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January 20, 2003
(Monday)
Woody plea from
fans
Leeds fans have urged
chairman Peter Ridsdale to turn down an
impending £10m offer from Newcastle for defender Jonathan Woodgate.
Newcastle are keen to make a big-money offer for United's England
centre-back, who is currently out of the side with a torn thigh
muscle, but the message that rang out from around 500 fans at the
Leeds United Supporters Club's dinner and dance on Saturday night was
loud and clear.
With chairman Peter
Ridsdale and several members of the board in the
audience, Supporters Club chairman Ray Fell said: "If it benefits the
club to sell the odd player, fine. The Supporters Club understands
that, but please don't sell the jewels.
"If the rumours are
true, someone should tell Bobby Robson once and
for all that Woody is staying at Elland Road."
The collapse of
Robbie Fowler's £7.m move to Manchester City has
restricted manager Terry Venables' spending power as he strives to
improve the squad.
And the Whites boss
warned: "In the past we have over-spent, which is
dangerous, but to over-sell is also dangerous. As a manager I want
good players and the club want good players too.
"The chairman has had
big problems over the years and dealt with them
well. This is a different sort of challenge. Sometimes you have to
take risks.
"A big risk is
walking a tightrope 100ft off the ground because if
you fall you die. It's better to walk the rope maybe five or six feet
off the ground so you don't hurt so much if things go wrong."
Venables believes
United need to strike the right balance between
satisfying shareholders and supporters.
He added: "For years,
shareholders and supporters were the same
people. That is not always the case any more. Shareholders want a
return on their money and supporters want a good team. We need to get
that balance. We don't have it yet."
A presentation was
made to assistant manager Eddie Gray in
recognition of his services to the club. A number of first team
players attended the dinner, including Dominic Matteo, Harry Kewell,
Alan Smith, Eirik Bakke, Nick Barmby and Paul Okon. Ex-players John
Charles and Tony Currie were also among the guests, who included Mrs
Elsie Revie, widow of former Leeds and England manager Don Revie.
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Newcastle prepare £10m bid to capture
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Robson cool on Woodgate link
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