11th December 2000  

Fry and the Tuna?

ATHLETIC could be heading for a £200,000 windfall after landing a terrific tie at Chelsea in the FA Cup third round. If they beat Peterborough in next Tuesday’s replay, the Boundary Park club will take a 40-per-cent share of the gate at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea would expect a crowd of around 30,000 which, before tax and match costs are deducted, brings in receipts of well over half a million. The cash would be a massive boost to Athletic, who make a big loss every year and have little leeway to bring in new players. It is highly unlikely that the extra income would be added to Andy Ritchie’s transfer budget, but the manager was delighted with the draw. “It’s absolutely superb,” he said. “We couldn’t have asked for anything better. And it will be a great carrot for both sides when Peterborough come up here for the replay.” Chelsea beat Derby 4-1 in the Premiership on Saturday and have built a formidable home record under Gianluca Vialli, who was sacked earlier in the season, and new Italian coach Claudio Ranieri. At the last count, their squad contained 17 full internationals - including French World Cup winners Leboeuf and Desailly -hailing from 12 different countries.& 

At the same stage two years ago, Vialli’s goals saw Chelsea win 2-0 at Boundary Park in front of a crowd of 12,770. Bearing in mind the potential rewards, Athletic would be happy to sacrifice home advantage on January 6. First they must get past Peterborough, whose late equaliser took on a new dimension when the cup draw was made. The stakes will be high for both clubs when they meet at Boundary Park a week tomorrow (7.45pm). John Sheridan made his first senior appearance for four months yesterday when he played as a substitute for the last 13 minutes. The popular veteran should soon be competing for a midfield berth as he steps up his recovery from a knee operation. Sheridan’s next stage is a reserve-team game, two of which are scheduled for this week. Wednesday’s trip to Port Vale is followed 24 hours later by a Manchester Senior Cup tie against Manchester City. But the latter is at Boundary Park and, due to the continuing bad weather, it is already under threat. 

The FA Cup commitments of Athletic and Wigan mean their LDV Vans Trophy first-round tie, which was due to be played at Boundary Park last week, will be held back until the New Year

ATHLETIC were, inevitably, as sick as parrots yesterday after being denied FA Cup victory by a controversial last-minute goal. But they weren’t as sick as the man who scored it. Striker Jason Lee spent most of half-time with his head down the toilet, vomiting violently because of a food poisoning outbreak which had gone through Peterborough’s squad like, well like a dose of salts. With six senior players affected — some dodgy tuna was apparently the culprit — boss Barry Fry had even tried to have the game called off. So it was to Posh’s credit that, having stayed in the game following Craig Dudley’s fifth goal of the season, they forced a replay with Lee’s dramatic header. Not that Athletic were in any mood to settle for a useful draw, especially when they discovered that the equaliser could cost them a third-round trip to Chelsea.

They may have ended Peterborough’s run of seven successive home wins, but they also hit the woodwork, had the best of the chances, were comfortably in control and ended the tie furious about the hosts’ last-gasp goal. With the pitch cutting up badly, it was clear from the start that flowing football would be a near-impossibility. This was going to be a slog, a case of cutting out mistakes and keeping it functional instead of fancy. That’s little excuse, mind you, for poor distribution, which could have landed Athletic in trouble before they showed a vast improvement. It led to a lack of service for the front two, Dudley and Carlo Corazzin, who both toiled manfully to make a lot from very little. Their main source of support was Danny Boshell, a welcome splash of colour in an otherwise prosaic picture. The teenager had four decent shots on goal and was an effective contrast to the tough and competitive Tony Carss. After the break, Athletic were dominant, with Peterborough offering little threat until the hectic last few minutes. Boshell and Carss continued to boss midfield, while the defence stayed calm and disciplined under what little pressure they faced. The returning Barry Prenderville was solid at right-back, but it was Scott McNiven who really caught the eye in the centre.

McNiven is in excellent form and, when he plays at his best, there are few more composed defenders in the second division. Athletic settled well early on, creating half-chances for Boshell and Dudley, who was unable to outpace ex-Manchester City man David Oldfield as he burst through the middle. But Gary Kelly came to their rescue after eight minutes when Tony Shields stumbled through two tackles before being blocked by the lunging goalkeeper. Athletic almost stole the lead shortly after as Boshell shaved the post with a curling shot from the edge of the box. They also had a clear opening in the 23rd minute when David Eyres floated in a free-kick and Prenderville fluffed his header from eight yards. The Irishman was unmarked and probably should have done better. Although the surface made life difficult, it was still mediocre stuff from both sides. Fittingly, the next chance came from a defensive slip, with Leon McKenzie wriggling clear, only to rush his shot when the best option was to go round Kelly. That moment, however, inspired a brighter spell from Peterborough, and Matthew Gill’s long-range blast had to be palmed away by the ‘keeper.

