White Hot Lines

June 2005

Thursday  30.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  The Mirror reckons that Martin Jol will try and sign Khalid Boulahrouz from German side Hamburg.  Boulahrouz was a player that Jol managed in Holland and his rugged, attacking style would fit with the plans Jol has for the Spurs side.
  £10 million is the price that Spurs, Manchester United or Arsenal will have to pay for Jermain Jenas, who will be allowed to leave Newcastle United for that fee.

  OTHER NEWS ... Johan Boskamp has been appointed as the new manager of Stoke City ...


Wednesday  29.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Paul Robinson is pleased with the progress his knee injury is making and he hopes to be fit for the start of the new season.
  Valerenga have denied that former Spurs striker Steffen Iversen is about to join Greek side Panathinaikos.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Laurent Robert has criticised former manager Graeme Souness for a second time, stating that he will drive Jermain Jenas out of the club.  This resulted in a second two-week's wages fine for the French winger and Souness has said that he will not entertain an opinionated forward spouting such nonsense again.  Oh, no ... sorry that was Craig Bellamy.  Or was it Patrick Kluivert ??  Or was it Andy Cole ??  Or Dwight Yorke ??


Tuesday  28.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Newcastle United Freddie Shepherd, who knows a thing to two about football, has said that his club will not sell Jermain Jenas to Tottenham and that he will stay at the club where he is highly rated.
  The Daily Mirror have Spurs in a chase with Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers for Racing Santander's Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun.

  OTHER NEWS ... Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has been sacked for not shopping in the foreign market !! ...


Monday  27.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  The Daily Mirror claims that Spurs might return to Newcastle United with a bid for Jermain Jenas that improves on their original offer of £6 million.
  Sky TV have chosen their games up until Christmas, with Tottenham being featured four times.  These are Wednesday 24th August Blackburn Rovers v Tottenham (kick off 8.00 p.m.),  Sunday 25th September Tottenham v Fulham (kick off 4.00 p.m.), Saturday 29th October Tottenham v Arsenal (kick off Noon) and Sunday 20th November  Tottenham v West Ham United (kick off 4.00 p.m.).
  The Daily mail runs a story saying that FC Nuremburg in Germany are expecting Tottenham to make a bid for their striker Marek Mintal in the next few days.

  OTHER NEWS ... Robin van Persie has been let out of jail, but is still a suspect in a rape investigation in Holland ... 

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Heavily in debt West Ham United are seeking to tempt Luis Figo to Upton Park and pay his £80,000 a week wages too.


Sunday  26.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  The Daily Star claims that Spurs have had a swap offer for Jermain Jenas turned down.  Tottenham put up Robbie Keane for their part of the deal, but Newcastle United were not interested in the transfer.  The Sunday People reckon that Jenas is at the top of Spurs' transfer targets this summer.
  News of the World claim that Manchester City will bid for Robbie Keane should they sell Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelsea for £20 million.  They might also make an offer for Fredi Kanoute.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Craig Bellamy has said he will turn up for training on the first day back and might have to train with the youth team if instructed by Graeme Souness to do so.  Perhaps Souness is grouping his players by mental age then ??


Saturday  25.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  The newspapers are speculating today about the amount of compensation Spurs will have to spend on players.  The figures range between £6 million and £10 million, with an amount up front with other sums to be paid in stages apparently.  There is also believed to be a two year no poaching clause relating to players and staff of THFC.  The paperwork to the agreement is to be signed before Thursday 30th June and it is also believed that Frank Arnesen's gardening leave will extend until 1st September, when he can then start his new position ... just after the transfer window has closed.
  Spurs are said to be looking at bringing in Dean Ashton of Norwich City and Jan Vennegoor de Hesselink of PSV Eindhoven, with Fredi Kanoute possibly leaving the club for around £5 million to an unidentified.  
  On loan Egyptian striker Mido is supposedly being allowed to return to his club AS Roma next week, as Martin Jol goes about re-shaping the forward line for the coming season.
  Some sources claim that Spurs will renew their interest in old boy Peter Crouch, who looks set to leave SCBC with Liverpool and Manchester City also keen on the new England striker.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...


Friday  24.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Spurs have received an offer of compensation from Chelsea for the services of Frank Arnesen.  The Tottenham board considered their position in regard to the offer and at 22.54 p.m. the club announced that they had come to an agreement "in principle" with Chelsea over compensation, but the terms of this agreement would not be made public.  The London Evening Standard reckon Spurs want a two year ban on Chelsea buying any of their players as part of any agreement.
  Guingamp winger Bertrand Robert said he had an option to join Tottenham Hotspur.  The brother of Laurent Robert told the media that he could have left for Spurs, Paris St. Germain or Valencia, but chose to stay with the French club who failed to get promotion to Le Championnat.
  TeamTalk claims that Spurs are watching the situation of Lomano Lua Lua, the Republic of Congo and Portsmouth winger.
  The same website claims Tottenham are watching the Norwich City striker Dean Ashton too, as a possible replacement should the rumours about the Tottenham forwards leaving come true.
  One of those rumours is that Robbie Keane is in the centre of a tug of war between Everton and Manchester City, with £5 million the going price according to the London Evening Standard.
  San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Championship 4-3 in the seven match series with the Detroit Pistons.

