www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Wed Jun 30 05:42:33 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. UNITED TAKE THEIR TIME OVER CUP DECISION
2. RE: Manchester United and the FA Cup
3. Sydney Meeting Matthew Wheeler
4. United's costly gamble could be doomed
5. FA Cup's image may be ruined forever
6. United Placed In 'No-Win' situation
7. Manchester United and the FA Cup
8. EDWARDS: ACCEPTING IS THE ONLY SENSIBLE OPTION
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Wed 30th June 1999:
Barry Daily Comment:
Decision of FACUP expected today.
UNITED OPENER LIVE ON SKY
Sky Sports have announced the Premiership games they will be screening live
until the end of the year, opening with Manchester United's start to their
championship defence at Everton on Sunday 8 August. Arsenal's second game,
29-JUN-1999 [09:00] Celebrate with Sir!
Details of Sir Alex Ferguson's testimonial events have been released,
and it looks like we're going to celebrate in style!
A Testimonial Race Day is to be held at Haydock Park in the Boss's honour,
along with a golf day, a Simply Red concert, and a United vs Rest of the World match.
The party will take place between July and October this year.
For more details and to book your day at the races, read on...
http://www.manutd.com/news/feature.sps?from=latest&id=1637358
**** FA CUP MESSAGE FROM FANS IN MANCHESTER *****
The Football Association -
MANY have written to Martin Edwards and copied the same to David
Davies at the F.A. If you have feelings against the FA CUP move
please do likewise and make your feelings known. The fax
number for Manchester United is: UK-0161-876-5502 the FA is: UK-0171-402-0486.
There is a Daily News Survey running for those with www:
Fill in the form at
The latest in a series of Nick Oldham [Maccelsfield] Extravaganza's!
If you missed any, all Nick's work is now on the site here:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/images/nick_oldham/
61515 Jun 25 07:16 schmeiks_goodbye.jpg
130908 Jun 25 07:18 barce_reds.jpg
63179 Jun 25 07:16 beckwed.jpg
90085 Jun 25 07:18 dodgykeeper.jpg
105148 Jun 25 07:21 ecf_champions_99.jpg
64869 Jun 25 07:19 fanscup.jpg
55581 Jun 25 07:17 passion.jpg
Its the presentation of the European Cup at Nou Camp
Video including sound 57secs 1.5 meg Real Video Use Real Player Plus G2
Free at www.real.com
http://www.real.com/R/HPplay-1R/www.real.com/products/playerplus/index.html?src=990611home_5
Latest MUFC Squad song is now available in stereo at www.red11.org
Stereo Sound: REAL AUDIO: 607k 4mins "stereo"
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MP3 4.6meg 4mins "stereo"
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RED sky at night BARCE' delight
More fun here: http://www.red11.org/mufc/barcedance.htm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MANCHESTER UNITED STATS v ALL teams on the Web
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats.htm
Previous News:
BSKYB Takeover news/pics at http://www.red11.org/mufc/bskyb.htm
Brian Kidd Press conference, pic, real audio
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/kidd.htm
Peter Schmeichel's last Season at United!
http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------
NEXT MATCHES
---------------------------------------------------------------
01-AUG-1999 [15:00] Manchester Utd. vs Arsenal (FA Charity Shield, AWAY)
08-AUG-1999 [16:00] Manchester Utd. vs Everton (FA Premier League, AWAY)
11-AUG-1999 [20:00] Manchester Utd. vs Sheffield W (FA Premier League, HOME)
14-AUG-1999 [15:00] Manchester Utd. vs Leeds U (FA Premier League, HOME)
22-AUG-1999 [16:00] Manchester Utd. vs Arsenal (FA Premier League, AWAY)
Friendlies:
August 3rd Omagh Town, St Julian's Road ground
August 4th Wigan Athletic
****Pre season tour details JULY 1999 ***
Melbourne Sydney
Thu 15/7 MAN. UNITED V SOCCEROOS evening in Melbourne
at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground- capacity 90,000.) kick off 20.00hrs.
- Melbourne Cricket Ground 5 minutes from the city. Good transport available
Tickets available - starts from $60.00 - behind the goal -next up is $90.00,
$130.00 and $150.00
Sun 18/7 MAN. UNITED V SOCCEROOS STADIUM AUSTRALIA, Olympic Boulevard,
Homebush Bay, Sydney NEW SOUTH WALES 15.00 local time
Tickets for Sydney game try here:
http://www.ticketek.com.au/frame.asp?url=search/search.asp
then type MANCHESTER in the search field.
+ Far East
Wed 21/7 Shangai first time ever!!!
