Wenger signs till 2011

LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (pic) has put pen to paper on a three-year contract extension which will keep him at the Gunners till 2011, the club said yesterday.
The contract of the 57-year-old Frenchman had been due to expire at the end of the season.

Wenger’s future had been rumoured to be in doubt following the controversial departure of former vice-chairman and close ally David Dein in April, but he has now decided to stay on.

Wenger told the club’s official website www.arsenal.com: "My heart is tied to this football club so signing a new deal was always my intention. Arsenal is the club of my life.

"I have been entrusted with complete freedom to implement and execute my plans on what will make the team successful and that means I have a responsibility to the fans to deliver silverware and also a responsibility to the players to help turn our potential into prizes.
"This club has deep-seated roots and a tremendous heritage and it is my aim to uphold these important values and help create new history for future generations to recount."

Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood added: "It is wonderful news for Arsenal Football Club that Arsene has signed an extension to his contract. We have been at Emirates Stadium for a year now and go from strength to strength off the pitch.

"With Arsene continuing to manage the team, I am sure we can look forward to more exciting football and success on the pitch. Arsene has a special ability to develop talented players and turn them into world-class stars, a quality that is admired here at the club and indeed around the world."

Wenger joined Arsenal in 1996 from J League side Nagoya Grampus Eight and has revolutionised the north London club. The Frenchman won the domestic double in 1998 and 2002, winning the Premier League three times and the FA Cup four times so far.

He has yet to lead the Gunners to European silverware however, with the club finishing runners-up in the UEFA Cup in 2000 and the Champions League in 2006. — AFP

United to probe Liverpool over Heinze transfer

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Manchester United are investigating Liverpool over the Anfield outfit's conduct in the Gabriel Heinze affair.

Heinze has now left Old Trafford for Real Madrid - but only after a protracted attempt to join Liverpool, which saw the Argentina defender take his case to the Premier League this week.

A three-man panel eventually dismissed Heinze's argument that a letter signed by Red Devils chief executive David Gill - citing a fee at which a deal could be done - constituted an agreement to sell.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was flabbergasted at the verdict, claiming he had been '100% certain' Heinze would end up at Anfield.

Ferguson labelled Benitez's remarks 'churlish', then confirmed Gill is leading an inquiry into the way Liverpool have acted.

'We are looking at Liverpool's whole role in this,' he said.

'We are not letting them off with it. That is what we are investigating.'

Asked whether he was alleging Liverpool had `tapped up' Heinze, Ferguson replied: 'We will see how it comes out. David Gill is working on that at the moment. We will get to the bottom of it.'

Ferguson was always confident the Premier League would back United's stance of not selling to Liverpool, or any of their major domestic rivals.

He was quick to hit back at Benitez's jibe that United enjoy favouritism in the drafting of the fixture list.

'It is disappointing stuff,' said Ferguson.

'He talks about the fixtures. He should have seen our fixtures over over the last two or three seasons.

'There was never any chance of Liverpool winning that case, so Rafa clearly did not read the Premier League rules. It is just churlish.'

Fergie wants refs to protect Ronaldo

MANCHESTER, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has called for greater protection from referees to prevent Cristiano Ronaldo from sustaining serious injury.


The Portuguese winger was sent off for violent conduct at Portsmouth on Wednesday and while Ferguson had no quibbles about the red card, he believes his player was provoked by a series of heavy challenges that went unpunished by referee Steve Bennett.

'My fear is, and I don't whether there is a directive, but maybe referees are a bit more tolerant of the physical contact,' Ferguson told reporters on Friday.

'I've noticed this in the last few months -- late challenges are going unpunished. I thought these things were black and white. Late challenges are not allowed.

'We saw it again on Wednesday night, the referee letting it go unpunished time and time again. If you have got weak referees then you are going to be suffering.'

Ferguson added: 'There is a concern players like Ronaldo are going to be the victims... because it will end up with someone getting a serious injury.'

The fiery Scot had every sympathy with Ronaldo, who was dismissed for an apparent headbutt in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw.