  OTHER NEWS ... Bolton Wanderers coach Phil Brown has been appointed as Derby County manager ...


Thursday  23.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Tottenham have issued a deadline of Noon tomorrow (Friday) for the compensation from Chelsea for Frank Arnesen to be settled or they will report the West London club to the FA Premier League.  Arnesen has been pictured on board Roman Abramovich's yacht moored off Sardinia in another flagrant flouting of the PL's rules, although Chelsea claim that it was a "social meeting."
  Some reports claim that Chelsea will hurriedly offer Tottenham Robert Huth and Glenn Johnson to settle the matter tomorrow.  Great ... a hulking centre half when we are well stocked there anyway and a temperamental full back, who hasn't played regularly for ages.  Can't see that being acceptable to THFC ... or at least I hope that is what they will say.
  The fixtures for the 2005-06 Premier League season are out and Spurs start on August 13th at Portsmouth.  They play their first home game the next week against Middlesbrough and then travel to Blackburn Rovers midweek, before returning home to meet Chelsea.  The season ends with a trip to Upton Park to play West Ham on 7th May.  All fixtures are subject to change at the whim of Sky Sports TV.

  OTHER NEWS ... Chelsea have been informed that their £57m bid for AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko is not high enough ...


Wednesday  22.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  The Daily Mirror claims that Martin Jol is ready to sell Fredi Kanoute over the failure to attend the club's end of season tour to Mauritius.  This lack of discipline will be the end of Kanoute's Tottenham career, with a move back to his French homeland the most likely destination, as Marseille are interested in the Mali forward.  The player is believed to have turned down a £4.5 million move to West Bromwich Albion, because he did not want to move to the Midlands
  Aaron Lennon is believed to have taken a wage cut to join Spurs from Leeds United !!

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...


Tuesday  21.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Marton Fulop might be sent out on loan again next season to further increase his first team experience of English football.

  OTHER NEWS ... Steve Claridge has been appointed as the new manager of Millwall ... Faria Alam is claiming that Chief Executive David Davies was a "sex pest" and tried to kiss her in a sexual harassment claim in an Employment Tribunal case today ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... 


Monday  20.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Spurs are said to be leading the chase for Crystal Palace's £6 million rated striker Andrew Johnson, with the Daily Mirror claiming it will be signed and sealed this week.  Not sure if everyone would agree with me, but for £6 million, I was hoping for something more than Andy Johnson
  The man targeted to replace Frank Arnesen has been snapped up by Ajax.  Martin van Geel of AZ Alkmaar has joined the Amsterdam club in a job he described as too good to turn down. 
  Former Spurs skipper Jamie Redknapp has said that he is not about to jump straight back into football as a coach, either at Spurs or at SCBC.
  Former Spurs reserve midfielder Peter Gain has signed for Peterborough United from Lincoln City.

  OTHER NEWS ... ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Newcastle United are vigorously chasing Luis Figo.  I wouldn't have thought it would have need much effort to chase him !!

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Portsmouth are to make a move to sign Viafara to see them making a stiff and longer lasting challenge nearer the top of the table this coming season.  Once Caldas and Columbia midfielder John Viafara is a transfer target for the South Coast club and they hope for no typos.


Sunday  19.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Crystal Palace striker Andrew Johnson's agent is being lambasted by chairman Simon Jordan for making him want to leave the relegated South London club.  It is Jordan's belief that the agent has been engineering a £7 million move to Spurs, which would earn him £1 million.  Jordan seems to be taking a stand similar to the one he took with Routledge, saying he can't leave and that if he did not perform, it would harm his future chances with England.
  Former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp has formally announced his retirement from football after succumbing to a long-standing knee injury.  In his two and a half years at White Hart Lane, Redknapp  appeared 53 times, including 11 from the substitutes bench.
  Spurs are supposed to have agreed a deal with Chelsea for the services of Frank Arnesen.  Chelsea claim that his wages of £600,000 a year with two years to run mean that £1.2 million is all they are prepared to pay, but in offering Carlton Cole with no other attachments, they want Tottenham to pay them £1 million to make up the difference in their pricing of the player (who they rate at above £2 million ... a lot more than I rate him).  
  Mido was a 49th minute substitute in Egypt's 0-2 loss to Ivory Coast in their World Cup qualifying match today.