This match will be watched by 80,000 fans
The game has sold out with the Shanghai Star reporting the home side's
chairman Yu Zhifei as saying: ''It is unprecedented that the tickets
should sell out for a match five weeks in advance."
Sat 24/7 Hong Kong Repeat of the 1997 game
"ALL matches will be shown "the same day" om MUTV.
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
*** FINAL PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 16/05/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 38 14 4 1 45 18 8 9 2 35 19 43 79
2 Arsenal 38 14 5 0 34 5 8 7 4 25 12 42 78
3 Chelsea 38 12 6 1 29 13 8 9 2 28 17 27 75
4 Leeds United 38 12 5 2 32 9 6 8 5 30 25 28 67
Here are the first matches in the coming season 1999/2000 fixture list:
ALL FIXTURES at: http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899.htm
15 July Melbourne pre season Australia
18 July Sydney pre season Australia
21 July Shanghai pre season Shenhua
24 July Hong Kong pre season South China
1 Aug Wembley Ch Sh Arsenal
4 Aug Friendly Wigan Athletic
8 Aug away PL Everton
11 Aug home PL Sheffield Wednesday
14 Aug home PL Leeds United
21 Aug away PL Arsenal
25 Aug away PL Coventry City
27 Aug Monaco ESC Lazio
28 Aug away PL Newcastle United
THE FANTASTIC TRIPLE WAS WON!!
Personal stories here: http://www.red11.org/mufc/barcelona.htm
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
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Subject: UNITED TAKE THEIR TIME OVER CUP DECISION
Manchester United will not be rushed into ditching the FA Cup for the World
Team Championship.
The Treble winners are still mulling over the Football Association's
unprecedented offer for them to withdraw from next season's competition and
take part in the inaugural FIFA tournament.
Some of the United board met last night to discuss the FA's proposal, and
the club had suggested that they would make an announcement on Tuesday.
But the United directors have still to decide and will now not release a
statement until Wednesday at the earliest.
Chairman and chief executive Martin Edwards said: "We had a meeting of some
of the board last night, and it was not a full board meeting.
"Dialogue is going on all the time, but I don't know when we will be able
to make a statement."
The FA are anxious for United to take part in the World Team Championship
in Brazil between January 5-14 to help England's 2006 World Cup bid and
have offered exemption from the FA Cup to ease their fixture congestion.
They will not hurry United, although UEFA, who nominated them as Europe's
representatives in the tournament, want a reply by July 9, and FA spokesman
Steve Double said: "We are expecting a decision from United imminently."
Edwards claims the FA has put the club in a no-win situation, and the Old
Trafford board will take as long as they need before coming to a decision.
He realises that they will be criticised whatever they decide.
FA Cup sponsors AXA Assurance are watching developments closely and will
want talks with the FA if United opt out of defending the trophy they won
last month at Wembley.
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Subject: RE: ] Manchester United and the FA Cup
Sorry but I don't agree with the philosophy here. I feel that a global
tournament is a progressive and exciting idea - Sir Matt would not miss this
for the world. The same forces which tried to keep us out of Europe in the
50's are at work again..........men of little vision afraid of change.
Lets take our water, food, etc etc and lets go take part in this awesome
idea.
As for the FA Cup, lets enter a youth team or under-19 squad. If we get
knocked out - too bad.
From: "Bill Smith (UK)"
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Subject: Sydney Meeting Matthew Wheeler
Attention all listees planning to go to the game in Sydney!!
After extensive thought and research, I have decided that we should meet at
The Orient hotel. The Orient is situated in The Rocks, at the corner of
Argyll and George Street. I think that this pub would be a good choice as
it is only 5 minutes walk from Circular Quay station - and only about 8
minutes walk from Wynyard. Given that we are going to have to get the train
to Homebush, due to the restrictions on cars entering the site, I thought
we should choose a pub within drunken staggering-distance of a station.
This decision has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that they serve
Boddingtons. Trust me.
I have checked with the pub management, and they don't have any objection
to 40 or so ladies and gentlemen invading their establishment and wearing
football shirts. They did however raise some concerns about Nick Coppack
drinking there.
The pub has a number of floors - I thought we should meet on the ground
floor. I will be there from midday. As the game kicks off at 3pm, I will
probably leave the pub at about 1.45.
I did briefly consider meeting at Crows Nest hotel, as we could then
legitimately claim that our pre-match pub is "The Nest" - but it's too
inconvenient to get to.
Please everybody - come along and make the most of your Manchester day out!
Indulge yourself with a jar or two of Boddingtons, wear your United
clothing, and sing Red songs - we'll re-create that Old Trafford pre-match
atmosphere.
