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Lampard backs Chelsea squad

2010-09-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

Frank Lampard says he has no fears about Chelsea's ageing squad as they gear up for the Champions League.

The Blues midfielder is confident that Carlo Ancelotti's side can lift Europe's biggest prize at Wembley in May and finally bring the trophy to Stamford Bridge for the first time in their history.

After securing the domestic league and cup double in the Italian's first season in charge, the 32-year-old England international believes this squad has yet to peak despite concern over the Blues' senior men.

Captain John Terry and Ashley Cole are both 29 while Nicolas Anelka, Yossi Benayoun and striker Didier Drogba are all over 30.

But Lampard, who has now recovered from a hernia injury, which ruled him out of England's opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers, has rejected any suggestions that the Chelsea squad is too old.

deep hunger

He said: "It is a load of rubbish when I hear talk about there only being one or two years left in our spine. This has been going on for a year or so.

"Sometimes that is mind games from other managers, or press talk. But we proved them wrong last year.

"We have got players here who are experienced and you can't buy experience in football. Look at Didier, he will overpower any player who is 24 or 25.

"People have been talking about Paul Scholes and rightly so. If you took him out of the United team now, they'd need to replace him - and probably wouldn't be able to."

Lampard admits to a having a deep hunger for success at Stamford Bridge and has set himself a series of goals this season.

"Every year I set my goals again. I don't lose any ambition or drive.

"I would love to win the Champions League one day but I want more Premier League titles as well.

"And if I can keep my level up I think I can play for many more years.

source:http://www.premierleague.com

Hot girls play foot ball

2010-09-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club

2010-08-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

Wolverhampton Wanderers will ply their trade in the Premier League for a second season after a superb 2009/10 campaign.

Many pudits predicted a swift return to the Championship, but under manager Mick McCarthy, Wolves proved the doubters wrong and ended up in 15th place.

Wolves' first spell in the Premier League came in the 2003/04 season, after they won promotion via the play-offs. A disappointing season ended in relegation, as the Midlands side finished bottom of the table with 33 points.

They won the Championship title in 2009 and have been in the top flight since.

club heritage

Initially formed as St Luke's FC in 1877, the club became a founder member of the Football League 11 years later. In 1889, the club moved to their Molineux ground and reached the FA Cup final, losing 3-0 to Preston North End. The first of four FA Cup wins came in 1893, when they beat Everton 1-0.

In 1906, Wolves were relegated to the Second Division, but enjoyed another FA Cup win two years later, this time over favourites Newcastle United. In 1923 the club slipped further down the league system, with relegation to the Third Division (north.).

Success came 12 months later when they won Division Two. In 1932, they were promoted again, returning to the top-flight after a 26 year absence.

When Wolves old-boy Stan Cullis became manager in 1948, he oversaw one of the club's most triumphant periods, with an FA Cup win in 1949 being followed by three First Division titles in the fifties. Another FA Cup success, this time over Blackburn Rovers, came in 1960. After Cullis left the club in 1963, Wolves spent two seasons in the second tier before winning promotion once more.

Under manager Bill McGarry, the club made a UEFA Cup Final appearance against Tottenham Hotspur in 1972 and won the League Cup in 1974. In 1976 Wolves were relegated back to the Second Division, but they bounced back at the first time of asking, promoted as champions in 1977.

The early 1980s saw a League Cup win, a relegation to the Second Division, bankruptcy, and a promotion, followed by three successive relegations which left the club in the Fourth Division.

A change of ownership saw a dramatic improvement in the club's fortunes. The Molineux outfit won promotion from Division Four in 1987/88, which was followed by a second successive promotion a year later.

In 1990, Sir Jack Hayward bought the club and with his investment in the stadium and the team, the club enjoyed more stability, spending much of the 1990s pushing for a place in the Premier League, with several play-off final disappointments along the way.

The dream of Premier League football was eventually realised in 2003, with a play-off final win over Sheffield United at the Millennium Stadium clinching their promotion. Having seen his beloved club hit the big time, Hayward retired six months later.

A single season in the top-flight ended in relegation, with manager Dave Jones being dismissed shortly after. Former England manager Glenn Hoddle enjoyed a two-year spell at the club before Mick McCarthy took over the reins in the summer of 2006.

Then in August 2007, Redrow founder Steve Morgan bought Wolves for £10 plus a commitment to invest £30m into the club. In 2009, Wolves were promoted to the Barclays Premier League after being crowned Championship champions.

premier league history

2002/03 - Win promotion to Premier League via play-offs.
2003/04 - Relegated from the top-flight with 33 points.
2008/09 - Crowned champions of the Championship, promoted back to the Premier League.
2009/10 - Secured their Barclays Premier League status

source: http://www.premierleague.com

Wigan Athletic Football Club

2010-08-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

Wigan Athletic won promotion to England's top flight for the first time ever in 2005 and have stayed a Premier League club ever since.

Remaining in the top half of the table for almost the entire 2005/06 campaign, the Latics finished 10th and reached the League Cup final for the first time in their history.

Wigan's rise has been swift. Playing in the old Third Division when local millionaire Dave Whelan purchased the club in 1995, his Premier League ambitions were realised in just 10 years.

Wigan found the 2006/07 season more taxing and were pulled into a relegation dogfight. However, they survived on the final day of the campaign after a 2-1 win against relegation rivals Sheffield United. Manager Paul Jewell chose to step down after survival had been guaranteed and was replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings.

However, after a run of six consecutive defeats at the start of the next term, Hutchings was sacked in November 2007. He had lasted just 12 matches. Steve Bruce, who had briefly managed the Latics in 2001, was lured away from Birmingham City to take over and helped the club avoid relegation and finish a respectable 14th.

In March 2009, the club announced the JJB Stadium would be re-named the DW Stadium from 1st August 2009. Bruce guided the Latics to a decent 11th place finish at the end of 2008/09 - their second best finish in the Premier League. In May 2009, Bruce moved on to become manager of Sunderland and he was replaced by former Wigan player Roberto Martinez from Swansea City.

Wigan suffered some heavy defeats over 2009/10 including a 9-1 thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur and 8-0 to Chelsea but Martinez guided them to safety.

Club Heritage

The club was formed in 1932 following the demise of Wigan Borough the previous year. With Wigan County, Wigan United and Wigan Town also failing to establish themselves, this was fifth time lucky as far as Wigan Athletic were concerned.

Wigan hold the record for the biggest cup win by a non-league club over a league club. In the 1934/35 season, they defeated Carlisle United 6-1 in the FA Cup fifth round. This was achieved when playing in the Cheshire County League and it was not until 1978, and after appearances in the Lancashire Combination and Northern Premier League, that Wigan were elected to the Football League.

This came after numerous failed election attempts and a controversial application to join the Scottish League Second Division. They finished runners-up to Boston United in the Northern Premier League, but the latter's ground and facilities were deemed unsuitable for the Football League, and the Latics were put forward for election.

Wigan took their first step towards the Premier League in 1997 when they won the Third Division under John Deehan. Paul Jewell then earned promotion to the First Division with a points tally of 100 in 2002/03, just his second season at the club.

Premier League History

2004/05 - Promoted to Barclays Premiership
2006/07 - Emile Heskey signs from Birmingham City for a club record £5.5m
2006/07 - Paul Jewell resigns as manager and is replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings
2007/08 - Hutchings sacked as manager
2007/08 - Steve Bruce appointed manager
2008/09 - Bruce resigns at the end of the season to become Sunderland manager. Roberto Martinez takes over.
2009/10 - Martinez keeps Wigan in the top flight

source: http://www.premierleague.com

West Ham United Football Club

2010-08-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

West Ham United secured their place back in the Barclays Premiership after a two-year absence in 2005.

The Hammers joined the Premier League in 1993 and consolidated in midtable under manager Billy Bonds. At the start of the following season, assistant Harry Redknapp stepped up to become the new manager after Bonds quit the post.

Redknapp's first campaign saw the Hammers finish in 14th place, but he led them to three top-10 finishes including fifth place in 1999. Youth team coach Glenn Roeder became the new manager in 2001 and he had a successful first season leading the team to seventh. But things went badly wrong 12 months later, as they were relegated in 2003.

Alan Pardew took over and led West Ham to the Championship play-offs, but they lost to Crystal Palace in the final. However, the Hammers only had to wait another season before returning to the top flight after play-off success over Preston North End.

On their return to the top flight in 2005/06, Pardew's men came ninth and also finished as FA Cup runners-up after Liverpool beat them in a penalty shoot-out. In the 2006/07 season, the Hammers started brightly but plunged into a relegation dogfight and Pardew left as manager in November.

New manager Alan Curbishley eventually reversed the slump and West Ham miraculously escaped relegation on the very last day of the season. Curbishley backed that up with a 10th place finish in the 2007/08 campaign in what was seen as a season of consolidation. Gianfranco Zola took the hotseat when Curbishley resigned in September 2008 and led the Hammers to a ninth place finish in 2009.

However the 2009/10 campaign was a struggle with a change of ownership in January 2010 when former Birmingham City owners David Sullivan and David Gold took charge. The Hammers eventually avoided relegation by one place and although they finished five points clear of the drop zone, it was not enough to save Zola's job and he was sacked on 11th May 2010.

West Ham have never played outside football's top two divisions since joining the Football League in 1919.