  OTHER NEWS ... Clive Woodward will become the SCBC Director of Football on his return from the British Lions rugby tour of New Zealand ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... The Premier League are to look into the transfer of Laurent Robert to Portsmouth, as it is believed that the contract does not allowed to play against his former club Newcastle United.  Newcastle will be demanding an enquiry as to why Robert did not play against any of their opponents last season !!


Saturday  18.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson has said that he wants to leave the relegated South London club and this will spark interest from Spurs, Everton, West Bromwich Albion, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.  The asking price is thought to be in the region of £10 million for the England forward
  Former Spurs midfielder Graham Roberts, now manager of Clyde, has offered Paul Gascoigne a player-coach role at the club.
  Noureddine Naybet .
  Reto Ziegler was part of the Swiss Youth team that lost 0-3 to Nigeria and were knocked out of the World Championships in Holland.

  OTHER NEWS ... Martin Scott has been named as permanent manager of Hartlepool United after being caretaker for the last month of the season ...


Friday  17.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Spurs have agreed a fee for Crystal Palace winger Wayne Routledge.  The 20 year old England Under-21 international will join Tottenham on 1st July.  The sum to be paid in compensation will remain undisclosed.
  Frank Arnesen has told the media that Tottenham never intended to report Chelsea to the FA over the tapping up scandal, as they wanted a settlement all along.
  According to the Times, Newcastle United are interested in Fredi Kanoute.

  OTHER NEWS ... UEFA chairman Lennart Johansson has said that women footballers should be used by sponsors to market their products, as there is nothing better than "if you see a girl playing on the ground, sweaty, with the rainy weather and coming out the dressing room, lovely looking, that would sell." ...

  Crime Watch ... Agent Paul Stretford has been called to answer how he acquired Wayne Rooney as one of his clients.  The agent has 14 days to answer the charges that breach both FA and FIFA rules.


Thursday  16.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell said that he was disappointed to be losing a good young talent like Aaron Lennon, but that his move to Tottenham was inevitable.  having been aware that the club were interested some time ago and with only one year left on his contract, the Leeds boss felt sure that Lennon would leave with the chance to play in the Premier League and the contract on offer being too good to turn down.
  The 18 year old winger is expected to sign on to start his Spurs career on July 1st, if he passes a medical and agrees personal terms.
  Middlesbrough winger Stuart Downing has said that he does not want to leave the Riverside and is negotiating for an improved contract rather than move to Tottenham.
  Tottenham are being linked with a move for Strasbourg's Senegalese striker Mamadou Niang.  With 12 goals in Le Championnat last season, the 25 year old is also said to be attracting interest from Marseille, Everton and Arsenal.
  Glimpse of the new Spurs kit have leaked out with the home shirt white with navy blue arms and side panels, navy blue shorts with a white stripe down the side, white socks with a blue turnover, while the away kit is a all mid-blue with yellow side panels on shirt and shorts, with mid-blue socks and a yellow turnover.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...

  Crime Watch ... Graeme Souness fined £20,000 and banned for two matches from the touchline for abusing referee Barry Knight after the Newcastle United game against Everton on May 7th ... Robin van Persie held for a further two weeks on a rape investigation in Holland.


Wednesday  15.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Spurs have agreed a fee for the transfer of Aaron Lennon to the club.  The 18 year old Leeds United winger has agreed a five year contract with a wage believed to be around £5,000 a week.
  Tottenham have denied an interest in Martin van Geel, the AZ Alkmaar Technical Director.  It had been rumoured that he was a target for the club to replace the Sporting Director Frank Arnesen
  Crystal Palace Iain Dowie is getting frustrated at the drawn out nature of the purchase of winger Wayne Routledge by Spurs.  Since the Arnesen Affair blew up, the negotiations have been in limbo, but now Daniel Levy has taken charge of all transfer business, the matter has hit an impasse, with the relegated South London side demanding £3 million for the England Under-21 player.
  Spurs defender Anthony Gardner is being linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
  Reto Ziegler was in the Swiss Youth side that lost to Brazil 0-1 in the World Youth Championships in Holland.
  Mido has said he is keen to stay with Spurs despite stories circulating that he will be returned to AS Roma after missing the end of season trip to Mauritius.  The Egyptian striker claims that Martin Jol has told him that he does not want him to be playing for another club.
  Wolfsburg's Argentinian midfielder Andres D'Alessandro has said he will stay on at the Bundesliga club after initially indicating that he would be willing to come to Tottenham.
  Former Spurs transfer target, Chelsea's Scott Parker has joined Newcastle United for £6.5 million.  The former Charlton Athletic midfielder said "Everybody knows about Spurs, but I have chosen Newcastle United. That says it all."  What says it all is that Newcastle were willing to meet his £55,000 a week wage demands.  He might fit in well with his new team-mate Stephen Carr.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Alan Pardew on his new keeper ... "Roy comes to West Ham United in his prime and because of his association with Manchester United will not be fazed by the size of this Club."  Get your magnifying glass out Carroll old son !!


