MCF.net 909 RADIO TANTRUM BOLLOX THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=45028
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It's yours to LOSE! Platt taunts title rivals Manchester United after City beat Fulham
Like last season, United have a healthy lead in the Premier League title race, and Platty reminds Fergie that the champions could go on a run...
David Platt has tried to pile pressure on rivals Manchester United by claiming the title is theirs to lose – for the second season running.
Manchester City kept up their pursuit with a routine win over Fulham and assistant boss Platt said there will be no let-up from Roberto Mancini’s champions.
Platt was in the Arsenal side that went on a 16-game unbeaten run – including 13 wins – to clinch the title in 1998 at United’s expense.
And Platt feels City are capable of winning their remaining 15 league games to give themselves every chance of retaining their title. “It’s not over, we can make it up, it’s not insurmountable by any stretch of the imagination,” he said of the gap between City and United.
“But, equally, it’s theirs to lose. It’s very, very difficult for us to go on and win the next 15 games on the bounce. But I think we’re capable of doing it.
“We just have to make sure that gap doesn’t increase and that we’re there, because we’ve no control over what happens at United.
“I thought we were a bit stop-start at the beginning of the season but at the beginning of December we started to play and be more consistent.
“Even though we got beaten by United, I thought we performed well.
“The other blip we’ve had was at Sunderland, but even that one was a strange game.
“I think we would win that game nine times out of 10 with the chances we created. At the end of the day they have the advantage and all we can do is look after ourselves.”
City have now won six of their last seven Premier League games and were boosted by the return of striker Sergio Aguero for the final 10 minutes after a hamstring tear.
David Silva scored both City goals, his first coming before many fans had taken their seats, following up with an assured finish after Edin Dzeko’s shot was parried by Mark Schwarzer.
Silva claimed his second in the 68th minute, getting the better of Schwarzer with a superb chip.
United have a significant advantage at the top of the table, just as last season, until City obliterated their eight-point lead with six games left to snatch the title on goal difference.
And Dzeko also believes a repeat is on. “We need to keep on winning and keep the pressure on them,” he said.
[spoiler].
.[/spoiler]United easier than City: Fulham's Martin Jol would rather go to Old Trafford than Etihad
FA Cup clash holds no fears for Cottagers – the Premier League leaders are 'easy' compared to Roberto Mancini's reigning champs
Martin Jol believes his Fulham players have every reason to be optimistic ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Manchester United.
Jol suggested his men will get more chances at Old Trafford than they had in the 2-0 defeat at City and go into the fourth round clash without fear.
“We played at Old Trafford earlier this season and lost 3-2,” said Jol.
“Last season we lost only 1-0 there when we should have had a penalty when Danny Murphy was fouled. So we tend to do OK against Manchester United. But maybe Manchester City are different.
“We scored two goals against United, we didn’t score against City.
“It’s probably different against United. I wouldn’t say they’re more vulnerable because we have to go there next weekend! I feel City play a bit more rigid and play with more individual quality whereas United are – I won’t say anything!”
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE
PTS +5 GD +1
Arsenal & Manchester City Told Edinson Cavani Is Not For Sale
Uruguayan will not be coming to Premier League this month.
Arsenal and Manchester City have received a knockback in their attempts to sign Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani from Napoli after being told he is not for sale – although he does have a £52.8million release clause in his contract.
Premier League champions Manchester City were reported to be leading the chase for the 25-year-old striker and had been expected to bid around £40million to bring him to the Etihad Stadium this month in place of troubled striker Mario Balotelli.
And Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger declared an interest in signing Cavani, who has scored 91 times in 118 appearances for Napoli since joining the club from fellow Serie A side Palermo in 2010, although admitted the asking price might prove a stumbling block.
Napoli have revealed they received an offer for Cavani, who is Luis Suarez’s strike partner in the Uruguay national team, totalling £46million from an unnamed club before the start of the season, but are not willing to do business at any price for their prized asset.
“For Cavani I have already received a €55million (£46.1m) bid, and I said no,” Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I need him, not the money. I trust in his professionalism. He knows that here he is ‘the number one’, while I believe that in other places or in teams he could not identify with the city, the jersey and the fans like here.” Caughtlyingoffside
Mario Balotelli could leave Manchester City for Milan this week
City to discuss possible transfer with Milan on Monday • Balotelli could go on loan if City refuse to drop to £31m price
Mario Balotelli's Manchester City future could be decided this week, with talks expected between the champions and Milan on Monday. City are said to want £31m for the striker but the fee may end up nearer to the £24m he cost them from Internazionale in the summer of 2010.