Athletic were under pressure. But Oldfield’s awful defensive free-kick allowed them to bear down on goal, ending with Boshell’s effort being deflected over the top. Kelly intervened again just before the break, showing speed of thought to save at the feet of Lee. Though the veteran had been arguably Athletic’s most valuable player, hard work and the right attitude meant they deserved to go in on level terms. The value of parity became even more obvious when the second half began with Athletic on top. And, having contained Peterborough with few problems, they went in front just after the hour mark thanks to the sweetest move of the 90 minutes. Quick passing through midfield saw Carss lay an angled first-time ball into the path of Dudley’s run. The striker dashed into the penalty area and placed a tidy finish well out of Mark Tyler’s reach from 10 yards. Athletic had two chances to double the lead when Dudley and Boshell hit snapshots after finding space in the box. Then, as the pace picked up, Kelly made a terrific fingertip stop from McKenzie, while Ritchie Hanlon rolled a shot agonisingly wide with the ’keeper stranded. Thirteen minutes from time, Athletic turned to the experience of John Sheridan in a bid to hold on to what they had. But they were within an inch of scoring again when Paul Rickers hit a cracking drive from 25 yards and was desperately unlucky to see it crash against the bar. Dudley drilled a shot just wide — his last action before, looking utterly shattered, he took a break — as the tie stayed on a knife-edge.

A frantic finish was guaranteed and, in the 87th minute, Posh finally put the visitors’ goal under threat as Lee’s effort was hacked off the line by skipper Shaun Garnett. It looked like being Athletic’s day. But, just as injury time began, they were pegged back in contentious circumstances. There didn’t look much wrong with Prenderville’s tackle on Oldfield as the Peterborough man tried to get in a cross from the left. Referee David Laws, however, saw it differently. And when Richard Forsyth curled a perfect free-kick to the far post, Lee nodded home from close range to set up a replay which, given the rewards it will bring for the winners, shouldn’t be lacking in passion. Just don’t have the tuna beforehand.

Peterborough - Tyler, Drury, Edwards, Oldfield, Gilll (Forinton 82), Forsyth, Farrell, Cullen (Jelleyman 61), Shields (Hanlon 61), McKenzie, Lee. Subs (not used): Connor, Murray.

Athletic - Kelly, Prenderville, Garnett, McNiveen, Innes, Rickers, Boshell (Sheridan 77), Carss, Eyres, Corazzin (Holt 89), Dudley (Allott 82). Subs (not used): Miskelly, Hotte.

managers’ views

ANGRY Andy Ritchie insisted Athletic had been “cheated” out of victory in their FA Cup clash with second-division rivals Peterborough. The manager hit out at referee David Laws, who took a big hand in the second-round tie’s exciting finish. Athletic were unhappy with Mr Laws’ decision to give the late free-kick from which Peterborough scored. And Ritchie said: “He did his best to give them a goal — in the end, it worked. “The lads are adamant there was no foul by Barry Prenderville and they think they have been robbed, which, to an extent, they have. “We should have defended it better, but that was our one lapse in concentration and we paid for it. “Although we have to accept the draw, we went out to win the match on the day. “And, bearing in mind all the games we already have to fit in, this was the result we didn’t want. “Peterborough had a couple of goalmouth scrambles, but there wasn’t a lot else and the lads have come off feeling cheated by that free-kick. “Having said that, I thought we battled and harried and really put everything into it. “If it hadn’t been for the crossbar, we would have been 2-0 up and I’m sure they wouldn’t have come back from that. “We probably should have been more than one ahead when Peterborough scored, but there were some good performances — Craig Dudley ran all day, which he always does, and I thought Tony Carss was excellent.”

Athletic, for whom John Sheridan made his comeback from a lengthy absence, are now unbeaten in four games on their travels. Ritchie added: “We had great away form last year, so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have it again. “And it was good to get John Sheridan into it. He still needs a couple more games in the reserves, but he’ll soon be back in contention.”

