Jimbo

Another case of "good player, shame about the human being".

Kevin Bond, sacked as Newcastle United assistant manager at the height of last year's furore over Panorama's bung allegations, is suing the BBC for libel, claiming the broadcaster had a "catastrophic effect" on his career. Lawyers acting for Bond, now manager at Bournemouth, say he was "seriously defamed, hurt and embarrassed" by claims that he would consider receiving illegal payments from a new "super agency". The high court action, lodged this week, alleges that last September's programme was deliberately edited to mislead viewers and make him appear sinister and corrupt. However, BBC executives are believed to be equally determined to defend the programme. Article continues As well as the programme and a follow-up, the writ details the blizzard of newspaper articles based on the programme, other spin-off BBC radio and TV programmes and transcripts and press releases posted on the web. His lawyers say Bond was misrepresented by the programme's inclusion of a straight denial when he had provided them with a longer statement pointing out he was not involved in transfer negotiations and he had not followed up the suggestions made by the undercover reporter Knut auf dem Berge. He also offered an interview, which it refused to take up. The high court papers claim Panorama was under pressure to show that bungs were rife in the Premiership to make it "sensational and newsworthy". They say the evidence collated by the programme in its year-long investigation was "completely unreliable" and did not prove that Bond had received a corrupt payment. "Statements procured in informal conversation by a pushy agent provocateur without any action on the part of the victim to the set-up are inherently unreliable evidence of an intention to commit an act," the court papers said. The claim by Bond's lawyers, David Price and Associates, goes on to suggest he was a victim of BBC attempts to boost viewing figures for Panorama by "dumbing it down" and moving it from Sunday night to a midweek prime-time slot. "The scarcity of the evidence, the lack of journalistic rigour and the sensationalist method of presentation are evident of such an approach," it says. It complains of the use of "sinister light" to portray alleged wrongdoers, together with "editorial techniques commonly employed in criminal dramas and films". Bond's lawyers had earlier vowed to go to court to get hold of two key recordings of Knut's conversations with him. That claim was settled before reaching court, although the BBC is understood to have claimed it lost a key recording of its first approach to Bond. The writ claims that unlike others featured in the programme, including the then Bolton manager Sam Allardyce and Bond's then boss Harry Redknapp, Bond did not have the "experience or track record in Premiership management to withstand the effect of such damaging allegations". Ironically Allardyce, who had also threatened to sue, was yesterday confirmed as the new Newcastle manager. Bond also complains of "regular abuse" from fans of other teams. Though accepting that some heckling goes with the territory, he says it "upsets him greatly" to be accused of bribing referees. Several of those implicated threatened to sue but only Bond has so far lodged a claim. Price said: "My client is bringing this claim because he has not done anything wrong and his reputation has been destroyed." A BBC spokeswoman said: "We have received legal correspondence and will respond accordingly." The case is not likely to reach the court for another 12 months. Bond is pursuing a separate claim against Newcastle United for breach of contract but asked that any damages take into account the negative impact on his career prospects and future earnings.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,70131-1265900,00.html http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2007220443,00.html Breaking news, Jose Mourinho has been arrested by police following an argument regarding his dog, apparently he had seen the success Roy Keane has had since wanking off his dog and felt he needed some luck for the Cup final at the weekend. ...well not quite

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BBC Sport Online chief football writer

Premiership | Newcastle United by Phil McNulty - BBC Sport 15 May 2007 Sam Allardyce is the latest manager unable to resist the temptation to sip from the poisoned chalice that is Newcastle United. The former Bolton boss insisted he would be taking a break from football when he resigned last month following a successful spell at The Reebok. And some cynics might suggest he will get one by taking on the task of delivering St James' Park's first trophy since the Inter Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. This is because Newcastle have occasionally represented the game's equivalent of the madhouse, rather than a club of standing with one of the biggest and most loyal support bases in the game. It will take a big man to manage the huge weight of over-expectation at a club that loves to portray itself as one of the giant Premiership institutions, without actually coming close to silverware in 38 years. And Allardyce will need all his force of personality and uncompromising approach to lift the curse that appears to have descended on Tyneside when it comes to success. Allardyce's appointment has already divided opinion in Newcastle, based on the perceived long-ball, physical style his detractors claim he employed at Bolton. No end of Opta statistics, or details of any number of backroom scientific experts employed at Bolton, will disabuse some fans of the notion that his approach was actually based on getting the ball to Kevin Davies and hoping for the best. Allardyce will argue vehemently against that - and his success at Bolton suggests there is far more to his approach than meets the eye. Big Sam may also respectfully suggest to his Newcastle critics that beggars can't be choosers, given their singular failure to land big prizes. He must also convince certain figures in a the hugely-powerful Newcastle media, who were openly and savagely critical of Allardyce and methods during his time at Bolton. It will be interesting to see if they change their tune now. Throw in the fact that Sunderland have surged into the Premiership under the charismatic Roy Keane, a man who knows what is required at a big club and is ruthlessly driven, and you can see why the Toon Army are insecure about their current status in the North-East. This is all before Allardyce actually gets down to the task of managing a football club that is always in close proximity to the self-destruct button. Allardyce will need to rejuvenate a mediocre team that is seemingly split by discontent - and resolve the future of the England striker who still represents their best chance of achieving success. The job was too big for Glenn Roeder. The credits were rolling for him once he produced little more than a tactically-naive surrender against AZ Alkmaar in the Uefa Cup. And since his departure, the skeletons have come tumbling out of the cupboard, with Obefami Martins mysteriously declaring himself unfit to play at Watford. Charles N'Zogbia was jettisoned for preferring to send texts rather than listen to a team talk, and the normally tactiturn Nicky Butt has been moved to criticise team-mates he feels would rather be elsewhere. A happy ship to join then, Sam. Allardyce, who has not managed a so-called big club before, first needs to inject a large dose of reality into Newcastle. He needs to deliver a sharp reminder about the club's history and success - or more pertinently the lack of it. Allardyce is not following some unbroken glory trail. He is following almost 40 barren years and no-one should insist he comes with a guarantee of success. Newcastle attract big crowds and spend big money. But a big club? Not if you measure that particular statistic by their success in the last 38 years. Using that yardstick, Sunderland have got the edge on their arch-rivals. Allardyce needs to re-inforce a defence that occasionally represents the next best thing to an open goal, and rid the dressing room of the shirkers who let Roeder and Newcastle down so badly. And then we come to Michael Owen. Owen's time on Tyneside has been wrecked by injury and his public image has taken a bit of a pasting after his return to fitness was accompanied by rumours he may be ready to leave. Chairman Freddy Shepherd, who for all his critics has always backed managers with cash, has demanded loyalty from Owen. It is an understandable ploy but whether it is a wise one remains to be seen. The bottom line is that Owen is fiercely ambitious and lives for winning medals. He will not fill the gaps in his collection - the title and the Champions League - at Newcastle. Allardyce will need to be at his most persuasive to keep Owen at Newcastle but my money would be on the England striker quitting, if one of the big four come in for him. This may seem harsh on Newcastle, but when they bought Owen they did not buy sentiment and romance they bought one of the most ruthless and single-minded figures in world sport. Newcastle put clauses in his contract to secure his services and fight off a return to Liverpool - they cannot squeal should he choose to exercise them. So there is the task facing Allardyce. Win over critics in the crowd and the media. Improve a mediocre team. Rebuild a broken dressing room. Convince Michael Owen to stay at Newcastle. And win their first trophy in nearly 40 years. Welcome to Newcastle, Sam.

