Dennis Wise was last night in bullish mood about Leeds United's chances of overcoming a record points deduction and achieving his initial target of staying in League One.
The Elland Road club had hoped to overturn a 15 point penalty imposed by the Football League for what they saw as United's failure to follow a clear insolvency policy.
But at a specially convened meeting in a London hotel yesterday, the other 71 chairmen voted by a majority of 54-16 (Bury were not represented) to uphold the original points deduction. Wise described the decision as "laughable" and said self-interest had played a part in most of the chairmen deciding to back the League's stance.
He said, "A lot of people would like to see us fall flat on our faces, however we will fight that. We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and get on with it. It is time for us to march on and stick together. We require 106 points to win the league, 92 points to get in the play-offs and 70 to remain up. Lovely. Thanks very much. We know it will be difficult however we are up for this. We were hoping the number might have come down slightly and made certain things achievable. Some things are still achievable however we will require a lot of luck on the way. The 1st target is we would like to remain up. After that, there are other targets we would like to achieve. However, that is our 1st aim, 70 points. We can turn a negative into a positive. We will have a massive point to prove (every time we go out). And we are looking forward to it."
The rejection of United's appeal was the latest in a series of bodyblows for Wise in the summer with his re-building plans having had to be put on hold until a week ago when the club's League share, suspended when they went into administration on May 4, was belatedly transferred to a new company set up by Ken Bates.
The Leeds chief was busy since then with the capture last night of Norwich midfielder Andrew Hughes on a 2 year contract taking his tally of transfers to 9 after Alan Thompson and Tore Andre Flo had agreed one year deals earlier in the day.
Wise was hoping the original penalty, which is 5 points more than the League have imposed in the past, could be cut by the other 71 chairmen.
2 votes were taken at yesterday's 2 hour meeting with the 1st, that Leeds deserved some form of penalty for not completing a Company Voluntary Arrangement, being passed by 64 to 5 with one spoilt vote.
Officials of Oldham Athletic, Gillingham, Hull City and Peterborough United all spoke publicly after the meeting of their support for the League's stance.
Wise said, "Some (clubs) were nice to us, however some were saying certain things on television with a wonderful, big smile on their face. They seemed pleased with the outcome. It is laughable. We would like to know, deep down, what the real reasons are. If you look at the teams in our division, I am sure they probably would not have voted for us. I think a lot of them will have gone home and known deep down they have not been fair. Some will have done it for their own reasons, and those reasons are probably not the right ones. However, everyone would like to get a head start and 23 teams now have a very good head start on us."
The League stressed after the meeting the matter was now closed, Lord Mawhinney adding, "We have an agreement with Leeds, signed by both the League and the club, that they will not take any legal action against us and we will not take any legal action against them. That is a standard part of the agreement that every club signs when they come out of administration."
05 August 2007
Robin van Persie netted the goal which won Arsenal the Amsterdam Tournament, however was then carried off against Ajax.
A match which was a physical, and often bad-tempered affair, was settled by finish from the Dutchman with only 3 minutes left.
However, the former Feyenoord player then had to be helped from the field following a heavy challenge from Johnny Heitinga, however was able to soon rejoin his team mates as they celebrated a 2nd pre season tournament win.
Villa warmed up for the new Premier League season with a commanding 3-0 triumph over Italian champions Inter Milan at Villa Park.
Inter, who beat Man Utd 3-2 at Old Trafford earlier in the week, were a goal down in the 14th minute when Gareth Barry slotted home from Stiliyan Petrov's cross.
Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic dragged a shot wide 2 minutes before the break and 3 minutes into the 2nd half Villa doubled their lead.
Barry's free kick into the box was headed home by former AC Milan defender Martin Laursen. The 3rd came midway through the 2nd half when Gabriel Agbonlahor advanced into the box and was tripped by Walter Samuel, Barry converting the penalty.
Tottenham manager Martin Jol opted for Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov up front and was rewarded with a goal from each in a 2-0 triumph over Torino.
Keane volleyed the home side in front in the 16th minute at White Hart Lane after the visitors failed to clear a free-kick.
Berbatov was then gifted a simple tap in on 65 minutes when Steed Malbranque collected Pascal Chimbonda's cross, rounded the goalie and rolled the ball across the box.
Spurs have now won 7 out of 7 in their pre season programme ahead of next week's league opener at Sunderland.
Valencia spoiled Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City welcoming party by triumphing 1-0 at Eastlands to leave the new manager with a lot of work to do before the Premier League opener at The Hammers next week.
