We're a small city in a region of 700,000 people. Not a professional mens football team worthy of a mention, not now, not in living memory.
And yet we still produce quality - quality footballers and in the case of Joe Simunic, Carl Valeri who are both still playing, star Internationals.
Throw in excellent A-League stalwarts, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Matty Kemp and Brisbane Roars Kofi Danning and we've almost got a half a team.

According to our old friends at the Daily Mail, Spurs have opened talks with club captain Ledley King over a new contract to replace his current one which expires at the end of the season. The report also suggests that the player will reject a pay as you play deal although it seems to offer no claim that this is the type of contract that the club is offering.

United States National Team player Chris Wondolowski has signed a new deal with the San Jose Earthquakes. "I'm grateful to the organization for giving me a new contract for a second straight year and look forward to helping the Earthquakes get back to the MLS Cup Playoffs," Wondolowski said. "I think we have a great team heading into this season and I know I'm looking forward to that home opener on March 10th against New.

There appears to be a split amongst Gooners at the moment that an Olympic gymnast would be very proud of.
So when I pose the question; is Tomas Rosicky worth a new contract at Arsenal? I expect many differences of opinion.
In the past Tomas has frustrated me. Not because I think he is a bad player but because during his time at the club he has spent at least 78% of it in the physio room.

It is now emerging that Neymar will not be leaving Santos after all. Premier League club Chelsea have confirmed that they have ended their pursuit for the teen star after he committed his future to Santos until 2014.

Villas-Boas revealed that his side have failed in trying to sign Neymar and that he has already chosen his next destination which will most likely be Barcelona.

I wondered being honest, how long it would take until we heard from either Nico Anelka or Alex after their departures from Chelsea back in last month's transfer window and it hasn't taken long.
The Sun over here in the UK leads with an interview Anelka has given about the end of his Chelsea career and claims he was left to rot with the reserves.

By quite a large margin, Danny Guthrie was our Man of the Match in our poll for yesterday's game. Danny Guthrie - give this lad a new contract And it's not the first time that Danny Guthrie has been outstanding for Newcastle this season, when he has deputized for Cheick Tiote, and if Danny keep splaying like he did [.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is confident that local striker Shola Ameobi will now be affected at all, by the racial abuse that he has suffered recently. Alan Pardew with Shola after he signed his new contract last year It was sad to hear that Shola Ameobi has been racially abused on the social network, Facebook, much like [.

What a load of rubbish! Arsenal supporters are planning to put black bin-bags over empty seats during Saturday's match against Blackburn to highlight dwindling attendances at the Emirates. One point from their last four games has seen the Gunners drop to seventh in the table. A protest group is now aiming to draw attention to [.

I haven't given up on Arsenal making the top four because I can't.
Despite Arsenal appearing to want to make it as difficult as possible to get there, something inside me makes it hard for me to believe we won't make it. And that something inside me is certainly not wind.
Perhaps its the season when we needed a Lasagna to make it happen gives me belief.

According to Gaizka Mendieta , there is a big possibility that Barca coach Pep Guardiola could soon be on his way out of the record breaking club. A lot of uncertainty has arisen over Guardiola's future following his shocking denial on Tuesday that he was close to signing a new contract.

It doesn't make any sense why Pep would want to leave Barcelona.

Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com

Joel Lindpere might not be a Designated Player like Thierry Henry or Rafa Marquez, but he arguably means the most out of anybody to the potential success of the New York Red Bulls. That makes the club's announcement Tuesday that he isn't going anywhere anytime soon all the more notable.

It's been rumored and speculated on since he pulled out of the re-entry draft, but today, Sporting KC finally made it official. Luke Sassano has signed a new contract with Sporting KC. Sassano had played in 9 league games last year in a season that was cut short by some injuries. Sassano had not had his contract picked up and had gone into the re-entry draft.

Three of Sporting KC's trialists are heading to Arizona with the Sporting KC team. Goalkeepers Steve Spangler and Scott Angevine will be joined by former Michigan State midfielder, Cyrus Saydee in Arizona. The team departs tomorrow.
Sadly for Irving Garcia, Matt Kuhn, Myron Samuel, and Kevin Struck the attempts to make the Sporting KC roster end after a few days.

