming from a
     medical background, I assure you it will be less problematical for
     Keano due to the nature of the player himself.  After rehabilitation,
     such injuries cause more of a problem for 'flair' players ala Giggsy -
     those who twist and turn at high speed and transfer their weight
     suddenly from one leg to another whilst trying to take an opponent on.
     Just look at how the injury has interrupted Thornley's progress.
     It's unlikely now that he'll ever truly fulfill the potential he once
     shown before his injury.   No disrespect to Keano, but he's no Giggsy
     or Pele!   Keano is so influential to us through his work-rate, he has
     a fantastic 'engine' and is a terrific leader on the pitch.  He's a
     winner. The major problem for him is going to be those first few block
     tackles.  There's no doubt this will currently be niggling at the back
     of his mind - but once he's overcome those crucial first bone-jarring
     tackles he'll be the same old Keano - I can assure you of that.

     With Keane back, and Stam completing the formalities of his move today
     all we need is a big-name striker to pair with Andy Cole next year.
     Then my friends, finally, we should have a team well capable of
     recapturing the title and European cup next year.  No disrespect to
     any of our strikers at the club at the moment, but in crucial European
     games against the top sides, chances are always at a premium. Andy
     Cole is great, but he does miss a lot of chances. If he gets three
     chances in one game then he'll probably only score once more often
     than not. We need a clinical finisher - someone who when they get one
     good chance, they'll finish it every time.  That's the difference at
     the highest level.  We simply don't have a striker of that calibre at
     the moment.   I heard yesterday that Batistuta may have played his
     last game for Fiorentina - we could do a lot worse!

     Feel free to comment on any of the above - but please, no more
     scare-mongering on the list about Keane's injury..... he's going to be
     just fine.

     Bye my friends,

     Mark.........

Beckham sports a new hair colour at the game against Leeds United 



Subject:  Mirror Article  FERGIE: WE'LL BOUNCE BACK AND WIN TITLE

FERGIE: WE'LL BOUNCE BACK AND WIN TITLE
Man Utd ..3 Leeds ..0

Alex Ferguson sent an ominous warning to the rest of the Premiership last
night by declaring: "I will take Manchester United back to the top."

The United boss opened up on the agony of seeing his side de-throned as
kings of English football by awesome Arsenal. But he banished any misgivings
about his future as United saw off bitter rivals Leeds in their final home
match of the season.

Fergie outlined his blueprint for claiming the title back from the Gunners
in his programme notes.

"We will gather strength from the setbacks of this season," he said.
"Disappointment is part of football and part of growing up. We are a young
club and we will learn from our mistakes. So many of our players have not
reached their prime yet. Their best is yet to come and they will get over
the knocks that fate has handed us this season.''

Jaap Stam surveyed his new soccer empire and loved what he saw. A United
side suffering from title rejection but still fit and well enough to give
the supporters a timely pick-me-up.

Stam, for once, was one of them as he sat in a VIP seat with his wife Ellis.
And he lapped up every second in his new surroundings.

Stam was up on his £10.5million pins to clap his new team-mates on to the
pitch before battle with Leeds. And he was on them again as United soared
ahead with two first-half goals. Now Stam cannot wait for the day to dawn
when he can pull on the same red shirt.

That magic moment will come ever nearer after his medical today and the
completion of his record-busting deal.

But for the time being he was happy to sit back and enjoy further high-class
entertainment as David Beckham joined in the goal fun with a third in the
58th minute. United obviously were out for the blood of the side who had
beaten them back in September to assist in their title downfall.

And Stam would have winched at some of the challenges, with Leeds' Gunnar
Halle getting the red card in the 62nd minute for a second bookable offence.
United showed great spirit to hide their title heartbreak.

Ferguson even told the faithful beforehand that Arsenal were worthy winners
in a warm tribute. United still had pride and passion to play for.

And they had to react quickly after Leeds threatened to take a stranglehold
on the game after just 60 seconds. Jimmy Hasselbaink made his intentions
clear in his first run on goal that ended with a snap shot a fraction wide.