(Dave Marshall - my seat is Gate F, Aisle 609, Row 5, Seat 23 - a LONG way
from you, I'm afraid.)
Unfortunately, I neglected to ask the landlord if they serve Vimto. My
apologies.
Look forward to seeing all of you there,
Matthew
Matthew Wheeler
Account Manager,
NETg Asia Pacific
Level 14
201 Miller Street
North Sydney
NSW 2060
phone +61 2 9460 2016
fax +61 2 9460 2017
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Subject: United's costly gamble could be doomed
By Martin Lipton
Tuesday, June 29, 1999
The unedifying sight of Manchester United becoming a pawn in a political
power game proved just how much the Football Association will risk to bring
the World Cup to English soil.
As fans, other clubs and even the players' union boss Gordon Taylor voiced
opposition to United ducking out of the FA Cup to fly the flag on the
Government's behalf in the World Club Championship, Lancaster Gate was
prepared to take the flak.
With £10 million already invested in the campaign - plus as much again in
political capital from Downing Street - the FA is willing to do everything
it can to improve England's 2006 chances.
The view is that the scale of the prize on offer means the gamble is
worthwhile, that any short-term complaints will be swept aside come March
if FIFA president Sepp Blatter announces England's most important away
victory ever.
On those terms, devaluing the FA Cup is a justifiable price. The pressure
on the FA to send United to Brazil in January could not have been more
clearly outlined than by Sports Minister Tony Banks' appearance at
Westminster yesterday.
Banks did not hesitate in telling the Commons the importance placed on
United's participation, forecasting 'significant damage' would be dealt to
the 2006 campaign if the European champions did not travel to South America.
'The FA and, indeed, the Government are asking Manchester United and all
fans to do their best to enhance England's reputation and standing
throughout the football world,' said Banks.
'Football fans are just as capable of recognising national effort and
national interest as anyone else in this country.'
Perhaps so, yet the stark fact that Lancaster Gate and Downing Street must
privately ponder is whether all their efforts are being directed in pursuit
of a target that has already been snatched away.
England's bid-managers always knew they were starting behind their rivals,
particularly South Africa and Germany. With the Germans, the big problem
was the 1992 'gentlemen's agreement' to support their 2006 bid in return
for Euro 96 backing, supposedly struck by former chairman Sir Bert Millichip.
Privately, despite their public utterances, senior figures concede it was
given, though they challenge Sir Bert's right to have done so without
consultation.
South Africa's clout was more political and perhaps even harder to deny.
The reinvention of the one-time pariah state as the Rainbow Nation, led by
arguably the world's favourite politician in Nelson Mandela, gave an
opportunity for football's most obvious imbalance to be addressed - the
World Cup on African soil.
Even so, England's World Cup bid chiefs, led by the determined Alec
McGivan, believed that by a clever and well-planned campaign they could
make up the difference and come through on the rails to win.
The key problem they faced is that England's diminished status in the
modern game - no representation on the ruling executive committees of
either UEFA or FIFA - meant a lack of real understanding of the political
intrigue they must overcome to win.
It is all well and good sending Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst
around the world glad-handing, or paying for Peter Withe to become a
national hero as coach of Thailand, but if they have nobody able to pull
the levers of power, the struggle will always be an uphill one.
FIFA has yet to decide how the vote for 2006 will be conducted in Zurich in
March but the FA antagonised many of its European colleagues with the
last-minute decision to switch support to Blatter from UEFA head Lennart
Johansson in last summer's presidential vote, believing that the Swede's
outspoken support for Germany meant they could not afford to see him
replace Joao Havelange.
That alienated many in what should have been England's natural power-base
in UEFA and even though Johansson has declared a free vote for Europe's
seven appointed voters, the three-line whip might be implicit.
In addition, the thought that Blatter was merely paying lip-service to the
African dream to secure support for his candidacy has been proved false.
Blatter has become a confidant of United Nations General Secretary Kofi
Annan and met publicly with Mandela on many occasions, regularly endorsing
South Africa.
The terrifying crime rates in Johannesburg, Cape Town and elsewhere will be
raised in whispered asides by England and Germany, who both have far
superior facilities but as one insider pointed out: 'You don't honestly
expect the best bid to win, do you?'
This month's controversial decision to award the 2006 Winter Olympics to
Turin, even though the International Olympic Committee's own report argued
firmly in favour of Sion, was the sort of warning shot that should send
shivers down the collective spines of the England bid team.
