Tag Archives: 1990s

Matt Le Tissier makes Guernsey debut but he can"t stop them losing 4-2

Posted on by

Le Tissier makes Guernsey debut as legend returns to playing days… but 44-year-old can't can't stop them losing 4-2

By
Charlie Skillen

PUBLISHED:

22:52 GMT, 24 April 2013

|

UPDATED:

11:05 GMT, 25 April 2013

Matt Le Tissier made a return to his playing days by turning out for Guernsey, but was unable to stop his side losing 4-2 at Colliers Wood.

The Southampton legend, 44, came off the bench in the second half after signing playing forms at the club where he is honorary president, to help with their incredible fixture list which sees the club in the middle of 20 games in 36 days.

Matt Le Tissier

Fit for purpose: Matt Le Tissier

Fit for purpose: Matt Le Tissier was unable to prevent Guernsey FC losing at Colliers Wood on his debut

Still got it: Le Tissier was back in action at the tender age of 44 years old

Still got it: Le Tissier was back in action at the tender age of 44 years old

Still got it: Le Tissier

Still got it: Le Tissier

Rusty Le Tissier tries a trademark volley after chesting the ball down

It's the first time Le Tissier has played in an official game since 2002, when he retired after playing his entire career for the Saints.

Le Tissier made over 500 appearances in all competitions for the south-coast club, and won eight England caps.

Many fans feel he should have represented his country more times, having watched his incredible skills, passing and long-range screamers in the 1990s.

He is currently juggling turning out for Guernsey with being a pundit and co-commentator for Sky Sports.

Different class: Le Tissier wowed fans with his technique for Southampton throughout his 14 years at the club

Different class: Le Tissier wowed fans with his technique for Southampton throughout his 14 years at the club

Le Tissier

VIDEO Matt Le Tissier's finest Southampton moments

Herbie Hide allegedly offers to throw fight and deliver cocaine

Posted on by

Former world champion Hide 'offered to throw a title fight' and 'arranged cocaine to be delivered'

By
Steven Donaldson

PUBLISHED:

07:08 GMT, 24 February 2013

|

UPDATED:

07:08 GMT, 24 February 2013

Allegations: Hide is a two-time world champion

Allegations: Hide is a two-time world champion

Former heavyweight world champion Herbie Hide has allegedly offered to help throw a world title fight for 1million.

The Sun on Sunday have published video footage of the Brit apparently boasting about being able to fix boxing bouts while they also allege that Hide offered to peddle cocaine.

Hide reportedly said: 'Whoever, which round you want, whatever you want as long as you put the money.

'I can guarantee one thing, you can get whoever is the favourite, you can get them to step down for a million pounds.

'You need a big name on good record — yeah, like myself!'

Investigation: Police are looking into the allegations of drug peddling

Investigation: Police are looking into the allegations of drug peddling

Hide, 41, was twice a WBO world champion in the 1990s.

Police have confirm that they are investigating the drug allegations made by The Sun on Sunday.

Brian Laudrup set for Rangers return

Posted on by

He's back! Rangers legend Laudrup lined up for role at Ibrox after talks with Green

By
John Mcgarry

PUBLISHED:

01:19 GMT, 29 January 2013

|

UPDATED:

02:41 GMT, 29 January 2013

Rangers legend Brian Laudrup is poised to return to the club in an ambassadorial capacity.

The Dane, who helped take Rangers to three league titles in the mid-1990s, arrived in Glasgow on Monday for talks on the proposed role with chief executive Charles Green.

And the former winger, who won 82 caps for his country, is prepared to give something back to the club after watching it endure the most tumultuous year in its history.

'Since Rangers went into these chaotic circumstances, I have said all along that, if I could help the club in any way, I would,' he told Rangers TV.

Hero: Laudrup is set to rejoin Rangers as a club ambassador

Hero: Laudrup is set to rejoin Rangers as a club ambassador

Legend: Laudrup in action for Rangers back in the day

Legend: Laudrup in action for Rangers back in the day

'I've been here today to speak to
Charles a little bit and we'll see if we can find a way for me to do
that. 'To be able to be an ambassador for Rangers Football Club would be
absolutely fantastic and we want to see if we can find a way to work
together.

'If the club
wants me to help – and it looks like it does – I would love to do it. I
have always said I had four tremendous years at Rangers.

'The
issue at the moment is to find a way in which I can help and it has
been fantastic to meet Charles. 'He is a fantastic man to speak to and
he has a great vision for this club. Now we just have to sit down at
some point and formalise things so that we can work together. That would
be great.'

