Jimbo

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcas...72703-24278403/

Levy bidding for players behind his back? Surely not... Droopy is currently in Asia with the Spurds team, I wouldn't be surprised

I wonder what the back looks like ?

I hope you are talking about his book

Subs: Krul, Vuckic, Donaldson, Tozer, Lua Lua, Geremi

Harper, R Taylor, Kadar, S Taylor, Enrique, Duff, Barton, Smith ©, Jonas, Nolan, Carroll.

I like it.

We've had so many false dawns, its hard not to be skeptical when it comes to any of these rumours.

Bassong is allegedly Man City's 4th choice behind Lescott, Alex and someone else I can't remember. Ashley is playing a dangerous game if he is. What's more, I don't think he'll get much more than £10m for Bassong. I know straws are being clutched but I'm wondering if there are players he's been told not to sell as conditions of the sale. I was playing Devils advocate, but I wouldn't put it past Ashley, although this is the same regime that let Given leave for a fraction of his true value. Something is afoot methinks.

Sky Sports News understands Newcastle United have rejected a £10million bid from Tottenham Hotspur for Sebastien Bassong. The French defender has attracted a wealth of interest over the summer following Newcastle's relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season. Bassong has admitted that he would be keen to leave St James' Park in order to stay in the top flight and has claimed there has been interest from Arsenal. Everton and Manchester City are also reportedly keeping tabs on the 23-year-old, while Spurs have now moved in with a firm bid. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is keen to bring in a new centre-half before the start of the season with injury doubts surrounding Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Dawson and Ledley King. The club's chief scout watched Bassong in action in Newcastle's friendly at home to Leeds United in midweek and Spurs have subsequently made an offer. Newcastle have rejected the initial bid and are in no rush to sell Bassong due to the number of clubs chasing the former Metz stopper. Bassong made 34 appearances for the Magpies last season after his arrival on Tyneside and was one of the better performers as the club lost their Premier League status.

I am just cynical or is Ashley just waiting for a larger bid from Man City ?

I've seen a few irate Tweets from Liverpool fans, I still don't believe it but it's good to see them squirm.

People find their own way to grieve, for some it is by quiet and private reflection, for others it is to leave a public tribute, neither is right or wrong but the decision of the individual, whilst it is more evident in terms of the shirts and flowers that have been left, it is more than likely the private and personal method of mourning that is more common.