Adriano Galliani, the Milan vice-president, has told Gazzetta dello Sport: "At the end of Friday, Manchester City still said €37m. We will see on Monday. Under these conditions, he will remain at Manchester City."
While neither City nor the Balotelli camp would comment on the claim, Galliani's statement can be considered a bargaining move as the transfer window enters its final few days. If the clubs fail to agree a price, there is an outside chance of a loan move which would see the striker at San Siro for the remainder of the season.
Previously, the 22-year-old had wanted to stay at City due to respect for Roberto Mancini, the manager, and his continued support, though there is now a recognition that a departure may be the only way for Balotelli to try and rebuild his career.
His time at the club has been troubled, with a catalogue of on- and off-field misdemeanours blighting progress. Mancini eventually became isolated in his support of a compatriot who was an asset in Italy's Euro 2012 campaign, where they reached the final.
Balotelli's commitment has also been questionable, with Mancini being forced to stand him down from the match-day squad at least twice due to problems with his attitude in training. There have been only seven starts in the Premier League and one goal – in a 2-0 win at Wigan in November – and last month Balotelli came close to taking City to a tribunal after refusing to accept a two-week fine for the ill-discipline that meant he missed 11 games due to suspension last term.
The striker only called off the tribunal on the morning and finally accepted the £340,000 fine. But a fortnight later he was pictured grappling with Mancini on the training ground after the manager tried to censure him for a dangerous tackle on Scott Sinclair.
With ongoing concern regarding who he surrounds himself with in his private life, this was the act that finally caused Mancini to accept he should be moved on. Guardian
Milan hope City will agree to sell Balotelli for £23m as Italians remain keen on striker
AC Milan want to pay for Mario Balotelli in six instalments.
Manchester City value him at £30million but the Italians hope the price drops to £23m.
Quoted in Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said: 'At the end of Friday, Manchester City still said €37m. We will see on Monday. Under these conditions, he will remain at Manchester City.' DSSC
GOLDEN BOLLOX 21-1-2010
Gary Neville and Carlos Tevez avoid FA punishment
Tevez scored two goals in Tuesday's first-leg victory
Manchester United's Gary Neville and Manchester City's Carlos Tevez have escaped punishment by the Football Association, BBC Sport understands.
Neville was under investigation for a one-fingered gesture that took place in United's 2-1 loss to City on Tuesday.
Tevez called former team-mate Neville a "boot-licker" and a "moron" for his comments about the Argentine before the Carling Cup semi-final first leg.
However, both players have been warned about their future conduct by the FA.
It is understood if the players were to be formally disciplined in future the FA reserves the right to refer to Neville's conduct and Tevez's words.
The FA has also been in touch with Greater Manchester Police with a view to ensuring the second leg passes off without incident.
Both clubs will be under huge scrutiny both before, during and after Wednesday's second-leg at Old Trafford.
In September, Neville was cautioned about his t his future conduct following United's dramatic 4-3 derby win in the Premier League when he ran towards City fans to celebrate Michael Owen's injury-time winner at Old Trafford.
The England defender received a £5,000 FA fine and was warned over his future conduct in 2006 because he celebrated in front of Liverpool's fans after United secured a late winner over their rivals.
Argentine Tevez joined City in July 2009 following an extended, two-season loan deal with United, with whom he won two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
His move to bitter rivals City angered United fans as Tevez was a firm favourite with Old Trafford supporters.
Before the first-leg tie at Eastlands, Neville said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had been right to let Tevez leave the club last summer, rather than signing him on a permanent deal after his two-year loan spell ended.
Tevez scored twice in City's 2-1 win, and gestured and cupped his ears after scoring his second goal
Cameras appeared to catch Neville making an obscene gesture in response, and afterwards Tevez said his celebration had not been aimed at the United bench but specifically at his former team-mate.
"My celebration was directed at Gary Neville," Tevez told ESPN Argentina.
"He acted like a complete boot-licker when he said I wasn't worth £25m, just to suck up to the manager.
"I don't know what the hell that moron [tarado] is talking about me for. I never said anything about him.
"I didn't go overboard in my celebration and it was directed at Gary, not at Ferguson and not at the fans.
"I think he did the wrong thing because I waseam-mate and I never said anything bad about him."