'It's very difficult to completely punish Ronaldo or be angry with him,' Ferguson said. 'Some of the things that are happening to him are not right.'

Ronaldo will miss Sunday's derby at Manchester City through suspension and the champions with be further weakened in attack without injured pair Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha.

Ferguson was impressed with Carlos Tevez's debut at Portsmouth and could partner him with Ryan Giggs as United look for their first win of the season.

After opening with two draws they already trail Chelsea and Manchester City, who have taken maximum points under new manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, by four points.

'We are dropping points and that's frustrating because the performance levels were very good,' Ferguson added. 'The important thing is just to be patient now.

'The players will come right. It's frustrating, but it's recoverable of course.'

Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 2

A superb free-kick from Steven Gerrard handed Liverpool a 2-1 win at Aston Villa.



Villa looked to have rescued a point when skipper Gareth Barry cancelled out Martin Laursen's first-half own goal with an 86th-minute penalty. But then Gerrard curled a 20-yard shot past the dive of Stuart Taylor barely 60 seconds later, after he had been brought down by Stiliyan Petrov. Overall Liverpool were worthy winners with record signing Fernando Torres making a satisfactory debut despite spurning a golden first half opportunity. The £20.2million capture from Atletico Madrid linked up effectively with Dirk Kuyt before being taken off with 11 minutes remaining.

But man of the match yet again was England midfielder Gerrard who exerted so much influence over proceedings even before his goal while Jamie Carragher excelled at the heart of the Reds defence. Villa huffed and puffed with Barry outstanding in midfield but they seldom tested Jose Reina until he turned over an injury-time John Carew header.

They made a bright start in front of a capacity 43,000 crowd and Reina had to be alert to deal with a stinging 30-yard volley from makeshift Villa right-back Craig Gardner. Carragher showed his class and awareness to block a shot from John Carew at the expense of a corner after he had been played in by Gardner. But Liverpool gradually took command and Torres had his first half-chance after 17 minutes when he blazed over the bar from a narrow angle following a long clearance by Reina.

Liverpool FC

LFC STORY


If it wasn't for one man, Liverpool Football Club would never have been born. When Everton left Anfield in a dispute over rent in 1892, club chairman John Houlding stayed behind along with a handful of supporters and just three first-team players. But he was determined to see football continue at the ground. He formed a new club from scratch, chose the name Liverpool… and created a legend.

Even John Houlding couldn't have predicted how successful it would become. More than 100 years on, no English club can match the LiverpoolFC roll of honour; League Champions 18 times, FA Cup winners seven times, League Cup winners seven times, European Cup winners five times and UEFA Cup winners three times.

When it is completed, the History channel will chart the rise and rise of Liverpool FC to the very summit of the England game, from the struggles of the early years right up to Gerard Houllier's historic treble in 2001. This channel will recall glorious domestic victories and European triumphs and reflect on the tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough.

We've focused on 10 key dates in Liverpool Football Club's history to begin with but over time, we'll have over 100 chapters in this section alone as we present the ultimate history of England's greatest ever football club. This is a story of incredible passion and pride - a story that not only inspires Liverpool fans but football supporters the world over.
1892 – Liverpool Football Club formed
The history of Liverpool Football Club begins with our greatest rivals and neighbours, Everton, for it was from a dispute with Everton that Liverpool Football Club was born. More ››
1901 - Our first title win
In mid-February of the 1900-01 season, Liverpool had lost eight games and conceded 31 goals and the championship looked a pipe-dream. Twelve games later and after nine wins and three draws, the title was ours. Here's how we did it… More ››
1950 - First Wembley appearance
Arsenal provided the opposition when Liverpool made their first appearance at Wembley. It should have been a momentous occasion in the club's history but a 2-0 defeat prolonged the Reds’ wait for FA Cup glory. More ››
1959 - Shankly appointed manager
December 1st 1959 is a date that will forever be etched in the annals of Anfield history. For it was on this day that Liverpool Football Club announced Huddersfield Town boss Bill Shankly would be their new manager in succession to Phil Taylor. More ››
1965 - Winning the FA Cup for first time
There was a feeling of quiet optimism around Anfield that this could, at last, be Liverpool’s year in the competition we so desperately craved success in. After all, we were the reigning league champions and, under Bill Shankly, anything seemed possible. More ››
1977 - European Champions
If winning the FA Cup for the first time in 1965 is regarded as the greatest day in the history of Liverpool Football Club, then there is no doubt that winning the European Cup for the first time in 1977 was the greatest night. More ››
1985 - Heysel Disaster
No one will ever forget the tragic events at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels on May 29 1985. Liverpool were playing Juventus in the European Cup Final and what should have been one of the greatest nights in the club's history turned into the lowest. More ››
1986 - Doing the Double
Liverpool Football Club kicked off the 1985/86 under a giant cloud. The events of Heysel just four months previous had heaped shame on Anfield but that grey cloud was to have a glorious silver lining. More ››
1989 – Hillsborough


