Planet Football

Soccer stories from around the world

Away from home

The season isn't even over and already a sizeable batch of Irish players in England are looking for new employers. Amongst those released by their clubs last week was Brentford's Martin Rowlands - two years ago the former Irish under-21 international was valued at "£3 million plus" by then manager Ron Noades after talk of interest from a few Premiership clubs - now he's out of work.

Mark McKeever, too, is club hunting after being released by Bristol Rovers. Maybe time's flying but it doesn't seem that long since McKeever and his fellow Irish under-21 Dave Billington were highly regarded after moving from Peterborough to Sheffield Wednesday. Billington, though, had to quit the professional game when he was just 20 with a knee injury, joining non-league Oxford City, where his injury problems continued.

Also included on the released list are Sean McClare (Port Vale), Geoff Breslan (Exeter), Sean McCarthy (Exeter), Tony Scully (Cambridge), Kenny Coleman (Wolves) and Graham Ward (Wolves), while a few more senior Irish internationals, including Keith O'Neill and Barry Quinn (both Coventry) and Phil Babb (Sunderland), will also be moving on.

Blackburn have told Alan Mahon he can leave if "the right offer comes in", while Graham Barrett (Arsenal), Mark Kinsella (Aston Villa), Gareth Farrelly (Bolton), Gary Breen (West Ham), Dominic Foley (Watford) and Curtis Fleming (Crystal Palace) can't be sure where they'll be playing next season.

Two of the newest senior internationals, Alan Lee (Rotherham) and Alan Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), who have both been named player of the year at their clubs, might also be finding new homes. Quinn is reluctant to play second division football next season and Lee is unhappy with his wages at Rotherham.

Absence makes perfect

Nice to see that the folk at Coventry City haven't forgotten Keith O'Neill, despite him not playing for them since December 2001. The injury-magnet is leaving the club this summer but the Coventry Evening Telegraph has given him a nice going-away present by nominating him for player of the year. "This year's award reflects the parlous state the club find themselves in, with nominations going to players who have done the least harm to Coventry City over the past 12 unedifying months," wrote David Wardale.

"Keith is currently struggling for fitness. A few months ago, he needed treatment. A year ago, he was unfit. And when he signed? He got injured. In an ever-shifting landscape where players are hired one month and fired the next, clubs thrive and go bust all in one season and TV deals aren't worth the paper they were never properly negotiated upon, Keith represents a rock of solidity and consistency. And for that he deserves great praise. No really."

Gone but not forgiven

David Wardale (see above) then turned his attention to Republic of Ireland international Barry Quinn with "Ten reasons why Coventry City MUST reconsider their decision to cancel Barry's contract: 1) He's one of the most exciting young British prospects ever. 2) He's two-footed. 3) He has an impeccable first touch. 4) He can beat people through skill, speed or sheer power. 5) He has a great eye for goal. 6) He has tremendous awareness. 7) His touch is allied to genuine strength. 8) Oh no. 9) Hold on. 10) That's Wayne Rooney."

Quotes of the week

"There's only one club in Europe that you can leave Manchester United for - Real Madrid or Barcelona."

- John Aldridge on Sky Sports, as heard by Barry Toolan.

"The big question is: 'Does anybody really want them?'"

- Graham Taylor on being asked would he be selling any of his Aston Villa, em, stars this summer.

"If you look over the championship then, no, Manchester United do not deserve to be champions because we stayed at the top nearly all season."

- If you could take "nearly" out of the sentence then Gilberto might have had a point.

"My dearest wish is still to stay at Arsenal, but I want to win titles."

- Patrick Vieira, announcing he's leaving Highbury.

"Yes, for sure, but I can't speak any more about it as we made a decision to be secret about it. I can't say anything else as we decided to make no comment about it."

- Klaus Toppmoeller, respecting Fulham's request for confidentiality over their negotiations with him.

"My football heart has stopped beating at Newcastle. My body is here and I am professional - but I'm not here in spirit."

- Nikos Dabizas, hinting he might be looking for a transfer this summer.

Look out, Seville

Seville, we suspect, won't know what hit it on May 21st. Martin Smith, writing in the Daily Telegraph, reported estimates that 50,000 Celtic supporters will travel to the Spanish city for the UEFA Cup final, 35,000 of them without tickets.

"Thirty-five thousand Celtic fans without a ticket? How can they travel without a ticket," asked a somewhat alarmed Rafael Carmona, Seville's security chief. "I don't believe 50,000 Celtic fans will head to Seville. That is madness. It's an exaggeration just for one day. How many fans do Celtic have?" Will we tell him or will you?

Song of the week

"If Heskey can play for England, so can I, If Heskey can play for England, so can I, If Heskey can play for England, If Heskey can play for England, If Heskey can play for England, so can I."

- As sung by Manchester City fans at Anfield. Evil. Banner of the week

"French whine - bottle not included."

- As carried to Goodison Park by Manchester United fans yesterday.

God on Sam's side

Little did West Ham know that Bolton had God on their side yesterday - or, at least, that the Rev. Roger Oldfield was doing his best to ensure Sam Allardyce would benefit from some divine inspiration in the game against Middlesbrough. According to the Daily Telegraph, Oldfield intended holding a special service for Bolton fans, where relegation-avoiding prayers would be offered. The service was to go by the name of "What would Jesus say to Sam Allardyce?" and a "Big Sam lookalike from the congregation will shout orders from a makeshift dugout at the front of the church and all attendees will be given oranges halfway through the service". Oh Lord.