ManUtd legend Robson leaves his duties as Sheffield United manager
February 15, 2008
Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton were both great players, but they never became legendary managers, now a another legend of English football is experiencing the same situation
Former Man Utd player and England captain Bryan Robson left his job as Sheffield United manager after turning down a chance to move upstairs and leave first team affairs to a new man.
Management has been difficult for the once fantastic midfielder who used to dominate English football in the 80’s. He never managed to build a great team at Middlesbrough with loads of cash available. He couldn’t do much with Bradford City.
A new chance at his former club WBA looked promising, but after saving the club from relegation, he never managed to turn things around the next season and the Baggies was again relegated. A few weeks into the new season it was time to leave again.
Will this be the end of a long and difficult manager career for the 51 year old former England captain ?
United are 2nd richest club in the world
February 14, 2008
United are just adrift of Real Madrid in the new Football Money League published by business advisory firm Deloitte. Deloitte’s Paul Rawnsley believes it is only a matter of time before they return to the top when the impact of the new television deal is felt.
The Premiership champions previously occupied fourth spot in the table.
Real topped the league in the 2006-07 season for the third year in a row with their revenue increasing by 20% to £236m.
However, United enjoyed a 30% rise to £212m, ahead of Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal in third, fourth and fifth respectively.
The Red Devils had dominated the money league since its inception in 1996-97 before Real took over.
“Real Madrid are still at the top after an impressive 20% growth in revenue,” he said.”But Manchester United closed the gap and have the potential to catch Real up and take that top spot possibly next season or the season thereafter.
“To some extent, that will depend on how they perform relative to Real Madrid in the Champions League.”
The figures take into account revenue made from ticket sales, broadcasting rights and merchandising.
Six English clubs – United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle – make the top 20, with Scotland’s Celtic in 17th place.
Manchester City and West Ham, as well as Rangers, have dropped out the top 20, but remained within striking distance along with Aston Villa and Everton.
WORLD’S WEALTHIEST CLUBS BY REVENUE
1. Real Madrid: $AU513.48m
2. Man Utd: $460.84m
3. Barcelona: $424.6m
4. Chelsea: $414.12m
5. Arsenal: $386.08m
6. AC Milan: $332.6m
7. Bayern Munich: $326.72m
8. Liverpool: $290.10m
9. Inter Milan: $285.44m
10. AS Roma:$230.64m
Source: Deloitte: 2006/7
United unveil special kit for derby!
February 8, 2008
The special retro kit to be worn by United for Sunday’s Manchester derby has been unveiled.
The strip, which has been specially designed without kit manufacturer or sponsorship logos, is based on the kit worn by the Busby Babes in the 1950s in recognition of this week’s 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
Also abandoned are modern squad numbers, with United’s 16-man squad set to don numbers 1 through 16 on Sunday after gaining special dispensation from the Premier League.
Chief executive David Gill said: “The sincere thanks of the Club go to AIG and Nike for their wholehearted backing for the kit change, and to the Premier League for allowing us to mark the event in a unique way.”
Like United, opponents Manchester City will don a retro strip, free of sponsorship, especially for Sunday’s match. A black ribbon motif, bearing the words ‘Manchester Remembers,’ has also been incorporated as a mark of respect.
Both teams will also observe a minute’s silence before kick-off, while every fan present will receive a special memento of the occasion.
United remembers…
February 6, 2008
The United family have gathered to pay their respects to the fallen Busby Babes 50 years after the tragedy which claimed their lives.
Half a century to the minute since BEA Flight 609 ZU crashed on take-off from Munich Airport, the club marked the anniversary of their passing with a memorial service at Old Trafford.
There was a solemn atmosphere inside the stadium’s Manchester Suite as survivors, football and civic dignitaries and invited guests arrived to pay their respects.
Outside on Sir Matt Busby Way, where a clock stopped at 3.04pm commemorates the events of February 6, 1958, thousands gathered to add their support and lay flowers.
Many wore modern day shirts with the legend Munich 58 emblazoned on the back, while others sported the late Duncan Edwards’ number six jersey.
The service was led by club chaplain the Reverend John Boyers and the order of service included a message from Prince Charles.
One of the early arrivals was former keeper Alex Stepney, a schoolboy of 15 at the time of the tragedy.
He said: “It’s a sad day, but also a day to remember.
“I am very humble, I was 15 at the time and I remember how shocked everyone was.
“Little did I think or dream then that I would play for the team when they won the European Cup in 1968.”
The tragedy happened as the United party returned to England from a 3-3 European Cup draw in Belgrade which had secured their passage to the semi-finals.
Eight United players died – Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor, Liam “Billy” Whelan and, 15 days later, Duncan Edwards – as a result of the injuries they suffered in the crash.
Three members of the club’s staff, eight journalists – including the MEN’s Tom Jackson – two of the flight crew and two other passengers also died.
Busby and Charlton were among the injured, but eventually returned to spearhead a remarkable recovery which saw the club claim the league title and the European Cup within a decade.
Also See:
Factbox: Facts about the Munich Air Tragedy
Factbox: Facts about the Munich Air Tragedy
February 6, 2008
Fifty years ago the plane carrying Manchester United home from Belgrade crashed after a refuelling stop at Munich, killing 23 of the 44 people on board.
Eight United players died as a result of the accident, seven immediately and the eighth, Duncan Edwards, the jewel in the crown of the Busby Babes, 15 days later due to his injuries.
Here are some details on the tragedy and its aftermath:
* THE CRASH:
– On February 6, 1958, a British European Airways twin-propped Elizabethan plane carrying United’s players crashed on take-off after refuelling at Munich’s Riem airport.
Eight players died as well as three United club officials, eight journalists, two crew members and two other passengers, including the travel agent who arranged the trip.
– The aircraft had faced problems taking off and crashed in the slush and snow on a third attempt.
* THE TEAM:
– Nicknamed the Busby Babes after manager Matt Busby, United were champions of England in 1956 and 1957.
They had drawn 3-3 with Red Star Belgrade in Yugoslavia and qualified for the European Cup semi-finals in their last match before the disaster.
– United did not play again for 13 days until they met Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup fifth round in front of almost 60,000 fans. Bill Foulkes led out a makeshift team that included fellow Munich survivor Harry Gregg in goal as United won 3-0.
– Busby, badly injured and twice given the last rites, recovered and went on to rebuild the team. In 1968 United became the first English club to win the European Cup. They also won the FA Cup five years after the crash and the league title in 1965 and 1967.
– Forward Bobby Charlton, who survived the crash, went on to become arguably England’s most famous footballer and was later knighted. Two of the survivors, Johnny Berry and Jackie Blanchflower, never played again.
* THE TRAGEDY:
– The eight players who died were England’s Roger Byrne, 28, the left-back and captain; Eddie Colman, 21; England centre-forward Tommy Taylor, 25; Mark Jones, 24; David Pegg, 22; Ireland’s Billy Whelan, 22; Geoff Bent, 25; and England’s half-back Duncan Edwards, 21.
– The tragedy that wiped out the cream of a generation caused a transformation in the national consciousness — people who had no interest in soccer began following the fortunes of United and neutrals willed them to win.
Source: Reuters