On April 15th 1989, over 25,000 Liverpool supporters travelled down to Hillsborough to watch the FA Cup semi-final match with Nottingham Forest. 96 of them never returned. More ››
2001 - Clinching the cup treble


Just four days after dramatically snatching the FA Cup from Arsenal's grasp in Cardiff, and with the Worthington Cup already safely tucked away in the Anfield trophy cabinet, Liverpool's class of 2001 completed an unprecedented cup treble. More ››

2005 - Champions League Winners 2005


On what will go down as THE most incredible night in this club's illustrious history Liverpool reclaimed their crown as Kings of Europe after miraculously overcoming a 3-0 half-time deficit to defeat AC Milan at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul.. More ››

2006 - FA CUP WINNERS 2006


The 2006 FA Cup Final will be remembered in Anfield folklore as the Gerrard final as captain fantastic Steven Gerrard rescued Liverpool with a stunning last minute equaliser to break West Ham's hearts and force extra-time... More ››

Transfomer Malaysia

Watford

Watford Football Club was formed in 1881 as Watford Rovers which then changed to West Herts in 1893. The club joined the Southern League in 1896, turned professional in 1897 and finally adopting the name Watford in 1898.

Success came quickly to the newly-titled team as they won the Southern League Division Two in 1900 and became the Southern League Championship winners just thirteen years later.

In 1920, they joined the Football League before finally finding a permanent home in the shape of Vicarage Road in 1922 where 8,000 people turned up to see the first game: a goalless draw with Millwall.

An impressive FA Cup run came in 1932, but from then on a series of managerial exits and entrances hampered the club's progress and evenutally led to the board resigning in 1952.

The club adopted the famous gold and black in 1959 and in 1960 gained promotion. But disaster was to follow as leading goalscorer and fans' favourite Cliff Holton was sold, to mass public outcry.

However, after Elton John became Vice-President in 1973, the club enjoyed a prolonged period of prosperity, going from Division 4 in 1978 to Division 1 in 1982, going on to become runners-up in their first season in the top-flight under the guidance of Graham Taylor. Once the influential manager left in 1987, however, trouble arose and the club was relegated in 1988.

Once Taylor returned to the club in 1997, they once more enjoyed success and had their first taste of the Premiership in the 1999/2000 season where they pulled off shock victories over Liverpool and Chelsea. After Taylor exited once again in 2001, the club fell into deep trouble, only just surviving the drop from Divison 1 in 2004-05.

But when young manager Adrian Boothroyd was made manager in March 2005, the club gained fresh impetus and defied expectation, winning promotion through the play-offs in May 2006.

Charlton Athletic

Formed in 1905 by members of such clubs as East Street Mission, Blundell Mission, and Charlton Reds, Charlton Athletic were not considered a force until turning professional and joining the Southern League in 1920.

'The Addicks' golden period was either side of the Second World War under the stewardship of Jimmy Seed (1933-56) when, having won the Division 3 South championship in 1935, they went on to finish runners-up in Division One in 1937.

This good work culminated in their only major trophy to date, the FA Cup, won in 1947 having been runners-up in 1946. Following relegation from the top-flight in 1957 and even a drop into the third division in 1981 more recently Charlton won promotion to the First Division in 1986 under Lennie Lawrence, still a legend at the club, who guided Charlton to the heady heights of 5th in the former Division One.