Club Heritage

Founded in 1895, the club was originally known as Thames Ironworks FC, before it was re-named as West Ham United five years later. West Ham won promotion to the top flight in 1923 and the same year appeared in the first Wembley FA Cup Final. They clinched the FA Cup in 1964 and were crowned European Cup Winners' Cup winners in the following season.

More FA Cup glory arrived in 1975 and the Hammers were European Cup Winners' Cup finalists 12 months later. But in 1978, they suffered a blow with relegation from the top tier. But as a Second Division side, West Ham upset Arsenal to win the FA Cup in 1980. They won promotion in 1981 and spent eight seasons in the top flight - including a club-best finish of third in 1986 - before getting relegated in 1989.

West Ham regained their place in the top division in 1991, but had the pain of relegation after one season. However, they bounced back immediately with promotion back up at the first attempt in 1993. After a 10-year spell in the Premier League, the East London outfit suffered relegation again but won their place back in 2005.

Premier League History

1992/93 - Join Premier League
1994/95 - Harry Redknapp replaces Billy Bonds as manager
2001/02 - Glenn Roeder becomes manager
2002/03 - Trevor Brooking installed as caretaker manager
2002/03 - Relegated from Barclaycard Premiership
2003/04 - Alan Pardew appointed manager
2004/05 - Promoted to Barclays Premiership via play-offs
2005/06 - Reach FA Cup final losing on penalties to Liverpool after 3-3 draw
2006/07 - An Icelandic consortium fronted by Eggert Magnusson buys the club
2006/07 - Alan Curbishley takes charge
2007/08 - Magnusson sells his stake in the club and Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson takes over as Chairman.
2008/09 - Curbishley resigns and is replaced by Gianfranco Zola.
2009/10 - David Sullivan and David Gold take over ownership of the club in January 2010. Zola is sacked in May 2010 after the Hammers finish one place but five points above the drop zone. After leaving Portsmouth at the end of the season, Avram Grant is confirmed as the club's new manager.

source: http://www.premierleague.com

West Bromwich Albion-Club Profile

2010-08-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

West Bromwich Albion returned to the Barclays Premier League after a strong 2009/10 campaign which saw them finish runners-up behind runaway title-winners Newcastle United in the Championship.

Under the guidance of new head coach Roberto di Matteo, the Baggies finished comfortably 12 points clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest.

Founded in 1878 the Midlands club became one of the original members of the Football League 10 years later.

They spent most of their early history in England's top tier, winning the league title in 1920, the FA Cup on five occasions and League Cup once. Their Premier League debut came in 2002.

They were relegated after just one season but returned two years later and stayed up on the final day of the 2004/05 campaign. It was only a temporary reprieve as they were relegated a year later only to bounce back at the first attempt as champions. They again lasted just one season but the "Boing Boing" Baggies again bounced straight back and now hope to get a firm foothold in the Barclays Premier League.

Heritage

The club was formed in 1878 by workers from George Salter's Spring Works in West Bromwich and took the name West Bromwich Strollers a year later.

They were renamed West Bromwich Albion in 1880 - Albion was a district of West Bromwich where some of the players lived or worked.

Albion entered the FA Cup in 1883 and were finalists in 1886 and 1887 before making it third time lucky with victory in the 1888 final where they beat Preston North End.

That same year, Albion became one of 12 founder members of the Football League and clinched the FA Cup again in 1892 with a 3-0 triumph over Aston Villa.

Three years later, Villa beat them in the FA Cup final and relegation to Division Two followed in 1901 in the first season at their Hawthorns ground.

Although they won promotion at the first attempt as champions, they went down in their first season back in the top flight. Albion won the Division Two title in 1911 and were again FA Cup finalists a year later.

The club claimed the league title in 1920 - the only time in their history - and finished as runners-up five years later.

Another relegation to Division Two came in 1927, but in 1931 they were celebrating promotion and added the FA Cup to their trophy cabinet with victory over Birmingham City.

They were FA Cup finalists again in 1935 - were relegated three years later - but won promotion back to the big league in 1949 where they stayed for 24 seasons.

More FA Cup success arrived in 1954, when they also finished second in the top flight, establishing themselves as one of the best sides in the land.

The League Cup was won in 1966 to go with the FA Cup two years after for a fifth time. Albion were League Cup finalists in 1967 and 1970.

The Baggies have since spent the rest of their history between the top three divisions. Promotion to the Premier League was achieved in 2002.

Premier League history

2002/03 - Albion's first season in the Premier League with Gary Megson at the helm, but are relegated.
2004 - The club break their transfer record to sign Robert Earnshaw from Cardiff City for £3.5m.
2004/05 - Megson leads them back to the top flight after one season away. Bryan Robson replaces Megson at the helm in November 2004 and the Baggies stay up on the final day of the campaign.
2006/07 - Robson leaves his post and is replaced by Tony Mowbray in October 2006. Albion are relegated from the Premier League.
2007/08 - Tony Mowbray leads Albion to the Championship title.
2008/09 - Albion finish bottom of the Barclays Premier League on 32 points and are relegated.
2009/10 - Roberto di Matteo leads Albion back to the Barclays Premier League as runners-up in the Championship.

source: http://www.premierleague.com

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club

2010-08-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

Tottenham Hotspur have been in the Premier League since its inception and have lit the competition up with their flamboyant style of play. With Jurgen Klinsmann and Ilie Dumitrescu, the team was built around goals, but points were harder to come by. Relegation was only narrowly avoided in 1998, but fans' relief was short lived as their next manager was a legend from fierce north London rivals Arsenal - George Graham.

He led the team to a League Cup victory in his first season - Spurs' first trophy since the Premier League began. However, it wasn't until Martin Jol took over in 2004 and started building a team for the future - firmly placing his faith in youth - that Spurs began to climb the table. They only narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification in the 2005/06 season and secured another fifth place finish the following campaign.

But a slow start to the 2007/08 season saw Jol replaced by Juande Ramos. The Spaniard repeated Graham's trick of winning the League Cup in his first season by defeating Chelsea in the final at Wembley Stadium and also lifted the club up to 11th place in the league.

Ramos was sacked in October 2008 with the team bottom of the Barclays Premier League on just two points. He was replaced by Harry Redknapp who sparked a remarkable revival leading the side to an eighth-place finish and the Carling Cup final where they lost on penalties to Manchester United.

The 2009/10 season was Tottenham's most successful yet in the Premier League as they saw off a strong challenge from Manchester City to finish fourth, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time.

Club Heritage

Boys from Hotspur Cricket Club and the local grammar club formed Hotspur FC in 1882. The name was changed to Tottenham Hotspur in 1884. Three years later, they played their first north London derby, but the match was called off after 15 minutes "owing to darkness" - Spurs were beating Arsenal 2-1.

The club turned professional in 1885, but didn't join the football league until 1908. In the meantime, they became the only non-league team to win the FA Cup (in 1901) since the formation of the Football League in 1888. Spurs became perceived as a big club when Bill Nicholson took over in 1958. He won his first match 10-4 - a sign of what was to come. In his 16 years at the club, Spurs won eight major trophies - becoming the first club in the 20th century to complete the league and cup 'double' in 1961 and the first British team to win a major European competition in 1963.

Further league success eluded Spurs and, following Nicholson's retirement, they even spent a brief stint in the Second Division in 1977/78. Their ethos of playing attacking football continued though - players that wowed the White Hart Lane faithful include Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle, Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker.

Premier League History

1993/94 - Ossie Ardiles becomes manager
1994/95 - Ardiles sacked in September. Replaced by Gerry Francis
1997/98 - Francis replaced by Christian Gross, who re-signs Jurgen Klinsmann
1998/99 - Gross replaced by George Graham. Win League Cup
2000/01 - Glenn Hoddle replaces Graham in April. ENIC complete takeover with Daniel Levy becoming chairman
2003/04 - David Pleat replaces Hoddle in September
2004/05 - Jacques Santini becomes head coach, but quits after just 13 matches. Replaced by Martin Jol
2007/08 - Sign Darren Bent for club record £16.5m from Charlton Athletic
2007/08 - Martin Jol sacked as manager in October
2007/08 - Juande Ramos appointed manager and names Spurs old boy Gus Poyet as assistant
2007/08 - Win League Cup
2008/09 Juande Ramos sacked as manager along with coaches Gus Poyet, Marcos Alvarez and sporting director Damien Comolli. Harry Redknapp leaves Portsmouth to take the reins. Spurs lose the Carling Cup final to Manchester United on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Wembley
2009/10 Spurs finish fourth, their highest ever placing in the Premier League. It sees them qualify for the Champions League

source: http://www.premierleague.com

Sunderland Association Football Club

2010-08-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

Sunderland have established themselves as a Barclays Premier League side after winning the Championship title in 2006/07.

After their relegation in 2006, the club was taken over by Drumaville - a consortium of mainly Irish-based businessmen, headed up by former player Niall Quinn - which appointed Republic of Ireland legend and former Manchester United hero Roy Keane as manager, his first managerial post since hanging up his boots.

The club have not looked back since as Keane guided them from the bottom of the Championship to title winners. Keane led them to a 15th Barclays Premier League place finish in 2007/08 but left the club midway through the following season with the Black Cats struggling at the foot of the table.