Lancaster Gate believes its global charm offensive has seduced a firm eight
supporters from the 24-man executive committee, yet promises of a vote can
easily dissipate under veiled threats or offers of future riches from the
men who really count.
Without anybody on the inside track, without a power-broker of their own,
England's bid is at the mercy of the key players who wield the influence in
Zurich.
If the 99 members of the IOC can be persuaded to ignore the evidence, then
consider how much easier it would be to coerce a majority from a 24-man
electorate, many of whom harbour their own ambitions of long-term preferment.
Banks and Lancaster Gate might well be right in fearing that failure to be
represented in Brazil would deal a fatal blow to England's chances.
However, the bid could be dead in the water already.
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Subject: FA Cup's image may be ruined forever
By Ian Gibb
Monday, June 28, 1999
The FA Cup's image could be damaged beyond repair if Manchester United
become the first major club to duck out of the competition in its 127-year
history, according to Professional Footballers' Association chief executive
Gordon Taylor.
He is backing the controversial idea of United receiving a bye into a later
round - a suggestion which has infuriated Chelsea chairman Ken Bates,
vice-chairman of the Challenge Cup committee.
Taylor warned: 'If United are not in, it would be very damaging to the
status of the FA Cup.
'Surely we could allow the European Champions League winners to enter at a
later stage. United should enter the world tournament for the prestige it
would bring English football.'
United fans are up in arms, claiming the club has all but had a gun held to
its head.
Andy Walsh, chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters'
Association said: 'The club has been put in an unfair position.
This is not United saying they do not want to play in the FA Cup. This is
the FA willing to sacrifice the oldest domestic cup competition in the
world at the high altar of TV.
'The move has more to do with world football politics than Manchester
United being offered an opportunity.
'I doubt if the same opportunity would have been offered if England weren't
bid-ding for the 2006 World Cup. The FA is willing to sacrifice anything to
secure that.
Alex Ferguson said before the Champions League Final that he didn't want to
play in this world championship.
What happens if FIFA decides the world championship should be extended to
four weeks? Is the FA going to say sacrifice the Premier League as well?'
Alison Pilling, chair of the Football Supporters' Association, said: 'The
domestic league should come as top priority, then the FA Cup, then see
where other competitions fit in after that. This is another example of TV
and money setting the agenda.'
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Subject: United Placed In 'No-Win' situation
by Barnard Andre
Good morning everyone. Reading our morning paper here in Cape Town, THE
CAPE TIMES, I came across this article. I'm going to re-write it for you
without permission so hold those thumbs that I don't get tracked down and
incarserated.
Here goes.....
LONDON: " Manchester United officials were considering yesterday whether or
not the club should defend the FA Cup or skip the domestic competition in
favour of representing Europe in January's world club championship in
Brazil.
The English FA made the unprecedented offer of an exemption from the FA Cup
for the European champions - provided they participate in the FIFA-backed
world club championships.
United officials were meeting at OT last night to consider all options,
including playing in both competitions, although a decision was not expected
until today.
Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards said the FA had put the club in a
'no-win' situation. ' We're going to get criticised whatever we do' he
said.
The FA offer has outraged fans, who say United's triple title defense could
be sacrificed so England had a better chance of winning the right to host
the 2006 World Cup. United won the Premier League and FA Cup double last
season and defeated Bayern Munich in the European Champions Cup final, which
secured their berth in the inaugural world club championships.
United manager Alex Ferguson (should've been Sir Alex) had appealed to the
FA to give his a bye through to the fourth round of the FA Cup due to their
demanding schedule. And, at one stage, United officials were considering
withdrawing from the tournament in Brazil, which would allow Bayern Munich
to represent Europe.
But the FA responded, after consultation with the Premier League and the
government, by offering Britain's richest soccer club a one-year exemption
from the FA Cup.
FA spokesman David Davies said the offer was for the good of Manchester
United and English soccer. He said if United withdrrew and allowed Bayern
Munich to participate, it would give Germany an advantage in lobbying for
the 2006 World Cup.
' For the first time, there is a competition which will produce the
undisputed best club in the world and we believe that Manchester United
should be part of that. That is why we have worked to find a solution to
help them, ' he added." - Sapa-AP
Well what do you think of that? We already know who the best club team in
the world is, is it necessary to give up our FA Cup to go and prove it? For
argument sake, WHAT IF...... we do not do well and get knocked out due to a
bad day (and everyone has one of those), would it have been worth departing
with tradition? What explanation would the top brass give to the fans? let
alone not being able to make history once again by defending all THREE cups
successfully !!!!!!!!!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT HEY !