Long before the golden boys of 1966, a village team of coalminers and tradesmen from County Durham went to Italy in 1909 and won a tournament dubbed the "first World Cup". A century later, the non-leaguers celebrated their historic victory with a rematch against a Juventus side in Turin... but only after a long trek, just like their footballing forefathers. Pre-season friendlies rarely get players buzzing with excitement. But the noise and banter and sense of occasion on board the West Auckland team bus soon told you this was not a typical friendly. The part-timers were retracing a journey first taken 100 years ago when the club was selected to represent England in Italy in one of the earliest international football contests. It was an unlikely choice, because the team were not well-known and it is still not clear exactly why they were picked. One theory is that the organiser Sir Thomas Lipton - the man behind Lipton's teas - had contacts in the Northern League. And yet, against all the odds, the pitmen beat the professionals and lifted the trophy. And, just to prove it was no fluke, they repeated the feat two years later, thumping the mighty Juventus 6-1 in the final. Inspiration and expectation The mines may have gone, but West Auckland remain a proud amateur outfit, made up these days of college students, gas fitters, electricians and plumbers. For them, the journey across the continent had barely changed either. Just like the original team, the lads of 2009 were forced to make the 800-mile trip by land and sea after the air fare proved too expensive. It meant a marathon 24-hour coach ride through the night, giving the players time to reflect on their illustrious predecessors - young men with bristling moustaches and long baggy shorts whose black-and-white images are a source of inspiration as well as expectation. "It's a lot to live up to, but it makes you feel if they managed it 100 years ago then we can give it our best as well and see what happens," said striker Chris Musgrave, a student at Durham University. "There's not many people at our level get the opportunity to go to Italy and play against a top team like Juventus," added centre-back and accountant Leigh Grant. "So it's important we hold our own and don't let ourselves down." 'Proper trophy' When the coach pulled up at Juventus' training ground, where the match was to take place in the foothills of the Italian Alps, club officials were keen to show off their most valuable cargo - the World Cup itself. Sadly, it is a replica. The real thing was stolen from the clubhouse back in 1994 and, despite a police investigation and a big money reward, it was never found. But the battered wooden box is original. "At least they didn't take the box," laughed 80-year-old West Auckland groundsman Frank Patrick, who made the journey with the players. Mr Patrick proudly carried the case on to the Juventus pitch with his 76-year-old colleague Les Nevison, and the pair set about giving the trophy a quick polish with a cleaning cloth. A group of Italian children gathered round, intrigued if slightly bemused by this piece of history in their midst. "This is a proper trophy," Mr Nevison told them. "A lot of trophies, they're just big cups for putting champagne in. "But this is a proper bit of silverware with a proper footballer on top." Back in the dressing room, the team changed into their specially-made anniversary kit - a replica of the one their ancestors wore when they were last on Italian soil. A crowd of about 500 people cheered the players on to the pitch. Most were locals who paid 10 Euros to get in. A few dozen more watched through the wire fencing for free. Juventus fielded their under-21 team, but right from the kick-off they were strong and threatening and dominated the game. We can leave here with our heads held high Brian Honour West Auckland manager At least two of the youngsters on the pitch have already played for the full team and many more seem destined to become stars of the future. Within minutes, West Auckland were already a goal down. By half-time, it was 6-0 and some of the travelling supporters watching on anxiously from the stands feared a rout. But the away team started the second half much more brightly, winning tackles and creating chances. And, despite conceding for a seventh time, the West Auckland pressure finally paid dividends when Keith Hutchinson coolly slotted the ball past the Juventus keeper to ensure a final scoreline of 7-1. "I'm really proud," said manager Brian Honour as his players were applauded from the pitch. "When you're up against quality opposition, sometimes you've got to take your hat off and say they were the better side and they beat us. The West Auckland players reflect on a once-in-a-lifetime game "What matters is that the lads reacted in the right way and we can leave here with our heads held high." The new season starts next Saturday with a slightly less glamorous fixture against West Allotment Celtic, but these players will always share special memories of their trip to renew acquaintances with their old rivals Juventus. History may have left the two teams worlds apart, but the World Cup still goes home with West Auckland

SOUTH AFRICAN BILLIONAIRE IS TALK OF TOON He has unearthed a wealthy South African Sunday August 2,2009 By John Richardson A South African diamond billionaire introduced by former Newcastle United chairman Sir John Hall could be set to lift the Toon’s gloom. Hall, who along with Freddy Shepherd sold out to Mike Ashley two years ago, is frustrated by the club’s relegation from the Premier League and Ashley’s failure to off-load it. Now Hall has utilised his own business contacts and Sunday Express Sport can reveal that he has unearthed a wealthy South African, who owns diamond mines. It’s believed the diamond prospector has expressed an interest in meeting Ashley’s asking price – and that substantial cash would be available for new players. So far every prospective take-over has failed as Ashley digs his heels in over the £100million asking price. He also wants some compensation in order to write off a £100m interest-free loan. Ashley has clawed back £9m from the sale of Oba Martins to Wolfsburg and is set to collect another £2m from Aston Villa for Habib Beye. Beye put in a written transfer request after he was involved in a dressing room bust-up with Alan Smith after the 6-1 defeat at Leyton Orient.

To be fair that probably proves the story is bollocks, and I might want to review my use of the word probably.

Similar rumours appeared on Skunkers around the same time as the story appeared on N-O

When I'm out of the house its worth its wait in gold, MSN, Twitter, Web browser, E-mail, Games, Music, Podcasts, Movies, Camera, Maps, radio, Skype, books, the list goes on. My point being that my much cheaper and easier to use Nokia can do all of that Easier to use ? you must be joking, I've had Nokias in the past and they've been as clunky as hell.

Try and get a business tariff !

Happy Birthday !!!

When I'm out of the house its worth its wait in gold, MSN, Twitter, Web browser, E-mail, Games, Music, Podcasts, Movies, Camera, Maps, radio, Skype, books, the list goes on.

Thats an understatement.

Psycho - Stuart Pearce, utterly boring, once I put it down I couldn't pick it up again. Paolo Di Canio - Possibly the best autobiography I've ever read, his childhood was incredible, amazed he ever became a player, really worth reading !