Tuesday  14.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Paul Robinson has confirmed that he is set to sign a seven year deal with Spurs when he returns from holiday.
  Reports today indicate that Spurs would like to take Argentine midfielder Kily Gonzales on loan from Internazionale for a season, but the Serie A club would prefer to sell him outright.
  Tom Huddlestone was voted the fourth best individual player in the Toulon Under-20 tournament held a week ago.
  Tottenham have announced a number of pre-season friendlies for their second string side.  Clive Allen will take a Spurs XI will play all their games away at Fleet Town on July 9th (Kick off 15.00 p.m.); Cheshunt on July 15 (k.o. 19.45 p.m.);  Boreham Wood on July 15 (k.o. 19.45 p.m.);  Cambridge City on July 23rd (Kick off 15.00 p.m.); Aldershot on July 30th (Kick off 15.00 p.m.)
  Middlesbrough manager said that there is no way that his club would be selling winger Stuart Downing to Spurs ... or anyone else.
  It is said in the media today that Scott Parker will sign for Newcastle United this week and thus he will not be a part of any settlement for Frank Arnesen moving to Chelsea.
  Spurs are supposedly ready to fight Liverpool for Fulham's French midfielder Steed Malbranque.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... 

  Crime Watch ... it's been a busy day Crime Watchers ... Liverpool's Steve Finnan is arrested in connection with a fatal accident he was involved in and could be charged with causing death by dangerous driving ... Arsenal's Robin van Persie is arrested in Rotterdam on suspicion of rape ... former Arsenal and West Ham United striker Davor Suker has been questioned in Croatia after an incident in which his friend and colleague was shot dead ... George Best has been arrested on suspicion of an indecent assault on a girl under the age of 13 ...


Monday  13.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Spurs have upped the asking price for compensation for Frank Arnesen to £15 million, so the Daily Mirror claim.
  A pre-season friendly at Stevenage Borough has been announced for Saturday 9th July with a 15.00 p.m. kick off.
  The Daily Express says that former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp will be announcing his retirement from the game in the next few days, which might mean a move into coaching, with Tottenham having been reported as being keen to take him onto the coaching staff at White Hart Lane before he went to SCBC.
  Messina midfielder Carmine Coppola has said he does not want to leave Italy for Tottenham.
  Martin Jol had earmarked Argentine midfielder Kily Gonzales as a potential transfer target, but he is still wanted at Internazionale according to TeamTalk.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... West Ham United have been talking to Fabien Barthez about a move to Upton Park, but talks broke down when they couldn't understand what he was saying.


Sunday  12.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  The News of the World today carries a photo of the fax that sparked the Arnesen Affair.  On unheaded paper, the terse wording was allegedly faxed through to the Commercial department and was picked up by Arnesen, who took it to Levy.
  Daniel Levy has spelled out the measures he used to attempt to get Frank Arnesen to stay at Tottenham, but it appears that he was intent on leaving for Chelsea.  A greatly enhanced loyalty package including a raised salary, but nothing could convince him to stay at Spurs, where he had been given the chance to turn the club around and he had spurned to leave for a Head of Academy post at the West London outfit.  The Spurs chairman said he felt betrayed by Arnesen.
  Some sources (including the People) are hinting that Spurs might move for Harry Redknapp to fill Arnesen's post, as the former West Ham United and Portsmouth manager, looks unhappy at the prospect of staying with SCBC.
  The Mail on Sunday claims that Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker will sign for Tottenham this week as the settlement to the long-running affair.
  Noureddine Naybet has decided to stay with Spurs and has signed a new one year contract.  Rumours of interest from Qatar have come to ought and the Moroccan international says he is still too young to play in the Middle-Eastern emirate just yet.  He is happy that the players believe that they can achieve European football next season.
  Middlesbrough winger Stuart Downing is interesting Spurs and his agent is aware that Tottenham would like to sign him, but he said lots of clubs would be interested if the player moved on.  Contract talks will resume in a couple of weeks with a number of clubs watching the situation carefully.
  TeamTalk reckon that Peter Crouch could snub a move to Liverpool from SCBC to come to Spurs.  Formerly a youth team player with the club, Crouch might make a £5 million move, especially if the Redknapp rumours come true, so say the Sunday Mirror.
  Reto Ziegler made both of the Swiss goals in a  2-1 win over South Korea in the World Youth Championships in Holland.
  Former Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham has signed a one year contract to stay with West Ham United.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Robbie Savage has said he wants to play for Wales again, with the game against England coming up soon (surprise surprise).  He said his retirement from international football after being dropped by John Toshack was an over-reaction.  What from you Robbie.  Surely not !!