Coach Ricky Sbragia moved up from coach to take charge until the end of the campaign and ensured the struggling Black Cats avoided the drop. Majority shareholder Ellis Short assumed 100 per cent control of the club with Quinn staying on as chairman. They appointed Steve Bruce as new manager and he steered the Black Cats to 13th position in 2009/10.

Club Heritage

Glaswegian schoolteacher James Allan founded Sunderland and District Teachers' Association Football Club in 1879, changing the name to Sunderland AFC a year later. They were elected to the newly-formed Football League in 1890/91 and were to remain in the top flight for 68 consecutive years - a record only recently passed by Arsenal.

Sunderland won the title three times in five years, only losing one home match in their first six seasons. The Mackems won another title in 1902, but a better prize in their fans eyes' was a 9-1 thrashing of fierce rivals Newcastle United - still a record away win in the top flight. The team came close to doing the double in 1913 but they lost the FA Cup final 1-0 to Aston Villa.

A post-war slump saw them beaten by Yeovil Town in the FA Cup - the first time a non-league club had beaten a top-flight team - and worse, relegated in 1958. Sunderland have spent most of their time since then bouncing between the top two divisions, with their only real glory being a 1973 FA Cup win over Leeds United - the first time in 40 years a club outside the top flight had won the trophy.

The Black Cats reached their lowest point in 1987 as they were relegated to the Third Division. But successive promotions saw them back in the top flight two years later.

Premier League History

1992/93 - Avoid relegation to Division Two by one point
1993/94 - Mick Buxton replaces Terry Butcher as manager
1994/95 - Peter Reid becomes manager with seven matches remaining
1995/96 - Win Division One
1996/97 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1997/98 - First season at Stadium of Light. Lose play-off final on penalties
1998/99 - Win Division One with a record 105 points
2002/03 - Break record signing with Tore Andre Flo for £6.75m. Reid replaced by Howard Wilkinson. Mick McCarthy takes over with nine matches left. Relegated with lowest points tally ever (19)
2004/05 - Win Division One
2005/06 - McCarthy leaves in March after just two wins. Kevin Ball appointed as caretaker. Relegated with new record low number of points (15).
2006/07 - Consortium headed by former hero Niall Quinn takes over. Quinn appointed as manager but sacks himself after four straight defeats. Roy Keane becomes manager. Win promotion to the Barclays Premier League
2007/08 - Break British transfer record for a goalkeeper - paying Hearts £9m for Craig Gordon
2008/09 - After a disappointing run, Roy Keane resigns from his post as manager in December. Ricky Sbragia takes temporary charge and keeps the Black Cats up. Steve Bruce takes becomes new pemanent manager in June.
2009/10 - Bruce secures Sunderland's Barclays Premier League status as they finish 13th.

source: http://www.premierleague.com

Stoke City-Club Profile

2010-08-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

Stoke City secured a third season in the Barclays Premier League with an impressive 11th place finish at the end of 2009/10.

Manager Tony Pulis again exceeded expectations by confirming the Potters' place in the top flight with a handful of matches to spare a year after they placed 12th.

This is Pulis' second spell in charge at the club. He originally parted company with the Potters at the end of the 2004/05 season. Dutch manager Johan Boskamp stepped in but left at the end of the season after a mid-table finish.

Boskamp's departure came as former-chairman Peter Coates was completing a takeover of the club and he reappointed Pulis who, after leading the club to eighth in the 2006/07 season, guided them to promotion.

Prior to their promotion, Stoke had not competed in the top flight since the 1984/85 season.

Their most recent trophy was won in 2000 when their first overseas manager, Gudjon Thordarson, guided them to The Auto Windscreens trophy. It was the Icelander who led them to promotion into the First Division in 2001.

Heritage

There is some doubt over when Stoke came into existence. It is reported that a club was formed in 1863 by former pupils of the Charterhouse School, but there is little evidence of matches being played.

A report in The Field magazine on 1868 stated that a club had been formed in Stoke-on-Trent and that its founder member was ex-Charterhouse School pupil Henry Almond.

So it is possible that matches had been played over the previous five years but the first on record played by Almond's team was in October 1868 and consisted mainly of railway employees. The team was called Stoke Ramblers.

The club turned professional in 1885, and became owners of their stadium, the Victoria Ground, around 1919. The club's most celebrated player Stanley Matthews made his debut in the 1930s and helped the club achieve promotion to the top flight in 1933.

Stoke mounted a serious title challenge in the 1946/47 season but missed out on the final day. Matthews, at the age of 32, opted to join Blackpool two matches earlier.

The club won its first major trophy in 1972 when beating Chelsea 2-1 to win the League Cup. They played a staggering 11 matches before achieving this feat.

The Potters have enjoyed sustained spells in the top tier of English football, while also residing in the Second Division, notably for a ten-year period in the 1950s and early 60s. Under Tony Waddington they remained in the First Division between 1963 and 1977, and it was in that period that they won their only major trophy.

Stoke had been back in the top flight for six successive seasons before they were relegated in 1984/85. The Potters remained in the Second Division for the rest of the decade. Between 1980 and 1990, the club had five managers and five chairmen.

Under Alan Ball, the club were relegated to the Third Division in 1991 and he failed to earn them promotion the following season. Lou Macari, though, steered them back up in time for the 1992/93 season, and made it two promotions in two campaigns by taking the club up to Division One that season.

Stoke consolidated their position for five seasons before relegation in 1997/98. Four seasons in the Second Division followed, until Thordarson took them back up.

source: http://www.premierleague.com

Newcastle United Football Club

2010-08-28T20:13:00.000-07:00

Newcastle United fans have had a rollercoaster time since the inception of the Premier League. When Kevin Keegan took over the reins in 1992, the club was on the brink of relegation to the old Division Three. But under his management, they romped to the title and took their place in the FA Carling Premiership in time for the 1993/94 season.

With a goal-hungry Andy Cole and veteran Peter Beardsley at the forefront of an attacking team, they were dubbed "The Entertainers". Attack was the first form of defence and it worked as the North East outfit finished third in their first season. They went even closer two years later. Leading Manchester United by 12 points, they eventually slipped to second.

Signing Alan Shearer for a world record £15m eased the Toon Army's disappointment and again they were runners-up. Managerial upheaval has seen the club fail to reach those dizzy heights since. Sam Allardyce took over for the 2007/08 campaign but was sensationally replaced by Keegan later that season. Equally unexpectedly, Keegan resigned in September 2008 and was replaced by Joe Kinnear whose initial short-term contract was soon extended to the end of the campaign. However there was further disruption as Kinnear was rushed to hospital in February 2009 and needed heart surgery. Chris Hughton took temporary charge during Kinnear's absence. Magpies legend Alan Shearer returned to his old club and took the managerial reins for the final eight fixtures of the campaign but he was unable to prevent them slipping into the Championship as they were beaten 1-0 at Aston Villa on the final day of the campaign.

However the Magpies bounced straight back to the Barclays Premier League at the first attempt. Hughton was handed the job on a permanent basis in October 2009 and repaid the club by leading them to the Championship title - and in some style. they racked up 102 points and 90 goals to finish 11 points clear of runners-up West Bromwich Albion.

Club Heritage

In 1881, Stanley Cricket Club formed a football team to occupy themselves in winter. A year later, they changed their name to East End FC, turning professional in 1889. In 1892, they took over fierce rivals West End and moved into their ground - St James' Park. And on 22nd December, the FA approved the name Newcastle United.

The Magpies joined the Football League in 1893 and swiftly became one of the game's giants - winning three league titles and an FA Cup by 1914. In 1934 they were relegated though - despite memorably defeating Liverpool 9-2 and Everton 7-3. The Magpies started to rebuild, helped enormously by former star Stan Seymour as director.

The end of the Second World War saw the birth of another great team. Newcastle signed Jackie Milburn after he responded to their advert for trialists, and with his help, they lifted the FA Cup three times in five years. They also recorded the highest victory in English League football, 13-0 over Newport County in 1946.

European success followed when the Magpies won the Fairs Cup - re-named the Uefa Cup in 1969 - despite a brief spell in Division Two, and in 1971 Malcolm Macdonald was signed from Luton Town. Devastating in front of goal, 'Supermac' led the Magpies to Wembley twice - in the FA Cup in 1974 and League Cup in 1976 - and quickly established himself as a Newcastle legend. The club have had their ups and downs since then but players such as Kevin Keegan, Paul Gascoigne and Chris Waddle have seen them maintain their ethos of attractive and attacking football.

