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Pompey announce new ground plan

—– The death is announced of Alan Ball, the youngest member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning team.
Awarded the MBE in 2000, he suffered a heart attack late last night after attempting to extinguish a bonfire in his garden. He was 61.
Born in Farnworth, Alan becomes the second member of the ‘66 team to pass away. Captain Bobby Moore died of cancer in 1993.
The diminutive ginger-haired midfielder was a 21 year-old with Blackpool when, on that glorious July day, he became one of the game’s giants.
Although Sir Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick led to the 4-2 win against West Germany, his team-mates have little doubt as to who was the true star of their finest hour.
Sir Bobby Charlton led the tributes: “He was probably the best player that day, and if it had not been for his impact the result could have been totally different.”
“He did not appear to have a nerve in his body, and he was an inspiration to us all.
“He was the youngest member of our squad and we were all looking forward to our latest reunion in two weeks. I am very sad and shocked by the news. Alan will be badly missed.”
The World Cup win soon led to a British record £110,000 move to Everton.
At Goodison Park, ‘Bally’ earned legendary status in the celebrated midfield ‘holy trinity’ with Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey that inspired the Football League title triumph in 1970.
Howard reflects: “We arrived at Everton in the same season and hit it off immediately.
“He was such a bubbly character, it was really Alan who made the partnership with me and Colin work as well as it did.
“This is a terrible loss for the club and for football.”
Another British record fee of £220,000 saw him move to Arsenal in 1971.
He later played for Southampton and in the United States before commencing his managerial career back at Blackpool.
In his new career, Alan went on to experience mixed success at Portsmouth (twice), Colchester United, Stoke City, Exeter City, Southampton and Manchester City but he was not to be match his achievements during his playing days.
Probably the most apt final words came from his fellow ‘66 hero and close friend, Jack Charlton: “Alan was a brave little fella. Everybody loved Alan; he was a lovely little lad.
“I’m laughing now because I am thinking of Alan. I am not happy and I don’t know why I’m laughing. It’s just thinking of him. I’ve got so many good memories of Alan Ball.”

—– Chelsea have a narrow but significant lead following their Champions League Semi-Final first-leg clash with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Joe Cole converts Didier Drogba’s cross after 29 minutes then deny the Reds a crucial away goal.
Liverpool would now have to score three times if Chelsea score at Anfield.
Match-winner Cole admits there’s all to play for in the return: “We’ll see the importance of the goal next week - it’s only half-time.
“Liverpool played well in the second half and there was a bit of fatigue creeping in. It’s one of those games where we had to dig in.”

—– Portsmouth announce plans to leave their atmospheric but creaking 20,000-capacity Fratton Park in 2011, and move to a new futuristic 36,000-seater stadium which will be built on reclaimed land in the city’s naval dockyards.
Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie explains: “Portsmouth is moving into a new dawn with the backing of owner Alexandre Gaydamak and these are very exciting times for the club both on and off the field.
“The new stadium is proof of where we want Pompey to be - playing at the highest level and in a stadium that is reflective of a top Premiership side.”
Fratton Park has been Pompey’s home since 1899, and another of British football homes will also soon be consigned to the history books.
St Mirren’s Love Street first staged football matches in 1894 but next season will be its last after planning permission is granted for the new 8,000-capacity Paisley Stadium.
A £15million deal to sell the Love Street site to supermarket giants Tesco will also clear the Buddies’ debts.

City not held to Ranson bid

Butcher in at Brentford

—– A brilliant last-minute strike by Wayne Rooney keeps Manchester United’s Champions League ambitions well and truly alive.
On another fantastic night of drama at Old Trafford, United appeared to be facing a nightmare scenario after trailing 1-2 at half-time courtesy of a stunning brace from AC Milan’s Kaka in the first leg of their semi-final.
Rooney levelled on the hour following a superb pass from Paul Scholes before cracking home a low shot from the edge of the box to complete the comeback and give the Red Devils a narrow advantage ahead of next week’s return at the San Siro.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson says: “We kept playing our football, some of which was fantastic, and dominated the second half.
“Some of the football we played was absolute quality, really top class. We’ve got a magnificent chance now.”