Alan Curbishley also became a club legend after not only taking Charlton into the Premiership, but also managing to establish them amongst the high-flyers and well away from the teams struggling against relegation every year, before leaving the the club in 2006.

Middlesbrough

OFFICIAL HISTORY OF MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

1986: Bruce Rioch takes over the helm as coach. A last day defeat at Shrewsbury sees Boro relegated to Division Three and the club goes into liquidation in July, suffering from massive debts. A consortium consisting of ICI, Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, Bulkhaul and Henry Moszkowicz saves the club and forms Middlesbrough Football and Athletic Company (1986) Ltd.

1987: Boro complete remarkable comeback by winning promotion at first attempt. Manager Bruce Rioch builds a side mainly consisting of local youngsters, including Tony Mowbray, Gary Pallister, Stuart Ripley and Colin Cooper.

1988: Amazing revival continues with a second successive promotion taking the club back to the First Division. Promotion is achieved with wins over Bradford City and Chelsea in the play-offs.

1989: Season ends in disappointing relegation. Gary Pallister is sold for British record fee of £2.3m to Manchester United.

1990: Rioch is sacked and assistant Colin Todd takes over. He leads Boro out in their first ever Wembley final, losing 1-0 to Chelsea in the Zenith Data Systems Cup.

1991: Boro lose in play-off semi-finals. Todd resigns and Lennie Lawrence takes over.

1992: Another promotion season, with Lennie Lawrence leading the team into the inaugural Premier League. Run to the semi-finals of the League Cup ends in 2-1 aggregate defeat to Manchester United.

1993: One season after promotion, the club are again relegated.

1994: England and Manchester United legend Bryan Robson replaces Lennie Lawrence as manager. Aston Villa's Neil Cox is first £1m buy.

West Ham

WEST HAM UNITED enjoys one of the proudest traditions for playing entertaining, attacking football that has thrilled millions since the East London club formed in 1900, five years after the formation of our forerunners, Thames Ironworks.

It is enshrined in Hammers' history that regardless of their status at any given time, whether challenging for silverware or fighting relegation, the club has never sacrificed its long-held football principles. Our knowledgeable fans have come to expect nothing less and they are rightly proud of it.

Throughout the years, West Ham have invariably employed managers who embody these values, doing much themselves to promote and sustain our footballing philosophy. The majority of them joined the club as youngsters, were brought up through the playing ranks at Upton Park, so they understood everything the club stands for.

Even Ron Greenwood, the first 'outsider' to be appointed manager when he arrived from Arsenal in 1961, epitomised the West Ham Way. Greenwood continued to build on the excellent foundations laid by his predecessor, Ted Fenton, and the vastly influential skipper, Malcolm Allison, in the 50s which established the club's famed 'Academy'. Allison combined his defensive duties in the then Second Division side with coaching the schoolboys. He, more than anyone, helped nurture the man who would ultimately replace him in the first team and become arguably the most famous English footballer of all - Bobby Moore.

Reading

The Early days (1871-1941)
Reading Football Club was formed in 1871, when the inaugural meeting of the club was held at the Bridge Street Rooms under the chairmanship of Mr JE Sydenham, who later became the first Honorary Secretary of the club.

The early matches were played at Reading Recreation Ground, and the club later fulfilled its fixtures at Reading Cricket Ground, Coley Park and Caversham Cricket Ground before moving to Elm Park on 5th September 1896 and then to the Madejski Stadium in 1998.

In those days the club played only friendly and cup matches. Reading were the first winners of the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup, defeating Marlow in the final of the 1877-78 competition.

They also appeared in the FA Cup competition, and the club's record defeat occurred as long ago as 1894, when they were beaten 18-0 by Preston North End in the first round.

That same year, 1894, Reading became founder members of the Southern League, formed to answer the demand for a regular fixture list, and in order to improve its playing standards, the club adopted professionalism in 1895.

