Just saw this bit about TSM on sporting Life. Now why can't I get paid bundles for doing absolutely nothing in a field where I've got no experience or knowledge? Life just isn't fair. ;-)

NEW DIRECTION FOR DALGLISH

By Damian Spellman, PA Sport

Kenny Dalglish admits he is not very good at being unemployed, and has found a new direction since parting company with Celtic.

He had been out of work since severing his links with the Parkhead club during the summer following a desperately disappointing return to Scotland, and he did not enjoy it one little bit.

In truth, the 49-year-old really does not need to work, but is now putting his name, face and experience to use by relaunching himself in the expanding field of sports exploitation.

Dalglish has been recruited as a non-executive director by the London-based Eye Group, which is buying up the rights to various sports in anticipation for an explosion in media and internet demand for coverage in the coming years.

Dalglish admits that he is something of a novice when it comes to business matters, but he is keen to learn from the people around him and perhaps more importantly, to have a new challenge ahead of him.

"When you're not working, I can understand why people who are unemployed take a severe jolt in their pride and just feel as if they should be working," he admitted.

"I've been there before a couple of times, and I just don't feel comfortable with not working. I really enjoy what I have, but it's still nice to get up in the morning with a purpose.

"I've never been financially-orientated, I just wanted to go out and work. "I'm not saying I know much about the business side, but then it could be a new education for me - maybe I've found my vocation now," he added with typical dry Dalglish humour.

"I'm not a member of the chartered accountants' association or anything, but it's sports-related and I've been about a wee bit, so you pick things up.

"Anybody who takes pride in themselves, whatever job they do, feels a responsibility to do it to the best of their ability, and I'll certainly try to do that.

"There are a lot of people around me who I can pick things up from, and who knows, I may be able to swap my sports bag for a briefcase."

Dalglish will not rule himself out of another job in football but is content in his new role - for the time being. He said: "I'm enjoying things and involved with this but you never know what's going to come up -

Dalglish enjoyed a hugely successful playing career with Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland, for whom he won 102 caps, before tasting glory as a manager at both Anfield and Blackburn Rovers.

His time at Newcastle and then back at Celtic brought fewer tangible rewards, but he insists he has no regrets.

"I've been a lot more fortunate than many other people," he said. "I've done my best wherever I've been and enjoyed many parts of it.

"Perhaps there are parts that I would have enjoyed more if things had been better, but I've still enjoyed them, and now I'm enjoying this."

Dalglish's role with the company will be to help secure rights to different sporting events as an instantly-recognisable personality, but his contacts within the field in which he has made his name could prove invaluable.

The Eye Group recently staged squash's British Open Championships at Birmingham, which received television coverage for the first time in 12 years, and also has the rights to the Horse of the Year Show.

Dalglish and his associates are aiming to redevelop and re-package sports such as motorsport, basketball, snooker and some football - they already handle a lucrative contract for Premiership coverage in the Gulf States - to give them a glitzier profile and greater accessibility.

The company is currently undergoing a #2million private placing with a view to flotation on the London Stock Exchange within 12 months.

Managing director Paul Smith said: "Kenny brings a massive profile to the table, as well as significant contacts, which the commercial world of sport revolves around, and he's a vital part of the team."

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

Answers

The guy's a lucky, lucky, twat. Which reminds me of an incident that happened donkeys years ago at the match; the opposition had just scored an extremely fortunate equaliser when some wag behind me shouted at their centre forward "Lucky bastard! If yer put yer hand in a bucket of shite yer'd still pull oot a f***ing mars bar".

Tickled me at the time I can tell you.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

Hee hee!! Good line!

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

>>>> "Dalglish will not rule himself out of another job in football"

A chilling thought indeed. It's the sort of line you could use to terrorise ill-behaved children. Certainly no football fans can sleep easily in their beds while such a threat remains. (Of course if he does return those same fans will be able to catch up on their sleep at the matches) (-;

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

Long time, no see, Jonno. Welcome back! Been stirred up by all the talk of financials and dark shadow of TSM? ;-)

Isn't the AGM coming up soon? Will your agent be arranging your appearance in various local media, while allowing you time to report to the bbs? :-)

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

Hi Ciara, lack of time limits me to the odd cameo appearance on the BBS and I have now retired from public life because I had so many agents that it was costs me money every time I make an appearance.

I shall doubtless appear at the AGM (probably in December) to check on the progress of my pension, assuming I can borrow the bus fare to get there.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000