—– Former Manchester City right-back Ray Ranson reveals he is heading a consortium that has made an offer to buy the Premiership club.
The 46 year-old multi-millionaire is thought to have made a £90million bid.
A statement reads: “Ray Ranson can confirm that he is interested in buying the club and has, over the past couple of months, made indicative proposals to the club concerning a possible offer.”
Ranson made his money from insurance and football finance, and has also invested in football analysis company Prozone.
Manchester City’s board immediately cast doubts about the viability of the bid: “Ray Ranson’s indicative proposals contain a number of material conditions that the board do not believe can be fulfilled.”
He made two unsuccessful bids for Aston Villa before they were bought by American billionaire Randy Lerner.
Yesterday, reports claimed that former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is interested in buying City with partners from China and the Middle East.

—– Former England captain Terry Butcher is named the new manager of relegated Brentford.
He will commence his duties at Griffin Park on 7 May. Scott Fitzgerald was sacked following the Bees demotion to League Two was confirmed.
The ex-Ipswich Town and Rangers centre-back was recently appointed assistant manager at Partick Thistle following a brief spell as boss at Sydney FC.
He had resurrected his managerial reputation at Motherwell after earlier unsuccessful stints at Coventry City and Sunderland.
Brentford chairman Greg Dyke says: “His record as a player is second to none and stands as an inspiration to others.
“We were particularly impressed by his four-year record at Motherwell where under his leadership and guidance the club competed well above expectations.”

—– It’s a significant night at the bottom of League Two.
Bristol Rovers’ 1-0 at Macclesfield Town leaves the Pirates just a point adrift of the Play-Offs but plunges Paul Ince’s team back into relegation trouble.
Macc are only a place and two points about the bottom two after fellow strugglers Wrexham win for the third game in a row with a 1-0 victory at Shrewsbury Town.

Man City in Thai takeover rumour

Barton slams City’s season

—– Championship promotion hopefuls West Bromwich Albion take a two-goal lead in the first eight minutes at Burnley but eventually lose 2-3 to squander three precious points.
The tide turns against the Baggies on the stroke of half-time when centre-back Paul McShane is controversially sent-off following a clash of heads in an aerial challenge.
Their defeat leaves the chase for Play-Off places incredibly tight.
Positions 4th to 10th are split by only three points with two games to play.

—– After the club was earlier linked with a buy-out from American investors, reports suggest that controversial former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is interested in buying Manchester City with partners from China and the Middle East.
The 57 year-old failed in a similar bid for Liverpool in 2004.
Sources in the Far East believe Shinawatra is considering a £92 million purchase of City.
His legal counsel, Noppadon Pattama, refused to confirm the report but told Thai newspaper The Nation: “As soon as Thaksin finishes his vacation, I will ask him about it and hold a news conference.”

—– In maybe not the greatest example of perfect timing, Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton ruins any chance of a future career in the club’s marketing department in an amazing outburst about City’s season to date.
In an interview with BBC Radio Manchester, the 24 year-old is likely to be more appreciated in the stands than the Eastlands changing room after he blasts: “You have to face facts. We have not brought quality in. One or two have done all right but not enough to take the team onto the next level.
“We can’t gamble on players who have scored six goals in six games in the Pontins League or in Belgium.
“I know a lot of the supporters are umming and ahhing about whether to buy their season tickets.
“They go out and work hard. It is a lot of money to buy a season ticket at our place and they are not getting value for money.”