Saturday  11.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  The Daily Mirror reports that Leeds United look ready to sell winger Aaron Lennon to Tottenham to raise funds for transfers of their own.
  Spurs have announced that they will travel to Berkshire to play Reading in a pre-season friendly on Saturday July 30th with the kick off at 15.00 p.m.
  It was announced today that former Spurs striker Sir Les Ferdinand has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...


Friday  10.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Spurs have released an announcement about the current state of play in the Arnesen Affair.  They have been having meetings with Chelsea all week and have more planned for next week, but Daniel Levy said that the club will not be coerced into making a formal complaint about the tapping up incident and will seek to do what is best for Tottenham Hotspur because he views this as an "open and shut case", which would leave Chelsea facing a points deduction.  While the chairman said he had created the structure at the club for Frank Arnesen to fit into, he pointed out that the loss of the Sporting Director would have a significant effect on the club and that only significant compensation would prevent a complaint being made or even legal action.  Levy added that the moral obligation should not fall solely on Tottenham to report this matter for investigation, but the FA Premier League should take action on their own initiative. 
  The whole mater has been further muddied by a letter from Chelsea somehow finding it's way into the Sun and the Daily Mirror claiming that Tottenham had spoken to Chelsea players without their permission.  Levy has slammed such suggestions, saying there has been no contact with players that Chelsea have not said the club could speak to and Spurs may well have a case for suing for defamation.
  The club have sadly announced the death of 1950s defender Charlie Withers.  He played from 1948 to 1956, being part of the Championship winning teams of the 1949-50 Second Division campaign and the 1950-51 First Division winners.  Charlie passed away on 7th June aged 82.
  One player who was rumoured to be part of the deal for a settlement - Mikael Forssell has joined Birmingham City.
  Sunderland have snapped up long time Spurs transfer target Nayron Nosworthy of Gillingham.
  Old time transfer target Bobby Convey, the American winger, has said that he is unhappy at Reading, where he is not a first team regular.

  OTHER NEWS ... ..

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Liverpool have been awarded a place in the First Qualifying Round of the Champions League by UEFA after failing to qualify for the competition through their Premier League placing.  Premier League Champions Chelsea will be starting their defence of the title in League 1 next season !!


Thursday  09.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  The Daily Mail claim that Paul Robinson has been offered £30,000 a week to extend his contract.
  Aaron Lennon is still in Spurs' sights according to the Daily Mail.
  The Times claims Tottenham are after Middlesbrough midfielder Stuart Downing and central defender Matthew Upson of Birmingham City.  Both are unlikely arrivals at White Hart Lane this summer, I would have thought.
  Motormouth chairman of Crystal Palace Simon Jordan has told Spurs they should report Chelsea to the FA Premier League and that Chelsea should get a points deduction.
  He also said that Andy Johnson was not for sale and that only one bid had been received for the Palace striker and that was the £7.5 million joint offer for Johnson and Routledge.
  The London Evening Standard reckons that Fredi Kanoute has leapt to the front of the queue of strikers to leave after dropping out of the Mauritius tour, although elsewhere the Mali striker says he has not desire to leave the club.  
  They also run a story that Phil Ifil will be allowed to go out on loan to get vital first team experience before making his way into the Spurs side on a regular basis.
  The Daily Express state that Tottenham are considering legal action over the Frank Arnesen "tapping-up" incident, following the Premier League's statement that they might not want anything to do with it, as time tick son since the story originally broke.
  Spurs are reported to have been watching the Messina 26 year old midfielder Carmine Coppola and the Serie A club have told Spurs to make an offer for the player, with £3.4 million enough to sign the player up.
  Former Spurs transfer target Australian winger Ahmad Elrich of Buscan Icons has signed for Fulham.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis is to undergo a heart by-pass operation.  This comes 20 years after he had a wallet- by-pass operation !!


