3rd May 2000
3rd May 2000 ATHLETIC could be kept hanging on for at least another week as they await news of their proposed link-up with Leeds. A month after the plans were announced, a decision has yet to be made on whether the clubs can join forces in a £1million deal which would bolster their youth systems. The Football League have threatened to block the move as it would involve 9.9 per cent of Athletic's shares being sold to Leeds United's parent company. The sale of shares between clubs is against their rules, while Athletic will claim immunity as the new stakeholder would actually be Leeds Sporting Youth Development Ltd. Despite being given full details of the scheme, the league and the Premier League still want to hold face-to-talks at a special meeting on Monday. But there are no guarantees that the matter — which would pave the way for similar initiatives all over the country — will be settled then.
Sources suggest that a meeting of the league's board, on May 11, is more likely to become D-Day. Athletic are confident of getting the go-ahead, which would see Leeds pay half their School of Excellence costs for the next five years, as well as allowing fringe players to have loan spells at Boundary Park. The on-going saga has also embroiled Athletic director Ian Stott in controversy. The former club chairman, a high-ranking member of the FA, recently sat on the disciplinary panel which examined an on-field bust-up between Leeds and Tottenham. With the Athletic-Leeds blueprint being revealed around the same time, Mr Stott has now been accused of failing to declare an interest. If talks had been taking place between the clubs when he sat in judgement, the case may have to be reopened. Any conflict of interest, no matter how minor, would have meant Mr Stott automatically stepped down from the hearing. He insists he was unaware of Athletic's plans, but Tottenham are likely to appeal and the FA have agreed to take more care when appointing their panels.
Athletic are hoping to give another chance to trialist Vincent Ehoumen after the Frenchman was injured while playing for the reserves last night. Ehoumen (22) twisted his ankle after half an hour, but his strength had caused problems until then and he could play again at home to Stoke tomorrow.
Miskelly's magic not enough
UNITED made sure more silverware stayed at Old Trafford last night when they retained the Manchester Senior Cup at Boundary Park. In a repeat of last season’s final, The Reds were always too clever for Athletic, who battled hard without offering a threat. The margin would have been greater except for Athletic goalkeeper David Miskelly, who was in inspired form, and the efforts of midfield man Mark Innes. Athletic’s cause wasn’t helped by an injury to French trialist Vincent Ehoumen, a big, bustling and physical presence until hurting his ankle in the first half. But United were on top from the outset, with Miskelly making good saves from Mark Wilson and under-21 forward Jonathan Greening. The Irish ‘keeper also denied Michael Stewart before United took a 28th-minute lead.
The opener was created by Bojan Djordjic, who delivered a wicked low cross from the left. Alex Notman and Athletic’s Ben Smith challenged for it together six yards out and Notman was credited with the goal. Athletic had their only chance just after the break when an Innes centre was headed over by Ben Futcher. United, however, almost doubled the lead after Wilson produced some superb trickery on the edge of the box, only to screw his final shot wide. Wilson had a much simpler task when he tapped home Greening’s cross at the far post to make it 2-0 after 68 minutes. Miskelly denied Djordjic and Greening in the closing stages, the latter a stupendous one-handed stop from point-blank range.
Athletic: Miskelly, Graham, McLaughlin, Futcher, Wharton (Haining 73), Smith, Salt, Walsh, Innes, Sugden (Tipton 45), Ehoumen (Froggatt 33). Subs (not used): Robertson, Gardiner.
United: Culkin, Roche, Higginbotham, Wallwork, O’Shea, Stewart, Wilson, Fletcher (Davis 71), Djordjic, Greening, Notman. Subs (not used): Rachubka, Twiss, Evans, Cosgrove.
LENNIE LAWRENCE has warned Andrew Fotiadis and Stuart Douglas not to be ‘foolish’ and urged them to sign new deals at Kenilworth Road.
Both strikers are out of contract at the end of this season but will be given written offers by the club before the third week of May to prevent them leaving Luton on a free transfer. Those offers would mean any interested party would have to go to a tribunal for either forward. Hatters boss Lawrence said: “We’ve not made much progress with them. They will both get written offers. They would be foolish to leave now. They’re not ready to go yet.” The Hatters will also offer Andre Scarlett a new one-year deal but are ready to say goodbye to Michael McIndoe and Tresor Kandol after the last game of the season at home to Oldham on Saturday.
McIndoe, 20, has struggled to get back into first team contention after a spell in the Priory Clinic where he underwent a programme designed to help alcohol addicts. Kandol, 18, has missed training sessions at the club this season and recently appeared in court charged with train fare fraud. Lawrence said: “TK and Michael McIndoe have had off-the-field problems. Their situations are coming to a conclusion and, frankly, it’s not looking too bright for either of them. “TK’s got great ability. He could be Stan Collymore, a Sunday morning footballer or never play again. “You see flashes in games and think Christ that was brilliant, but it’s a gamble. We might want to do a short term contract but that might be ducking the issue. “The reasons why McIndoe went to the Priory Clinic have not recurred but he hasn’t recaptured the form he showed at the end of last season and, psychologically, he may need another club.”
Kandol and McIndoe have both made first team appearances but look likely to be shown the door with Lawrence unable to afford players of their age on his wage bill who are not in first team squads. He added: “It’s a funny place here. Players aged 19 or 20 at most clubs will just be being considered for the first team. “Here you’re either getting bombed out because you’re not good enough or you’ve been sold because you’ve come in, done it and you’re on your way. “Opportunity, fame and fortune beckon but, at the other end, you can get ruthlessly culled at 20.”