Laudrup, 43, now spreads his time between working as a televsion pundit in Denmark and his academy. A 2.3million buy by Walter Smith from Fiorentina in 1994, he is regarded as one of the finest players to have worn a Rangers jersey.

Smith has also returned to the club recently in a non-executive director capacity.

In the meantime, the independent commission set up by the SPL to investigate alleged dual contracts at Rangers begins today.

Lord Nimmo Smith is joined by Nicholas Stewart and Charles Flint, both QCs, in considering whether the Ibrox club breached SPL rules through their operation of an Employee Benefit Trust scheme.

Talks: Laudrup flew in for discussions with Charles Green on Monday

Talks: Laudrup flew in for discussions with Charles Green on Monday

Four days have been set aside for the hearing, although it is not known when a verdict will be delivered. If Rangers are found guilty, then a stripping of SPL league titles won during the period in question is among the potential punishments that the commission could recommend.

Ibrox chief executive Green is boycotting the process but the Rangers Fans Fighting Fund have pledged to fund a legal defence should trophies be threatened.

'There were allegations about a number of alleged breaches of SPL rules over a number of years,' said SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster. 'Those allegations are complicated.

'The SPL board decided that the right way to deal with those allegations was to appoint an independent commission to establish whether in fact SPL rules were broken or not.

'And, if they were, what punishment is appropriate – if any. That process will continue. I am not going to make any predictions about timescales.'

Euro 2012: Ashley Cole and Young wanted by Pizza Hut

Posted on by

Taking the Pizza! Cole and Young wanted for remake of famous Southgate advert

|

UPDATED:

10:15 GMT, 29 June 2012

It was one the most iconic adverts of the 1990s, helping England fans to at least laugh at the heartache the football team had suffered at Euro 96.

And now, with yet another penalty shootout exit haunting the nation, Pizza Hut are campaigning to get the two Ashleys, Cole and Young, to star in a remake of their famous Gareth Southgate ad.

Scroll down to see Southgate's famous TV debut from 1996

Spot of bother: Both Ashley Young and Ashley Cole missed their penalties in the shootout as England went out of Euro 2012 at the quarter-finals to Italy

Spot of bother: Both Ashley Young and Ashley Cole missed their penalties in the shootout as England went out of Euro 2012 at the quarter-finals to Italy

Spot of bother: Both Ashley Young and Ashley Cole missed their penalties in the shootout as England went out of Euro 2012 at the quarter-finals to Italy

Much like former defender Southgate against Germany 16 years ago, the current international pair both missed in Sunday's defeat to Italy, Young hitting the bar, and Cole seeing his saved.

Both have since jetted off on holiday but could be tempted back to Britain with Pizza Hut hoping to convince them of starring in their latest promotion.

In the last advert, Southgate was shown with a brown paper bag over his head in a restaurant with Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle, themselves guilty of shootout shockers in 1990.

Pizza Hut want football fans – and fans of the original advert – to launch the campaign on Twitter, using the hashtag #PizzaHutAshleys.

Euro 2012: Roy Hodgson "comedy" on Italian TV

Posted on by

Just make sure Italy aren't laughing on Sunday! Hodgson's comedy debut on Italian TV comes to light

|

UPDATED:

14:06 GMT, 22 June 2012

We all have photos from our youth of which we are eternally ashamed – the dodgy haircuts, the cheesy poses, the fashion faux pas.

And so it seems does Roy Hodgson, only his was played out on Italian television and can still be found on the world wide web.

The bizarre sketch taken from the show Mai dire Gol was broadcast in the 1990s, while Hodgson was manager of Inter Milan.

Scroll down to see the video of Roy Hodgson on Italian TV

The two Ronnies, they're not: Roy Hodgson makes his comic debut in Italy

The two Ronnies, they're not: Roy Hodgson makes his comic debut in Italy

The 'comedy' clip appears to be a friendly dig at Hodgson's very British manner, with a thick accent laid on by 'Mister Flanaghan' as well as what European's clearly considered to be typical English fashion of the time.

It doesn't really work, not to our mind anyway, although the watching crowd can barely contain their excitement. All rather odd, if you ask us.

So now we have a new entry into the 'Managers do the funniest things', with Hodgson joining Kevin Keegan's 'love it' rant, and Schteve McLaren's Dutch accent.