Reading FC was registered as a limited liability company on August 11 that year, with Mr JB Messer as its Chairman. The club's stay in the Southern League was undistinguished, though it did win the Championship of the Second Division in 1911, and also had appearing in its colours Johnny Holt and Herbert Smith, both of whom won full England International caps whilst with Reading.

Wigan Athletic

The fifth club to play football at Springfield Park following the building of the ground in 1897, Wigan Athletic were formed in 1932 following the demise of Wigan Borough. The old club were forced to resign from the Third Division North of the Football League on the 26th October 1931, when the directors expressed their inability to meet their present and future commitments to the club.

Even with the voluntary liquidation of Wigan Borough the town's die-hard football enthusiasts were planning the rebirth of a town team.

A public meeting was held at the Queen's Hall presided over by the then Mayor of Wigan, Councillor W A Hipwood, who called on the town to keep up the reputation of producing the finest sportsmen by keeping intact an Association Football team as well as the Rugby League team.

A committee was elected and a new club was formed to be called Wigan Athletic. Springfield Park was purchased for the sum of £2,850 from the owners of the Woodhouse Lane dog track, with the club gaining election to the Cheshire League.

The 1934-35 season besides collecting their second Cheshire League championship saw the first of what became many incredible F.A. Cup runs. Carlisle United were beaten 6-1 in the first round at Brunton Park, a record victory that still stands for a non-league side over football League opposition.

With the end of the war in 1945, Wigan Athletic were elected into the Lancashire Combination, with the Latics proving themselves to be formidable opponents, this consistency almost rewarded in 1950 with Football League status, losing out on a third poll vote to Scunthorpe United.

Despite this bitter disappointment, Latics continued to knock on the League's door, backing their demands by holding almost a monopolistic grip on the Lancashire Combination Championship title.

Arsenal

Club History

FROM FOUNDATION TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR
Arsenal Football Club began life when a group of workers at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory decided to form a football team in late 1886. The Club played under the name of Dial Square. Their first match was a 6-0 victory over Eastern Wanderers, on December 11, 1886. Soon after, the name Royal Arsenal was adopted and the Club continued playing in friendlies and local cup competitions for the next few years.

In 1891 the Club turned professional and changed its name to Woolwich Arsenal, finally joining the Football League in 1893. The Gunners moved to their current home at Highbury in 1913, as a Second Division side. Following the First World War Arsenal were voted into the newly expanded First Division, where they have remained ever since.

CHAPMAN AND THE GLORIOUS THIRTIES
Herbert Chapman took over at Arsenal in 1925, and in 1930 he guided the Gunners to their first ever trophy — beating Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup Final. The following season Arsenal were champions for the first time. Between 1933 and 1935 the Club won a hattrick of league titles (which has only been achieved by four teams in the top flight). Sadly Chapman died in the middle of the run, by which time he had reached legend status.

George Allison took over and the dominance continued for the rest of the decade, winning one more FA Cup (1936) and another title (1938). During this time Arsenal had some of the game’s greatest players on its books: Alex James, Ted Drake, Cliff Bastin, David Jack, Eddie Hapgood and George Male were just some of the names in what was one of the greatest sides ever to play in the Football League.

POST-WAR TO THE FIRST DOUBLE
The Second World War stopped Arsenal in their tracks but Tom Whittaker became manager and more success followed. Arsenal were Champions in 1947/48 and 1952/53; FA Cup winners in 1950 and runners-up in 1952. The ‘60s provided little in the way of silverware at Highbury, with two losing appearances in the League Cup Final in 1968 and 1969 being the closest thing to success. Bertie Mee had taken over in the mid-Sixties and Arsenal lifted their first ever European trophy in 1969/70, beating Anderlecht 4-3 over the two legged Fairs Cup Final.

Better was to follow the following season. An Arsenal side containing the likes of Charlie George, George Armstrong, Ray Kennedy and captain Frank McLintock, won the league and FA Cup ‘double’. They clinched the title at White Hart Lane, then beat Liverpool after extra time at Wembley to win the Cup. The side returned to Wembley for three consecutive FA Cup Finals under Terry Neill at the end of the decade — winning the second of them, 3-2 against Manchester United. The game became known as the ‘Five Minute Final’. The Gunners also reached the 1980 Cup Winners’ Cup Final, with a team that included Graham Rix, Frank Stapleton, Pat Rice, David O’Leary and Liam Brady, but lost on penalties to Valencia.

