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The Best Football Blog on the Planet! Off The Post is the excellent football blog dedicated to providing you with a humorous and irreverent look at the beautiful game. Contact us with of your tips, ideas, feedback or advertising requests to the Off The Post HQ (by email only please). offthepost@hotmail.co.uk
Posted By Rob Parker on July 3, 2009
File under ‘things you never thought you’d see’
It still feels like a Photoshop somehow. Perhaps an entry into The Guardian’s Gallery on the theme of Michael Owen’s dreams. But no, it’s true: Sir Alex Ferguson has snapped up the ex-Newcastle man before he had even had chance to sign-on this week.
United were clearly attracted to Owen’s charisma, style and devotion And he passed a medical… We know!
Posted By Rob Parker on July 3, 2009
As Darius Vassell mulls over a move to Turkey, we look at those who have blazed the trail for him.
1. Colin Kazim Richards
CKR - the Coca Cola Kid - not only made himself at home in Turkey, he bagged a Champions League goal for Fenerbahce against Chelsea and broke into the Turkish national team. He is currently being linked with a move back to the Premier League with Hull City.
2. Harry Kewell
When Hazza joined Galatasaray on a free transfer from Liverpool last season, we could not see it lasting. But the Australian has settled well and welcomed the recent appointment of Frank Rijkaard as his new manager.
3. Les Ferdinand
Sir Les was loaned to Besiktas by QPR as a favour to English boss Gordon Milne for the 1988-1989 season. The young striker didn’t disappoint and bagged 14 goals in 24 games. But he was soon back in England to become a goalscoring hero here.
4. Gordon Milne
The aforementioned Milne took over the Besiktas hotseat in 1987 and stayed in charge until 1994. He won three successive league titles during his time at the club and is considered one of Turkish football’s greats. Milne also had a brief spell in charge of Fenerbahce.
5. Dalian Atkinson
Atkinson went to Turkey in 1995 at the same time as Aston Villa strike partner Dean Saunders. While Saunders joined Galatasaray, Atkinson signed for rivals Fenerbahce. He scored 10 times in 21 games - and is the only foreign player to score a hat-trick in the Fenerbahce-Galatasaray grudge match - but failed to settle in Turkey.
6. Dean Saunders
Saunders allegedly took his wife, Helen, for a weekend away in Turkey in 1995 only to announce on the Monday that he was moving to Galatasaray and Turkey would be their new home! Saunders had once again decided to hook-up with long-time accomplice Graeme Souness. He scored the winner in the Turkish Cup Final and his son was born during his stint in Turkey.
7. Ian Wilson
The ex-Leicester and Everton man joined Besiktas in 1989, did the league and cup double, and promptly returned to Blighty with Derby County.
8. Graeme Souness
Souness’ spell in charge of Galatasaray is most fondly remembered (by Galatasaray fans that is) for when he planted a huge flag in the centre-circle of Fenerbahce’s pitch after defeating them to win the Turkish Cup (see video above).
9. Kevin Campbell
Endured a miserable stint at Trabzonspor in the 1998-99 season after a move from Nottingham Forest. Already finding live tough, Campbell’s settling in process was not aided by club president Mehmet Ali Yılmaz who was quoted as calling the striker “a discoloured cannibal” and said: “We bought him as a goal machine, but he turned out to be a washing machine”
10. Barry Venison
Another Graeme Souness signing. The ex-England full-back manager just eight game for Galatasaray before joining Souness at Southampton.
Posted By Rob Parker on July 3, 2009
Scandinavian defender imitates Zlat
Lars Ovrebo (not sure if he is related to the death threat ref) of Norwegian outfit Mosse scored this beautiful own goal in a recent match against HamKam.
It is reminiscent of goals scored at the right end of the pitch by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. We are not sure whether this guy bottles it in big games.
On a side issue, Norwegian football is the place to be right now. It has:
- Obscene goal celebrations
- Vomiting players
- Punchy mascots
Posted By Rob Parker on July 3, 2009
Canadian defender couldn’t think of anyone to tell he was leaving
Newcastle found out defender David Edgar has left after eight years at the club via the television. The 22-year-old said he felt forced to leave the club and didn’t even know who to contact to say he was departing for newly-promoted Burnley.
He said: “One of the problems was there was no one for me to sit down and talk to at Newcastle. I finally got a phone call from them on Wednesday and I think that was after they’d seen the move announced on TV. (more…)
Posted By Rob Parker on July 3, 2009
Footage of the window-kicking incident
Remember we told you Cristiano Ronaldo had smashed a car window over a 17-year-old who was filming him? Well, this is supposedly the footage.
The alleged Ronaldo, dressed up in a crisp white shirt as he headed to, erm, and Elton John concert, is seen racing towards the camera like a lunatic.
If this footage is real it sadly puts paid to the wonderful scenario suggested yesterday by OTP reader Rob, who pondered: “Did he do 100 step overs before kicking the window?”
Video via The Offside
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