Premier League History

1992/93 - Promoted to FA Carling Premiership as Division One Champions
1994/95 - Sell Andy Cole to Manchester United for English record transfer fee of £7million
1995/96 - FA Carling Premiership runners-up
1996/97 - Sign Alan Shearer for world record £15m. Manager Kevin Keegan quits in January. Replaced by Kenny Dalglish. FA Carling Premiership runners-up
1997/98 - Lose FA Cup Final 2-0 to Arsenal
1998/99 - Ruud Gullit replaces Dalglish. Lose FA Cup final 2-0 to Manchester United
1999/00 - Bobby Robson replaces Gullit. Wins first home match 8-0 against Sheffield Wednesday
2004/05 - Robson sacked. Replaced by Graeme Souness
2005/06 - Sign Michael Owen for club record £17m. Souness sacked, replaced by Glenn Roeder. Shearer becomes record goalscorer - overtaking Jackie Milburn's tally of 200. Retires having scored 206 goals for Newcastle
2006/07 - Roeder sacked with one match of the Barclays Premiership season to go. Sam Allardyce appointed two days after season ends. 26th June - Mike Ashley and St. James' Holdings gain 90 per cent of shares, enough to take over the club
2007/08 - Sam Allardyce leaves the club in January '08 by mutual consent. Kevin Keegan replaces Allardyce to make a sensational return to the club.
2008/09 - Keegan resigns in September '08 by mutual consent. He is replaced by Joe Kinnear, initially on a 10-week contract soon extended to the end of the season. However heart surgery in February forces Kinnear to miss two months of the season with Chris Hughton stepping in on a temporary basis. Alan Shearer is put in charge for the final eight fixtures but cannot prevent the Magpies being relegated to the Championship.
2009/10 - Hughton leads Newcastle back to the Barclays Premier League as runaway champions.

source: http://www.premierleague.com

Manchester United Football Club

2010-08-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

Manchester United are the most successful Premier League club having won the title 11 times. It all began in 1993 when manager Sir Alex Ferguson ended a 26-year wait to lift the Premier League crown.

The signing of Eric Cantona for £1.2m from Leeds United proved a masterstroke as the Frenchman was instrumental in the title victory, along with the likes of Gary Pallister, Denis Irwin, Ryan Giggs and Paul Ince.

United retained the trophy in the following campaign and romped to further titles in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003. More silverware was added to the Red Devils' burgeoning trophy cabinet with FA Cup success in 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2004, plus League Cup victories in 1992 and 2006.

Perhaps the most memorable time in the club's history was the treble-winning season of 1999 when they added the European Champions League trophy to the league title and FA Cup.

Chelsea briefly broke their league dominance with title wins in 2005 and 2006. But in the 2006/07 season, the Red Devils roared back to regain the Barclays Premiership.

They went one better in 2007/08, enjoying their most successful campaign since winning the treble. They saw off the challenge of Chelsea and Arsenal to win an exciting Barclays Premier League title race and defeated the Blues on penalties in the Champions League final after a 1-1 draw between the two sides in Moscow.

In 2008/09, United made it a hat-trick of titles, also winning the Carling Cup but narrowly missing out to Barcelona in the Champions League final.

They retained the Carling Cup in 2010 but finished a point behind Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League after a tense race which went to the final day of the campaign.

Club Heritage

Formed as Newton Heath L&YR F.C in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902. Six years later they clinched the Division One title, then the FA Cup in 1909, and another title triumph in 1911.

Matt Busby became manager in 1945 and steered United to championship victories in 1952, 1956 and 1957. They became the first English club to compete in the European Cup and reached the semi-final, before going out to Real Madrid. Tragedy struck in 1958 when the plane carrying the team home from a European match crashed, killing eight players.

Busby survived and led his rebuilt team to an FA Cup win in 1963, then league titles in 1965 and 1967. United won the European Cup in 1968 with victory over Benfica in the final - the first English club to do so. When Busby resigned in 1969, his successors failed to continue his glorious triumphs and United were relegated five years later.

They managed to regain their top-flight status at the first attempt and later won the FA Cup in 1977. More FA Cup success followed in 1983 and 1985. But it was United's 1990 FA Cup replay win over Crystal Palace that proved to be the springboard to becoming the force they are today.

It saved under-pressure manager Alex Ferguson from losing his job and he went on to win the European Cup Winners' Cup the season after and began their Premier League dominance with the 1993 title.

Premier League History

1992/93 - Inaugural members of the Premier League
1992/93 - Eric Cantona signs from Leeds United for £1.2m
1992/93 - Win FA Carling Premiership
1993/94 - Win FA Carling Premiership and FA Cup
1995/96 - Win FA Carling Premiership and FA Cup
1996/97 - Win FA Carling Premiership
1998/99 - Win FA Carling Premiership, European Cup, and FA Cup
1999/00 - Win FA Carling Premiership
2000/01 - Win FA Carling Premiership
2001/02 - Juan Sebastian Veron breaks the British transfer record with a £28m move from Lazio
2002/03 - Win Barclaycard Premiership
2003/04 - Win FA Cup
2005/06 - American Malcolm Glazer takes control of club
2005/06 - Win League Cup
2006/07 - Win Barclays Premiership
2007/08 - Win Barclays Premier League, win European Cup
2008/09 - Buy Dimitar Berbatov for club record £30.75m. Win Barclays Premier League, Carling Cup, World Club Championship.
2009/10 - Sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for £80m. Win Carling Cup.

source:http://www.premierleague.com

Manchester City Football Club

2010-08-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

Manchester City have spent 13 years in the Premier League since its inception in 1992. In the 2002/03 season, they became one of only two English teams to have qualified for the UEFA Cup through the 'Fair Play ranking'. This meant that the plush new City of Manchester Stadium was treated to European football just weeks after opening for the start of the following campaign.

Kevin Keegan and then Stuart Pearce, established the club in the Premier League, and under the latter, they finished in 14th place in the 2006/07 season. He was replaced by Sven-Goran Eriksson who guided the club to a ninth place finish in the 2007/08 campaign. City also secured UEFA Cup football via the 'Fair Play ranking' for a second time.

However, Eriksson was replaced by Mark Hughes in June 2008 and in September 2008, a takeover by the Abu Dhabi United group suddenly made City one of the richest clubs in the world. On deadline day, they smashed the British transfer record with a surprise £32.5m swoop for Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Robinho. However they failed in a £100m bid to sign Kaka from AC Milan in January 2009.

In December 2009 they sacked manager Mark Hughes and replaced him with Roberto Mancini who guided City to fifth, their highest Premier League finish. However they narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.

Club Heritage

In 1880, St Mark's Church established Manchester City FC which moved to Hyde Road seven years later and was renamed Ardwick AFC to reflect its new location. The club joined the Football League as founding members of the Second Division in 1892, and after experiencing financial difficulties in the 1893/94 campaign, were reformed as Manchester City FC.

The first major honour arrived in April 1904 when a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers secured the FA Cup. A fire in 1920 destroyed the Main Stand at Hyde Road and in 1923, the club moved to Maine Road in Moss Side, where they played in front of crowds of more than 70,000.

After winning the FA Cup again in 1934, the club won the league title for the first time three years later. Manchester City were relegated from the First Division in 1938 despite scoring more goals than any other team.

City have won the FA Cup four times, with the 1956 triumph over Birmingham City notable for goalkeeper Bert Trautmann continuing to play on despite unknowingly breaking his neck. A second title was claimed under the joint management of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison in 1968, with a dramatic 4-3 win at Newcastle United. They won the FA Cup in 1969 and the European Cup Winners' Cup a year later, followed by the League Cup in 1976.

Premier League History

1993/94 - Brian Horton replaces Peter Reid as manager
1994/95 - Chairman Peter Swailes replaced by club legend Francis Lee
1995/96 - Alan Ball replaces Horton
1995/96 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1996/97 - Steve Coppell replaces Ball
1996/97 - Frank Clark replaces Coppell
1997/98 - Joe Royle replaces Clark
1997/98 - Relegated to Second Division
1998/99 - Promoted to First Division via play-offs
1999/00 - John Wardle and David Makin become the club's major shareholders
1999/00 - Promoted to FA Carling Premiership
2000/01 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
2000/01 - Kevin Keegan replaces Royle
2001/02 - Promoted to Barclaycard Premiership
2002/03 - Nicolas Anelka joins from PSG for £13million
2002/03 - David Bernstein resigns
2002/03 - John Wardle becames temporary chairman
2003/04 - Club moves to City of Manchester Stadium
2004/05 - Stuart Pearce replaces Keegan in March 2005
2006/07 - Thaksin Shinawatra acquires a 75 per cent share in the club
2007/08 - Sven-Goran Eriksson replaces Pearce
2007/08 - Eriksson leaves the club in June to be replaced by Mark Hughes
2008/09 - Takeover by the Abu Dhabi United group makes City one of the richest clubs in the world and they smash the British transfer record to sign Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5m.
2009/10 - Former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini replaces Mark Hughes as manager.

source:http://www.premierleague.com

Liverpool Football Club

2010-08-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

Liverpool have maintained their status as a domestic and European force since the Premier League began in 1992, rarely finishing outside the top positions. The club have won seven major trophies since then, including the Champions League, Uefa Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups. Indeed, 2001 saw the Reds claim an unprecedented League Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup treble.

Under Rafa Benitez, Liverpool secured Champions League football in five of his six seasons at the helm. The Spaniard won the competition in 2005 and guided the club to an appearance in the final two years later where they were beaten 2-1 by AC Milan. After struggling in the 2009/10 Barclays Premier League season the club finished in seventh, and missed out on a Champions League place. They will instead take part in the Europa League in the 2010/11 season.

On 3rd June 2010, Liverpool announced that they had parted company with Benitez.

Club Heritage

In 1891, John Houlding purchased Anfield after Everton left the ground for Goodison Park following a seven-year tenancy. With an empty stadium and only three players remaining, Houlding formed Liverpool Football Club on 15th March 1892. Everton FC and Athletic Grounds, Ltd, or Everton Athletic was to be the name, but the Football Association refused to recognise the team as Everton. Liverpool's first-ever competitive match was in the Lancashire League, where a predominantly Scottish team defeated Higher Walton 8-0 on 23rd September 1892. Liverpool won their first title in 1901 after gaining promotion to the First Division in 1894.

