By Chris Wright

Thirteen years after coming this close you should see how close I'm holding my fingers right now to joining Villa from Wolves (a financial snag saw him toddle off to Coventry instead) in 1999, Robbie Keane has finally made the move to Villa Park on a two-month loan deal from LA Galaxy.

Why FA had to charge Suarez... even though his finger was an understandable reaction

I fully ­understand why Liverpool striker Luis Suarez might have ­reacted to persistent abuse from ­Fulham fans. The personal vilification of players from the stands has reached shameful levels.

Is Group C of the Euro 2012 finals Croatia, Italy, Ireland and Spain the most catholic group in international football tournament finals history? That thought occurred with the fourth team in two of next summer's groups still to be drawn out and Italy's and England's balls still to be opened. When Saturday Comes magazine asked the question of one of the 2002 World Cup finals groups – also involving Italy and Croatia, alongside Mexico and Ecuador so it wasn't an original thought (when I have one, I'll surely let you know).

Fulham gag players from speaking publicly

Fulham players have been hit with a gagging order to stop tales of dressing-room unrest leaking to the media. Players face a fine of two weeks' wages if they speak publicly.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-04 23:00:42 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Why England must NEVER turn to a foreign boss again

I remember December 17, 2007, as though it was yesterday. And to adapt and sanitise an old Frank Carson gag ... you know what a terrible day yesterday was. On the left flank of a top table in a London hotel suite sat Trevor Brooking, with the sort of demeanour a father might have at his daughter's wedding to the local scoundrel.

FA gag Fergie over racism case

United boss cannot comment now investigation has begun

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-10-21 22:11:46 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

What an informative photograph! Thanks, Leo. Image via sochuteiras.com.

Clearly, the most exciting thing about this photograph for most of the Kickette staff is that it not only offers a far more expansive view of Leo Messi's 'action' than we're used to, but we also get to speculate on how he achieves such smooth and supple skin on his calves and thighs.

I may have used this title gag before. I don't care. Tony Taylor scored on his debut to help Atlético CP go top with a 3-0 win over Trofense. Problem is... this clip may take a while.Snide note: Guess what formation this team plays. No, just guess.- Greg Seltzer

Nelle scorse ore si è celebrata la presentazione della squadra del Napoli dal ritiro trentino. Entusiasmo alle stelle, musica e folklore, e un presidente in doppia veste di "padrone di casa" e "show man" a menare le danze, facendo da mattatore all'evento. Riuscite alcune gag con i giocatori, specie quella con Lucarelli, che da buon [.

18.07.2011 - (Jaume Marquet i Cot) Tiene 35 años, es catalán, lo llaman "espontáneo" en España e "intruso" en Argentina, es ídolo para algunos y un fenomenal "pelotudo" para otros.
Se hizo famoso por irrumpir (e interrumpir) en espectáculos públicos saltando vallas de seguridad exhibiendo remeras, gorros y banderas, haciendo su gag poniendo a prueba el lamentable estado aeróbico de los guardias de seguridad.

The 50th minute of tonight's Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City game at PPL Park should be reminiscent of a game from last season. The Sons of Ben plan on reminding Peter Vermes, Sporting's head coach, of his only other visit to Chester.

Only a few days prior to the eventual 1-1 draw, Vermes was arrested for a DUI.

Short of the Premier League changing its mind and awarding Arsenal the league title for plucky against-all-likelihood endeavour, the one thing that would have kicked the summer off in a marvellous and positive fashion would have been some early incomings.

Wishful thinking, it seems, seeing that a) in signing terms it's early doors (whatever early doors are) and b) the futures of two very important players are obfuscated if, indeed, obfuscated is the word I'm looking for.

Scarfake As viral marketing goes, it is not the most subtle branding but it is funny enough to deserve a smirk and some recognition here. Bookmakers Unibet sent a Manchester United scarf-wearing Jose Mourinho lookalike to Saturday's Champions League Final. You won't need to be told that the gag works on a couple of levels, [.

How do you sum up that season? To the end of the universe and back. It turns out there's no restaurant there.
This everlasting gobstopper season really was two or three different campaigns rolled into one.
For the first 10 weeks or so, absolutely everything was on life support.

Saturday 14th May 2011 saw Manchester United overtake Liverpool as the most successful domestic club in English football history.

In 1990 Liverpool won their 18th title and were sitting pretty on their perch, 13 titles ahead of arch rivals Manchester United.

19 years later Alex Ferguson and his list of successful players had equalled Liverpool's haul of 18 titles.

Right then, hopefully we've managed to put the tedium of Man City behind us now. I know quite a few people justified their approach yesterday with sensible, logical arguments, and that's what's brilliant about football. It's a game of opinion and if we all thought the same way then it'd be very boring indeed.

Morning all. Back at work? Long Christmas break over? Boss giving you a hard time already? Wish I could help. Have you thought about smashing him on the top of the head with a mallet? A bit of personal satisfaction plus the classic comedy you can only get by smashing someone on the top of the head with a mallet.