The row has made plenty of headlines and has done little to help the FA's hopes of reducing tensions between the clubs.
And Greater Manchester Police assistant chief constable Ian Hopkins has called for fans to be on their best behaviour, with around 9,000 City fans expected at Old Trafford.
He said: "As one of the host cities for the 2018 World Cup bid, the second leg truly is a great day for Manchester to shine. We would ask that fans play their part by behaving sensibly and do the city proud.
"I would like to stress that although the rivalry has always been there between the fans, previous derby matches have passed off largely peacefully and without major incident.
"I would ask that fans adhere to this tradition on Wednesday, regardless of what happened in the first leg."
GOLDEN WAG 21-1-2010
[spoiler].
.[/spoiler]GOLDEN OTHER BOLLOX 21-1-2010
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has tipped Everton manager David Moyes to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United once the Scot decides to leave Old Trafford. Daily Mirror
Michael Owen has asked Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney for advice on how to get back into Fabio Capello's England squad.The Guardian
New West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has suggested the team could be renamed "West Ham Olympic" if they move into the London 2012 stadium. The Sun
The Football Association is sending back thousands of World Cup tickets they failed to sell to their official supporters club. Fans have not taken up 6,000 of the 29,000 tickets allocated by organisers to the FA. Daily Mirror
YESTERDAY'S BOLLOX
Man Utd boss Ferguson angry over denied penalty against Spurs
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson accused assistant referee Simon Beck of denying Wayne Rooney a clear penalty as Spurs came from behind to snatch at draw at White Hart Lane.
Ferguson singled out Beck for criticism after Clint Dempsey's late goal prevented United restoring their seven-point lead over Manchester City.
"It was a clear penalty-kick," he said.
"But there was no way the linesman was going to give that - he gave them everything. He had a really poor game."
It is not the first time Ferguson has had a high-profile disagreement with Beck. In 2010 the United manager was furious when Beck allowed Didier Drogba to score from an offside position as Chelsea won at Old Trafford to take control of the title race.
On this occasion, Rooney went down after a challenge by Spurs defender Steven Caulker midway through the second half and Ferguson was angry Beck did not flag for a foul.
"I am disappointed with him - we have not had a good record with him," Ferguson told BBC Sport.
"With Chelsea a couple of years back, he gave onside to Didier Drogba and he was three yards offside. You remember these things because it is [in] important games and that was an important game today.
"It was a clear decision. And he was 10 yards away, maybe 12 yards away from the incident and he doesn't give it. And yet he gave everything else."
Ferguson insisted Rooney was tripped by Caulker
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas was unsure whether Caulker had caught Rooney, but did not want the argument to overshadow what he described as a tremendous performance. "Obviously it is going to be debated and debated and I hope it doesn't mar the game," he said.
"During the game we got most of the decisions against us. I prefer to look at this game on my view and United prefer to look at it on their view."
While United still lead City by five points, this was an opportunity missed, according to Ferguson.
"We have done so well in everything," he added.
"They kept pumping the ball in the penalty box and we kept heading it out - my disappointment is not finishing them off.
"We had about half a dozen opportunities on the counter-attack to do that but our final ball let us down. One-nil is not a healthy scoreline in any game of football but we were maybe a little bit unlucky to lose a goal so late. "
United goalkeeper David De Gea impressed throughout for United but his failure to punch Benoit Assou-Ekotto's cross clear in stoppage time presented Spurs with a final opportunity to claim a point.
"Rafael was fouled first of all when Dempsey played it back to [Assou-] Ekotto," said Ferguson.
"Maybe David De Gea could have got a better punch on it, but I will have to see it again."
Spurs dominated the second half and Ferguson admitted their performance deserved a point.
"You have to recognise that Tottenham were very, very committed and aggressive, got stuck into us," he said. "They are hard to beat on their own ground. Teams will drop points here, if they play like that."
And after seeing his side conclude a run of tough away fixtures with the trip to White Hart Lane, Ferguson suggested their results left them well placed for the second half of the season.
"If you look at our away programme we have been to Everton, been to Liverpool, been to Chelsea, been to Manchester City, been to Tottenham," he said.
"We have been to all the top teams away from home. We must be pleased at the outcome of that because we have had some fantastic results."
LOVEBITES AND EVERYTHING BOLLOX
PAUL MERSON: 'PEP'S SNUB OPENS THE DOOR FOR JOSE TO LORD IT AT CITY'
PEP GUARDIOLA’S decision to manage Bayern Munich next season has left clubs across Europe disappointed.
