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| From
The Chairman: April The European fixtures against Real Madrid will surely be confirmation of whether the boys have the credentials to go all the way to the Final at Old Trafford in May and in a month where we play the Spaniards twice, Liverpool, Newcastle and Arsenal - well, if you can't get excited about being a United fan this month then there is little hope for you!! Now would be a fantastic occasion for all our members to combine to share the nervous energy of all these vital games - How about it?...Look out for the details of meetings and events and be part of the excitement. WE ARE UNITED - ALWAYS! |
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Meeting: Bay Olympic Football Clubrooms: 19th March 2003Present: Membership:
After a VERY robust debate
a motion was put and seconded that: It was further put that "This be put to a vote at the April meeting and have immediate effect (thus meaning only those members signed up prior to the April meeting would be eligible for tickets this season - if the resolution was carried". The proposal to put this
resolution to the vote at the April Meeting was carried by a significant
majority and thus will be voted upon at this time and any decision carried
by a majority at the meeting or responding in writing! Financial: Woody had previously advised that he was endeavouring to obtain a signed shirt form Old Trafford for raffling off amongst the members to raise Club funds. This shirt is likely to arrive soon and the proposal is to have 120 tickets printed at a value of $10 each and that the raffle duration continues until all tickets are sold. This will net the club a surplus of around $1,000 after costs. Before we settle on this format, are there any further ideas which we should consider before announcing the opportunity? Please contact a Committee Member within the next couple of weeks with your ideas. Further exciting fund-raising activities will be announced soon. Football Team: We have been contacted by
Shareholders United which is an organisation set up 5 years ago to pool
fans shares to give a more UNITED voice of the "small fans"
along with securing a significant group shareholding. In these times
of rumours of more takeover bids you may be interested in joining up, We continue to have dialogue with the Association and hope that in the future we can organise some event involving both of our clubs. Please contact Woody for
application forms and we can make a bulk application to save individual
letters. We cannot apply for 1 member
for multiple matches (if you're going to be there longer) but must submit
a separate applications for EACH match (these can contain applications
for multiple Members). Please also be aware of the instructions of Membership
Secretary at OT, Barry Moorhouse, to all Branches that Branch (not ours)
Ordered tickets are getting into the hands of Touts! Any member who
sells tickets to touts will result in that Branch receiving NO further
ticket allocations for the foreseeable future. We have also received info from Travelex in the UK who have provided us with commission-free currency exchange at a number of their Manchester outlets so contact Woody if you are traveling. Champions League tickets have been put on sale to the general public (the UEFA portion) on their website at www.uefa.com - these will be balloted approx 2 weeks out from the final so if you are interested in applying thru this avenue - please go on line! Merchandise: Champs Sports in Panmure, Auckland - also have the new Nike home and away shirts and shorts - see Alec or Chris and mention you're a Member. Go and see their expanded superstore for all your football boots and gear or contact them on - www.Champs.co.nz |
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Did
you know: (no did you know for April ...Sorry!)
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Manchester United NewsThe dates for United's quarter final Champions League clash with Real Madrid have been confirmed. United will be away in the first leg on Tuesday 8 April, and at home on Wednesday 23 April. The winner of the quarter final will go on to play either Barcelona or Juventus in the semi finals on 6 and 14 May. The crunch Premiership clash with Arsenal at Highbury has been rescheduled and will now be played on Wednesday 16 April. The game, which could decide the destination of the Premiership crown, will now kick off at 8:00pm. The mouth-watering tie was moved because of Arsenal’s participation in the FA Cup semi final with Sheffield United, which is to be played at Old Trafford. Defender Rio Ferdinand has been banned from driving for six months and fined £2,500 for speeding. Ferdinand, 24, who did not attend Leeds Magistrates Court, was also ordered to pay costs of £3,000. The England star was convicted earlier last month of speeding on the M1 motorway near Temple Newsam, Leeds in his Cadillac Escalade. Because of the transfer windows which affect the Premiership, most of the transfer deadline day deals were restricted to Nationwide League clubs - although United winger Luke Chadwick has agreed to extend his stay at Reading until the end of the season. The 22-year-old initially joined the First Division promotion-chasers for a month after becoming frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities at Old Trafford. Chadwick has been a regular member of Alan Pardew's line-up since his move from Old Trafford and will now have the chance to help the Royals with their push towards the play-offs. Bradford City have signed
youngster Ben Muirhead following his release from United.