Peterborough boss Barry Fry revealed he had contacted the FA in the hope of having the match called off. Food poisoning had hit his squad, with some players having to pull out of the game, and he wondered whether the illness was widespread enough for a postponement. “We could have got all the doctor’s notes,” Fry explained. “But, at the end of the day, we had enough bodies to get through it. “Our preparation was terrible — I even had to call three players in two hours before kick-off — and some of the lads are in a hell of a state. “All credit to the ones who played because they have still turned out and run around in the mud. “When you look at all that, it has to be a decent result for us.”

Latics officials will this afternoon (Monday) be sitting down with their consultants Professional Sporsturf Design and contractors John Mallinson to discuss the condition of the Boundary Park pitch. Officials will be keen to learn of all the alternatives available to them to ensure that the condition of the pitch improves even though we are experiencing one of the wettest periods on record. Latics officials are mindful of the fact that the Christmas and New Year period plays an important part in the finances of the club and are keen not to lose any further games because of waterlogging. It is expected that there will be a few options to consider this afternoon which includes the installation of some gravel slits and the laying of some slab turf tiles.

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS: Commission underlines the prospect of further progress

The following is a letter received by Chief Executive Alan Hardy from Euro MP Arlene McCarthy:

To follow is the latest press statement from the College of Commission on the football transfer fees issue.

The proposals have not been thrown out, the meeting this week was apparently cancelled, and postponed until next week. There is obviously still a lot of work to be done.

Commissioner Monti has requested more information on a number of issues, I understand these to include information and date on the internal solidarity of football, contractual definitions, and details on compensation at the end of contracts.

Brussels 6th December 2000

The European Commission is currently studying proposals from FIFA to modify its rules on transfers and is holding further discussions with the football world with a view to reaching a satisfactory solution which preserves the specificity of football while respecting European Union law. The Commission recognises the specific character of sport and of football in particular, namely its cultural and social role, the need to protect young players, to encourage training, to ensure the stability of competitions and to strengthen solidarity between large and small clubs, including amateur clubs.

The Commission in December 1998, following several complaints in 1997 and 1998, outlined its objections to the present FIFA system for international transfers. Contrary to what may have been understood, the Commission has never sought to abolish the existing transfer system but only that it should be modified in a way that respects Community law.

On October 31st 2000 proposals were received from FIFA and other parties in the football world to address the Commission's objections.

The proposals represented a significant development after nearly two years of discussions with FIFA. The Commission welcomes the new constructive attitude of FIFA and its commitment to work with all members of the football family to try and find a compromise which respects EU law. This is in itself a very positive step. On certain aspects the proposals presented need to be clarified and completed and discussions are continuing with the different interested parties.

The Commission is hopeful that a satisfactory solution can be found through this dialogue that has been set up recently with FIFA and the other interested parties in a constructive spirit. The FIFA proposals currently being examined form a good basis for discussion. The Commission will continue the dialogue with the interested parties with a view to reaching a solution as soon as possible.

The Commission recognises the validity of FIFA rules insofar as they aim at preventing one club luring away players from a competing club during the course of the championship to ensure the smooth running of the competition. Moreover, the Commission considers that stability of contracts is very important in this sector. But FIFA rules should also be, of course, compatible with the basic principle of free movement of workers.

The Commission welcomes proposals for FIFA rules on training compensation fees designed to protect both the training of young players and the clubs that train them, in particular small and amateur clubs. Talks are underway on how these innovative proposals might work in practice.

As far as severance fees not related to training are concerned, the Commission considers that EU competition law does not apply where these are established between clubs and player exclusively in accordance with applicable national law, as opposed to the present situation of these being governed by FIFA rules. Alternatively, if FIFA is to continue to set common rules, then these must be based on transparent and objective criteria in conformity with EU law.

The Commission encourages FIFA to hold further discussions notably with the international players' union FIFpro with a view to finding a negotiated compromise that reflects the mutual basic rights and obligations of both players and clubs. Alternatively, such negotiations could be held at national level.

End

FA CUP DRAMA

Latics produced a fighting display at London Road, Peterborough to earn a deserved replay at Boundary Park on the 19th December - kick off 7.45 pm.

Craig Dudley put Latics in front on 62 minutes, shortly afterwards Paul Rickers fired in a thunderous 25 yard shot that thudded against the cross bar.