GEORGE GRAHAM’S HONOURS
In 1986 George Graham, a member of the 1971 ‘double’ winning team, took over as manager from Don Howe and more glory days followed. He led Arsenal to their first ever League Cup triumph in 1986/87, beating Liverpool 2-1 in the Final. Two years later the Gunners won the League Championship, with a famous last minute goal from Michael Thomas clinching the title with a 2-0 win at Anfield. Another title followed in 1990/91, when the side, including the famous defensive back four, lost just one league game.

More silverware followed. In 1992/93 Arsenal became the first club to win both domestic cups in the same season. Sheffield Wednesday were the beaten side on both occasions. Graham’s era of success was rounded off the following season. A superb run in the European Cup Winners’ Cup ended with a memorable 1-0 win over Parma in the Final in Copenhagen, thanks to Alan Smith’s strike. Arsenal failed to retain the trophy the following season, losing in the 1995 final to Real Zaragoza. By this time George Graham had left the Club. He was succeeded by Bruce Rioch, who was in charge for one season, during which time he signed Dennis Bergkamp.

THE ARSÈNE WENGER ERA
Early in the 1996/97 season Arsène Wenger arrived at Highbury, becoming the Club’s first ever manager from outside the British Isles. In 1997/98, Wenger’s first full season at Highbury, Arsenal achieved the League and FA Cup ‘double’, for the second time in the Club’s history. Dennis Bergkamp was named Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Player of the Year, and PFA Player of the Year. A tremendous season was rounded off perfectly for French Internationals Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira as the Gunners stars played their part in France’s victorious World Cup campaign. The Club also said goodbye to striking legend Ian Wright, who left Arsenal as record goalscorer with 185 goals in all competitions.

In each of the next three seasons Arsenal were runnersup in the Premier League, and had plenty of involvement in cup competitions. In 2000 Arsenal lost in the UEFA Cup Final on penalties to Galatasaray, and the following year lost the first ever FA Cup Final played at the Millennium Stadium, 2-1 to Liverpool. In 2001 the Gunners also reached the Quarter- Final stages of the UEFA Champions League for the first time, but lost out on away goals to Valencia. 2001/02 was to prove another momentous, recordbreaking season for the Club. Arsenal completed the first leg of their third ‘double’ by beating Chelsea 2-0 in the FA Cup Final, and ended the season with a 13-game winning streak. The 12th Championship was made secure with a game to spare courtesy of a memorable 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Arsenal were unbeaten away from home for the entire league campaign.

The following season Arsenal narrowly missed out on retaining the title but the Gunners became the first English club in more than 20 years to retain the FA Cup with their 1-0 victory over Southampton at Cardiff. Thierry Henry was voted player of the season by the PFA and the Football Writers’ Association. Season 2003/2004 saw Arsenal win back the title in unbeatable fashion - managing to go though the entire league season without a single defeat. Finishing 11 points ahead of second-place Chelsea, Arsenal smashed several records on the way to their 13th league title win.

Spanish youngster Cesc Fabregas arrived in January and by the end of the season he had broken the records for the youngest Arsenal player and goalscorer. The Club, playing some mesmerising attacking football, were also close to an unprecedented fourth ‘double’ but lost in the FA Cup semi-final. The Champions League campaign came to an end at the quarter-final stage The unbeaten run continued into the following season, and in August 2004 Arsenal overtook Nottingham Forest’s record for the longest all-time unbeaten sequence in English league football. The tally eventually reached 49 games.

The Gunners made it five trophies in four seasons by winning the FA Cup following a penalty shoot-out success over Manchester United. Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira converted the decisive spot-kick, and it proved to be his final kick for the Club, as he left after nine years’ service to join Juventus shortly afterwards. The 2005/06 campaign will be Arsenal’s final season at Highbury, the Club’s home since 1913.