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Thursday 04 June 1998
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 News 4 
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PREMIERSHIP ROUND-UP
LEEDS CONFIDENT OF LANDING THOMPSON
LEEDS UNITED are hoping to speak to Alan Thompson today after finally being given permission to talk to the Bolton midfielder. United are now in a two-horse race with Aston Villa for the services of the 24-year-old but the Yorkshire club may need to up their offer. Villa are believed to have offered �4m, with Leeds' starting bid apparently �3.75m.
Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale is understood to have reached an agreement with Villa counterpart Doug Ellis not to enter into a bidding war and push the fee over the top. The Elland Road supremo said: "The player's future will be decided by his personal preference, not by any fee. But we have said to Bolton all along we would be in a position to match or better any offer they receive in writing."
Ridsdale is confident Thompson will choose Elland Road ahead of Villa Park. "Both Doug and I understand what Bolton's position is,� he explains. "We have agreed to make sure the transfer fee is not a barrier to Thompson joining us or Villa. As far as I am concerned, if we can reach an agreement on personal terms, then I don't see the fee being a problem."
Thompson wants to quit Bolton after activating a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the Reebok Stadium following the club's relegation last season.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United face a hectic build-up to the new season after announcing plans for a trip to Scandinavia. Alex Ferguson's men play a friendly against Birmingham on 25 July, before travelling to Oslo where they play Valerengea on 27 July. They then meet Peter Schmeichel's former club Brondby in Copenhagen four days later.
The Reds return to Norway for a final match against Branbergen on 4 August and arrive home just three days before their Charity Shield clash against Arsenal on 9 August. United's first leg of their Champions' League qualifier will be played on 15 August.
SOUTHAMPTON
Boss Dave Jones is preparing to spend, spend, spend after being told he will receive all the money from the �7.25million club record sale of striker Kevin Davies to Blackburn to strengthen his squad. England Under-21 star Davies signed a seven-year contract at Ewood Park just 13 months after Saints signed him from Chesterfield for �750,000.
The Southampton-record deal smashes the �3.3m paid by Blackburn for England star Alan Shearer in 1992, with Jones allowed to use the cash to strengthen his squad during the summer. The Saints boss has made it clear he is anxious to sign new players in all positions to increase competition for places in his side.
Jones said: ''We're disappointed to see Kevin go because he has done very well since he joined us. But the offer was simply too good to refuse and will allow us to substantially strengthen our squad.''
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Skipper Colin Cooper is staying at the City Ground after agreeing a new two-year contract with the First Division champions. The former England defender opened negotiations with Forest last summer but after talks broke down, boss Dave Bassett accepted a �2.5m bid from West Ham.
Cooper, however, turned down the chance to move to Upton Park and is now relishing the prospect of leading Forest back into the Premiership. He said: ''With all due respect to West Ham I never had any intention of joining them. I have said all along that I don't want to leave Forest and I am glad my future has been sorted out.''
Meanwhile Forest have transfer-listed full back Des Lyttle and forwards Paul McGregor and Steve Guinan.
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Division One Round-up
PORTSMOUTH
Portsmouth may have eaten all the pies -- mince pies, in fact - but apparently they still haven�t paid for them. The South Coast club faces a potentially embarrassing High Court winding-up order over an unpaid bill for �800 worth of the festive fare which were given away free to supporters.
Pompey ordered the pies from local bakers, Humby's of Fareham, 18 months ago and the company are still waiting for the account to be settled. The pies were given away as a goodwill gesture from the club at Christmas 1996 when former England coach Terry Venables was chairman of the Fratton Park club.
But when the bakers threatened to take action unless the bill was settled, the club offered just �250 to clear their account. Humby's managing director Stefan Charidge said: ''We are considering either sending in the bailiffs or taking the matter to the High Court. We are within our rights to pursue either course.''
BRADFORD
Stuart McCall has opted for an emotional return to Bradford City, apparently ignoring interest from Barnsley, Huddersfield and Hearts who were all keen to sign the Scottish international midfield player. But McCall, who was granted a free transfer from Rangers, said: "Once I knew Bradford were seriously interested in signing me and wanted me back there was no other decision to be made."
McCall, left Valley Parade 10 years ago this month for Everton in an �875,000 deal following Bradford's failure to gain promotion to the old First Division. On his return, the 33-year-old was cheered by a specially-convened press conference attended by some 500 Bradford supporters.
"I always felt one day I would come back and now that has happened,� he said. "I had another year left on my contract at Rangers, but I felt it was time to move on. Now, I am looking forward to helping Bradford achieve their ambitions. I have happy memories of my time here before and if we can make a good start to the new season who knows what might happen."
BURY
Neil Warnock has his eyes set on a return to the manager�s chair and admitted he would love to take over from departed Stan Ternent at Bury. The former Oldham Athletic boss has had talks with Shakers chairman Kerry Robinson and been impressed by what the club has achieved. "I am always regarded as a troubleshooter and I enjoy a challenge,'' he said.
DIVISION TWO
ROUND-UP
WIGAN
Manager John Deehan�s workload is to be lightened in an effort to head off a host of clubs said to be chasing the out-of-contract Athletic boss. Deehan will now concentrate solely on winning promotion next season - if he stays with the ambitious second division club. Millionaire owner Dave Whelan has handed all other day-to-day responsibilities - including transfer negotiations - to Deehan's number two John Benson.
The move coincides with fresh speculation linking Deehan with a possible return to Norwich City in partnership with Steve Bruce.
BRENTFORD
Midfielder Carl Hutchings looks set to be the subject of a tribunal after the Bees and Bristol City failed to agree a fee. The 23-year-old dreadlocked Londoner has been targeted by City manager John Ward after being voted Brentford's player of the year twice in recent years.
City are to speak to Danish striker Soren Anderson within the next few days about a possible big move to Ashton Gate.
PLYMOUTH
Injury-jinxed defender Tony James faces a week of torment before being told whether he will ever play professional football again. The 33-year-old centre back is booked in for seven days of intensive training at Lilleshall next week to see whether he has recovered from the cruciate knee ligament operation which ruled him out for the whole of last season.
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DIVISION THREE
ROUND-UP
BRIGHTON
Brighton fans were dancing in the streets last night after news that the club has been granted conditional planning permission to play their home games at Withdean Athletic Stadium.
The local council has given permission for the move back from Gillingham despite more than 1,400 complaints from concerned local residents; none too pleased with the prospect of league football being played on their doorstep. One of the conditions is that there must be no supporter parking near the stadium, so the cash-starved club has been forced to arrange free bus and train journeys for fans.
EXETER
City are trying to sign former Port Vale star Ray Walker - after missing out on him two years ago. The 34-year-old midfielder had hoped to become the new manager of Leek Town but having missed out on that post, Exeter have targeted him.
Exeter boss Peter Fox said, ''I am hoping to get in touch with Ray to see whether he wants to get back into playing in the Football League again.''
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