But United responded as only they can - with a goal of stunning power and
brutal execution. Gary Pallister's long ball to Gary Neville should have
been cut out by Ian Harte in the fifth minute. But the Leeds defender boobed
badly and Neville stretched out a right leg to keep the ball in play and set
up the first United strike.

The England star crossed superbly for Ryan Giggs to plant a header into the
bottom corner. It was a goal that shook Leeds to the core but they came
fighting back themselves to test stand-in keeper Raimond Van der Gouw.
Gunnar Halle hoisted the perfect ball in for Lee Bowyer. But with the keeper
flatfooted, Neville was in the right spot to intercept with a header before
Bowyer could react.

Leeds though were suddenly back in trouble in the 29th minute when United
stormed into a two-goal lead from the penalty spot. Denis Irwin's cross was
arrowing to Terry Sheringham until Harte climbed all over the England
striker's back.

Irwin stuck the spot kick into the bottom corner with Nigel Martyn flying
the other way.

Beckham completed United's stroll in the sun with a third goal just before
the hour, volley ing home sweetly with his right foot from the edge of the
area.
Beckham sports a new hair colour at the game against Leeds United 



From: MikeDPG 
Subject:     Cardiff City v. Man United
To: MUFC@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU

We played a testimonial with them today for Jimmy Goodfellows.  Final result:

  Cardiff City XI 1 - 1 Man Utd XI
  Roberts               Tomlinson

  According to the list, City took the lead innitially with a goal from
  Christian Roberts.  Not much more word apart from that City played the
  full starting team to start and United only played the one 'name' player,
  Choccy!  

The full team was 

Culkin, M Clegg, Higginbotham, Brown, Curtis, Mulryne,
Twiss, Tomlinson, McClair, Notman, Greening. 

    Mulryne, McClair and Greening were substituted at half time
 - I think by Wellens, Wood and Ford, but the announcer didn't give details of the substitutions. During the second half Clegg was replaced by Roche.

The Jimmy Goodfellow Select XI (not Cardiff City) used about 25 players from
various clubs, including former United player Derek Brazil. Goodfellow himself
(the Cardiff physio) came on for the last few minutes (he's 55).

Christian Roberts scored for the Goodfellow XI after 7 minutes, and Tomlinson
equalised after 14.

Attendance was 7,192 and the referee was Keith Burge from Tonypandy.

Mike Dobbin
----------

Western Mail report Testimonial:
 Fans turn out to honour Goodfellow

Manchester United may not have won a trophy this season but even their
reserve players have mighty crowd-pulling power.
Their successful Pontins League side, comprising stars of the future and one
old-hand - Scottish international Brian McClair - attracted a Ninian Park
crowd last night of more than 7,000 for Jimmy Goodfellow's testimonial.
City's physio should pocket around £40,000 from the event.
It was a nostalgic event for 54-year-old Goodfellow, surrounded by players
and managers with whom he has worked, among them Len Ashurst, Eddie May and
Colin Addison.
Other guests included world boxing champions Joe Calzaghe and Barry Jones
and former champions Steve Robinson and Nicky Piper.
Goodfellow's side kicked off with the present City players, but there were
wholesale changes to make way for former favourites.
Gavin Ward replaced John Hallworth in goal before a quartet of
substitutions - Derek Brazil, Simon Haywarth, Damon Searle and Kevin
Ratcliffe, who captained City's championship-winning side five years ago.
They were followed by another ex-City trio - Paul Bodin, Paul Ramsey and
Nick Richardson.
City's own exciting discovery, Chris Roberts, stole the limelight from
United's youngsters by giving Goodfellow's team a sixth-minute lead. 'Keeper
Nick Culkin was left "home alone" as Roberts headed home a cross by Jason
Fowler.
United equalised four minutes later, Graeme Tomlinson dribbling round
Hallworth after running onto a through ball by Northern Ireland
international Philip Mulryne.
Roberts forced an urgent save from Culkin and Hayworth went close, but Alex
Notman missed a sitter for the visitors, Ratcliffe's well-timed tackle
denied Jon Greening and Ward blocked a Tomlinson effort.
The biggest cheer of the night came when Goodfellow put himself on for the
closing minutes.

Karl Woodward (Chief Soccer Writer)

Beckham sports a new hair colour at the game against Leeds United 




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