"Kiss me, I'm orange!"We promised we wouldn't talk about this godforsaken story anymore until there was confirmation - but we are renowned liars... and desperate for some news. With that, there is movement afoot on the most protracted TFC transfer saga of the off-season, Richard Eckersley aka "The Ginger Affair".

Three days on, that stamp is still the major talking point in football, dominating the backpages and sports leads. Not that it was a stamp, of course. Poor Mario has been cruelly victimised by referees. I realise English isn't his first language but he really has to get to grips with what 'victimised' actually means, as opposed to ‘stay on the pitch and score the crucial winning goal that could lead to the league title'.

Former Colorado Rapids coach Gary Smith has a new job. After battling with Rapids management over decision-making, the club announced that they wouldn't offer Smith a new contract. The 2010 MLS Cup winner is instead the new manager at Stevenage, currently 6th in England's League One. He is expected to name his Colorado assistant Steve Guppy as his assistant with Stevenage.

Liverpool target Dejan Lovren is not interested in a move to Anfield and has extended his contract at Lyon.
The central defender was on Kenny Dalglish's radar in the summer and the Scot, whose side was trounced by Bolton at the weekend, is keeping his eye on him.
But Croatia international Lovren does not fancy moving to Anfield and is eager to remain at a club playing in the Champions League.

Monty Hall... a proud father"The boys are back in tow-owu-wow-own!" Oh, sing it yourself then. It's true though - like well-paid groundhogs in shorts, our beloved Reds are making their annual late-winter appearance! And guess what? Spring is coming early! (March 7th at SkyDome - operators are standing by) It's always fun to see old faces return and new faces emerge (except on defence where we are apparently in tip-top shape) and catch up on all the news and gossip from a long off-season.

Robayo speaks about his move

Rafael Robayo spoke to the Colombian media Friday to discuss his departure from Colombian club Millionairos. He said his new contract was a two year contract. The first year of the contract is a loan with the Fire holding the right to purchase the 2nd year or extend the loan.

Chalk up another win for the Los Angeles Galaxy

Only this one wasn't just for them, it perhaps was an important win for MLS as well. Despite massive offers from numerous European clubs, David Beckham officially chose to remain in the United States, agreeing to new multi-year contract with the Galaxy that keeps the famed midfielder in Los Angeles through the 2013 MLS season.

Colorado announced that they've re-signed Steven Emory to a new contract today. They also announced that Miguel Comminges, Danny Earls, and Michael Holody will not be returning to the team this season. This gives the Rapids 27 players under contract and the rights to 3 players from the recent drafts.

The old saying hard work never goes unrewarded is perfectly embodied in Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Not only has he won multiple titles with United, but he is now the most successful manager in English football history since taking over United in November 1986.

It in light of this that the Glazer family are in talks with Ferguson and plan to reward him with a new contract that will make him the best paid manager in the English Premier League.

Player news is starting to pick up a little bit for Sporting KC. The team today made two announcements on player news, and a new rumor has cropped up on another player.
First, after the announcement yesterday of the trade for Michael Thomas' rights, the team today announced that they had signed the Olathe native to a contract.

*David Beckham has reportedly reached terms on a new contract with MLS and the Galaxy. It's probably no coincidence the news comes ahead of Beckham's live interview on his YouTube channel at 9 a.m. Thursday, which also precedes his first Google+ "hangout." *Two suspects were arrested in the murder of

photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

On the verge of losing one of its top defenders, the New York Red Bulls have locked up another for the foreseeable future.

The Red Bulls signed centerback Stephen Keel to a new contract, the club announced on Wednesday.

Liverpool has made Swansea midfielder Joe Allen one of their primary summer targets reports the Independent.
The 21-year-old Wales international has impressed in the Swans' debut Barclays Premier League campaign, and has captured the attention of a number of rival suitors.
His sensible use of the ball has helped teammate Leon Britton be ranked among Europe's leading passers - beating the likes of Barcelona duo Xavi and Andreas Iniesta.

