by David Wilson on September 1, 2010
For the first time Premier League teams had to name a 25-man squad for the first half of the EPL season and there was a couple of surprises.
All 20 clubs had to submit a squad of up to 25 players containing no more than 17 players who do not qualify as homegrown. Homegrown players are classed as players who “irrespective of his nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday”. Read more... (1279 words, 1 image, estimated 5:07 mins reading time)
by Damian Cooper on August 31, 2010
So as the dust settles until January, three of the seven transfers that were being rumoured as the day began actually happened. Gyan, Di Santos and Hleb all making the moves they were expected to make as the day started. Once again though as predicted, the 24 hour rolling news channels were making up their own stories. If Scott Parker had left West Ham in this transfer window then the Chariman would have had to leave West Ham as well. He came out weeks ago with a statement that would have made his position unteneable if Parker had gone. Yet the television got a lot of coverage out of the nothing story that he was on his way to Spurs. Read more... (329 words, 1 image, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)
by John Brandon on August 31, 2010
Rewind to July 2 and Asamoah Gyan scored three goals in four games in the World Cup. Winning a standing ovation in his sides match against Serbia. In the quarter final against Uruguay he then stepped up and fluffed a chance to write himself and Ghana in to record books as the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi final.
Many men would have hidden, simply sulked, felt sorry for themselves and seeked refuge in the warmth and comfort of his sides dressing room. Not Gyan he continued to battle on and took his sides first penalty in the shoot out and cooly slotted home in to the top corner to put his country a step closer to history. Obviously it didn’t happen but Gyan was making people stand up and take notice of his undoubted potential. Read more... (302 words, 1 image, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)
by Damian Cooper on August 31, 2010
Today is transfer deadline day in the EPL meaning that Premier League clubs have until 6pm London time to sign players before the window closes. The day is always rife with Speculation and the advent of 24 hour rolling sports news has fuelled that speculation further in recent years.
Avram Grant is on his phone down at the Boleyn Ground with rumours abound of Jamie O’Hara and Robbie Keane coming in. Scott Parker is sought after once again, and Hammers fans will be hoping that the Board do what they say and keep hold of Parker. Chairman David Sullivan issued a hands off warning a few weeks ago and said Parker was categorically going nowhere. That hasn’t stopped the rumours though. Read more... (374 words, 1 image, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on June 3, 2009
Former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce has been named as the new coach of Sunderland, leaving the post at Premier League rivals Wigan Athletic vacant.
The 48-year-old, who hails from nearby Corbridge, has signed a three-year contract with the side that finished 16th in the 20-team English top division, having previously coached Sheffield United FC, Huddersfield Town FC, Crystal Palace FC and Birmingham City FC.
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said:
“Steve knows more than anyone what football means to people of this region, and I’m confident that he will be able to instil into our players exactly what it means to play for this football club.” Read more... (321 words, 1 image, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on May 31, 2009
Wigan have given manager Steve Bruce permission to talk to Sunderland.
The Latics have agreed a compensation package, believed to be between £3-5 million with their Premier League rivals, clearing the way for Bruce to move to the Stadium of Light.
And the former Manchester United defender is now expected to replace Ricky Sbragia, who resigned on the final day of the season after keeping the club in the Premier League.
Bruce joined Wigan from Birmingham in November 2007 and led them to an impressive 11th-place finish this term. Read more... (152 words, 1 image, estimated 36 secs reading time)
by David Wilson on May 24, 2009
Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia has resigned despite the club holding on to their top-flight status in England on the final day of Premier League action.
The north-east outfit suffered a 3-2 loss to Chelsea in their last outing of the season but defeats for Hull City and Newcastle meant they finished 16th and outside of the bottom three. ”
I do feel that the club needs a bigger name,” said Sbragia, who stepped into the role in the wake of Roy Keane’s resignation last December. “I took over in a difficult situation. I was asked to keep the club up and I achieved that. I could’ve been selfish and stayed on but I felt it was best for the club for me to step down.” Read more... (263 words, 1 image, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)
by The Yank on December 1, 2008
Nickname(s): The Black Cats, The Mackems
2008/2009 Position: 17th
2007/2008 Finish: 15th
Coach: Ricky Sbragia (Scotland)
Stadium: Stadium of Light (49,000 capacity)
Key Players: Steed Malbranque, Djibril Cisse, Kieran Richardson
History:
Sunderland was founded in 1879 as Sunderland and District Teachers. Though they have won the first division several times, they have not procured any major trophies since 1936. Despite their record of poor play, the team has some of the most devoted supporters in the league. They also make more noise than other teams’ fans, with their volume being measured at 129.2 deafening decibels last year. Read more... (271 words, estimated 1:05 mins reading time)
