TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Birmingham City defender Roger Johnson is relishing his Premier League opportunity Centre-back duo Roger Johnson and Scott Dann have provided the foundation for Birmingham's rise. telegraph.co.uk |
Chelsea say they are 'effectively debt-free' under Roman Abramovich • Russian owner has converted debt to equity• 'It is still our aim to be self-sufficient'Roman Abramovich has all but wiped out Chelsea's £340m debt, according to financial figures released by the Premier League leaders today.The club's 2009 results reveal losses down to £44.4m and a compensation payment of £12.6m to the former manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and three of his staff.A club statement read: "Following previous conversions of half of the debt, the remainder of the interest-free loans from the parent company, whose ultimate controlling party is Roman Abramovich, have been converted into equity, making the group effectively debt-free."Chelsea said the move demonstrated "the continuing commitment from the shareholder to the group". It will also remove any fears of a meltdown if Abramovich decides to walk away.The club's chairman, Bruce Buck, said: "The club's debt load has been reduced almost to nil in order to provide more long-term stability for the club. The reduction will also enable the club to comply with any regulations on debt levels which are being discussed by the football community."Abramovich has bankrolled Chelsea since 2003; the former chief executive Peter Kenyon had spoken of the club breaking even by 2010. The losses announced are down from £65.7m last year but show the club still to be reliant on their owner.Chelsea's chief executive, Ron Gourlay, said: "It is still our aim to be self-sufficient and we will achieve this by increasing our revenues as we continue to leverage off our brand. We are reducing our costs by controlling expenses, including salaries and wages."ChelseaRoman AbramovichPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Mohamed Shawky leaves Middlesbrough for Turkey • Midfielder heads to Kayserispor on free transfer• Strachan close to bringing in Caldwell and Robson from CelticMohamed Shawky has swapped Middlesbrough for Kayserispor of Turkey on a free transfer. The Egypt midfielder made just 18 first team appearances during his two and a half years at the Riverside.His compatriot Mido could also be on his way back from Zamalek, where he is currently on loan. If the striker returns from Cairo he is, however, expected to be immediately be reloaned elsewhere.Meanwhile, Celtic have accepted Gordon Strachan's double bid for Gary Caldwell and Barry Robson. Strachan, who managed the Glasgow club until the end of last season, hopes to have signed the pair by the middle of this week.Strachan is also pursuing two more players from his old club – Willo Flood and Chris Killen – as well as the Rangers striker Kris Boyd along with Birmingham's veteran forward Kevin Phillips.Transfer windowMiddlesbroughCelticLouise Taylorguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
LMA says Hart walked from QPR • LMA chief executive says Hart resigned his post• 'He was very unhappy over certain situations'Paul Hart has resigned as QPR manager after just five games in charge of the club. A statement released by QPR this morning confirmed his departure, and the League Managers Association's chief executive Richard Bevan confirmed this afternoon that the manager had resigned his post rather than being asked to leave."I am able to say that Paul Hart has left the football club," said Bevan. "I understand that he was very unhappy with certain situations which have to remain confidential and felt that resignation was in the best interests of all concerned."Paul wants to thank his staff and the fans for their support during his period at the club and wishes them, and the club, well for the future".Hart, who was sacked by Portsmouth earlier this season, was the sixth manager, not including caretakers, of owner Flavio Briatore's two-and-a-half year tenure at Loftus Road."The club can confirm that manager Paul Hart has decided to leave Queens Park Rangers Football Club with immediate effect," read a statement on the club's website earlier today. "Assistant manager Mick Harford will be taking charge of first team affairs, starting with this weekend's Championship fixture at Blackpool. The club will be making no further comment at this stage."The 56-year-old had been installed until the end of the season but now leaves the club after less than a month. Some reports today suggest he had fallen out with the Rangers board over transfers, while others claim he had argued with the on-loan midfielder Adel Taarabt.Hart's final game in charge was Tuesday night's 3-2 FA Cup defeat by Sheffield United, watched by Briatore and fellow co-owner Bernie Ecclestone. A crowd of only 5,780 watched Rangers fall 3-0 behind and booed Hart when he brought off midfielder Alejandro Faurlin, to replace him with Taarabt.The Hoops are currently 10th in the Championship ahead of tomorrow's trip to Blackpool, who are managed by their former manager Ian Holloway. Under Briatore, John Gregory, Luigi De Canio, Iain Dowie, Paulo Sousa, Jim Magilton and Hart have departed the managerial seat while Harford, Gareth Ainsworth (twice) and youth coaches Steve Gallen and Marc Bircham have had spells in caretaker charge.Former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley has already been linked with the role.QPRChampionshipguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Portsmouth 1 West Ham United 1: match report Danny Webber rescues a point for Portsmouth to cancel out Matthew Upson's opener. telegraph.co.uk |