Wednesday  08.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  West Bromwich Albion have made a £4.5 million bid for Fredi Kanoute, but it has been rejected by Tottenham.
  TeamTalk report that the talks between Spurs and Chelsea over the poaching of Frank Arnesen will continue tomorrow.
  The Sun reveal that Spurs have joined up with Arsenal and Manchester United to persuade the Premier League to deduct points from Chelsea over their recent tapping up incidents, especially the Frank Arnesen affair.
  The Daily Mail claim that Spurs are ready to report Chelsea about the incident.
  Andy Reid played the whole of the Republic of Ireland's 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands tonight in their World Cup qualifier in Torshavn.
  Spurs are being linked with AZ Alkmaar's Dutch Director of Football Martin van Geel, who has pushed them up the league this season with his shrewd use of Bosman signings.
  Former Spurs striker Sergei Rebrov has left West Ham United and returned to his former club Dynamo Kiev on a  three year deal.
  Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell has issued legal proceedings against Gary Lineker for a hurtful attack on him over his move to Anfield from Leeds United.

  OTHER NEWS ... Lee Bowyer has been summonsed to appear in court for the on-pitch brawl he had with Kieron Dyer ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... 


Tuesday  07.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  It appears from today's media that Frank Arnesen's move to Chelsea is solely motivated by money.  The Tottenham Sporting Director will be paid £4.3 million for a three year deal as head of scouting and development at the West London club.  This is despite Tottenham's offer to double his wages to £1.2 million per season.
  Talk of a settlement between the two clubs to allow Arnesen to leave has suggested differing deals.  Some say £10 million.  Some say £5 million plus midfielder Scott Parker.  Some say Parker plus Mikael Forssell on loan for a season.
  Martin Jol has knocked back some stories that claimed he wanted to take over Arnesen's duties as well as conducting his own.  On the club website, he claimed that Tottenham would be "mad" to abandon the Sporting Director role and he encouraged Daniel Levy to find a suitable replacement for Arnesen.
  Spurs are said to be ready to issue a "hands-off" warning to Chelsea should they attempt to sign Ledley King.  The Tottenham captain had been negotiating a pay rise with Frank Arnesen and should the Sporting Director move to Chelsea, he will take that knowledge with him, putting his new club in a position where they would be able to tempt the England defender.
  Another effect of the Arnesen suspension has been that Crystal Palace's compensation for Wayne Routledge has had to be put on hold, after the winger had agreed personal terms with Spurs.  
  The Independent reckon that the clubs have reached stalemate in the talks with Spurs and Chelsea a long way apart in their offers.  This has led the paper to consider the possibility of Tottenham reporting Chelsea to the Premier League about their illegal approach.  Should a deal be reached, the newspaper thinks that there will be a period of gardening leave for Arnesen and a no-poaching clause in the contract to stop Chelsea returning for our best players.
  The club website also reveals that new signing Paul Stalteri made the move to Tottenham after discussing the transfer with former Spurs reserve keeper Lars Hirschfeld.
  West Bromwich Albion have approached Spurs about taking Fredi Kanoute either on a season long loan or on a permanent basis .
  Hamburg are said to be resurrecting their interest in Thimothee Atouba.
  Emil Hallfredsson played for Iceland Under-21s in a 0-0 draw against their Maltese counterparts.
  Former Spurs Head Coach Jacques Santini has taken over as manager of Auxerre.
  Auxerre say that the change in management at their club will not stop Teemu Tainio joining Spurs this summer.

  OTHER NEWS ... George Burley quit as manager of Derby County today ... Three of Malcolm the Glazier's sons took over a board members at Old Trafford today ... 


Monday  06.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Negotiations have been said to be taking place all day between representatives of Spurs and Chelsea to thrash out a compensation figure for the loss of Frank Arnesen's services.  Spurs are believed to want £10 million, while Chelsea want to pay £2 million.  Tottenham are thought to have warned Arnesen that they may invoke a requirement to put him on "gardening leave" to see out his contract, so that he would not be able to work for anyone else for two years (although he would still be picking up his salary from THFC).
  Tottenham are said to be still considering their options about the Arnesen affair.  As yet, they have still not registered a complaint with the FA Premier League, but may take their own legal action to gain satisfaction over the alleged illegal approach by Chelsea.
  Chelsea's Arjen Robben has put his size nine in his mouth by indicating Spurs are not a "top club".  He said he could not imagine why Chelsea would want to employ his former Technical Director from PSV Eindhoven, but stepping up to a top club like Chelsea would be an attractive move.
  Paul Robinson has said that he is close to signing a long term contract that will keep him at Tottenham for quite a few years.  Amidst all the cynicism surrounding the Arnesen affair, he refreshingly told journalists that by signing this contract, he is repaying the faith that Daniel Levy showed in him by singing him in the first place.

  OTHER NEWS ... Ashley Cole has put in an appeal against the fine levied against him in the Chelsea tapping up case ...