The appointment of Bill Shankly in 1959 was the beginning of a golden era for Liverpool. He led the club to promotion to the First Division in 1962 and they have stayed there ever since. The title was secured in 1964 and 1966, with a first-ever FA Cup final victory sandwiched in between. A year after winning the Uefa Cup, Shankly retired and was replaced by his assistant Bob Paisley.

Within two seasons, the Reds had won the league, and the Uefa Cup for a second time. Paisley's nine-year reign saw Liverpool win 21 trophies, including three European Cups, six league titles, a Uefa Cup, and three League Cups. Joe Fagan took over in 1983 and inspired the club to the European Cup, League title, and League Cup in his first season.

Premier League History

1993/94 - Roy Evans replaces Graeme Souness
1994/95 - Win League Cup
1998/99 - Gerard Houllier joins Evans as joint-manager
1998/99 - Houllier takes sole charge in November 1998
2000/01 - Win FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup
2002/03 - Win League Cup
2003/04 - Houllier departs by mutual consent in May 2004
2004/05 - Rafa Benitez takes over
2004/05 - Djibril Cisse joins from Auxerre for a club record £14m
2004/05 - Win Champions League
2005/06 - Win FA Cup
2006/07 - American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks become owners in a deal worth £470m.
2007/08 - Fernando Torres becomes Liverpool's record signing at an initial fee of around £20.2m from Atletico Madrid.
2008/09 - Benitez ends widespread specualtion about his future by signing a new five-year contract.
2009/10 - Benitez leaves Liverpool by mutual consent.

source:http://www.premierleague.com

Fulham-Club Profile

2010-08-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

Fulham have maintained their Premier League status ever since elevation to the top flight under Frenchman Jean Tigana in 2001. This represented a third promotion in just five seasons for the Cottagers and they have not looked back, establishing themselves in the Premier League.

Tigana left the club in April 2003 and former Fulham star Chris Coleman took over to become the Premier League's youngest manager. He led them to ninth in his first season and kept the Whites clear of relegation during his tenure.

Coleman was sacked as the 2006/07 season neared its end, with Lawrie Sanchez taking over the lowly outfit on a temporary basis. The former Northern Ireland manager steered the Cottagers to safety and was subsequently rewarded with the full-time job.

But after the team struggled in the opening months of the 2007/08 season, Sanchez was also fired. Ray Lewington briefly took over as caretaker manager before Roy Hodgson was appointed and guided the club to safety with a dramatic last day win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. In 2008/09, Hodgson steered Fulham to seventh and a place in the Europa League.

The Cottagers enjoyed one of their finest seasons in 2009/10 after knocking out some of the leading clubs in Europe to reach the Europa League Final. They lost out to Atletico Madrid in extra-time, but did the nation proud as the only Barclays Premier League side to get to a European final that year. Domestically, Hodgson's men finished in a credible 12th.

Club Heritage

The club was formed in 1879 as Fulham St Andrew's Church Sunday School. Fulham were founded by worshippers of the C of E church in Star Road, West Kensington. The church is still in existence today, with a plaque commemorating the team's foundation. The club's name was shortened to its present form in 1888.

Fulham started playing at Craven Cottage in 1896 and gained professional status on 12th December 1898. The club's first recorded all-white kit was worn in 1903 and since then they have played in a white shirt with black shorts.

Fulham's Premier League consolidation is quite an achievement in view of the lowest ebb of the 1990s. The club was relegated to the Third Division in 1994 and two years later finished 17th out of 24 teams.

But the appointment of Micky Adams as manager saw the Cottagers quickly promoted again, and two more subsequent promotions under Kevin Keegan and then Tigana earned Fulham a swift return to the top flight. With just 1,000 season ticket holders and seven full-time staff during the darkest days of the mid-nineties, Fulham's transformation is no mean feat.

Their training ground and Youth Academy can be found near to Motspur Park and was where Chariots of Fire was filmed. Fulham are the oldest professional team in London.

Premier League History

2000/01 - Promoted to the FA Carling Premiership
2001/02 - Steve Marlet signs from Lyon for a club record £11.5m
2002/03 - Jean Tigana replaced by Chris Coleman
2006/07 - Chris Coleman replaced by Lawrie Sanchez
2007/08 - Lawrie Sanchez replaced by Roy Hodgson
2008/09 - Hodgson leads Fulham to seventh as they finish in the European places for the first time
2009/10 - Fulham consolidate their place in the league with a finish of 12th. After losing the Europa League final 2-1 to Atletico Madrid, Hodgson leaves the club to become Liverpool manager. Mark Hughes takes over as manager in July 2010.

source:http://www.premierleague.com

Everton-Club Profile

2010-08-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

Everton have maintained their place in the Premier League since its inception in 1992. The Toffees claimed a famous 1-0 win over Manchester United in the 1995 FA Cup final courtesy of a goal from Paul Rideout. Everton have often been overshadowed by their Merseyside rivals Liverpool but they have a glorious history of their own.

A fourth place finish under manager David Moyes in the 2004/05 campaign, coupled with sixth and fifth place finishes respectively in the 2006/07 and 07/08 seasons, cemented the club's status in the upper echelons of English football. Another fifth-placed finish came in 2008/09 along with an FA Cup final appearance.

In 2009/10, the side got off to a slow start in the Barclays Premier League, but rallied in the second half of the season to produce an eighth placed finish, narrowly missing out on a Europa League place after being pipped to seventh spot by Liverpool.

Club Heritage

In 1878, the club was founded as St. Domingo FC so that the people from the parish of St Domingo's Church could participate in a sport outside of the summer months, when they played cricket. The team began playing on Stanley Park with no dressing rooms, carrying their own goalposts out onto the pitch. When people outside of the parish wanted to participate, the club was renamed Everton a year later.

Players recruited from other clubs were allowed to wear the shirts of their former teams and this caused much confusion. The need for a unified kit led to the dieing of the many different shirts black in order to avoid purchasing a brand new strip. The first league title arrived in the 1890/91 season. Royal Blue was settled on for the 1901/02 campaign.

The signing of Dixie Dean in 1925 prompted the Toffees' first sustained period of success. His 60 goals in 39 league matches in the championship-winning 1927/28 season is still a top flight record.

A subsequent relegation and immediate promotion two years later, was followed by another title triumph on their return to the top flight in 1931/32. A second FA Cup victory was achieved with a 3-0 win over Manchester City a season after and the era ended with a title win in the 1938/39 season.

The appointment of Howard Kendall as manager in 1981 heralded the most successful period in Everton's history. The league title was claimed in the 1984/85 and 1986/87 seasons, while the FA Cup was won in 1984. The Toffees' only European trophy arrived in the form of a Cup Winners' Cup final defeat of Rapid Vienna in 1984/85.

Premier League History

1993/94 - Mike Walker appointed manager
1993/94 - Peter Johnson takes over as chairman
1994/95 - Joe Royle appointed manager
1994/95 - Win FA Cup
1997/98 - Howard Kendall appointed manager
1998/99 - Bill Kenwright takes over club, Sir Phillip Carter named chairman
1998/99 - Walter Smith appointed manager
2001/02 - David Moyes appointed manager
2004/05 - Bill Kenwright takes over as chairman in 2004
2006/07 - Andy Johnson signs for club record £8.6m from Crystal Palace
2007/08 - Yakubu signs from Middlesbrough for a new club record of £11.25m
2008/09 - Marouane Fellaini joins from Standard Leige for club record fee of £15m
2008/09 - Toffees lose FA Cup final to Chelsea

source:http://www.premierleague.com

Chelsea-Club Profile

2010-08-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

Chelsea have regained the Premier League crown after finishing second to Manchester United in the last three seasons. Former manager Jose Mourinho, bankrolled by owner Roman Abramovich's millions, brought the first title to Stamford Bridge for 50 years when the Blues lifted the trophy in 2005. Chelsea became only the second team to win back-to-back Premier League titles when they clinched it a year later. Mourinho left the club by mutual consent in September 2007.

Although Chelsea reached the FA Cup final in 1994, they hardly set the world alight in their early Premier League days. Ruud Gullit became manager in 1996 and steered the Blues to an FA Cup triumph in 1997, while his successor Gianluca Vialli guided the team to victory in the League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1998.

Shortly after, he led the team to the UEFA Super Cup after a 1-0 win over Real Madrid. The FA Cup followed in 2000. Vialli was replaced by Claudio Ranieri in 2000 and he led Chelsea to another FA Cup final appearance in 2002.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the Blues for £140m. After a trophyless season, he appointed Mourinho as new Chelsea manager and there was instant success. In 2005, Chelsea won the Barclays Premiership and League Cup, along with a Champions League semi-final appearance.

And Mourinho retained the Barclays Premiership crown the year after, equalling the club's own Premier League record of 29 wins set the previous season. They were league runners-up in 2006/07 and also claimed the FA Cup and League Cup double.

They were also runners-up in the 2007/08 campaign, but by this time Mourinho had left the club. He was replaced by Avram Grant who led the Blues to the final of the Champions League and Carling Cup.