Ronaldo wins PFA double

Celtic clinch SPL title

—– Within 24 hours of having the door thrown wide open in their chase of retaining their Premiership title, Chelsea miss the chance to reduce the gap behind leaders Manchester United to just one point.
The reigning champions rarely look like breaking the deadlock in a goalless draw at Newcastle United.
Chelsea believed they should have had a penalty when Toon defender Stephen Carr appeared to handle in the area.
Although he admits to a missed chance, with Manchester United surviving penalty claims against them in their last two games, manager Jose Mourinho also spies an injustice: “The circumstances are difficult for us with the new football rules that we have to face.
“It is not possible to have a penalty against Manchester United. It is not possible to have a penalty in favour of Chelsea.”
Portsmouth earn a point from a goalless draw at Aston Villa to boost their chances of UEFA Cup qualification.
The star of the show is Pompey keeper David James who creates a new Premiership record with his 142nd clean sheet.
While it has taken the former Liverpool goalie 473 games to reach the landmark figure, the previous record holder - Arsenal’s David Seaman - took only 344 games to keep 141 shut-outs.

—– Cristiano Ronaldo is voted the PFA’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.
He is the first to do the players’ union double since Andy Gray - then of Aston Villa, now a Sky Sports pundit - in 1977.
Having been jeered at the start of the season due to his part in Portugal’s elimination of England during last summer’s World Cup, the Manchester United winger has won over his detractors, and thrilled his admirers, with a string of dazzling performances this term.
He has also netted 16 goals to keep United on course for the treble.
On receiving his awards, the 22 year-old says: “It is a special night. It is amazing and a big honour for me to win trophies like this in the English Premier League. I am very proud.”

—– Birmingham City return to the top of the Championship, but only after a heart-stopping West Midlands derby win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
Blues snatched an 88th minute winner through Cameron Jerome but appeared to have thrown two points away as Wolves are awarded a penalty deep into stoppage.
Michael McIndoe - on a hat-trick and the leading penalty converter in the Football League last season - shoots weakly to allow City keeper Colin Doyle to complete an easy but vital save.
It’s Wolves fifth penalty miss of the season as they cling on to the final Play-Off with four teams within two points in arrears.
In the East Anglia derby, former Norwich City loanee David Wright returns to Carrow Road to fire home Ipswich Town’s deserved equaliser in a mid-table 1-1 draw.

—– At last! With the ice for their champagne almost turning to water, runaway leaders Celtic finally clinch the SPL title.
Although it seems to have been a mere formality for weeks, they finally claim their 41st Scottish title with four games to spare via Shunsuke Nakamura’s last minute winner at Kilmarnock.
Proud chairman Brian Quinn puts his Buoys achievement into context: “It’s arguably been the best season we have had in the last 30 to 40 years.
“Not only have we won the championship with games to spare, we have got to the Scottish Cup Final and the last 16 of the Champions League.”
Later in the day, Nakamura is named the Scottish PFA’s Player of the Year while boss Gordon Strachan wins their inaugural Manager of the Year award.

Hammers flying high as Watford hopes fade

Us end Black Cats run

—– After conceding an early goal, Middlesbrough blow the Premiership title race wide open by deservedly earning a 1-1 draw at Manchester United.
With Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer rarely troubled, the leaders could have paid an even heavier price for a lacklustre afternoon as the visitors have strong claims for a late penalty turned down.
United suffer another blow as Rio Ferdinand is ruled out for the next two weeks with a groin problem. They now have nine players unavailable due to injury.
Although the Red Devils have a four-point advantage, Chelsea will retain their crown if they win all of their remaining five league games.
Liverpool, in third, now have a four-point advantage ahead of fourth in the table Arsenal.
Liverpool comfortably beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 at Anfield while Arsenal are held to a 2-2 draw in the North London derby at Tottenham Hotspur. Jermaine Jenas nets a dramatic equaliser for Spurs in the dying seconds.
Reading’s hopes of a UEFA Cup place are given a major boost after they score three times in the last ten minutes to win 3-1 at Bolton Wanderers.
At the bottom, Watford’s relegation is confirmed after they draw 1-1 with Manchester City at Vicarage Road.
It leaves boss Adrian Boothroyd in reflective mood: “Nobody has died. It is not a time to be sad and say ‘if only’. It is a time to reflect, and make sure we build on all the good things from this season.”
The battle to avoid joining Watford in the Championship looks set to go right to the wire after West Ham United’s 1-0 win against Everton means the five teams above the Hornets are separated by only four points. Bobby Zamora scores the vital goal at Upton Park.
In the day’s key game, Sheffield United stay two points ahead of Charlton Athletic and out of the bottom three after coming from behind to grab a crucial 1-1 draw at The Valley.
Fulham stay in trouble after Lawrie Sanchez’s first home game in charge also ends 1-1. Blackburn Rovers are the visitors.