Roy Hodgson & Mister Flanagan by oasisblues

Jurgen Klinsmann rules out Tottenham return

Posted on by

EXCLUSIVE: Klinsmann rules out return to the Lane as axed Harry's successor

|

UPDATED:

09:32 GMT, 15 June 2012

Jurgen Klinsmann has become the first manager to distance himself from the Tottenham job after insisting he has no intention of leaving his post as United States coach.

The former Germany striker is highly regarded at White Hart Lane and would be a popular choice among supporters after scoring 30 goals in 56 appearances in two spells as a Tottenham player in the 1990s.

Staying put: Jurgen Klinsmann insists he will not leave his post as USA boss to take over at Tottenham

Staying put: Jurgen Klinsmann insists he will not leave his post as USA boss to take over at Tottenham

TODAY'S POLL

Who should replace Redknapp at Tottenham

VOTE

David Moyes

POLL RESULTS

Close

All polls
Click to view yesterday's poll results

DM.has(“rcp”, “poll”,
pollId: '1032723',
channelId: '3',
questionId: ''
);

But he has made it clear he is settled in America and is looking no further than trying to secure a place at the next World Cup finals for the United States.

‘It just isn’t a realistic proposition for Jurgen at the moment,’ said his publicist Roland Eitel.

Old favourite: Klinsmann enjoys iconic status at White Hart Lane but doesn't want to return

Old favourite: Klinsmann enjoys iconic status at White Hart Lane but doesn't want to return

‘He has very fond memories of his time at White Hart Lane and needs no reminding that it is a big job. He has the utmost respect for Tottenham.

‘But the timing isn’t right.

'He has no thoughts of leaving the post he has at the moment and is totally committed to leading the United States into the next World Cup.’

Not finished yet: Harry Redknapp insists he still wants to manage despite his departure from Spurs

Not finished yet: Harry Redknapp insists he still wants to manage despite his departure from Spurs

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rejects Aston Villa

Posted on by

Solskjaer knocks back Aston Villa as former Manchester United star stays with Molde

|

UPDATED:

12:52 GMT, 19 May 2012

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ruled himself out of the running for the Aston Villa job.

The former Manchester United forward said he intends to stand by the remaining two years on his contract at current club Molde, having held talks with managerless Villa on Friday.

The Norwegian faced the media on Saturday morning to clarify his position after flying to Birmingham.

Wanted: Solskjaer held talks about replacing Alex McLeish at Aston Villa

Wanted: Solskjaer held talks about replacing Alex McLeish at Aston Villa

'I have not had any offers,' Solskjaer told a press conference. 'I'm not looking for another job.

'In football, and in life in general, things turn up that you have to make decisions about. I have a contract for two more years and I'll stand by that.'

Solskjaer returned to Norway to learn that Molde's billionaire backer Kjell Inge Rokke had pulled the plug on his company's 20-year support, which included building the club a new stadium in the late 1990s, as a result of the Villa talks.

Solskjaer and wife Silje were collected from their home town of Kristiansund before flying to Birmingham for a four-hour meeting that also included his agent Jim Solbakken.

The 39-year-old suggested afterwards the talks had been nothing more than an 'initial, informal chat' but the trip appears to have upset Rokke, who is the chairman and a major shareholder in industrial investment firm Aker.

Jet set: Randy Learner sent his private plane to Norway for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Jet set: Randy Learner sent his private plane to Norway for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Rokke said on Friday night Solskjaer had been asked to answer questions about his plans before holding talks with Villa, but had not provided answers.

And the Molde coach attempted to clarify what had happened, as well as play down his meeting with Villa.

'We strive for personal development and players who do well get requests all the time,' Solskjaer said.

'I was asked by a friend whether I was interested in speaking with Villa. I called Kjell Inge straight away. We agreed that I could speak to them on Wednesday, that it was okay.

'I don't feel that I have lost anyone's confidence. I had a good chat with Molde this morning where we agreed that we should look forward. We have some challenges we need to tackle.

'I will also speak to Kjell Inge as I must apologise for the way this came out.

Impressive: Solskjaer has enjoyed instant success at Molde

Impressive: Solskjaer has enjoyed instant success at Molde

'Roberto Martinez has been given permission to speak to Liverpool, who are a fantastic big club and you know he has ambitions – not a problem.

'The communication could have been better and clearer, we see that with hindsight. But now we are where we are, it's obvious that we have to work together.

'The players are used to speculation about me. What is new is we have lost the backing from Aker ASA, which I understand has been discussed at length.