Grant left Stamford Bridge at the end of the season and was replaced by Luiz Felipe Scolari who was tasked with bringing the title back to the club. However he was sacked in February 2009 and replaced by Guus Hiddink who agreed to take charge until the end of the campaign while continuing to coach the Russian national side. He was hugely popular with fans and players and he led them to success in the FA Cup final, beating Everton 2-1.

His decision to stick with Russia saw Chelsea bring in former AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti who enjoyed a stunning first season in English football, guiding Chelsea to the Barclays Premier League title in some style. They hit 103 goals to set a new Premier League goalscoring record with Didier Drogba notching 29 to claim the Barclays Golden Boot.

Club Heritage

Chelsea were formed in 1905 and were elected into the Second Division of the Football League. They just missed out on silverware 10 years later with an FA Cup final defeat. The Blues had to wait for their first major trophy in 1955, when under manager Ted Drake, they won the league title. Chelsea claimed the League Cup for the first time in 1965 and were defeated in the FA Cup final two years later.

Featuring the likes of Ron 'Chopper' Harris, Ian Hutchison and Peter Osgood, Chelsea overcame Leeds to win the FA Cup in 1970. In the following season, they clinched the European Cup Winners' Cup with a replay victory over Real Madrid.

Financial problems meant the Stamford Bridge club dropped into the Second Division, and at one point they were close to falling to the Third Division.

They eventually won their place back in the top flight in 1984, but their stay only lasted four seasons. They clawed their way back to the First Division again as Second Division champions in 1989 and have remained in the top flight ever since.

Premier League History

1992/93 - Inaugural members of the Premier League
1993/94 - Lose FA Cup final
1996/97 - Ruud Gullit appointed player-manger
1996/97 - Win FA Cup
1997/98 - Gianluca Vialli becomes manager
1997/98 - Win League Cup, Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Super Cup
1999/00 - FA Cup winners
2000/01 - Claudio Ranieri becomes manager
2001/02 - Lose FA Cup final
2003/04 - Chairman Ken Bates sells Chelsea to Roman Abramovich
2000/05 - Jose Mourinho takes over as manager
2004/05 - Chelsea win Barclays Premiership and League Cup
2005/06 - Chelsea win Barclays Premiership
2006/07 - Win FA Cup and League Cup
2007/08 - Jose Mourinho leaves the club to be replaced by Avram Grant. Runners up in the Carling Cup, Barclays Premier League and Champions League. Part company with Grant. Luiz Felipe Scolari appointed manager in June.
2008/09 - Scolari is sacked in February 2009 and replaced by Russian national coach Guus Hiddink who combines both roles until the end of the season. Chelsea beat Everton 2-1 to win the FA Cup final. Carlo Ancelotti named new manager in June 2009.
2009/10 - Ancelotti leads the Blues to the Barclays Premier League title, scoring 103 goals in the process.

source:http://www.premierleague.com

Bolton Wanderers-Club Profile

2010-08-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Bolton Wanderers have established themselves as a respected Premier League club since rejoining the top flight in 2001. The Trotters made their Premier League bow in 1995 but were relegated after just one season when they finished bottom.

They returned to football's elite a year later after winning the Division One title, but went down again - this time on goal difference. Sam Allardyce guided Bolton back up in 2001 and the club has gone from strength to strength.

Bolton qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history in 2005 after finishing sixth. After an eighth-place finish the year after, they came seventh in the 2006/07 season to make the UEFA Cup again.

But Allardyce left the club for Newcastle United at the end of that season and was replaced by his assistant Sammy Lee. A poor start to the 2007/08 season saw Lee relieved of his duties and Gary Megson took over. Megson narrowly steered his side clear of relegation then consolidated their top flight position in 2008/09.

Club Heritage

The club was founded as Christ Church FC in 1874, but changed its name to Bolton Wanderers three years later. They were one of 12 founder members of the Football League which was formed in 1888. Bolton finished FA Cup runners-up in 1894 and were losing finalists again 10 years later, before making it third time lucky with victory over West Ham United in the 1923 final. More FA Cup success arrived in 1926 when they beat Manchester City and again in 1929 with a triumph over Portsmouth.

There was another FA Cup Final appearance in 1953, but Bolton suffered a 4-3 defeat at the hands of a Stanley Matthews-inspired Blackpool. Five years later, they made up for the disappointment by winning the FA Cup for the fourth time with victory over Manchester United.

Bolton had a 29-year spell from 1935 in the top flight and eventually slipped into the league's lowest tier in 1987. They eventually clawed their way back to the top flight in 1995. And as a Division One team, made an heroic run to the League Cup Final but lost out to Liverpool.

They suffered the same fate again - losing to Middlesbrough in the 2004 League Cup Final - although a club-best finish of eighth in the Barclaycard Premierhip softened the blow.

Premier League History

1994/95 - Reach FA Carling Premiership. Lost League Cup Final
1995/96 - Roy McFarland and Colin Todd named co-managers replacing Bruce Rioch. Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1996/97 - Division One winners
1997/98 - Bolton leave Burnden Park for new Reebok Stadium. Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1999/00 - Sam Allardyce becomes manager
2000/01 - Promoted to Barclaycard Premiership via play-offs
2003/04 - League Cup Finalists
2006/07 - Nicolas Anelka becomes record signing for £8m
2006/07 - Sammy Lee takes over as manager after Allardyce leaves to take Newcastle United job
2007/08 - Sammy Lee leaves the manager's post by mutual consent. Gary Megson appointed manager
2009/10 - Megson sacked in December. Owen Coyle leaves Burnely to take charge of Bolton in January 2010. Leads the relegation threatened club to safety and a 14th placed finish

source:http://www.premierleague.com

Blackpool-Club Profile

2010-08-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

Blackpool's play-off final victory over Cardiff City ensured they would be the 44th different club to play in the Premier League.

The Seasiders clinched promotion by beating the Bluebirds 3-2 at Wembley where they twice came from behind.

They levelled within minutes of both the Bluebirds' goals, first through Charlie Adam's superb free-kick and then via Gary Taylor-Fletcher's brave close-range header.

Former Southampton striker Brett Ormerod hit the winner just before half-time and the Seasiders held on to become the first team to win promotion through all four divisions via the play-offs.

It was a remarkable achievement for a club which had been second favourites for relegation from the Championship at the start of the campaign.

They achieved their unlikely promotion with an average attendance of just 8,611 and immediately announced plans to increase the capacity of their Bloomfield Road ground from 12,000 to 16,000.

Club Heritage

Blackpool Football Club were formed on 26th July 1887, after a merger with a breakaway group from the local St. John's Football Club.

The club's first foray into the Football league lasted just three seasons. They joined the 16-team Second Division in 1896/97 but, after finishing third-bottom, were not re-elected at the end of the 1898-99 campaign.

The Seasiders spent 1899/1900 back in the Lancashire League, finishing third. After the Football League's annual meeting, on 25th May 1900, they were admitted back into Division Two.

During their 12 months out of the League, Blackpool amalgamated with local rivals South Shore.

A year later they moved from Raikes Hall to a new ground at Gamble's Field, on Bloomfield Road - the name by which the stadium is now known.

They won the Division 2 title in 1930 to reach the top flight for the first time, staying there for three years. After four seasons back in the Second Division, they regained their place among the elite in 1937, remaining there for 30 years.

Blackpool enjoyed a golden era in the Fifties with the highlight being their 1953 FA Cup win.

It has for ever become known as the Matthews Final for the dazzling wing play of Sir Stanley Matthews - even though it was Stan Mortensen who scored a hat-trick as they came from 3-1 down to beat Bolton Wanderers 4-3.

It was the club's third Wembley appearance in six seasons following FA Cup final defeats by Manchester United and Newcastle United.

They finished runners-up in the top division in 1956 and supplied four members of the England team which faced Hungary in 1953.

The Tangerines were relegated in 1967 but bounced back to Division 1 in 1970 where they remained for just one season before beginning a decline which took 39 years to redeem.

After seven years in the second tier and three in the third, Blackpool dropped into the basement division for the first time in their history in 1981.

They finished fourth from bottom of the entire league in 1983 and suffered the indignity of having to apply for re-election.

The Seasiders survived that and went on to finish second in 1985 to climb back to Division 3.

Five years later they dropped back to Division 4, winning promotion via the play-offs in 1992 thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Scunthorpe United.

After narrowly avoiding the drop over the next two seasons, the club brought in Sam Allardyce as manager in the summer of 1994.

He led them to a mid-table finish and then third place only to lose 3-2 on aggregate to Bradford City in the play-off semi-finals after being 2-0 up from the first leg.

He was replaced by Gary Megson then Nigel Worthington and former Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon who was unable to stave off relegation back to the bottom division in 2000.

Promotion was achieved at the first attempt, again via the play-offs - and that system has proved profitable for the club.

Blackpool have now become the first club to go through all four divisions, winning promotion via the play-offs.

Simon Grayson led them to a 2-0 win over Yeovil Town at Wembley in 2007 and now his successor Ian Holloway has completed the journey.

Premier League History

2009/10 Blackpool beat Cardiff City 3-2 at Wembley in the Championship play-off final to reach the Premier League for the first time.source:

http://www.premierleague.com

Blackburn Rovers-Club Profile

2010-08-21T20:23:00.000-07:00

The birth of the Premier League also heralded Blackburn Rovers' return to the top flight for the first time in 26 years. They underlined their ambition by breaking the English transfer record to sign a 22-year-old Alan Shearer for £3.2m. Other expensive signings ensured they finished an impressive fourth.