Manchester City and Chelsea were desperate to get him, and so were so many other teams, it’s ridiculous. I’ve never seen anything like it before.
He was linked with Inter Milan, AC Milan, Paris Saint Germain, Manchester United – even the Qatari national team.
The people behind the scenes at City will probably be the most disappointed because they would have offered him the earth to go there.
But perhaps Chelsea fans should be – because what does their club do now?
I can’t see Jose Mourinho going back there. With his ego, he’s probably still thinking, ‘How did you sack me?’
In fact, I can see him ending up at City next season, so he can come back to the Premier League and show Roman Abramovich how wrong he was.
MORE: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=45032
Keep on keepin' on: Edin Dzeko says Manchester City need to keep the pressure on Manchester United
Manchester City again did their job as they wait for an opportunity to get back into the title race.
The champions continued their pursuit of rivals Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League by easing to a fourth win in succession at the expense of Fulham.
David Silva grabbed both goals, the first inside two minutes and the second a sublime chip, in a 2-0 victory over the Cottagers at the Etihad Stadium.
City have recovered their poise since losing to United and Sunderland in December and are determined not to give up their crown without a fight.
Striker Edin Dzeko told the club's website, http://www.mcfc.co.uk: "We have to just keep doing what we're doing.
"I think Manchester United will drop points sooner or later but we just need to keep winning and keep the pressure on them."
City were the dominant team and although Fulham frustrated them at times in the 67 minutes between Silva's strikes, they could have won by a greater margin.
Silva was inches away from a hat-trick when he rolled a shot past the far post just moments after making it 2-0 and late substitute Sergio Aguero had two good chances on his return from injury.
Dzeko also had opportunities, not least when he fired over from close range in injury time.
Dzeko, City's top scorer with 11 goals in all competitions this season, said: "David took his goals really well and he is disappointed he didn't maybe get a third, but I'm really pleased for him and that the team won.
"We are a bit disappointed we didn't score more goals after taking the lead so early in the game and I think if we'd scored again in the first half we'd have gone on and won by more but sometimes it doesn't pan out like that.
"We got the second at a good time so we have to be happy.
"I'm disappointed I didn't score, but I think I played okay. As long as we keep winning, I'm happy."
Silva had scored only one goal previously this season and his recent return to form has given City a lift after losing Yaya Toure for the African Nations Cup.
He got on the scoresheet by pouncing when Mark Schwarzer parried a Dzeko shot and he demonstrated his class in doubling the lead by combining with Carlos Tevez and lifting a shot over the goalkeeper.
The Spaniard said: "It was great to get two goals and I had the opportunity for a third, for the hat-trick, but I didn't make contact as good as I wanted. But it is the points for the team that really matter.
"It was a good game, the important thing was to get three points and put some pressure on United."
Fulham tried to play a patient game to frustrate the hosts but, having conceded such an early goal, never truly threatened.
They created only one moment of alarm for City when Steve Sidwell glanced a header against the outside of the post from a Damien Duff cross just before half-time.
Although they look comfortable on the ball, form is a concern for the Cottagers with just two wins in their last 15 games.
But defender Matthew Briggs, who replaced Kieran Richardson at left-back in the second half and has a chance to move up the pecking order with John Arne Riise out of favour, expects it to improve.
He told http://www.fulhamfc.com: "I think it's only a matter of time.
"It hasn't been easy, and when you break it down like that it isn't good enough.
"I do think we have been very unlucky at times, but that's football isn't it?
"Every side goes through bad patches, and that's what we have to deal with.
"We have a lot of quality though, and I'm sure it will click into place for us.
"We need to find our feet again, we need to find the momentum that we had before.
"There are positives to be taken despite the results, and we believe we can find our form again."
SNUB COUNT - 226
I've been there: Why we mustn't let Johnson be a lost cause... if he doesn't want to be
by Stan CollymorePersonal problems should not let Michael Johnson's dream of being a footballer die, if he still wants it enough
Today I am reaching out to Michael Johnson because if he wants to save his football career then I can help.
Seeing the picture of him looking overweight and hearing about his release from Manchester City was horribly sad.
When you find yourself in a situation like that you need to keep battling and make sure you get the right advice.
Johnson has been in and out of The Priory as he bids to get his life back on track but will need support around him in everyday life if things are to change.
He will be feeling a failure right now – but this does not have to be the end.