The 20-year-old striker impressed during a recent trial period at Valley
Parade and has now earned a contract with the Bantams until the end
of next season. Muirhead never featured for United's first team, but
did manage to break into the reserve side after completing a three-year
scholarship at Old Trafford in July 1999. Champions Leage Second Stage Draw
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| MUFCSCNZ
vs Western Springs Celtic
On another of those weird Auckland days, when it doesn't know whether to rain or be fine, we scaled the heights of Owairaka (fantastic view, one of the best in Auckland) with the melodious charms of Black Sabbath at full volume being played by some old Westy in the carpark, to do battle with the green and white army. Noticebly short on numbers, we took the field anyhow (recalling the nine who faced Ranui), Garry in goal, Ken, Ben, Ben’s mate and Steve at the back, Marc, Troy and Guy in the midfield, and Gareth and Peter up front, with Troy’s mate thankfully turning up after 10 minutes. Well for the Saturday players it was just another training run, but for our over forties it was 30 minutes of sheer hell. As usual we defended quite
well in the first part with few attacking chances for Gareth and Pete,
but Celtic having the extra two players slowly run us off our feet.
Even so, only 2 goals down was not too bad, then we discovered we were
playing 3 thirds of 1/2 hour. Again we contained them for most of the
second spell with only a couple of late bursts adding to their score.
If this sounds like one way traffic, it definitely was and without some
superb goalkeeping from Garry and tireless work and urging from Troy
we could have been beaten severely. In the third third with our old
boys finally getting their second wind we played a lot better. Gareth
and Pete working tirelessly up front with no reward and Troy and his
mate in the middle and blistered Ben, his mate, Ken and Steve at the
back. 0-7 the final score, not great but we will improve, though the
next game is against Oratia and we will need a FULL team and some subs,
so get off your arse, get your boots and be there. 13TH ORATIA 2PM PARRS PARK 20TH RANUI 1PM STARLING PARK 27TH NOR’WEST 2PM HUAPAI |
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Man United Match Reports - March 2003League
Cup (Worthington) 2 March 2003 Cardiff-born Ryan Giggs, whose future continues to be the subject of many column inches in the papers, was making his 530th appearance for the club just five days after becoming United's most loyal servant of the modern age. Last Tuesday's sensational substitute outing against Juventus saw the Welsh Wizard pass Denis Irwin's record of 528 games to take him into fifth place in the all-time United roll call. Four players from United's glorious 1960s are now above him in the standings. Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, Alex Stepney and Tony Dunne are the illustrious names Giggsy has now joined in the top five. No doubt about it the place was rocking as the teams took to the field greeted by fireworks and a wall of noise. Liverpool's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' bellowed from one end of the stadium, incidently with its sliding roof closed, whilst United supporters packed at the other end did their best to drown out the Mersey Anthem. United started their fifth League Cup final defending the goal behind which the vast majority of their supporters were housed. The pitch looked perfect but the Rugby lines from last week's Wales/England international were still visible. There was very little to choose between the two sides as the game began to tick over. The biggest roar of the early moments came from the Liverpool supporters after Gary Neville had taken a ball full in the face from Danny Murphy. Instant treatment from physio Robert Swire soon had the older Neville back on his feet. The first chance of any quality fell to United in the 14th minute when Ruud van Nistelrooy played the ball into Giggs' path. The Welshman had a clear shot at goal but Jerzy Dudek saved comfortably. The same combination went even closer in the 22nd minute. Giggs crossed from the left, van Nistelrooy stretched out a leg and the ball missed Dudek's left post by inches. John Arne Riise had the Liverpool fans off their seats on the half hour with a left wing run that took him past Juan Sebastian Veron and Gary Neviile. It looked promising, but his shot carried little power and Fabien Barthez made an easy collection. Five minutes later and Michael Owen weaved his way past a couple of United defenders, but he couldn't get the better of Barthez and the ball went harmlessly past the post. Liverpool had been taking the game to United and in the 39th minute they struck the game's first major blow. There appeared to be little threat to United when Steven Gerrard tried his luck from some 30 yards out. It seemed that Barthez would be untroubled by the effort but it