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 [...]
Captain Moody faces race to be fit for All Blacks clash October 6, 2010 ENGLAND captain Lewis Moody faces a race against time to be fit for the first autumn Test against New Zealand at Twickenham after picking up a facial injury playing for Bath at the weekend. The 32-year-old is likely to be out for four weeks after suffering bruising to his eye following a collision with Gloucester [...]
Westwood turns his back on the PGA Tour millions October 6, 2010 RYDER CUP hero Lee Westwood will continue to fly the European flag in 2011 after snubbing the chance to play on the American PGA Tour. The 37-year-old moved up to second in the world rankings after helping Europe retain the Ryder Cup at the weekend. And he could even depose Tiger Woods as the world’s [...]
Arsenal won’t win title, says Hartson October 6, 2010 FORMER Arsenal striker John Hartson has written off the club’s chances of challenging for the Premier League this season because he believes their squad is too thin. Hartson, who is now looking to get into management having won an 18-month battle with testicular cancer, insists the title is a two-horse race between Chelsea and Manchester [...]
Goddard keeps the gold rush going in Delhi October 6, 2010 JAMES GODDARD continued England’s gold rush in the pool after regaining the 200m backstroke title. The 27-year-old, who won his first gold in Manchester in 2002, swam a Commonwealth Games record of 1.55.58 to head off New Zealand’s Gareth Kean by a clear two seconds. It was England’s third gold in two days after Fran [...]