Ruud Awakening

Well looks like the deal is done and Ruud is off to Real, to join up with another casualty of the "I'm the Boss" regime. Sad to see, as any striker that can score 150 goals over 5 years in top flight football, is worthy of better. We will miss the Dutchman and wish him well, except in the European Cup.

Great to see Paul Scholes back scoring goals even if it was only against Celtic, (remember a Scholesy signed shirt in the AGM raffle) and his experience will help with the new arrivals (when we sign some!!) in the start to the season.

I know I am going against the grain here, but I hope Ronaldo stays, because with Rooney and Ronaldo, we have two of the greatest young players in the world and they could set us up with another 5-10 years of beautiful football.

The rumour mill is still going full blast, but most of the good Italians have gone and with only Carrick maybe signing up, you have to wonder what Fergie is up to, but we shall see.


And for a laugh try the MUFCSCNZ quiz at,

http://www.funtrivia.com/quizzes/sports/oceania/new_zealand.html

The Red 150 Club

and what a club it is,

MANCHESTER UNITED'S 150 CLUB

Sir Bobby Charlton (1956-73) Appearances: 754. Goals: 247.
Denis Law (1962-73) Appearances: 399. Goals: 236.
Jack Rowley (1937-1955). Appearances: 422. Goals: 208.
George Best (1963-74). Appearances: 466. Goals: 178.
Dennis Viollet (1952-62). Appearances: 291. Goals: 178.
Joe Spence (1919-33). Appearances: 510. Goals: 168.
Mark Hughes (1983-86, 1988-95). Appearances: 462. Goals: 162.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (2001-2006). Appearances: 219. Goals 150.

and not a frenchman in sight, but the REAL king is secure in 2nd place.

July Meeting

At the meeting the following points were raised.

Increase in membership fees to $40 : voted on and passed.
Confirmation of the AGM date : August 20th at Naval Base Sports Clubrooms.
Raffle to raise funds for LTMB (Season Ticket) : $5 a ticket.
Early renewal of subs prize: A Man Utd jacket.

The increase in membership fees is to cover costs over the last 5 years since the last small increase, the deal is the same with single members paying $40 and a family membership also costing $40. In regards to family membership every person is a full member of the club but only one magazine per household.

The AGM of the Manchester United FC Supporters Club of New Zealand will take place at the Naval Base Sports Clubrooms at Ngataringa Bay in Devonport. Kick off 12pm.

The raffle prize for the LTMB (Manchester United Season Ticket) is a personally signed, by Paul Scholes, Manchester United jersey and a pair of Nike trainers.

To encourage early renewal of membership subs, everybody who joins before the 31st of August will go into a draw for a Man Utd Jacket.

Remember at the AGM the new committee will be elected, so if you feel you have something to offer the Club, please drop your name in. We will also be selecting our new Club Patron after the sad passing of George Best.

We will also still be celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the Supporters Club so come along and enjoy a chat or a beer.

There a still a few badges left and a couple of Club Shirts, so get in before they all go.

All Time Goalscorers List (Man Utd NZ)

Pete ..... 28

Wes ..... 23

Gareth ..... 15

In Taek ..... 13

Norwich ..... 13

Ian ..... 11

Troy o’c .... 10

Gregor, Rob .. 9

Man Utd NZ vs ECB

Another footballing lesson from the old timers, but for the first 20 minutes it was all RED and Peter Burnand opened the scoring for us, like he had never been away. The game was going well until they scored a freak goal, which ignited their centre forward and he quickly put another couple on us. A good game played in the right spirit and Pete won the Player of the Day, but owing to his early exit, the bar tab was passed on to an equally deserving Macca.

And yes, Vinnie Jones was going to play, but got called back early for a film shoot.

Meraviglioso !!

Congratulations ITALY

and Congratulazioni a Luigi, a Nino ed alla famiglia

Man Utd NZ at Pah Road.

Great turnout today guys, a loss, but hardly a beating and the second half was superb. So see you all at East Coast Bays, where we will give the old National Leaguers a fright!

Finally !!!!!!

After a brilliant start at Avondale against Eastern Subs, then a sliding catalogue of error ridden games, Manchester United NZ finally came out on top against a South American inspired Ranui. With only 10 men taking the field it looked up hill, but Wes was fired up and quickly scored a couple of cracking goals. The Chileans had us running all over the park, but Steve T, Rob and Gareth were determined to turn over the early morning horror of the England match and played out of their skins. Then injury reared its ugly head, nevertheless we battled on and with Mike, Dan, Marc and Stephen Mellor in defence and a sensational Lance in goal we persevered and with a Wolverhampton Rob penalty, two goals from Jamie and another goal from young Wesley we triumphed.

This match was the 150th game of the Manchester United NZ football team and was a cracking game most worthy of the occasion.

Remember, any members can play for the team so if you feel the need to stretch the legs, come along.

Great support from Carrie, Anamaya, Danelle, Katrina and hoary old chestnut Ian and his Waitakere buddies, led to a great feeling on the field.

Quiz and football

Fourth again was the lot for the Utd quiz team, so close but so far. Guess we are just waiting till the jackpot gets to $500 !!

A couple of Jackpot questions,

Who was Elizabeth Taylors next husband after the death of Mike Todd?
(a) Eddie Fisher.

What two fruits make a Tangelo?
(a) Tangerine and Grapefruit.

I would like to personally thank AUDI for making the greatest cars in the world and VODAFONE for the extention to free text weekends.