struck David Beckham on its route and flew over the keeper and into the net. United did their best to hit back in the shortest possible time. In the very next attack they were really unlucky not to bag the equaliser. Both Veron and Scholes had shots cleared from the line, by Dudek and Stephane Henchoz respectively, but the danger passed and as the half-time whistle sounded it was the Liverpool supporters who wearing smiles on their faces. The second half was barely a minute old when Owen was almost given the chance to increase Liverpool's lead. The England striker managed to get the better of Wes Brown, but the United defender recovered instantly to reclaim the ball. Liverpool opened the second half brightly and United's defence was called on to deal with emergencies more than once. United, however, were slowly making their presence felt with Roy Keane and Veron starting to pull the strings in the middle of the park. Van Nistelrooy turned brilliantly on the hour to get in a shot from point-blank range, but Dudek made a fine reflex save to keep his side in the lead. Milan Baros, on for Emile Heskey, almost set-up Gerrard within seconds of taking the field but the England man couldn't make the best of the opening. Scholes had another shot saved by Dudek and Veron raced through only to be thwarted just as he was about to pull the trigger. Overall, there was still nothing to choose between the two teams, but Liverpool remained in the driving seat thanks to Gerrard's goal. United supporters screamed for a penalty when Scholes was decked in the area, but referee Paul Durkin walked away without comment. As United piled forward in a desperate attempt to get an equaliser, Hamann pounced on a defensive error from Mikael Silvestre, who underhit his chested ball to Rio Ferdinand. The German midfielder raced through and slipped the ball to Michael Owen. The England striker slotted the ball past Fabien Barthez to put the game out United's reach. Liverpool were then content to run out the final few seconds with United looking deflated - and as Paul Durkin blew the final whistle - devastated. FA Premier League
- 5 March 2003 United kept their Premiership dreams alive with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Leeds United at Old Trafford last night. An own-goal from Lucas Radebe, in the 21st minute, and a second half winner from Mikael Silvestre saw United reduce Arsenal's lead to five points as the tital chase begins to gain some momentum. Mark Viduka equalised for Leeds in the 64th minute, but Silvestre's first goal of the campaign ensured United remained on Arsenal's heels. Two down, two to go. That was the state of play as United prepared to face Leeds United at Old Trafford. Hopes of the quad were extinguished with FA Cup defeat against Arsenal whilst disappointment at the Millennium Stadium further dented United's ambitions of claiming a least one piece of this season's silverware. So, as they welcomed one of their fiercest rivals it was a case of putting recent upsets into the file labeled 'History' and getting on with the remainder of the season. This was United's 29th league game of the campaign, (50th match in all competitions), and the moment to turn the full glare of the spotlight back on the club's main priorities when the season got under way. Comfortably placed in the Champions League having qualified with two games to spare, United focus the attentions completely, at least for the next few weeks, on keeping Arsenal within touching distance. Only wins will do at this stage of the race and that's what United were aiming to do against Leeds, who hadn't won at Old Trafford since season 1980-81. There were the usual light-hearted vocal exchanges between the fans as the game kicked off with United defending the Stretford End goal. There were several changes to the United side which went down to Liverpool at the weekend. John O'Shea, Nicky Butt and Quinton Fortune were all in from the start with Wes Brown, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs the men standing down. Skipper Roy Keane opened the game in the centre of defence alongside former Leeds United star Rio Ferdinand. Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Roy Carroll and Darren Fletcher made up United's substitutes' bench. Juan Sebastian Veron, making his 50th Premiership appearance for United, brought gasps from the crowd in the 11th minute with a thunderous drive which rippled Paul Robinson's side-netting. Many in the ground were under the impression that it had gone on the preferred side of the post. Veron's cross from the right in the 15th minute was perfectly flighted into the Leeds goal area but two United players, Mikael Silvestre and Ruud van Nistelrooy, went for the same ball and the chance disappeared into the stand. A sweeping move in the 21st move saw United go into the lead. Paul Scholes fed John O'Shea out on the right. The Republic of Ireland international defender wasted