'Whether it's coincidence or not, it's happened now, we'll get answers. I received a text from Rokke today and we'll discuss it with each other soon.'

Rokke released a statement last night to newspaper Romsdals Budstikke criticising Solskjaer's decision to fly to England.

'This is perceived as incompatible with the MFK [Molde football club] community that we are both a part of,' said the businessman.

'Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not hidden the fact that one day he could go back to England. Nevertheless, Aker is surprised that he dropped Friday's training, and headed to England in public for informal talks with Aston Villa before three major league games in a week.'

In the frame: Roberto Martinez has also been linked with Aston Villa

In the frame: Roberto Martinez has also been linked with Aston Villa

Molde director Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen admitted things had got out of hand.

'It's important for us to stress that there was a request Ole Gunnar put to me on Wednesday, from Aston Villa who wanted to speak to him,' said Nordstrand.

'We had a short conversation about it and it was decided that Ole Gunnar would fly over on Friday and speak to them, but that it would be done as quietly as possible.

'On May 17 we felt we no longer had control over the situation, when we learned through the media that the plane had been spotted in Kristiansund.

'I then made it clear to Ole Gunnar that, if things had become public, we didn't want him to go.'

Villa are looking for a successor to Alex McLeish, who was sacked on Monday after a poor season for the midlands club.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez and Norwich boss Paul Lambert have also been linked with the vacancy.

Pep Guardiola leaving won"t help Real Madrid – Jose Mourinho

Posted on by

Guardiola's departure won't help Real, claims Madrid boss Mourinho

|

UPDATED:

17:06 GMT, 1 May 2012

Pep Guardiola's decision to step down as Barcelona coach at the end of the season will change nothing for Real Madrid, Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has claimed.

In his first public comments since Guardiola announced he was taking a sabbatical, Mourinho, whose Real side are on the brink of taking Barca's La Liga crown, said the decision should be respected and even sent his adversary a hug.

'The Guardiola case is a personal decision,' Mourinho said.

Last stand: Pep Guardiola (left) announced his departure last week

Last stand: Pep Guardiola (left) announced his departure last week

'It's his, he is the one who knows, he is the one who knows why, he is one who has to comment on it, he is the one who has to do what makes him happiest at any given time.

'I have been a coach for 12 years and for me I will be annoyed in June when I don't have any matches as I will miss training and playing, playing and training.

'But everyone is the way they are and you have to respect and accept that and hope that they really do find enjoyment because the most important thing in life is to enjoy it.

'”If for him enjoying life means withdrawing from football for a while then so be it and I send him a hug.'

It was an unusually conciliatory performance from the normally combative Portuguese, who has a habit of getting under the skin of the club where he was an assistant coach when Guardiola was a player in the late 1990s.

No change: Jose Mourinho (right) insists Guardiola's decision means little

No change: Jose Mourinho (right) insists Guardiola's decision means little

Matches between the two sides since Mourinho arrived in 2010 have often been torrid affairs, when the often sumptuous football on display has been overshadowed by brawling and accusations of refereeing bias and racist abuse.

Mourinho famously poked the man Barca have chosen to replace Guardiola, his long-term assistant Tito Vilanova, in the eye during a melee at the start of this season.

The Portuguese was asked whether Guardiola's departure, after four years and 13 titles including two Champions Leagues triumphs and three La Liga crowns, would benefit Real.

He also appeared to confirm he would stay on next season amid speculation he might leave two years into a four-year deal.

'I don't know why it would benefit us,' Mourinho said.

Party time: Real Madrid are on the brink of winning the La Liga title

Party time: Real Madrid are on the brink of winning the La Liga title

'Real Madrid is Real Madrid, Real Madrid will continue along its own path, Real Madrid has its own decisions to make.

'My decision to continue at Real Madrid has nothing to do with who is the coach of any other team.

'It doesn't appear to me that Barcelona has people on its board of directors without talent, quite the opposite.

'If they have decided that Vilanova is the ideal person to be the next coach for sure they are doing it with conviction.'

Mourinho said Real would continue to respect Barcelona as they had always done.

'Knowing with absolute certainty that next season, however much our other (La Liga) opponents improve, Barcelona will be our great rival for the Spanish title,' he said.

'For us it changes nothing.'

Grand National 2012: BHA boss urges caution

Posted on by

BHA boss urges caution over Grand National changes following tragic deaths

|

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 15 April 2012

Paul Bittar, chief executive of the BHA, has warned against a knee-jerk reaction to the death of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised and According to Pete.