Puppo's Contract Details

River Plate Sporting Director Rumbo Leonardo gave an interview which included discussion of the contract of Federico Puppo, the Chicago Fire's new forward. River Plate owned Puppo's contract and had loaned him to leaque rival Danube FC for the past two months.

According to Leonardo, Puppo's new contract runs for three years.

Kenny Dalglish says news that Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has committed the rest of his career to the club is "fantastic" and believes the inspirational midfielder will be key to his side's chances of silverware and a top-four Premier League finish this season.
The Reds finally have Gerrard back in their side following an injury-plagued 12 months and he looked close to his best when scoring the vital goal from the penalty spot in the 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final, first leg win at Manchester City on Wednesday.

Darron Gibson has agreed a four and a half year deal with Everton today. His contract was due to expire in the summer and the club were not interested in offering him a new deal.

Gibson had been desperate to make a go of his Manchester United career and has waited until he is 24-years-old to make the move on after failing to hold down a regular place in the team.

Liverpool's iconic captain Steven Gerrard has committed his future to the club after signing a new contract that will see him end his career with the Reds. Gerrard is one of those few players who have remain true and loyal to their club and though he has struggled with injuries for most of the season, this news will most definitely be welcomed by all fans.

Now THAT'S a SuperDraft!Wow that's a lot of punnage in one title. With reason though, as something is definitely going on behind the scenes which will help explain Toronto FC's two First Round draft picks at the MLS SuperDraft. (Don't you just hate those non-Super Drafts? So boring.) With their braintrust gathered in Kansas City, TFC did their best to confound those who do mock drafts.

Mirror: What are the odds Thierry Henry plays for Arsenal next season too? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

Who said the Premier League was no country for old men? First Paul Scholes, now Thierry Henry – two men with the combined age of Ryan Giggs. Giggs and Scholes are now so old, they argue over who walked further to school as a kid.

New SPL TV deal Good or bad for Scottish football? is a post from: Just Football

by William Heaney

Not surprisingly, the news that Sky and ESPN have extended their deal to provide coverage of the SPL has been well received within the Scottish football community.

The two companies have been the league's main broadcasting partners since 2009, when they came to the rescue after Setanta's collapse.

Michael Dawson declared that he was delighted to be back in the fold after his contribution helped Spurs to a 3-0 win over Cheltenham at the weekend. However the news was tempered with reports that club captain Ledley King has suffered yet another injury setback.

"It was great to be out there playing again," said Dawson after the match.

Twitter (Follow me on @_Wrighty7) and the interweb is buzzing like a bumble bee today that Chelsea man Salomon Kalou could be on the move to Arsenal.
Now I believe this is the sort of deal that will be like Marmite to Gooners. Some will like it, and some will hate it.
I happen to think that Kalou would be a very good signing for the club.

Demba Ba savouring his strike against Man Utd

A lot of clubs would love to get their hands on Demba Ba, riding one of the hottest streaks in the Premiership. His fifteen goals is second only to Robin Van Persie. So it wasn't surprising when Harry Redknapp set off alarm bells when he said Ba had a "release clause" in his Newcastle contract.

It will apparently take a lot more than what FC Sochaux was offering to pry Maurice Edu away from Rangers.

The Scottish club emphatically turned down Sochaux's bid for the U.S. national team midfielder a day after a reported offer of £500,000 was put on the table.

"What I would say is the bid that they put in was so far away that I would be very surprised if they came back in," Rangers manager Ally McCoist told the BBC.

It's been five years since the fleet footed winger arrived from Southampton on the promise of energizing the wide areas of the pitch and fulfilling what a homesick Jose Antonio Reyes failed to deliver. At 22 years of age, Walcott is now an exasperating muddle of intuition and speed spliced with dollops of bad choices and lack of composure.

As we know the transfer window is open and that means its silly season time again.
Arsenal will be linked with every Tom, Dick and Harry from the Tombs of the Nobles to Outer 'order' Mongolia.
Some of the rumours will make you laugh, others you can take more seriously.
Lukas Podolski is a player that Arsene Wenger is supposedly looking at.