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Archive for the ‘From the past’ Category

Harry Kewell has signed a three-year deal with Turkish club Galatasaray.

Kewell was a free agent after refusing to accept a new contract at lower terms from Liverpool. Benitez was apparently worried about Kewell’s continuing injury problems.

Real Leeds fans know the history between Galatasaray and the murders of two Leeds United fans and the rest of the football “community” in England couldn’t care less as evidenced by the “Istanbul songs” sung at away grounds.

Harry Kewell’s move will be seen differently by both groups  - with disbelief and anger by one and with “he’s a professional footballer and entitled to go to Galatasaray who are in the Champions League” by the other.

In the end who has the right to judge the actions of a professional footballer in choosing his next contract?

Do fans have the right of expectations of loyalty to past affiliations from professional players? (Kenny Miller has gone successfully gone from Rangers to Celtic and back to Rangers this summer in a rivalry far more deeply felt than that of Leeds and Galatasaray)

Are we blaming Kewell for the fact that Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight and their families have been denied proper justice by Turkish law?

Are the reactions of Leeds fans exacerbated by the means and manner of his departure to Liverpool five years ago  and the feeling that the lost ten million pounds on his transfer accelerated the decline of a club in financial crisis? Would we react differently if it was Jonathan Woodgate, Dom Matteo or James Milner who was going to Galatasaray?

Is it our own fault for putting so much love and faith in mere flawed human beings just because they wear a shirt of a particular colour, even though we know they are being paid to do so? 

When they leave us for a bigger pay packet (or because they supported the other team as a kid) are we right to be indignant, upset even violent in our reactions? Did we not see it coming? We read daily of the parties, the bling, the Bentleys, the drugs, the internal use of mobile phones, the tappings up, the “roasting” of girls - and then we get outraged when these very same people do not conform to what the rest of us see as the moral or “decent way” to act and show loyalty to a club and its fans.

They didn’t ask for the adoration of its fans - it often just comes with the territory - so is it their fault if they don’t match up to that love from the fans and their ideals?

This summer thousands of fans are being disappointed when players make seemingly incomprehensible decisions to walk away from clubs - this year even Manchester Utd fans are sweating over Ronaldo’s future! Twenty million fans worldwide, playing in front of 75,000 every other week, £120,000 per week pay packet, Premier League Champion, Champions League winner, 42 goals scored, a home to die for, beautiful cars and women - and yet it seems Ronaldo still sees something that Real Madrid can offer him that will make him turn his back on all that and the Man Utd fans that love him dearly!

So is Ronaldo’s behaviour to be judged as in the wrong, or are the Man Utd fans expectations in he wrong or is neither at fault?

Ultimately, Harry Kewell used his own moral compass to tell him this move was not only right for his career but acceptable to his conscience, and it is his right to do so.

The fans observing this move will instinctively use their own values to decide its rights and wrongs but whether we have the moral authority to judge a player is another question entirely.

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Ian Harte on the move

Jun-30-2008 By Badalemente

Ian Harte, former Leeds United and Republic of Ireland full-back, is said to be about to join Swansea City.

Harte left Leeds United for £1m to go to Levante in Spain when Leeds were relegated. He was one of a handful of players for whom the club received a transfer fee. However, things haven’t worked out for Ian and despite being an ever-present for Leeds United he has played only 32 games in the last four seasons.

He made eight appearances in the Premier League for Sunderland, coached by fellow Irishman Roy Keane, last season. However, Sunderland have let him go and he is looking for a new berth.

Interestingly Leeds United don’t have a settled left-back at the moment, with Bradley Johnson covering the role at the end of last season, including the Wembley play-off final.

Leeds fans will remember his shocking lack of pace but also they should remember some excellent free kicks that he took.

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Harry Kewell not dead and buried yet

Jun-30-2008 By Autolycus

We revealed last year that Harry Kewell’s permanent inability to get fit enough to play a game would eventually lead to him to being given the Anfield boot by Rafa Benitez! Sure enough the Aussie left his boyhood heroes last month.

Despite this poor appearance record, inexplicably, Harry Redknapp is said to want to bring the Aussie Sicknote to Pompey.

Having won the FA Cup and with a European campaign in mind for next season, presumably, Redknapp thinks Hairy Cruel can bring some much needed European experience to the side. Kewell did play in the memorable Champions League final v Milan - well the first 23 minutes to be exact before, guess what, he came off injured!

Looks like the egocentric Kewell will find another Premier League paymaster - I wonder if he will accept the pay-as-you-play deal - which is all he deserves?

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Former Leeds keeper on his way to Villa?

Jun-28-2008 By Chris Hudson

Former Leeds United manager David O’Leary has advised current Spurs, and former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson to move to Aston Villa this summer. Robinson suffered a dreadful lapse in form last season and it saw him lose both the Spurs and England staring places.

O’Leary said,

“I spoke to Paul briefly and gave him my opinion on Villa, just as I did when I first tried to sign him.”

“… I told him it was a massive club with big support. And there’s a real chance for him to do well there.

“I told him he should sign this time if he gets the opportunity especially as the club seems to be in good hands and making progress.

“Paul was desperate to come to Villa five years ago and I’m sure that hasn’t changed.

“When I tried to sign Paul before, he was asked to take a pay cut which he didn’t want to do.

“But he would have been a bargain and at the time I said then he would be Villa’s keeper for many years to come if we could have got him.

“Paul needs confidence right now and I think he will get that sort of confidence working with Martin O’Neill, he’s a manager who can bring the best out in him.”

Last season Martin O’Neill had Liverpool loanee, and another ex-Leeds United keeper, Scott Carson between the sticks. But, as seems commonplace at the moment, Rafa Benitez wants too much money for him, £10 million, and so no permanent deal was done and Robinson is looking better value, even in his current poor form.

Ironically it was Carson who replaced Robinson at Leeds after he fled the sinking, relegated, ship - and now Robinson may return the compliment at Villa.

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