—– Championship leaders Sunderland suffer their first defeat in 18 games as they slump to a 1-3 loss on their first-ever visit to Colchester United.
It’s another high-water mark in the Us’ first season at this level. On a run of five wins in their last six games, they are now within a point of the Play-Offs with two games to play.
They are level on points with Southampton (who beat Leeds United 1-0 at St Mary’s) and Stoke City (who are denied a precious victory by an added time equaliser from Hull City’s Nick Barmby at the Britannia Stadium).
Leeds remain in the bottom three but are only a point behind the Tigers.
Southend United’s hopes of avoiding relegation are dented by a last minute winner by Plymouth Argyle’s Barry Hayles at Home Park.
The Blues are now four points adrift of safety with only six points available.
Leicester City’s Championship future appears secure after another late, late goal earns a 1-0 win at fourth-placed Preston North End. The former leaders have now lost five of their last six games.

—– It’s a nearly day for the top two in League One.
Only goal difference stands between the title and already promoted Scunthorpe United as they win 2-0 at Tranmere Rovers on manager Nigel Adkins return to his first club. Leading scorer Billy Sharp nets his 31st goal of the season to equal the club record set by Barrie Thomas in 1961-62.
Despite a fine 3-1 win at Carlisle United, Bristol City still have to wait to confirm their promotion to the Championship as there are also wins for Nottingham Forest (3-0 v AFC Bournemouth at the City Ground) and Blackpool (2-1 at Cheltenham Town).
Yeovil Town strengthen their Play-Off place despite a narrow 1-0 win against Rotherham United at Huish Park.
Only goal difference delays Chesterfield’s seemingly inevitable demotion to League Two after they lose 0-1 at Northampton Town.
Bradford City look likely to join them after fellow strugglers Leyton Orient win 2-0 at the Intersonic Stadium.

—– Promoted Walsall miss the chance to return to the top of League Two after relegation-threatened Bury pull off a surprise 1-0 win at the Bescot Stadium.
Swindon Town are almost certain to join the Saddlers in League One next term after they beat Mansfield Town 2-0 at the County Ground but Milton Keynes Dons 2-1 win at Stockport County leaves the Dons six points in arrears with two games to play.
The two clubs in greatest danger of following Torquay United into the Conference both clinch 1-0 home wins - Wrexham against the Gulls and Boston United versus Chester City. They remain level on 45 points.

—– For the first time in its 43 year-old history, one of the commentators on Match of the Day - BBC TV’s flagship football programme - is someone whose playing career was ended by a dislocated kneecap. And she’s a woman.
Jacqui Oatley describes the action from the Fulham v Blackburn Rovers game.
The life-long Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter’s MOTD debut attracts immense media attention due to her being the first-ever female football commentator on British television.
Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez is among those who take a more gentlemanly view: “I am delighted for Jacqui as I have heard her many times on Radio Five Live and believe she is a commentator of great quality, whose knowledge of the game and its personnel is every bit as good as anyone else I have heard.”
While his former Wimbledon boss Dave Bassett is one of those who still need some convincing: “I am totally against it and everybody I know in football is totally against it. The world of football is so politically correct these days.
“I never really agreed that we should have women officials and I don’t think we should have female commentators. And my wife agrees!”