Late in the game Peterborough put Latics under tremendous pressure but it wasn't until injury time that Peterborough snatched an equaliser. The Posh had won their last 7 home games and looked to be heading out of the cup until big Jason Lee popped up with his important header.

Latics can be justifiably proud of the team performance but Manager Andy Ritchie, and the Latics fans, were critical of the refereeing performance by Mr Laws who seemed to favour the home team throughout the 94 minutes of the game. If Mr Laws is a "homer" then Latics fans will be hoping that the home team receive the same favourable support in the replay as Mr Laws is due to officiate in that game.

With FA cup holders Chelsea the incentive for the winners of the replay Latics players are hoping that their fans will turn out in force a week on Tuesday to create the unique hostile atmosphere at Boundary Park for an evening fixture in the hope that the referee will produce a home performance similar to the one at London Road yesterday.

REPLAY TICKET ARRANGEMENTS

Admission to the FA Cup Second Round replay against Peterborough at Boundary Park on Tuesday the 19th December will be by payment at the turnstiles on the night of the game. Season ticket holders are requested to bring their season ticket with them, pay cash admission at the turnstile and claim their usual seat which will be marked 'Reserved' and using their season ticket as authority to use their seat. Normal league match prices will apply to this game.

ANOTHER INJURY BLOW

Full back Barry Prenderville picked up a ham string strain in yesterday's FA Cup game at Peterborough. Latics physio Phil Stock will be today assessing the extent of the injury but it looks as though Prenderville could face 3 weeks in the sidelines after just returning from a knee injury. However there was welcome news yesterday with the return to First Team action of midfielder John Sheridan and skipper Lee Duxbury may well have recovered from his ham string strain to be involved in the squad for Saturday's game at Bury. That would leave long-term injured Neil Adams, Paul Jones and Prenderville as the only major injury worries.

Peterborough Evening Telegraph

BARRY Fry has revealed the sickness that spread through his Posh squad over the weekend lead to a last-ditch plea to the Football Association for yesterday’s FA Cup tie with Oldham to be postponed. The Posh manager, speaking after Jason Lee’s dramatic injury-time equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at London Road and a potential glamour third round trip to holders Chelsea, was on the phone to the FA just two hours before kick-off asking permission to delay the tie because five of his players had been struck down by food poisoning. Predictably his request was refused so Fry was just grateful that his struggling players found reserves of strength and character to force an unlikely draw.

Fry said: “We’ve had the worst preparation we could possibly have suffered. Overnight five members of the squad have gone down sick and we were so concerned that others would be struck down as well we made the decision to contact the FA. “They said I had a big enough squad to get through the tie so we had to play and all credit to the players for keeping us in the competition.
“We looked tired towards the end, but we managed to get a second wind in the final 10 minutes and put them under some heavy pressure. “Overall we were worth a draw and considering the problems we had leading up to the game, you have to say it was a stunning effort by the whole squad. “We had to make three changes to the starting line-up this morning which is not ideal for any game never mind an important FA Cup tie.”

In a much less happy mood was Oldham manager Andy Ritchie who felt his side were cheated out of victory by referee David Laws. Ritchie was angered by the free-kick which lead to the equaliser and also at the amount of injury-time played.
Ritchie said: “Where he got three minutes of added time from I don’t know because the physios weren’t on the pitch for the entire second-half and my players insist it was never a foul which gave them a chance to score from the free-kick. “My lads are inconsolable right now because they know they did enough to win it and they believe they were robbed of victory by the referee rather than the opposition.”

WACKY happenings during Barry Fry’s tenure at London Road have been commonplace, but losing an FA Cup tie to a plate of tuna would surely have been an unbeatable moment of absurdity. And yet that was the acceptable excuse being prepared as Posh entered injury-time of yesterday’s exciting second round tie with Oldham at London Road a goal behind. Unbeknown to the vast majority of a disappointing crowd, the Posh preparations, already undermined by an injury list as long as a Middlesbrough losing streak, had been destroyed by some decidedly dodgy bellies, apparently caused by some vicious fish sandwiches. With half the squad in the toilets at the time the team sheets were due to be handed in, Fry ran to the FA in an attempt to get the tie postponed. As an act of optimism it was right up there with a Mike Tyson nomination for Citizen of the Year, but ultimately Posh earned a second chance anyway thanks to a last-gasp header from Jason Lee.  Now Lee was one of the Posh players most adversely affected, but as it would probably take an elephant gun shot from close range to stop him in his tracks, his participation was never really in doubt.