Andre Barnard- CAPE TOWN RED
Client Support Department
X 97040
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Subject: Manchester United and the FA Cup
From: paul@rarecompany.co.uk (Paul Windridge)
letter sent out to the FA, Manchester United and every newspaper, radio
station and TV I could find.
>>>>>>>>>
Manchester United MUST compete in the FA Cup or the competition will be
devalued and the rot will have well and truly taken hold.
The FA should not be allowed to hold Manchester United to ransom over the
so called World Club Championship - Blatter's baby can wait as far as I'm
concerned.
Why would any team from Europe want to go to Brazil in their summertime and
play in stifling heat for three weeks only to return completely incapable
of continuing with their nromal season. It's surely a recipe for domestic
disaster.
We all know the FA are only concerned with the 2006 World Cup coming to
these shores and that Manchester United are seen as ambassadors to help
them achieve their aims. Pawns in the FA's game eh!! Not bloody likely.
The World Club Championship is a step in the direction of the master plan
for global football. A step towards the TV and media circus we fought so
hard to prevent with the campaign against Murdoch and BSkyB.
As usual the FA have assumed their favourite stance of passing the buck and
non decision. How they can call themselves the game's ruling body in this
country, I have no idea, because they never seem to make a decision, rather
putting clubs such as Manchester United in impossible postions and no win
situations.
But where were the FA when Manchester United banned Eric Cantona? Did they
do us any favours then? No they didn't - they did the opposite by extending
the already ridiculous ban by several months. Thanks FA, but no thanks.
The FA Cup must be seen to prevail and that means the holders MUST take
part. Football's oldest competition must not be sacrificed for the sake of
this new event - back to the roots chaps. Look after them and the game will
grow - ignore them and the game will die.
Make the right decision.
Your sincerely
PT Windridge
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Subject: EDWARDS: ACCEPTING IS THE ONLY SENSIBLE OPTION
Maybe one day I will see Martin Edwards do something that puts the team's
well being (in the footballing sense) ahead of his money making motives.
But today is not it.
Also, what favours do we owe the FA anyway? United should give the FA as
much grief as they gave us: plenty.
EDWARDS: ACCEPTING IS THE ONLY SENSIBLE OPTION
Manchester United are likely to provoke a storm of controversy
today by pulling out of the FA Cup in a bid to prove themselves the best
team in the world.
Chairman Martin Edwards said accepting the FA's offer to
withdraw in order to play in the World Team Championship was "the only
sensible option". He added: "It has yet to be ratified, but this is a
chance for Manchester United to be the first champions of the world. It's
tricky, but we really are in a no-win situation."
The treble winners could never have dreamed that they would be
embroiled in such an unwelcome, politics-packed situation so soon after
basking in the glory of their exploits,
and the likelihood of a mid-season excursion to Brazil, has elicited
ambivalence, but mainly dismay, from big names in the domesticgame. PFA
chief executive Gordon Taylor thinks the only workable solution to the
problem would have been a `bye' into a later round, it would have to be the
fifth round to avoid a clash. Taylor added: "I would have thought we could
think about allowing any team that won the European Champions League to be
seeded to enter the FA Cup at a later stage.
"We can see no reason why there shouldn't be a new rule to give
a club a bye into a later round in the FA Cup in these circumstances.
Manchester United should enter the (World Team) tournament for the prestige
it would bring English football," he added.
Tony Banks told MPs: "Manchester United's exemption from next
season's FA Cup is a one-off exceptional proposal for exceptional
circumstances. There are two reasons for it. First of all, England has an
unenviable reputation for looking down on new major tournaments.
Frank Stapleton said: "I've been involved in a lot of great
games, and I think that United should be involved in the FA Cup. They are
the holders and the holders should defend the trophy. The FA are not being
helpful in any way, the board will make their decision, I'm sure Alex will
have his say, but they should play. Ithi9nk the easiest answer would be for
them to say they won't take part. Where is this going to benefit Manchester
United?"
Alan Ball said: "I thought people were talking about the
Worthington Cup, but then I realised they meant the FA Cup, and I thought
'No, that would be really sad.'
Harry Redknapp commented: "I don't know where the hell they get
these ideas from, the FA Cup needs Manchester United and they should defend
it, end of story."
from "Nabeel M. AlHaider"
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Pic Link today is http://www.red11.org/mufc/images/99/ecfinal/barce_reds.jpg
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If ever they are playing in your town
You must get to that football ground
Take a lesson come to see
Football taught by Matt Busby
Manchester, Manchester United
A bunch of bouncing Busby Babes
They deserve to be knighted
Barry
J. Leeming Digest Prgram
by 
William
McArthur Canada
