Man City confirms training ground move and stadium extension plans
Manchester City Football Club has confirmed that it plans to relocate its training ground to a site close to the City of Manchester Stadium.
The plans are part of wide-ranging development proposals for the Eastlands area which have previously been reported in Crain’s.
Manchester City Football Club has signed an agreement with Manchester City Council and the New East Manchester Urban Regeneration Company covering 200 acres of land in Beswick and Openshaw.
The club, owned by Abu Dhabi royal family member Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is expected to move its training ground from Carrington in Trafford to a 60 acre site on the opposite side of Ashton New Road from the stadium.
Also as previously reported in Crain’s, the plans for the area around the stadium include an unspecified major leisure scheme and a new retail area known as City Street, which will be sited to the north of the stadium on Joe Mercer Way and North Plaza.
The north stand at the council-owned stadium, on which the club has a 250-year lease, will be extended to bring the ground capacity up to 60,000, making it the fourth largest after Wembley, Old Trafford and Arsenal’s ground the Emirates Stadium.
Sir Richard Leese said the objective was to create a year-round destination that enhances the reputation of the city, while the club wants the development to aid its efforts to build a global brand. Sir Richard added: “We are looking afresh at the site and treating all 200 acres as a whole. We’re not looking at piecemeal development.”
More details of the scheme are expected to be unveiled next week at MIPIM, the international property show in Cannes, when Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook will share a platform with city council officials.
Redknapp wary of City threat
Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp reckons Manchester City are the team to beat when it comes to the race for fourth place.
Spurs are battling it out for fourth with City, Liverpool and Aston Villa and Redknapp sees Roberto Mancini's fifth-placed City side - level on points with Spurs with a game in hand - as the biggest threat.
Redknapp said: "We're right in there and have got a great chance. Manchester City are the team to watch out for." MuEN
Chelsea to face Wright-Phillips punishment?
Chelsea could, according to reports over the last couple of days, face disciplinary action over the July 2005 purchase of Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City.
The Football Association are allegedly investigating whether an unlicensed agent, Mitchell Thomas, was part of negotiations when the England winger made his £21m switch from Manchester to West London. If found guilty, Chelsea could be hit with a string of punishments, ranging from mere warnings and fines to, at the harshest end of the scale, possible points deductions.
The apparent rule-break was brought to the governing body's attention by the Quest inquiry, chaired by Lord Stevens, and examining all possible 'bungs deals' between January 2004 and January 2006. Chelsea claim they didn't deal with Thomas in any negotiations, only with Timothy Drukker, acting as Wright-Phillips' agent. However, according to these reports, Drukker didn't receive any payment from the deal, instead passing his £1.2m fee on to other parties, including Thomas.
A Chelsea spokesman said,
'We believe we acted appropriately at all times.'
It is also understood that Manchester City are in the clear over the deal, with only Chelsea and Wright-Phillips facing further investigation. The inquiry is believed to be ongoing, into this particular deal, with the FA having had to postpone proceedings whilst Drukker faced the Solicitors Disclipinary Tribunal, accused of 'conduct unbecoming of a solicitor.' He has been found guilty, and fined £15,000. The charges relate to Drukker claiming to be Wright-Phillips' agent, and signing documents related to the deal, when he had been given no authorisation to act on SWP's behalf.
An FA spokesman has confirmed,
'We are aware of the outcome of these proceedings and are considering what action, if any, may be appropriate in relation to football rules.'
Manchester City are to rival Manchester United’s move for Nigeria U17 midfielder Ramon Azeez.
United are also monitoring Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firminio, 18, who plays for Second Division Figueirense. Mail
Katy laces up bollox
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TRANSFER BOLLOX
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Stoke are keen to bring former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant back to England from Spanish side Real Zaragoza.Daily Mirror
Derby boss Nigel Clough is set to sign Liverpool's young keeper David Martin in an emergency loan deal.Daily Mirror
OTHER BOLLOX
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Portsmouth players are preparing to dip into their own pockets in a bid to keep up to eight members of the training ground staff in work until the end of the season. (Various)
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has ordered striker Christian Benitez to clean up his act. Benitez was booked for going to ground in Birmingham's 2-1 win at Portsmouth on Tuesday. The Sun
Former Derby County chairman Peter Gadsby is launching a £37m bid to regain power at Pride Park. Daily Mail
Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney says his impressive goalscoring form this season is down to his receding hairline. 'It's coming off my bald patch and that's helping me score,' joked Rooney, whose first goal against Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday was the seventh in succession he has scored with his head. Daily Mail
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