I have been in The Priory too and was in a situation similar to Michael’s when things spiralled out of control for me.
I was playing for Aston Villa – the club I support – and that bad time was when things happened between me and Ulrika Jonsson that ended up on the front pages.
The issues I have had are well documented. But eventually I saw light at the end of the tunnel.
The mental-health issues around depression and suicidal thoughts are something people find difficult to understand – but I eventually realised I wanted to be around for my two kids, Tom and Mia, and my mum, who is now 82.
There was still so much life to live and I didn’t want to be remembered for the reasons people were talking about me. Basically, I went back to basics and worked out what was important to me. Michael Johnson now has to do exactly that.
If he doesn’t want to be a player any more, fine. He must not torment himself. It is better to be a happy dustman than an unhappy footballer.
The PFA are good at helping ex-players with retraining in different industries, so look into what else can be achieved.
But if he does still have that desire inside to play football then he has to realise it is still possible.
At a time like this he doesn’t want mates who are going to take him out for a beer. Instead he needs somebody to put an arm around him and remind him that he is still only 24 and that City kept faith in him for a long time before finally cutting him loose.
The Premier League champions would not do that for many players, and this is where I would be happy to step in and help out.
I’d say: “Let’s look at where it went wrong. The cons: You had injury problems, you lack fitness, people probably think you don’t care enough about the game.
“The pros: It is easily possible to get fit again, you’ve been at a top, rich club where you were very highly regarded, you clearly have a rare talent that puts you in a better position than other players who have lost their way.”
Johnson will be looking at his situation right now from a very negative point of view. At best he’ll think he might have a chance at somewhere like Bury or Crewe or Stockport.
But if this lad was given so much time by Manchester City and ultimately let himself lose his shape, then there is still an opportunity there to play right at the top because he has the capacity to turn things around.
I really hope Michael reads this – and if he does then he can get hold of my number quite easily. I would love him to get in touch.
This is not a time to mock the lad for putting on weight. It is not a time to reminisce about his talent. It’s a time to encourage this great player and young adult that his life still has plenty of potential.
If he doesn’t fancy it, stay away from the game.
But I’d love it if we could get Michael Johnson back on track and playing football.
DAVID MOYES' RED DREAD
DAVID MOYES has warned his Everton players to stay on their feet after Vincent Kompany’s controversial red card against Arsenal.
Moyes is worried that tackling is beginning to disappear from the Premier League after admitting referees are under pressure to send players off.
Manchester City captain Kompany had his red card for a challenge on Jack Wilshere rescinded last week.
And only last month Everton’s Darron Gibson had a ban overturned after his sending-off in the 2-1 win at West Ham.
Moyes said: “There is a change in the game and the emphasis is on less contact but not every tackle is a foul and not every foul is a booking.
“I actually think referees know that but the crowd plays a big part. Every time a player goes down you get a big shout from the crowd. Maybe the refs need to turn around and say they won’t be giving everything.”
The Toffees will be hoping to get a result on the south coast to maintain their push for the Champions League.
But Moyes fears that tough- tackling defenders like Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka could be putting themselves at the mercy of referees.
“We’re actually having to say to our lads ‘be careful’,” he said.
“We don’t want to get to the point where there’s no contact.
“I don’t think it suits us and we shouldn’t get rid of a lot of the good traits in our game.”
Saints fans are seething over new boss Mauricio Pochettino with many expected to create a poisonous atmosphere tonight.
“It could benefit us but I couldn’t be sure,” added Moyes.
“You don’t know how it works, when a new coach comes in.
“Some players will get a boost from a new manager coming in and there will be a lot of players really disappointed that the old manager has gone.
“I think if they’re going to have a protest it’ll be more in support of Nigel Adkins because I don’t think Southampton supporters can protest about the way their club has moved forward in the last two or three years.
“They’ve got a fantastic new stadium and a good academy.”
Cole will be highest paid defender in the world after agreeing £200,000-a-week contract extension with Chelsea
Ashley Cole has become the highest paid defender in world football after negotiating a one-year contract worth just under £200,000 a week.
Chelsea expect to announce the contract extension ahead of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea, but the deal has been agreed.
Chelsea have agreed to a pay hike for the England defender, 32, because it would have cost them well in excess of £15million to secure a replacement left back of similar quality in the summer.
Cole’s representatives had held tentative talks with Real Madrid, Paris St Germain and Manchester United, but Chelsea eventually caved in to the left back’s demands.
