English sides ready for Euro renaissance, says Dallaglio October 7, 2010 ENGLAND legend Lawrence Dallaglio has backed Premiership clubs to re-establish themselves as a European force this season. Northampton Saints were the only English side to reach the last eight of the Heineken Cup last year in what was a hugely disappointing campaign for domestic teams. But as the Premiership’s finest prepare to engage with the [...]
Injury dents Westwood’s shot at world No1 spot October 7, 2010 RYDER CUP hero Lee Westwood has vowed to soldier on in the hope of overtaking Tiger Woods as world No1, despite suffering a recurrence of a calf injury. Westwood needed treatment after shooting a two-under-par first round at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews yesterday. The injury, which kept Westwood out for almost [...]
Lewis-Francis beats slip-up to take silver October 7, 2010 ENGLAND’S Mark Lewis-Francis continued his renaissance by claiming Commonwealth silver in the 100m after a gritty sprint in Delhi. Lewis-Francis, who revitalised a stagnant career with European Championship silver in July, was hampered by a slow start caused by his blocks slipping backwards. But he refused to give in and powered back through the field, [...]
I’m the new favourite, says in-form Alonso as Spaniard eyes third title October 7, 2010 FERRARI’S Fernando Alonso has declared himself the new favourite to win a fiercely contested world championship ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. Back-to-back wins in Italy and Singapore have lifted Alonso into second in the drivers’ standings, just 11 points behind Red Bull’s Mark Webber with four races left. McLaren pair Lewis Hamilton and [...]
Munster can outshine fancied French October 7, 2010 A disappointing showing from the English clubs meant Northampton Saints were the country’s only team to reach the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup last year. This year Saints, Bath and reigning Premiership champions Leicester Tigers will be joined by three sides from the capital – Wasps, Saracens and London Irish – in the competition [...]
WE’LL LEAVE YOU DEBT-FREE October 6, 2010 LIVERPOOL’S prospective owners New England Sports Ventures last night eased supporters’ fears by promising their takeover will leave the club debt-free. The American group, led by hedge fund millionaire and Boston Red Sox owner John Henry, have pledged that their estimated £300m bid will wipe out any existing debt at Anfield. And, crucially, they have [...]
Owners may yet halt deal October 6, 2010 LIVERPOOL’S sale to American group New England Sports Ventures could be delayed or even derailed by a legal challenge from current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, sports business experts warned last night. Reds chairman Martin Broughton is adamant the board has the right to sell the club to John Henry’s NESV for £300m, even [...]
Henry: Self-made millionaire who brought Red Sox glory October 6, 2010 PROSPECTIVE Liverpool owner John W Henry knows what it takes to revive the dwindling fortunes of a world famous sporting name, having done as much with Boston Red Sox. Henry, 61, and his holding company New England Sports Ventures took control of the baseball franchise in 2002 and by 2004 had ended their 84-year wait [...]
Premier League chiefs and Carragher set to give takeover the green light October 6, 2010 THE proposed takeover of Liverpool could be granted approval as early as Friday, the Premier League confirmed last night. A £300m offer to buy the club from New England Sports Ventures (NESV) – principally owned by Boston Red Sox chief John W Henry – was accepted by the Liverpool board of directors yesterday despite strong [...]
FANS VIEW October 6, 2010 LIVERPOOL fans’ group, Spirit of Shankly (SoS) say they have greeted the news of John W Henry’s imminent takeover with “cautious optimism”. The group have organised a number of protests against the current ownership, but spokesman Jay McKenna insists their anger is directed solely at Hicks and Gillett and that they are not anti-American. “It [...]