And how valuable that decision looked once the draw for the third round had been completed barely an hour after Lee had headed in Richard Forsyth’s 91st minute free-kick at the far post. Fry said: “Jason is a proud man with a big heart and he never considered dropping out of the game. He was far from fit, but he kept plugging away and eventually won his reward. It was a great moment for us all because we were on the verge of another terrible FA Cup moment.”  It’s no secret that Posh survive financially on the goodwill and deep pockets of chairman Peter Boizot (although new chief executive Nigel Hards has clearly now started to make an impact) so the prospect of a money-spinning trip to Stamford Bridge where the admission prices are slightly higher than the average Peterborian’s monthly salary will have the London Road bankers salivating this morning. But Posh have been in this position before (notably when being drawn away to Manchester United three seasons ago) and suffered heartache so the footballers’ feet at least will be kept firmly on the floor. Especially as Oldham showed enough in this match to suggest they will be much harder to beat at home than they were in August.

They arrived with a game-plan designed to stop Posh passing (although the London surface is capable of doing that on its own) and for much of a keenly-contested encounter it worked. Oldham sat many men behind the ball when Posh were in possession, but broke swiftly when necessary and for much of the second half it looked a winning formula. Even before Craig Dudley’s excellent finish rounded off a fine three-man passing move just past the hour mark, Oldham had threatened to open the scoring.
Barry Prenderville missed the target when well placed and Mark Tyler had to get down well to divert a Danny Boshell shot wide of goal. Dudley’s goal was immediately followed by another fine Tyler save from Corazzin and a 25-yard strike from Paul Rickers which crashed against the crossbar before Posh roused themselves for a thrilling finale. Early in the game visiting ‘keeper Gary Kelly had thwarted a barnstorming run from Tony Shields and a fine piece of trickery from Leon McKenzie, while Rickers had blocked Jon Cullen’s goalbound effort after Lee had nodded a deep David Farrell corner back across goal. But with Farrell always confronted by two opponents and Posh fielding a makeshift back-four including two midfielders at full-back and a full-back at centre-half it was no surprise that this decisive forward momentum was lost until the final moments.

In that hectic finale, Lee’s scrambled shot was hacked off the line by Shaun Garnett and David Oldfield’s crashing drive was inadvertently blocked by McKenzie, but one powerful surge by Oldfield lead to a generously-awarded free-kick which enabled Posh to win an unlikely replay. Lee will understandably take most of the plaudits, but the performances of Adam Drury at centre-half, Shields in a highly-competitive midfield area and Oldfield at full-back and when pushed further forward were also impressive.
A repeat of that plus a more carefully-controlled diet on the eve of the replay may well yet see Posh take on the competition holders in the next round. Now that would be something to get excited about.

POSH assistant manager Wayne Turner insists his players are going to have to get used to teams coming to London Road intent on avoiding defeat. Turner said: “Oldham clearly looked at our record at home and arrived determined not to get beaten. “They had a very simple game-plan designed to stop us playing while hitting us on the break with their tricky front players.  “We should treat it as a compliment because teams obviously have a great deal of respect for us and realise how dangerous we can be if we’re allowed to play. “We did find it hard today, but given the problems we had that wasn’t a real surprise. “We’d had problems with injuries anyway so to then suffer so much sickness the night before was potentially disastrous. “As a result we were a bit off the pace especially in the second-half, but all credit to the lads for summoning up enough energy to mount a late charge.
“To be in the third round draw was all we could have asked for realistically so in that sense we’re all delighted.”

REFEREEING controversies aside, Oldham manager Andy Ritchie was very happy with what he saw at London Road.
He said: “We knew we were in for a hard game because Peterborough have been exceptional at home so we planned accordingly.
“We definitely came here looking to win, but we had to be careful about committing too many men forward because they have players with pace who could hurt us. “It worked a treat. We started better and although they finished the first-half strongly, we always looked the more likely to score after the interval. “We had more chances and better chances, but we just couldn’t find a second goal, so to concede the equaliser right at the death was very disappointing. “But I’ll lift them up and we will go into the replay full of confidence.“We showed today we can hurt them so if we defend as well as this again, we will have a great chance of getting through.”