little time in moving the ball to David Beckham who whipped in a trade mark cross. Several players went in after the ball and amidst the confusion it was Leeds' defender Lucas Radebe who ended up finding his own net. Alan Smith thought he'd found the equaliser in the 32nd minute when he unleashed a 25-yard left shot which looked destined for the top corner. But that was before Barthez launched himself to push it behind. Beckham fired in a free-kick from the edge of the area soon after the restart but Robinson was quickly off the mark to make the save and a few minutes later Scholes and van Nistelrooy broke well but they couldn't find a way through. Ian Harte cracked a rising drive at the United goal in the 54th minute but it fizzed just wide of the post. Veron limped out the game in the 56th minute to be replaced by Phil Neville. The Argentinian, accompanied by physio Neil Hough, immediately made his way to the dressing room. The younger Neville was soon involved but no in the way he would have chosen. Leeds were awarded a free-kick on the edge of United's area after Phil had felled Smith, his England teammate. Harte firmly taken kick was met by Mark Viduka who gave Barthez no chance with a powerful header. United immediately withdrew Fortune and sent on Giggs as they began the search for a second goal. The Leeds goal and Giggs' introduction coincided with the contest acquiring an injection of much needed urgency from both sides. Even the crowd the sensed that the game had taken a turn for the better. It certainly did for United in the 79th minute. Beckham was fouled by Harte but he jumped to his feet to send over the cross before Leeds could regroup. And there was Silvestre, of all people, to head his first goal of the season. And how important it may prove to be in the final shakedown! Leeds did their best to salvage a point as the game reached an exciting and frantic conclusion. Terry Venables sent on two pairs of fresh legs when he introduced Stephen McPhail and James Milner with five minutes to go. Leeds pushed on but they couldn't force an equaliser despite a late flurry of activity in the Reds' area. UEFA Champions League
- 12 March 2003 As for United, they had very little to contribute to what was largely a disappointing first half. Shots on target were rare, so rare in fact that only Diego Forlan forced the keeper, Pascal Zuberbuhler, to take evasive action throughout the entire forty-five minutes. Ryan Giggs was warmed up and made ready for the second half. Richardson was the man to make way as the fans awaited a brighter half to that they had just witnessed. And they didn't have long to wait for something to cheer. Eight minutes into the half and United were level thanks to a left foot shot from Gary Neville. It was more than two years since his last goal and didn't he enjoy this latest addition to his modest goalscoring tally. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made the chance with a mis-cued pass which found its way to the older Neville, who let fly from outside the area. The shot took a major deflection on its route to Zuberbuhler's net, but it will be a brane UEFA dubious goals panel that take this goal from United's captain for the night. It was a much needed moment to cheer for United's massed ranks, but it really did little to lift this game, which was barely more than a glorified training session for United. David Beckham and Paul Scholes were sent on to liven up the proceedings in the 73rd minute. Blanc and Fletcher were the players to make way, but it didn't make that much difference to a game that will not be taking its place amongst Old Trafford's great European nights. Undoubtedly the stars of the show were the Basel supporters who continued singing and dancing long after the rest of the stadium had cleared. They brought noise, colour and animation to an evening which was otherwise pretty predictable. FA Premier League
- 15 March 2003 United were quick to reply
with Giggs hitting a rasping free-kick against the angle of Postma's
post and crossbar. It was a noisy afternoon at Villa Park with both
sets of supporters doing their level best to lift their respective teams.
Van Nistelrooy raised United's hopes when he burst through the Villa
defence, but the threat fizzled out when he only half-hit his shot.
And Scholes had United arms in the air in the 64th minute when he connected
beautifully with a Beckham corner to send a volley zooming towards goal.
Unfrotunately, teammate Rio Ferdinand was in the flightpath of Scholes'
shot and the ball rebounded away for a goal-kick. John O'Shea, up from
defence for a corner, looked ready to celebrate his first senior goal
when he got in a firm header from Beckham's set piece, but his joy was
halted on the line by Hadji's timely clearance. Villa, who had taken
something of a mauling against neighbours Birmingham City in the previous
outing, were certainly giving a good account of themselves in this match.