Bittar said it was important that any further changes to the Grand National were based on sound evidence.

‘We are reasonably advanced in the process of examining the incidents which led to Synchronised and According To Pete being put down,’ he said.

Tragic: Gold Cup winner Sychronised fell during the Grand National

Tragic: Gold Cup winner Sychronised fell during the Grand National

‘The evidence indicates that the changes and improvements in safety made over the years have led to an overall decrease in injury and fatalities, both on the Grand National course and racing in general.

‘It is important these matters be judged over a period of time. The decade since 2000 was the safest on record for the Grand National with a fatality rate of 1.5 per cent compared to 3.3 per cent at the start of the 1990s.

‘Sadly, there have been two fatalities in each of the last two runnings of the race. It represents a unique challenge for the sport.’

Some critics have attempted to link Synchronised’s death with the fact that he unseated AP McCoy before the race, claiming he should have been withdrawn. But the horse had only run free for a short distance and was examined by a racecourse vet before being allowed to run.

Fatality: According to Pete also died as questions were once again raised

Fatality: According to Pete also died as questions were once again raised

RSPCA equine consultant David Muir has highlighted concerns with the drop fences and 40-runner field but Ted Walsh, who trained Seabass to finish third under his daughter Katie, said: ‘I have great respect for the RSPCA and the work they do, but I think the genuine people should be looking at the bigger picture and how animals are being badly treated in their own homes.

‘It’s very easy picking on the National, it’s an easy target, but the National is a great race. The BHA and the people who run racing should stand their ground.’

Jockey Noel Fehily has had an operation on the leg he broke when falling from State of Play.

Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls will chase another National victory at Ayr on Saturday when he runs the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned favourite Harry The Viking in the Scottish version.

Neptune Collonges’s victory secured Nicholls his seventh successive trainers’ championship, transforming a 150,000 deficit behind chief rival Nicky Henderson into a lead of over 400,000.

Rangers in crisis: David Murray is wrong – Hugh Adam

Posted on by

EXCLUSIVE: You're wrong! Adam hits out at Sir David’s EBTs defence

|

UPDATED:

00:07 GMT, 15 March 2012

Hugh Adam has railed against Sir David Murray’s defence of Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs), claiming they were simply part of the Ibrox stars’ salaries.

Murray broke his silence on Tuesday to confirm the two main allegations Adam made in Sportsmail last month.

The man who created Rangers Pools
claimed EBTs had been used in the 1990s and that they had been excluded
from player contracts registered with the SFA and SPL.

Excuses won't wash: David Murray attempted to defend his use of EBTs

Excuses won't wash: David Murray attempted to defend his use of EBTs

If true, the second allegation would be in direct contravention of both bodies’ rules on player registration, which demand full disclosure of all remuneration.

Having seen both bodies launch investigations in the past week, Murray defended the use of EBTs by insisting there was no obligation to detail them in contracts as there was ‘no contractual entitlement on the part of the players’.

Adam, however, responded by insisting that, far from being discretionary, the money paid via EBTs was, in effect, wages.

‘It was effectively salary and should have been included in the players’ wage slips,’ he said. ‘It was a way of attracting players into the club. I think he (Murray) was aware that if he did that, the players would be quite happy and would stay with Rangers. If someone can give you an extra twenty grand a year that you don’t have to account for, then you’d jump at it.

‘I don’t see how you can have that kind of contract and just take a bit out of it as you go along.

Duped: Murray claimed he was taken in by Rangers owner Craig Whyte

Duped: Murray claimed he was taken in by Rangers owner Craig Whyte

‘If you were trying to attract players, you had to get money from all sources. He probably wouldn’t have been paying them enough in the ordinary way.’

Although Murray has denied the existence of a ‘second contract’ containing EBT payments, employment lawyers who examined a ‘back letter’ given to an unnamed player detailing bonuses believed it to be a de facto contract.

Adam maintains that whatever shape it is in, there exist written agreements detailing remuneration which were not lodged with the authorities.

‘I always said there were separate contracts. I said that quite deliberately,’ he added. ‘If there hadn’t been, they would have been in the main books. It wasn’t included in the standard contract. That’s a certainty.’

On the day that SFA president Campbell Ogilvie admitted having an EBT, but stressed that since the mid-1990s he’d had no part in administrating contracts, Adam concurred, saying: ‘Campbell would only have been a nominal general secretary. David (Murray) was secretive and kept these things to himself.’