It has also emerged that Chelsea were determined to lift supporters’ spirits by making a major announcement after their depressing form at Stamford Bridge under Rafa Benitez.
Chelsea originally claimed Cole would be leaving at the end of the season and were clearing out the dressing room in anticipation of Pep Guardiola’s arrival. But the failure of Ryan Bertrand to progress this season convinced Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to authorise the extension.
Newcastle have already agreed a fee with Montpellier for the France international defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. Daily Mirror
Arsenal have been offered 26-year-old Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff on loan as the French club look to offload his £80,000 a week wages. DSSC
Wigan could move to sign defenders Sebastian Coates, 22, and Ronald Zubar, 27, from Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively on loan. Telegraph
Reading are considering a £1.5m move for Birmingham defender Curtis Davies, 27. Daily Mirror
Norwich City are set to sign goalkeeper Lee Camp, 28, on a free as he is being released by Nottingham Forest. Daily Mirror
QPR are looking into a move for Chelsea's 32-year-old French midfielder Florent Malouda. DSSC
Liverpool have been told they will have to up their offer to land Inter Milan midfielder Philippe Coutinho, 20, after they had an £8m bid rejected. Daily Mirror
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is in line to keep his place in the England squad for next month's friendly with Brazil at Wembley.DSSC
Play was held up between Ajax and Feyenoord as snow fell onto the team dugouts via a leak in the Amsterdam Arena roof. Metro
Tributes to off-duty PC who was murdered after watching City win
A ‘dedicated’ police officer was beaten to death on his way home from a night out with friends.
Football fan Pc Gareth Francis, 28, had been celebrating with pals after seeing Manchester City win at the Etihad stadium.
He was attacked as he walked through Stockport eating a takeaway meal just a mile from the home where he lived with his girlfriend, who is also a serving police officer.
Police said Pc Francis, a response officer based at West Didsbury police station, suffered a serious head injury.
It is not thought that any weapon was used in the attack and Pc Francis was off-duty at the time.
Two men, aged 20 and 21, both from the Stockport area, were arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder.
A third man, aged 20, handed himself into a police station last night and was also arrested on suspicion of murder.
All three are in custody being questioned by police.
Last night, Pc Francis' grieving parents Roy and Rita paid tribute to their ‘amazing’ son.
They said: “Our gorgeous son brought love and laughter into not only our lives, but he was an amazing brother, boyfriend, grandson and nephew.
“We cannot imagine how we can face each day knowing that he is gone from our lives.”
Pc Francis lived close to his family in Edgeley, Stockport, with his police officer girlfriend, who also serves in the south Manchester division of GMP.
News of his death had left Pc Francis’s colleagues devastated, senior officers said.
Stockport divisional commander Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes said: “Gareth was a dedicated police officer with six years’ experience and he will be greatly missed by his colleagues.
“Gareth’s colleagues on the South Manchester Division have been dealt a terrible blow by this news.”
Ian Hanson, chairman of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: “Gareth was a much-loved and well respected member of the GMP family. We are all distraught at this news.
“His team are devastated.”
Police were called to a report of an assault on Castle Street, Edgeley, at around 1.20am yesterday. Pc Francis had been out with friends after watching City beat Fulham 2-0.
They had returned to Stockport by taxi and were dropped off at Castle Street, Edgeley, where they went to buy some takeaway food.
He was attacked minutes after leaving the fast food restaurant, outside the Sir Robert Peel pub. Police are trying to establish a motive for the attack, but do not believe it was a robbery or that Pc Francis was injured in a street brawl.
Castle Street is covered by several CCTV cameras and it is understood police do have some video footage of the incident.
Paramedics arrived within minutes of being called and Pc Francis was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital where he died a short time later.
Anyone with information is asked to police on 0161 856 9283 or Crime-stoppers on 0800 555 111.
LAHAD'S LICK BINGO OUT BOLLOX
A perfect place to honour the Fez & Nipple Tassel wearing one ....
King Kev wrote:We will be having a poll to decide what message to have put onto the plaque. If you would like to put forward a suggestion to go into the poll please post it in this thread. . http://mancityfans.net/mcfnet/viewtopic ... 21&t=44934 .
Please keep in mind that the club may refuse to engrave the plaque with 'lick me out' so whilst I am sure Danny would have approved, maybe it would be better to chose a more poignant heart-felt message.
Bingo's wife Diana will have the final say on whatever message is chosen.
