Soccer Shorts

A round-up of other soccer news in brief

Wigan players offer refund to fan

WIGAN’s players have offered to refund supporters who travelled to Sunday’s 9-1 thrashing at Tottenham.

Wigan crashed to the second worst defeat in Premier League history as they conceded eight second-half goals at White Hart Lane. Defender Mario Melchiot admits the result was embarrassing and, along with the rest of his well-paid team-mates, will pay away fans the cost of tickets.

Melchiot told the club’s website, www.wiganlatics.co.uk: “We feel that as a group of players we badly let down our supporters yesterday, and this is a gesture we have to make and pay them back for their tremendous loyalty.

“There is not a lot else to say, just that as a group of professionals we were embarrassed by the way we performed, we feel it was below our standards and this is something we feel we owe to the fans.”

Wigan return to action when they host Sunderland this weekend.

Ipswich deny weekend meeting on Keane's future

IPSWICH have denied reports that manager Roy Keane is set to lose his job at Portman Road.

Keane has won just three league games since replacing Jim Magilton in April and saw his side held to a goalless draw by Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Ipswich are only being kept off the bottom of the Championship by Peterborough after picking up just 13 points from 17 games, but are currently on a six-game unbeaten run.

Reports suggested the former Manchester United captain was set to be shown the door yesterday after a board meeting on Sunday but the club insist there is no change in management planned.

A club spokesman said: “Reports in the press this morning that Roy will be sacked are complete rubbish. There were no meetings over the weekend and Roy remains in charge.”

Ipswich have scored just 17 goals in their 17 Championship games to date and Keane’s next game in charge is away to Cardiff on Sunday.

Leo Dunne dies aged 87

FAI chief exective John Delaney has led the tributes to Leo Dunne, the Waterford football administrator and journalist who has passed away at the age of 87.

Dunne was the last remaining founding member of Bohemians FC, a club that has produced 63 Republic of Ireland internationals at all levels since their formation in 1941. Three former players of the club – John O’Shea, Brian Murphy and Eddie Nolan – were in the senior squad for the recent play-off with France.

Dunne was secretary of the club from the late 1940s before going on to serve in the Waterford and District League in the same capacity. He also worked with the FAI Junior Council and the League of Ireland management committee.

Delaney said: “I am deeply saddened at the sudden loss of one of Irish football’s greatest servants.

“There is no doubt that his passing has left many mourning in many walks of life and I extend my deepest sympathy to all of the Dunne family.”

Ferdinand wants to leave Sunderland

ANTON FERDINAND wants to leave Sunderland in January after failing to convince Steve Bruce he is good enough for a starting place.

The Sunderland manager has left the €8.8 million signing from West Ham United on the bench since a 2-1 defeat at Birmingham City last month, even though Michael Turner was suspended for the 1-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday.

The centre-back impressed last season, but Bruce has been unhappy with the defence he inherited in the summer and has openly criticised his players at times, with last season’s player of the year, Danny Collins, sold to Stoke City in August.

The 24-year-old would prefer a move back to London, with Fulham a possible destination, although Bruce could refuse to let him leave until the summer due to the lack of numbers in his first-team squad. He has made defensive recruitment his main priority in the new year.

Del Bosque set to sign extension

SPAIN COACH Vicente del Bosque is set to sign a two-year extension to remain in the post until 2012, according to RFEF president Angel Maria Villar.

Villar claims Del Bosque has agreed to prolong his stay but stressed the former Real Madrid boss has not put pen to paper yet.

Del Bosque took over the Spain reins after the team’s triumphant Euro 2008 adventure and led the European champions to a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign with 10 wins out of 10.

Newcastle move to the top

KEVIN NOLAN claimed a typically predatory 74th-minute winner to move Newcastle back to the top of the Championship.

Nolan moved Newcastle two points clear of West Brom with a clinical low left-footed drive — his ninth goal of the season. Alan Smith played a pivotal role alongside Nolan in midfield.

Defeat was on harsh on Preston, who gave Newcastle several worrying moments but lacked the killer finish Nolan provided.