Owner Jack Walker continued to splash his cash and in their second season, his team were runners-up to arch North Western rivals Manchester United in 1993/94. The positions were reversed the following season as Rovers pipped United to the title on the last day of the season.

The team have failed to reach those heights since then and in 1999, Rovers became the first former Premier League champions to be relegated. The club bounced back in 2001 and progress under Graeme Souness and then Mark Hughes has seen them qualify for Europe four times in six years.

Hughes left the club for Manchester City in June 2008 after helping them to a seventh place finish. He was replaced by Paul Ince later that month. However Ince was sacked on 16th December 2008 after a poor start to the season which brought just three wins from 17 matches. Sam Allardyce took over as manager, charged with the task of hauling Rovers away from the drop zone. They finished 15th, seven points clear of relegation. That finish was significantly bettered in the 2009/10 season when the club secured 10th place.

Club Heritage

Blackburn Rovers were born at a hotel meeting on 5th November 1875, organised by Shrewsbury school old boys Arthur Constantine and John Lewis. The club's patronage by the wealthy middle classes helped it stay afloat and outlive many of the other clubs in the area.

As one of the top clubs, they were approached in 1888 to become one of the 12 founding members of the Football League. They finished the inaugural season in fourth place and unbeaten at home.

Rovers moved into their permanent home at Ewood Park in September 1890 and marked their first season there with a fifth FA Cup win. But a downturn in fortunes saw them narrowly escape relegation on several occasions and the 1928 FA Cup victory was their last major trophy for 67 years.

Rovers were relegated from the top flight for the first time in 1936, signaling the start of their long struggle to regain their status as a top team. Relegation in 1966 saw the beginning of their 26-year exile from the top flight and it was not until Walker and his millions came on board in 1991 that Blackburn returned to their glory days.

Premier League History

1992/93 - Blackburn break national transfer record by signing Alan Shearer from Southampton for £3.5m.
1993/94 - Finish runners-up in the FA Carling Premiership
1994/95 - Break the English transfer record again, signing Chris Sutton from Norwich City for £5m. Win the FA Carling Premiership
1995/96 - Manager Kenny Dalglish becomes Director of Football. Former assistant, Ray Harford, becomes manager
1996/97 - Shearer sold to Newcastle United for a record £15m. Harford resigns after failing to win any of the ten opening matches. Tony Parkes takes over as caretaker
1997/98 - Roy Hodgson appointed as manager
1998/99 - Hodgson sacked in December and replaced by Brian Kidd. Relegated
1999/00 - Kidd sacked. Parkes takes over again until March when the club appoint Graeme Souness
2000/01 - Jack Walker dies. Promoted as runners-up
2001/02 - Break club transfer record with £8m signing of Andy Cole from Manchester United. Win their first-ever League Cup
2004/05 - Souness leaves to join Newcastle. Replaced by Mark Hughes
2007/08 - Manager Mark Hughes leaves the club for Manchester City in June, and Rovers name Paul Ince as his replacement
2008/09 - Paul Ince is sacked in December after a run of six successive Barclays Premier League defeats. He was replaced by former Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce who steers the club to safety.

source: http://www.premierleague.com

Birmingham City-Club Profile

2010-08-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

Birmingham City exploded onto the Barclaycard Premiership stage in 2002. Having suffered play-off heartbreak in the previous three seasons, they won the play-offs under former manager Steve Bruce and seemed determined to make up for lost time.

In their first season, they finished a highly creditable 13th and did the double over arch rivals Aston Villa. Another mid-table finish in 2004/05 was followed by relegation a year later and a mass clear-out in an effort to reduce the wage bill.

But Birmingham bounced straight back up in the 2006/07 season, clinching automatic promotion as Championship runners-up. They became the first senior club in English history to postpone a match because their newly-laid pitch wasn't ready. The Blues have the dubious honour of playing on what was originally the spare pitch for the new Wembley.

After suffering the heartbreak of relegation on the last day on the 2007/08 season, Alex McLeish's side bounced back at the first time of asking, winning promotion back to the Barclays Premier League by finishing the 2008/09 season as Championship runners-up.

An impressive first season back in the top flight in 2009/10 saw the Blues finish ninth, their best season in the Barclays Premier League.

Club Heritage

A band of cricketers from Holy Church in Bordesley Green founded the club under the name of Small Heath Alliance in 1875. The club turned professional 10 years later, agreeing to pay their players half the gate receipts. In 1879, the first match between the two sides was recorded as a victory to Small Heath by "one goal and a disputed goal to nil."

The Blues were founding members of the Football League Second Division in 1892 and were champions in their first season. They became Birmingham City FC in 1905 and moved into their permanent home of St Andrews Stadium a year later. To facilitate this move, a group of gypsies had to be evicted and it is rumoured they put a curse on the ground as they left. Fans still blame this curse during every bad run.

The club have spent most of their existence bouncing between the top two flights - their Second Division title in 1955 was notable in that they beat Luton Town on goal average by just 0.297 of a goal. Their only major cup victory - the 1963 League Cup - was made even sweeter in that it was over rivals Aston Villa.

Premier League History

2001/02 - Manager Trevor Francis replaced by Steve Bruce. Win promotion to Barclaycard Premiership via play-offs
2003/04 - Break club record transfer signing Emile Heskey for £6.25m
2005/06 - Relegated from the Barclays Premiership
2006/07 - Win automatic promotion to Barclays Premier League as Championship runners-up
2007/08 - Steve Bruce leaves to take up the reins at Wigan Athletic
2007/08 - Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish appointed manager
2007/08 - Relegated from Barclays Premier League
2008/09 - Promoted back to Barclays Premier League as Championship runners-up
2009/10 - Owners David Sullivan and David Gold sell the club to Carson Yeung

source: http://www.premierleague.com

Aston Villa-Club Profile

2010-08-15T03:02:00.000-07:00

Overview

The inaugural 1992/93 Premier League season saw Aston Villa miss out on their first title in 12 years when they finished runners-up to Manchester United. Villa got their revenge over the champions by beating them in the League Cup Final the following season.

Chairman Doug Ellis had been unimpressed by Villa's league form and replaced the flamboyant Ron Atkinson with Brian Little in 1993/94. The former Villa player led the club to a 3-0 win over Leeds United in the 1996 League Cup final.

In 2000, Villa reached their first FA Cup final since 1957 but were defeated by Chelsea. Although Villa remained a hard side to beat, the loss of several star names and further managerial changes did little to help consistency.

Matters came to a head in 2006 when manager David O'Leary left in acrimonious circumstances, but Martin O'Neill came in and led them to sixth-placed finishes in 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10, before resigning in August 2010.

Club Heritage

In 1874, a group of cricketers needing something to occupy them during winter happened to see a game of football in the park - thus Aston Villa was born. Their first match was unusual in that the first half was played under rugby rules and the second under football rules. Villa fast became the Midlands' dominant side, beating Small Heath Alliance - later to become arch rivals Birmingham City - 22-0 on one occasion.

Aston Villa were one of the founding members of the Football League in 1888 and enjoyed instant success. In the 1890s, they won five titles in seven seasons. Villa won the league and cup double in 1897. A week later, they moved to Aston Lower Grounds, which the fans dubbed Villa Park.

Villa's winning ways continued into the early 1900s, but their fortunes dwindled and in 1937 they were relegated. After the Second World War, the team was totally rebuilt. But apart from a 1957 FA Cup win, previous levels of success were never achieved.

A new low was reached when Villa were relegated to the Third Division in 1971. The club's fortunes changed 10 years later when Ron Saunders led them to the league title. The following year, in 1982, under caretaker manager Tony Barton, the club won the European Cup with victory over Bayern Munich.

Villa were relegated from the top flight in 1987 but bounced back at the first attempt. They finished Premier League runners-up under manager Ron Atkinson in 1993 and League Cup wins over Manchester United and Leeds followed in 1994 and 1996 respectively.

Premier League History

1992/93 - Premier League runners-up
1993/94 - Win the League Cup (Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United)
1994/95 - Brian Little replaces Ron Atkinson as manager
1995/96 - Win the League Cup (Aston Villa 3-0 Leeds United)
1997/98 - John Gregory replaces Brian Little
1999/00 - Lose FA Cup Final (Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa)
2001/02 - Gregory quits in January. Former manager Graham Taylor takes over
2002/03 - David O'Leary replaces Taylor in May
2005/06 - At the end of the season O'Leary leaves. Randy Lerner buys a majority share in the club. Martin O'Neill appointed manager
2006/07 - Sign Ashley Young from Watford for a club record £9.65m
2009/10 - Villa lose 2-1 to Manchester United in the Carling Cup final
2010/11 - Martin O'Neill resigns as manager

source: http://www.premierleague.com

Arsenal - Club Profile

2010-08-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

Overview

Arsenal may have been off the pace in the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93, but they made up for it by winning both the FA and League Cups.

The Premier League crown eluded them until 1998 - two years into manager Arsene Wenger's tenure - when they did the league and FA Cup double. Under the Frenchman, the Gunners shook off their "boring" image and began to play some of the most attractive football in England.

In eight of his 14 seasons at the club, Arsenal have finished first or second. And together with star players such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, Wenger took Arsenal to another "double" in 2002.