Sunday  05.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Of course the newspapers are full of the Arnesen "want-away" story and there are conflicting reports about how it has come about.  Some reports say that Spurs are asking for £4 million compensation (and some papers reckon it is more than that) and this is what is behind the breaking of the "tapping up" incident.  Some feel that Daniel Levy is doing it as he feels slighted that Arnesen has chosen to defect to Chelsea despite giving assurances that he would change the club from top to bottom and being given free rein to do so.
  As part of the fall-out from this, it has been revealed that physio Dean Keneally will be leaving the club for Chelsea in August.  He indicated that he wished to leave and was willing to work his three-month notice.
  Former Spurs Director of Football David Pleat has been speaking on Radio Five Live about the Arnesen incident and said that the Dane was being disloyal to Tottenham.  Pleat said that Arnesen was given a good contract and wide-ranging powers, but implied that Arnesen had shown that he was tempted by money.  Pleat didn't fail to get a dig in at Tottenham though. as he said the day after he was told he was no longer required, Frank Arnesen took over and what goes around comes around.  But then he did say that it was he who put Tottenham in touch with Arnesen when it was decided that they wished to go with a continental set-up and the club were won over by him, as he said he intended to retire.  Pleat said that Tottenham might put Arnesen on "gardening leave" so that he cannot join Chelsea until Spurs are ready to let him go.
  Former Premier League Chief Executive Peter Leaver has said that Chelsea have demonstrated "breathtaking arrogance" in their illegal approach to take Frank Arnesen to Stamford Bridge.  Leaver, a Spurs fan himself, said that Chelsea should be brought to book to answer for their actions.  The ex-Barclays supremo told the media "If you have a company which goes around breaking the regulations on a regular basis then the chief executive of that company will be hauled into the regulatory decisions committee. I don't think that is a test that is too difficult for football to apply."
  Martin Jol has issued a statement saying that life goes on and the fans should get behind the team, who are focused on next season with the team's plans in place already.
  Spurs missed out on a place in the UEFA Cup through the Fair Play draw which took place tonight.  Denmark and Germany were the successful countries to get a team include din the UEFA Cup First Qualifying Round of the six in the hat.
  Depending which newspaper you read, the drop-outs from the end of season Mauritius trip are on their way out of the club.  The Mail on Sunday and the Sunday People newspapers claims that Mido, Fredi Kanoute and Thimothee Atouba will all be sold, while the News of the World say that it will only be Mido's services which are no longer required and Spurs will send him back to AS Roma, from where he came on loan.  Apparently, senior players complained about the absence of the Egyptian, who went absent without leave when it came to the tour.  Later rumours came out that he had returned to Egypt to find a club willing to play him all the time, rather than being part of the rotation system at Spurs.  The News of the World story also claims that his attitude towards the end of the season was not in keeping with what the club expected, but it is not related to anything like his "bad-boy" reputation of the past.
  The Sunday Express have Spurs down as going for Porto's Benni McCarthy to add to the squad and in view of the above, as a possible replacement for Mido.
  22 year old Ben Watson is taking Martin Jol's eye too.  The Stoke reserve keeper played very well on loan at Wrexham and Jol sees the young goalie as a good back-up for Paul Robinson.
  Tottenham are still being linked with Rob Green, the Norwich City goalkeeper, who might be sold to maintain his profile in the England coach's eyes.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...


Saturday  04.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  News broke this afternoon that Tottenham had suspended Frank Arnesen from his duties as Sporting Director of the club.  This followed contact from Arnesen stating that he wished to join Chelsea, who had allegedly been in touch with Tottenham about the Dane, but Tottenham then revealed that they had written to the club to request permission to approach him, but copied Arnesen in on the letter.  As this contact was before Spurs had given permission, THFC view's is that it constitutes an illegal approach in breach of the FAPL's rule U10 ('no club shall directly or indirectly induce or intend to induce any employee of another club to terminate a contract of employment with that other club (whether or not by breach of that contract) or directly or indirectly approach any such employee with a view to offering employment without the consent of that other club').
  The FAPL have yet to receive an official complaint form Tottenham and thus can take no action as yet, but Spurs are seeking further advice from their legal advisors.
  Robbie Keane scored for the Republic of Ireland before leaving the field with a damaged shoulder after 27 minutes.  Andy Reid played 64 minutes and created Robbie's goal for him in the 2-2 draw with Israel at Lansdowne Road.
  Recently resigned Celtic manager Martin O'Neill said he was close to taking over at Tottenham two years ago when Glenn Hoddle left the club as boss.  The Irishman said that he wanted to stay on at the Scottish club to regain the title, but in the end, his side won nothing that season.
  The Sun resurrect the boring story about Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson preparing a "mega-money" bid for Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
  Sweden won 6-0 against Malta today and Erik Edman played the whole of the World Cup qualifier.
   Noureddine Naybet was an unused substitute in the 4-1 Morocco win over Malawi in the World Cup qualifying match today.
  Reto Ziegler came on after 77 minutes as a substitute in Switzerland's 3-1 World Cup qualifying win in the Faroe Islands.
  Cameroon beat Benin 4-1 in their World Cup qualifier today.
  Marton Fulop played for Hungary Under-21s in their 1-0 win over Iceland's Under-21 team, which contained Emil Hallfredsson.
  Tom Huddlestone played for England Under-20s in their 0-1 defeat to Portugal in the Toulon tournament.
  Tottenham's interest in Bernardo Corradi has been regenerated by the player's claim that he will not return to Valencia, but Aston Villa, Charlton Athletic and Fiorentina are also interested in the Italian striker.