That show looks freaky, I saw the trailer with that old woman showing him her clunge.

From BBC Anyone think Trabelsi would be worth a shot? Better than Carr but thats not saying much

Seconded.

"One of the first things I will be doing is sitting down with Michael Owen and having a little chat with him. "I will be asking him does he want to stay with us or go? Obviously I would like him to stay because he has that rare commodity of being able to score goals. "What I think Michael needs is more time to get on track for us and hopefully he will decide to take that time. "Since Freddy Shepherd make it clear he wanted me then there was no doubt where I would be going. "After leaving Bolton Wanderers last week I was expecting a longer rest but once Freddy opened that door I was in. "When I met Freddy I could feel his passion for Newcastle United. He is a passionate supporter and it's well known throughout football that he has always supported his managers. "Now it is up to everyone from Freddy down to me the players and even the tea lady to give these fans the success they deserve. "I suppose this is the greatest challenge I have ever had. "But it is one I am excited about and one I am looking forward to. It's no secret that what has happened in the past is not good enough for a club as big as Newcastle United and it is now my job to change all that." "Everyone starts with a clean sheet. "England is not for me. I believe Steve McClaren is secure in his job for a while now although maybe things would change if we did not qualify for the European finals. "But that would have nothing to do with me. I had a good run the last time but now I am focusing on the job of managing Newcastle United, just like I did with Bolton Wanderers when I did not get the England job last year. "Don't forget being manager of Newcastle United is a massive job and I am not thinking about anything else other than try to bring success to this football club. "Gary Speed is one of the best signings I have made in my managerial career. It is terrific that he is still playing such good football as this late stage in his career. "He was a signing I thought a lot about and now I have to make some signings for Newcastle United and there a few players around Europe who I am sure will do a good job for us. "But I will be careful who I recruit. What we need at Newcastle United are not good players but players who have the mentality to play in front of 52,000 supporters every week. "To play every week in a stadium like St James' Park is really a daunting task and I have got to find players for us who can handle the big stage and step into a great arena. "We will be building a club with infrastructure and one for the future and if it happens in the short term all well and good. "This (ugly football) is a tag which has been labelled on Bolton Wanderers because we were so good at our jobs. "Some of the big teams used to use it as an excuse because they could not beat us and it is a figment of their imagination. "The only tactics I know are those which win matches and that's what we did at Bolton Wanderers and what I am hoping and expecting to do here. "I feel I have achieved a little bit in my career but I want to achieve a lot more here at Newcastle United. "I will expect all my staff to work 24-7 just like I will be doing. "We will be working as a family unit and it does not matter if we don't like each other because our only aim to is bring success to this football club. "In the end that comes down to the players on the field, and everything I and my staff do will be designed to give the players all our support."

Clicky for press conference video

SSN just had a one on one interview with him, he said he wants to make moves for players sooner rather than later, and wants as many of those players for next season together for the start of training on July 2nd.

http://www.toontastic.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=13606

Remember that Hula Hoops advert with Cab Calloway? Anyone? Minnie the Moocher Showing me age.

Aye, what miserable bastard

Probably injured himself fighting for position at the trough.

Souness and Roeder both said a lot right things (at the start) - so like every other manager Allardyce needs to be judged by actions, not by intentions. Agreed, but the plans he mentioned at the press conference fills me with far more confidence than Souness or Roeder ever could.

A very impressive interview in my opinion, said all the kinds of things I had hoped for, I can't wait for him to get started !

Its not even started yet.

I recorded it last night. One of my fav films of all time. "Whats got Billy so spooooked?" "Anytime" Watched it last night too Slack jawed faggots ! Fucking love Predator !

The good news just doesn't stop coming ! So are you saying this is the man to get us back into the Champions League? How come Roeder was sacked when Pearce hasn't been in a similar situation? What experience does he have of managing a club like Newcastle? How many trophies has he won? Do you really think he will be given the time and resources to overhaul the club? And you know me from where ?