United may have held the advantage since early in the game, but they
were being forced to work hard to retain it. The locals dotted around
the stadium roared for a penalty in the 18th minute when Valeron appeared
to held by Blanc but the referee, who was close at hand, ignored the
claims. And not to be outdone, United themselves put in an appeal for
a spot-kick a couple of minutes later when Andrade appeared to handle
the ball after halting an encourging Giggs break into the area. It would
have been a harsh decision for the ball appear to spring up and strike
the defender's arm. In the 32nd minute the home supporters were given
something to celebrate when their favourites grabbed the opening goal.
Luque was the architect with brilliant run down the left which left
Blanc trailing in his wake. The Spanish international was clear and
when his low, firm cross was drilled across goal Victor raced in to
push the ball across the line. United 'Reserves' had held there own
in the first half, but there was always the feeling that if a goal was
going to come, it would be to the benefit of the home side. United's
management team used the half-time break to make a change to the personnel
and the formation of the team. In came Scottish interantional Michael
Stewart for Lynch as the structure of the team was switched from 5-3-2
to a more familiar 4-4-2. The alterations were of course designed to
give United a bigger representation in midfield, but they had little
chance to take effect before Depor had increased their lead. The second
half was barely a minute old when Victor provided a brilliant right
wing cross into the United area. Luque looked certain to score but at
the vital moment appeared to stumble under pressure from Lynch's challenge.
The United defender also lost his footing and as a result could do nothing
to stop the ball from striking the side of his head before crossing
Ricardo's line. Depor's appetite for the contest seemed to have gained
an edge during the interval for their was a zip about their play which
hadn't been evident earlier despite them having the better of the opening
half. It wasn't however all one way traffic with United almost reducing
the arrears on a couple of occasions. Fletcher was all set to acclaim
his first senior with a good shot, but his joy was short-lived after
Cesar had made a fine goal-line clearance. Giggs also cursed his luck
in the 69th minute when he turned brilliantly to thump a shot against
the foot of the post. Both Richardson and Webber were sent from the
bench to replace Giggs and Forlan in the 72nd minute as Sir Alex took
the opportunity to give a run out to more of his fringe players. Phil
Neville ruled himself out of the quarter-final, first leg when he received
his third yellow card of the competition for less than tidy challenge
on Luque. Paul Scholes exchanged passes with Giggs before firing a strong drive over the bar and then moments later Fulham's Martin Djetou hit a shot against the United bar after taking a fine pass from Steed Malbranque. Taylor, in the Fulham goal, did well in the 32nd minute to prevent David Beckham's sizzling free-kick from finding the net. Beckham, who'd been fouled by Sylvain Legwinski, stood over the ball with Giggs to keep the Fulham defence guessing but it didn't fool Taylor. United had certainly been the more threatening of the two sides during the first half and just before the break the finally made the breakthrough. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was adjudged by referee Steve Bennett to have been halted unlawfully by Fulham skipper Andy Melville and the penalty was duly awarded. "Ruuuuuuuuuud" was the player the crowd decided should take the kick and he did as he was told by stepping up to crack the ball past Taylor. The second half began with United, now attacking the Stretford End goal, picking up the threads of the first half offensive. Both van Nistelrooy and Scholes were both unlucky during this spell. Fulham's Zat Knight emerged as their free-kick specialist as the visitors did their best to get on terms. Twice the towering defender hit set-pieces at the United goal, the first required immediate attention from Barthez whlist the second struck a United defender and spun away to safety. The visitors were looking dangerous when the pushed up and so it came as a big relief, in the 68th minute, when United moved further in front. Van Nistelrooy picked up a loose ball midway inside the Fulham half, and he advanced before slotting his shot past Taylor. "United, United, top of the league," roared the Stretford End as they celebrated the second goal and what now seemed inevitable, the Reds' arrival at the top of the Premiership table. Ten minutes from time and van Nistelrooy rushed forward seemingly determined to claim his third and hat-trick completing goal. Several of his teammates were screaming for the ball but Ruud decided to go for it alone, and only a good diving save from Taylor denied him his wish, on that occasion! In the very last minute the Dutchman did strike again, but this time he had Giggs to thank after he'd chased to reach a ball that looked to be going out of play. United's most prolific appearance-maker of modern times steadied himself before sending the ball across goal where van Nistelrooy was waiting to convert the easiest of chances. Van Nistelrooy had crowned a fine personal performance, but it was a little harsh on Taylor who'd made a string of fine saves throughout the afternoon. |
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