The Gunners reached the Champions' League final in 2006, becoming the first London team to do so, but lost to Barcelona. Their Barclaycard Premiership title in 2003/04 saw them become only the second team to win the league without losing a match - earning them the title "The Invincibles." Overall they went 49 matches unbeaten, which is a national record.

Club Heritage

In 1886, a group of workers at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory formed a team called Dial Square, renaming themselves to Royal Arsenal shortly afterwards. The team turned professional in 1891 and changed its name again to Woolwich Arsenal, eventually dropping the prefix completely in 1913 when they moved to Highbury.

The Gunners joined the Second Division in 1893 and were promoted in 1904. Success eluded them until the arrival of Herbert Chapman in 1925 when they won the league five times between 1930 and 1938 and the FA Cup twice. Chapman, who died in 1934, was also behind the renaming of the nearest London Underground station to Arsenal.

Arsenal had to wait until the 1970s for their next period of success. But their first double in 1971 was followed by several near-misses - finishing second in 1972, and losing three FA Cup finals and the 1980 European Cup Winners' Cup final.

It was not until the return of ex-player George Graham as manager that the club rose to greatness again - winning six trophies during his nine-year reign. That included League Cup success in 1987 and 1993, the FA Cup in 1993, the league title in 1989 and 1991 and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994. Arsenal hold the enviable record of the most consecutive seasons in the top flight - 91 at present.

Premier League History

1992/93 - Win the FA Cup and League Cup double
1993/94 - Win the European Cup Winners' Cup
1994/95 - George Graham sacked. Stewart Houston becomes caretaker. Lose the Cup Winners' Cup final to Real Zaragoza
1995/96 - Bruce Rioch takes charge for one season before resigning
1996/97 - Arsène Wenger becomes manager. Signs Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira
1997/98 - Win the FA Carling Premiership and FA Cup double
1999/00 - Sign Thierry Henry. Lose the UEFA Cup final on penalties to Galatasaray
2000/01 - Break club record transfer signing Sylvain Wiltord for reported £13m
2001/02 - Win the Barclaycard Premiership and FA Cup double
2003/04 - Win the Barclaycard Premiership without losing a match
2005/06 - Last season at Highbury. Lose the Champions' League final to Barcelona
2006/07 - Move to Emirates Stadium

source:http://www.premierleague.com

Presidential letters stress legacy

2010-07-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

A warm exchange of letters between FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and Jacob Zuma, the President of the Republic of South Africa, has seen both reaffirm their commitment to the FIFA World Cup™ leaving a lasting social legacy.

In the letters, both addressed to “a dear Friend and Brother”, the respective leaders stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum established by a hugely successful tournament and subsequently continued by the first-ever FIFA World Cup Education Summit in Pretoria on 11 July.

Blatter, for his part, expressed a belief that the FIFA World Cup would “provide a trigger for long-term and sustained social, cultural and educational development”, while Zuma focused on their shared passion for the 1 Goal Education for All Campaign.

“As we know,” he wrote, “the success of this campaign will assist approximately 72 million children, almost half of whom are in Africa, who are not attending school. That would be a powerful legacy of the World Cup

source:http://www.fifa.com

Ten to watch for 2014

2010-07-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

The internet and satellite television may have made Planet Football a smaller place, but the FIFA World Cup™ spotlight still burns with a particular intensity ensuring maximum exposure to those players who shine in its glare.

For some of the youngsters who caught the eye in South Africa, life may never be the same again. It is tempting to label them already as potential stars of Brazil 2014 though this would be tempting fate – if a week is a long time in football, then what about four years? Still it will be fascinating monitoring the progress that young guns like Thomas Muller, Andre Ayew and Giovani dos Santos make between now and 2014.

In some cases, there will be new doors opening post-South Africa and almost certainly there will be raised expectations – in the case of Muller, winner of the Hyundai Best Young Player award, those expectations will be sky-high as his thoughts start turning to the new season with his club side, Bayern Munich.

The Germany midfielder finished with not just the Best Young Player prize but also the adidas Golden Boot, having contributed five goals and three assists – not a bad way to end his breakthrough season as a top-flight footballer. Where many 20-year-olds are allowed to suffer ‘second season syndrome’ away from the spotlight, Muller will now have to continue his development back in the Bundesliga with all eyes on him.

Ozil attack
The same goes for his team-mate Mesut Ozil, who made a significant contribution to Germany’s attractive attacking football on display in South Africa. Twelve months after helping the Germany U-21s conquer Europe, his efforts in helping his country to third place have made him one of the continent’s hottest properties and he looks likely to be moving from Werder Bremen before the transfer window shuts.

A key figure in Ghana’s exciting run to the last eight was Andre Ayew, whose displays in an attacking midfield role earned him a place on the Best Young Player shortlist – he achieved an 85 per cent successful pass rate, one such ball releasing Asamoah Gyan for the last-16 winner against USA. The question now for the son of African icon Abedi Pele is whether he gets the chance to play for French title-holders Marseille this coming season or rather moves again, having spent the 2009/10 campaign on loan at Arles-Avignon.

Similar doubts surround Ghana forward Dominic Adiyiah who should be the attacking spearhead of the Black Stars’ team in Brazil four years from now. The eight-goal star of his country’s FIFA U-20 World Cup success last year, Adiyiah would have hit a winning goal against Uruguay in the quarter-finals but for Luis Suarez’s goal-line handball. It is not known yet whether he will begin his first full season in Italian football with AC Milan, or whether he will continue his education on loan elsewhere.

Mexican young guns
Where next is also a question on the mind of Giovani Dos Santos, who made such an impression for Mexico with his nimble footwork and ability to run at defenders in South Africa. The one-time Barcelona starlet ended up spending the second half of last term on loan at Galatasaray after struggling to impose himself at Tottenham Hotspur, the Premier League club he joined in 2008. It will be fascinating to see what comes next for the talented 21-year-old, just as it will be to see how his compatriot Javier Hernandez fares at his new English club, Manchester United. Mexican football fans will hope both can build on the promise they showed in South Africa given their importance to the Tricolor's future prospects.

There is another player to watch who did not actually feature for his country in South Africa, but the fact Joe Hart got no further than the England bench does not deter those who view him as the long-term answer to his country’s goalkeeping problem. Hart gave an impressive appearance in the pre-finals friendly against Japan and with David James turning 40 on 1 August and Rob Green’s reputation not helped by his high-profile error against USA, the 23-year-old looks well placed to capitalise, so long as he can build on his superb 2009/10 campaign with Birmingham City, now that he is back at Manchester City.

Of course, these are just a selection of the young guns hoping to enhance their reputations between now and Brazil 2014. From Javier Pastore, the Palermo-based playmaker of whom Argentina fans saw only glimpses in South Africa, to Chile’s exciting winger Alexis Sanchez, also based in Italy with Udinese; and from Spain winger Pedro, who capped his breakthrough season with Barcelona with a FIFA World Cup winners’ medal, to Toni Kroos, another bright young German with Bayern Munich, the list goes on.

And that is just the players who featured in South Africa. Brazilian fans could argue a case for Pato and Neymar, their own young guns, who did not feature in Dunga's 2010 FIFA World Cup team. Making predictions about the next world showpiece is evidently foolhardy but these young guns should be worth watching regardless.

source:http://www.fifa.com

South Africa 2010's unlikeliest star

2010-07-20T21:16:00.000-07:00

Forget Forlan, forget Muller, forget Iniesta. If there was one undisputed star of the FIFA World Cup™ just past, it was not any of these on-song stars, but a certain cephalopod over 5,000 miles away.

After all, impressive though Forlan and Co were, none could claim that their performances throughout South Africa 2010 were flawless. Paul the octopus, on the other hand, never put a foot, or tentacle, wrong during a month that witnessed his meteoric rise to superstardom - and ended with a transfer tug-of-war.

For anyone somehow unaware of what all the fuss was about, Paul’s celebrity status was earned by an unblemished run of eight successful predictions from the first round of group matches all the way through to the Final. The method by which Oberhausen Sea Life Centre’s most famous resident picked his winners was to eat a mussel from one of two containers, each adorned with the flags of the competing nations. So unerring did he prove that several news channels across Europe began to broadcast Paul’s predictions live, while the phrases ‘Paul the Octopus’ and ‘Pulpo’ - the Spanish word for octopus - generated huge internet traffic, taking their place Twitter’s top ten global trends.

Not that his success gained him universal popularity. When, after correctly predicting the outcome of Germany’s first four matches, Paul tipped Joachim Low’s side to see off Argentina, Nicolas Bedorrou – a famous Argentinian chef – reacted by posting an octopus recipe on facebook. Worse was to follow when an erstwhile adoring German public turned on their ‘psychic’ mascot for foreseeing their semi-final defeat to Spain, with anti-octopus songs chanted at Berlin’s Fan Fest and newspapers filled with headlines such as ‘Throw him in the frying pan’ and suggestions that he be transferred to the shark enclosure.

However, at the same time he was being labelled a ‘traitor’ in Germany, Paul was becoming a hero in Spain, especially after he followed up his last four forecast by predicting La Roja’s first-ever FIFA World Cup Final win. Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero even light-heartedly promised to send a team of bodyguards to protect this unlikeliest of football icons, while environment minister Elena Espinosa promised protection under conservation laws

source:http://www.fifa.com