With 5 new transfers in his starting line-up, some of whom the former England manager had never even seen play, there is always going to be an element of the unknown about the clash with one of Spain's 4 Champions League entrants.
Eriksson would certainly were able to pick several positives out of the narrow defeat, not least the display of young midfielder Michael Johnson.
But David Silva's early winner, combined with a series of missed chances that included 2 by player forward Rolando Bianchi, suggested it could take some time for Eriksson's new-look side to gel.
Owen Hargreaves in the end made his Man Utd debut as the Premier League champions enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 triumph over Peterborough.
Hargreaves played 45 minutes after coming on as a subsitute and looked back to his best in his traditional holding position in midfield.
He was the only 1st team player of note in a youthful United side that proved too strong for Peterborough, managed by Alex Ferguson's son Darren.
Adam Eckersley gave Ferguson senior's side the lead in the 23rd minute when the left back fired a powerful shot beyond Posh goalie Shwan Jalal.
Ferguson junior looked to have pulled off a masterstroke when Rene Howe, a half time subsitute, levelled matters with a fine shot 4 minutes after the restart.
But United were always the stronger and they made their fitness tell later in the 2nd half with goals from Richie Jones in the 72nd minute and a 3rd from Fangzhuo Dong 10 minutes later.
Portsmouth's new recruit David Nugent was on target as they came from behind to beat Leicester 3-1 in a pre season friendly at the Walkers Stadium.
Iain Hume put the Foxes ahead in the 14th minute when a clever ball from Mark de Vries put him through on goal.
Pompey levelled 6 minutes later though as £6 million signing Nugent, who had come close to scoring twice before in the early stages, sidefooted in Arnold Mvuemba's cross.
Nugent turned provider for the 2nd as Lomana LuaLua latched onto his cross to score.
LuaLua was then heavily involved in Portsmouth's 3rd as his good work presented substitute Franck Songo'o with a chance to drill home from the edge of the box with 8 minutes to go.
Ricardo Vaz Te and Gary Speed were both on target as Bolton recorded a 2-1 triumph at Championship club Colchester.
The visitors found themselves a goal down in the 5th minute when former Charlton forward Kevin Lisbie was given too much space in the area and fired past Ali Al-Habsi.
That lead was shortlived though as Wanderers hit back with 2 goals in as many minutes.
Speed swept home the leveller from the penalty spot after Vaz Te was tumbled over by Mark Yeates, comfortably triumphing over Dean Gerken in the home goal.
First half goals from Stewart Downing and Yakubu gave Boro a 2-0 triumph over AZ Alkmaar.
Andrew Taylor, Julio Arca and Jeremie Aliadiere all combined to set up Downing and the England winger comprehensively beat visiting goalie Sergio Romero with a fierce left footed drive.
Boro's second, and clincher, came only 14 minutes later when Taylor's cross from the left found the head of Yakubu who powered his effort beyond Romero from 6 yards.
Long term injury absentee Dean Ashton was back on the scoresheet for The Hammers as they came from behind to beat Roma 2-1 at Upton Park.
The visitors had taken a 13th minute lead through Ludovic Giuly, before The Hammers equalised as George McCartney headed in Freddie Ljungberg's corner in the 63rd minute.
3 minutes later Alan Curbishley's side were in front as Ashton, who missed the whole of last season with an ankle injury, cut in from the right wing and fired in a shot from an acute angle.
Sunderland warmed up for their season opener against Spurs next week with an entertaining 1-1 draw with Juve.
Daryl Murphy gave Roy Keane's side the lead when he stabbed home after Ross Wallace's 7th minute corner was headed into the danger area by Dickson Etuhu.
Cristian Molinaro grabbed a deserved equaliser for the Italian side with 2 minutes left, the substitute smashing a powerful drive into the roof of the net.
Jason Koumas scored both goals as Wigan beat crisis club Leeds 2-1 in a pre season friendly at Elland Road.
Koumas put the Premier League side in front only a minute before the interval, slotting home after good work from Emile Heskey.
Jermaine Beckford equalised 10 minutes into the 2nd half however Koumas sealed win with a deflected free kick on 69 minutes.
Reading warmed up for the start of the season with a 3-2 win against Wolves at Molineux.
Seyi Olofinjana opened the scoring with a header from Gary Breen's 14th minute cross however Reading were level within 3 minutes through Stephen Hunt.
Bryn Gunnarsson then put Steve Coppell's side in front and Dave Kitson diverted home a shot from Hunt only seconds before the interval.
Jay Bothroyd pulled one back for Mick McCarthy's side 6 minutes from time.