  OTHER NEWS ... Poland top England's World Cup qualifying group after beating Azerbaijan 3-0 ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Patrick Vieira is said to have sent a text to Ashley Cole saying that he should accept nothing less than £80,000 a week.  I would have thought that was more than enough for anyone to stop playing those bloody Girls Aloud records !!


Friday  03.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Crystal Palace have confirmed that Spurs have made a double bid for striker Andy Johnson and winger Wayne Routledge.  Both players are said to be staying at Selhurst Park by Director of Football Bob Dowie, who said that despite Palace's valuation of Routledge is substantially higher than Tottenham's bid, he believes that a deal can be worked out without it having to be referred to a tribunal.
  Spurs transfer target Tomas Rosicky has said that he is staying with Borussia Dortmund for one more season, despite the German club's financial difficulties that at one time made it look odds on that he would have to be sold.

  OTHER NEWS ... Marc Bosman has said he will help Ashley Cole fight the fine he got for being involved in getting tapped up ...


Thursday  02.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  The Daily Mirror claims that Martin Jol is ready to jettison Egyptian striker Mido, after some rumours indicated that the forward had talks with Zamalek in his home country to see if they were interested in signing him to allow him to have regular first team football leading up to the African Cup of Nations.
  Robbie Keane has poured cold water on rumours that he will be leaving Spurs, by claiming that he is happy at the club and has a very good relationship with the Head coach.  Keane claimed that there had been rumours about his future every summer for the last seven years and unless the club decided to get rid of him, he would still be a Tottenham player next season.  The Republic of Ireland striker went on to add that a new contract had been discussed at the start of last season had with Santini and then Jol taking over, Keane decided to wait to see what happened before committing himself to it and 
  Spurs' chances of being drawn out of the Fair Play hat on Sunday might cause their participation in the Korea Peace Cup to be in doubt.  With the first qualifying matches in the UEFA Cup set for July 14th, the matches in the pre-season tournament might be out of the question, as they start just a day after the first UEFA game.  Tottenham are in the draw with Mainz of Germany, Hammarby of Sweden, Tulevik Viljandi of Estonia, Young Boys of Switzerland and a yet to be named Danish club, as their season has not finished.
  Mark van Bommell has said that Tottenham were not a big enough club to attract him.  The former PSV Eindhoven midfielder signed for Barcelona earlier this month and told the media that he might have joined if there had not been bigger clubs in for him, even though he believes that Spurs play good football and have a good coach.
  Racing Santander midfielder Yossi Benayoun is attracting interest from five English clubs and two from Spain.  Newcastle United are the club linked with him most strongly and Spurs are mentioned along with Liverpool, Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers, while he is also being tracked by two La Liga clubs - Deportivo La Coruna and Real Sociedad.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Ashley Cole will put side all thoughts of his own career to fight for the right of the average player to be able to be tapped up in future.  Cole feels that all players should have the right to speak to clubs with huge amounts of cash to stuff into their pockets without fear of being persecuted by the footballing authorities.  Players of Cambridge United are thought to be very appreciative.


Wednesday  01.06.2005   (For other Spurs history on this day click here)

  Spurs will be in the hat with teams from Sweden, Estonia, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark for the two remaining place sin the UEFA Cup from the Fair Play draw on Sunday at half-time in the Women's European Championship match at the City of Manchester stadium.
  Daniel Levy and Pedro Mendes have both slammed rumours of the Portuguese midfielder moving back to Porto.
  The London Evening Standard claims that Spurs are looking at Porto striker Benni McCarthy, possibly using Pedro Mendes as a part of the deal.  It is claimed that Martin Jol met with McCarthy's agent last month and knows his new manager Co Adriaanse very well.  Spurs face competition for his services from Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers.

  OTHER NEWS ... All parties have been found guilty in the tapping up of Ashley Cole inquiry.  Cole received a fine of £100,000, Mourinho of £200,000 and Chelsea of £300,000 plus a three point deduction should they do it again next season ...

 

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