Ole retires

UNITED striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed his retirement from football at the age of 34.

The Norwegian, who moved to Old Trafford 11 years ago and scored the winner in the 1999 Champions League final, has decided to step down after continuing problems with a knee injury. Solskjaer will remain at the club in a coaching capacity and will represent Manchester United as an official ambassador.

Solskjaer joined the Red Devils for £1.5 million from Molde in 1996 but has spent the last four seasons struggling with injury and was yet to appear for the Red Devils this season. He did manage 11 goals in United’s title-winning campaign last term, with his most recent appearance in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea on May 19 when he came on as an extra-time substitute.

Ferguson said “Ending your playing career is a sad day for anyone, in the case of Ole, he has 11 fantastic years he can look back on, Ole has achieved everything a player could ever wish to achieve. He has been a great servant to the club and has always remained a model professional in his responsibility as a player, in his demeanour and his manners have always been exemplary”.

Up and away

Finally United managed to break thru for their first win of the season. In a hard fought end to end game, United looked better in the more open style of this game, than the total domination efforts of the last couple. Nani got the winner, but only after more than a couple of scary moments at the other end and even in the last ten minutes, Spurs still had a opportunity to get the draw, but luck was finally on our side and we prevailed.

the City game

Our inability to score goals ( last 10 games ), led to this mornings disaster. I was going to do a wrap about the game, but you all know what its like to lose to City, SUX.

Newly Elected

Chairman .... Brian Wood

Vice Chairman .... Graham Goodinson

Secretary .... Rob Harris

Treasurer .... Katrina Harris

Executive Assistants:

Pauline Sutcliffe, Mick Hinder, Mick Melia, Chris Goodinson, Moi.

and the Sunday football team beat Ranui this morning !



COME ON YOU REDS

AGM

The Manchester United FC New Zealand Supporters Club Branch AGM will held on Sunday the 19th of August at the Naval Base Sports Clubrooms at Ngataringa Bay in Devonport. Kick off will be about 12 pm.

The AGM this year will be especially important as the Goodinsons take a step back from some important roles. The club would like to thank Gareth, Gil and Graham for their fantastic effort in running the club behind the scenes, they have held nearly all the major posts over time and have done a great job.

The positions of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Magazine Editor and Executive Assistants will all be up for tender. Please inform a current Committee member if you wish to stand for a position and are not likely to attend the meeting. Though we are mostly based in Auckland, ANY member can put forward their name for any position.
We need to hear the voice of all members, so don't be shy, give it a go and say where YOU think the club should be heading.

Subscriptions are now due for the upcoming season (July 31st-July 31st) and stand the same as last year, $40 for a single and $40 (great value) for family membership.

There will be a bbq and dessert. Please bring a plate for dessert, meat will be supplied. The clubrooms are fantastic with well priced drinks, a large screen TV and plenty of room for the kids, including a playground.

After much deliberation the management of the Sunday football team have decided to play at Ranui, so we don't upset our hosts. Unfortunate for the team, as this is truely our only home game and the crowd support is always great. On that note, kick off for the Ranui game will be 11 am and most of the team should get back to the AGM about 1 pm.

So make your voice heard in nominations or votes and keep the mighty RED ARMY alive and kicking in the beautiful islands of New Zealand.

ALL WELCOME

Reading at Old Trafford

Twenty four - three, what a game, just a pity that attempts don't count.
In a game where Manchester United had 90% of the possession, no one could find the back of the net.

Still UNDEFEATED and the show goes on.

COME ON YOU REDS

Vans de Man again

Edwin Van de Sar saved three consecutive penalties in a dramatic penalty shootout at Wembley in the Community Shield, giving Manchester United their first silverware of the season.

Giggs put United ahead after some wonderful wing play from Ronaldo and Evra, set Evra off down the touchline and with pinpoint accuracy he found Giggs on the edge of the box. Giggs was among ½ dozen blue jerseys, but calmly drove the ball home in to the top right corner. It was his first goal at Wembley since he scored one back in his days of youth football. Evra continues to display a unique talent attacking down the sideline and hopefully the Gaffer will let this continue to happen. Then just as everyone was looking forward to an orange, up popped Malouda who scored a great equaliser, going around Ferdinand and just touching the ball past an outstretched Van de Sar.

The game opened up in the second half, but no further goals were scored and the teams went straight to the penalty shootout, as the rules of the Community Shield state. Pizarro, Lampard and Wright-Phillips all had their attempts saved by Ed and Ferdinand, Carrick and Rooney all converted theirs to give United a grand victory over Chelsea.

GO YOU REDS

On the local front the lads got a lesson from the Old Farts on how to pass the ball and set up your striker. The young guy up front for them was easily a higher grade player, though his finishing was awesome. Still, its all just practice for the big one in three weeks !

Here we go again

The football season kicks off this weekend with the Community Shield match between Manchester United and Chelski on early Monday morning. The game will kick-off at 2 am, straight after the Hungarian Grand Prix, so settle in for a great night/mornings television.

COME ON YOU REDS

On the local front, Man Utd NZ play Takapuna at Tararoto Rd this Sunday. Kick-off is 1 pm, need full attendance as we wind up for the Tournament in a few weeks.