Blackburn showed their Premier League class to comfortably see off Lancashire rivals Preston 3-0 at Deepdale.
Centre back Christopher Samba scored twice with fellow defender Andre Ooijer putting Rovers ahead in the 1st minute.
Steve Howard produced a late equaliser as Derby finished their pre season preparations with a lively 2-2 draw against UEFA Cup finalists Espanyol.
Marc Torrejon's own goal gave the Rams a 1-0 half time lead however Sergio Sanchez pulled the La Liga side level before Luis Garcia converted a controversial penalty.
Everton were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their final pre season friendly.
Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp scored on his return to Bramall Lane to hand the Blades a 1-0 friendly triumph over Nottingham Forest.
The 21 year old learnt his trade in the United academy however was unable to break into the 1st team under Neil Warnock, who allowed him to leave for Scunthorpe in 2005.
Sharp's former team mates at Scunthorpe had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their Lincolnshire derby with Grimsby at Blundell Park as Andy Crosby opened the scoring for the Iron before having to leave the pitch.
And it was his replacement Andy Butler who scored an own goal to level for the League 2 side.
Southampton recorded a 1-0 triumph at Brentford thanks to Marek Saganowski's finish from Nathan Dyer's cross only after the interval.
Championship new boys Bristol City had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Ashton Gate after twice falling behind. Brian Wilson and Louis Carey were the men to find the net for Gary Johnson's side.
Barnsley completed their pre season programme with a shock 2-0 defeat to Bury at Gigg Lane courtesy of goals from Richie Baker and Dave Challinor.
Blackpool, also looking forward to their Championship debut next weekend, crashed 2-1 at Carlisle.
David Fox gave the Seasiders the lead with a fabulous volley, however United hit back after the interval and goals from Chris Lumsdon and Danny Graham were enough to claim the win.
Hull rounded off pre season with a goalless draw against Belgian club Antwerp at KC Stadium.
Dagenham warmed up for their Football League bow next weekend with a 2-1 triumph over Fisher Athletic, Paul Benson and Jon Nurse finding the net.
Robbie Fowler made his 1st appearance for Cardiff in their 1-0 triumph over Dutch opponents Twente at Ninian Park.
The former Liverpool forward's debut lasted only 24 minutes, however, as he struggled to shake off the effects of a thigh injury suffered in training earlier this week.
Warren Feeney scored the only goal, smashing home from Trevor Sinclair's free-kick.
30 July 2007
Carnegie Premier League side Newry City are waiting to see if Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson tables a bid for their captain Richard Clarke.
N. Ireland U21 international Clarke made a guest appearance for the English Championship club in a 2-0 pre season friendly triumph at Portadown.
Robson mentioned he could be speaking to Clarke and Newry manager Gerry Flynn before making a decision.
Clarke had only completed a week on trial with League 2 side Bury.
24 July 2007
Sheffield United keeper Paddy Kenny and midfielder Nick Montgomery have agreed new deals with the club, reports BBC Radio Sheffield.
Both players have committed themselves to the Blades until 2010.
The news comes a day after former Blade Rob Kozluk claimed there is unrest at the club because they were taking too long to negotiate players' contracts.
Meanwhile United confirm they have made an initial enquiry about Newry City captain Richard Clarke.
The N. Ireland U21 midfielder is also attracting interest from Rangers, along with League One Gillingham and League 2 Bury.
02 July 2007
Everton forward Andrew Johnson returned to full training today 6 weeks after ankle surgery, with manager David Moyes insisting he can be even better next season.
The England international has worked on his rehabilitation all summer, and was able to join in with the rest of the Toffees team when they reported back for pre season training.
The 1st sessions will take place at the club's old Bellefield training complex, with a transfer to their new home in Speke due for later in the summer.
Johnson was subjected to a continual debate about allegations over diving last term, and Moyes informed the Liverpool Echo, "His goals were so important and they came at important times, at the start of the season and on the run in as well. Things were possibly a little harder on him last term due to the decisions that went against him. It affected him however he still had a really good season and he will get better again."
Everton are in the hunt for Man Utd forward Alan Smith, who was informed he can leave Old Trafford, as well as pursuing an interest in Preston's David Nugent, even though a bid has not been made.
The Toffees hope the recently-capped England youngster will maintain his wish to transfer to Goodison Park, rather than Sunderland or West Ham.
Those bids were more than £6 million and Everton think that is too much for a player out of contract next summer. However, Preston are unlikely to allow the situation to progress so his fee would drop in the January transfer window.
