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The latest plot turn in Days of our Toon, from the Times:

NEWCASTLE United have continued their acrimonious campaign against Dennis Roach, banning Duncan Ferguson's agent from St James' Park. Freddy Shepherd, the Newcastle chairman, has taken the unusual step after the delay in Ferguson's recent transfer to Everton scuppered the club's hopes of signing an immediate replacement for the former Scotland international.

In a significant escalation of the war of words between the parties, Shepherd yesterday alleged that Roach had demanded a substantial sum of money to facilitate Ferguson's return to Goodison Park. If proved to be true, the allegations would almost certainly be investigated by Fifa, world football's governing body.

"We have no problem with an agent trying to get the best deal for a client from a buying club - that's their job," Shepherd said. "But this was different. Roach was seeking a huge fee from the selling club. What we found totally unacceptable was Roach asking for money merely to give his blessing to the deal.

"What right does an outsider like Roach have to knock on my door and demand: 'Give me a large fee or the Ferguson deal won't happen'? Both Newcastle United and Roach had agreed the deal with Everton chairman Peter Kenwright a week last Friday. Duncan Ferguson had told Walter Smith [the Everton manager] he was signing, but Roach then asked for #750,000 in total and it was made clear that part of that sum was for himself.

"I'm not sure exactly how it was to be divided, but we were left in no doubt part of it was for the agent. We told Roach point blank he wouldn't get a single penny, but it was nearly a week before he backed down. We won't give in to Roach."

Ferguson's protracted #3.75 million transfer, which should rise to #5 million subject to appearances, came too late for Newcastle to counter-bid for Craig Bellamy, of Norwich City, who has joined Coventry City for #6.5 million.

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2000


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