Everton opening their pre season fixtures with a double header at Bury and a N. Ireland XI on July 14.
They then play Preston at Deepdale on July 16 before heading off to the US for games against Salt Lake and as yet unnamed opponents at the end of the month.
Everton are also at home to Werder Bremen on July 31 and away to Crystal Palace on August 4.
24 June 2007
Dundee United have stressed that they are not breaking any transfer rules in their pursuit of Oldham Athletic forward Chris Porter.
Oldham have publicly complained that they will lose the player for nothing if he will move to Scotland, whilst an English club would pay compensation.
United chairman Eddie Thompson informed BBC Sport, "We are definitely interested in the player. However, we are staying within the rule book and matters should progress soon."
English clubs could be required to pay compensation because Porter, who scored 21 goals in League One last season, is under 24.
However, that would not apply to a cross border transfer for the 23 year old striker.
St Mirren are in a similar position with John Sutton, who is also out of contract and likely to transfer to an English club for free in the summer.
Oldham had offered Porter a new contract then are thought to have discarded transfer bids from other clubs in the expectation that they would receive more in compensation.
It has left Oldham managing director Simon Corney and his chairman, Simon Blitz, raging with the anomaly.
And they have heaped load on Porter by asking that he show loyalty to the club that signed him from Bury.
Corney informed the Oldham Evening Chronicle that they were left "seriously disillusioned" by football.
"There is nothing to stop Chris going to a different league, playing for one season and then being sold back for a fee which should morally be ours," he said.
"We signed Chris as a young player and enhanced his game over the last 2 years and we feel we are owed some loyalty."
Porter's future is probably going to be decided within 7 days after the official end of his contract with Oldham.
22 June 2007
Sheffield United have played down rumours saying Paddy Kenny is unhappy at Bramall Lane and would like to quit the club.
The Republic of Ireland international goalie was linked with a transfer to Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland following the Blades' relegation to the Championship.
Kenny's agent also suggested his client would leave, should the club fail to open negotiations on a new contract.
But United chairman Terry Robinson has has denied the says that by revealing he has already held talks on a new deal with the former Bury keeper.
"2 or 3 weeks ago both parties met up for discussions," he informed the club's official website.
"They had taken place and at this moment we have no further comment to make."
Kenny, 28, has made more than 200 appearances in 5 seasons with the Blades.
22 June 2007
Preston North End have given 2 Premier League clubs permission to open talks with England international striker, David Nugent.
The 22 year old will leave the Lilywhites in the summer to try his luck at the highest level, with a number of clubs on his trail.
Villa, Everton, Portsmouth, Sunderland and The Hammers are all rumoured to be interested in Nugent, who marked his international bow with a goal in the 3-0 triumph over Andorra in March.
Lilywhites chairman, Derek Shaw, informed the club's official website, "We have given permission for 2 clubs to speak to David Nugent. At this moment in time no further information will be announced, it is down to David and his representative to talk to the clubs involved. We are respecting the request of the 2 clubs not to state who they are at this stage and we will announce any further developments as they happen."
Nugent has scored 37 goals in 107 appearances for Preston since joining from Bury in January 2005 for a mere £100,000.
The Deepdale club are thought to be asking for around £6 million for their player striker.
20 June 2007
Ipswich defender Ian Miller has agreed a new one year contract, which he is due to sign later this week.
Miller, 23, joined from non league side Bury Town last summer, and made his Ipswich debut as a substitute in a 3-0 triumph over Plymouth in March.
That was his only 1st team appearance for the Championship side, however was loaned out to League 2 clubs Boston and Darlington last term.
He becomes the 5th player to agree a new deal at Portman Road in the summer.
15 June 2007
Everton will again are preparing for their Barclays Premier League campaign in the United States.
Last term the Merseysiders embarked on a successful team bonding mission in America, and much of their success in finishing 6th last term was attributed to that trip across the Atlantic.
Midfielder Lee Carsley pointedly mentioned at the end of the last campaign, 'That trip to the States did us a world of good. We sat in a hotel in New York and all stated our ambitions for the season, and the wish came from that trip.'
Everton are now planned to play Real Salt Lake on July 21 at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Utah.
Another match, as yet unscheduled, will also be played on the trip. The visit will be the 3rd in 4 years to the US for the Toffees after highly successful tours to Houston in 2004 and Columbus/Dallas last summer.
Everton have other pre season friendlies against Bury and N. Ireland, both on July 14 with their 1st team team split between the games, plus away games with Preston (July 18) and Crystal Palace (August 4).
