I just read this on NewsNow link on nufc.com (mind it says 1/6/01 when it's still 31/5/01, at least here, so maybe this is somebody guessing)

Elliott returns to Newcastle as Clark quits Fulham

English football 1/6/01

Newcastle United are said to have snapped up Bolton's Robbie Elliott on a free transfer. The left-sided wing-back returns to St James' Park after four years at Bolton, having signed for Wanderers in 1997 for £2.5 million.

But Newcastle failed to land another former player, with news that Fulham's Lee Clark has agreed to join Manchester City for £5 million.

Clark began his career at St James' Park under new City boss Kevin Keegan and has decided to again team up with his former Newcastle boss rather than play Premiership football with Fulham.

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

Answers

1 out of two would be better than none. If Robbie Elliott can keep scoring at the rate he did just before Dalglish sold him, that would do very nicely.

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

Is this making a big dent in your £100m? Seriously though,is this not a step back? Where do you draw the line? It seems to me that this 'must sign british/local players' policy adopted by nufc fans is in danger of overwhelming the club.Would you not rather be in for lizarazu? French and better than elliott.Or do you think that newcastle are no longer capable of competing for these type of players.Before the oh-so-obvious anti safc jibes start,this is about newcastle not sunderland.

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

No anti-SAFC jibes from me SuperKev.

Just a great big FUCK OFF!

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

LOL SK.

Money talks bud and the toon is one of THE biggest clubs. A club which has done some saving of resources over the past couple of years, whilst other smaller clubs have wasted some. I think you're underestimating our position.

It's not every day that a world beater becomes available you just have to bide your time, and I have the upmost confidence in Bobby looking after our resources.

AND WHATS WRONG WITH BUYING IN QUALITY GEORDIES WHO IMPROVE ON THE LAZY AVERAGE FOREIGN DROSS WE HAVE HAD OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS?

PISS OFF BACK TO WEARSIDE.

I'll vote for ANY party that makes sure these inbreds have to have a license to travel outside Makemside.

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

If Gray was sold tomorrow and became available again in three years time would you take him ?

Elliot was good (for me) as a Mag, I know he's better than what we have at the moment. Lee Clark is a perfect First Division player as his three promotion wins have shown. He wasn't good enough for us three years ago so would have had to improve to be good enough for us now. Did he improve at Sunderland, don't think so, did he improve at Fulham don't think so. I would still take him as a replacement for Gary Speed but that still doesn't mean he's good enough.

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

MACBETH.I have tried to be civil and what do i get in return? Abuse.Is there any point in continueing my present good manners? I think not.

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

oh stop being so bloody sanctamonious [look it up] and grow up.

If you can dish it out, you can take it.

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

Well MIN ,in that case i better return to my previous course of action and start giving it out.Why are you as the richest club in europe and bigger than barca recruiting players on free's from bolton? Is it 'cos you are shit and you are skint and no decent player would come to you? Or is it that your manager is fucking clueless? Remember keep buying the shirts,the summers here and you need to wear them everywhere that your fucking giros allow you to go!

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

Again, can we get the password changed?

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

SKP - I honestly don't think I'd want Lizarazu at NUFC. Apart from Daveed, we have signed some disasterous French players (L'Apostrophe, Domi, Goma, L'Homme de Pie etc). Robbie Elliot is a decent player who will enhance the squad, won't cost un bras et une jambe and was available on a Bosman. With somewhat limited resources available (we're still paying for the second biggest EPL stadium in the land), I think this is a prety decent signing. It still leaves the xfer pot available for Rivaldo. ;-)

PS. You don't need to f*ck off. I for one welcome your recent contributions. I may not agree with them, but then would you expect me to?

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

Kev, Min's comment was a bit condescending (that means to talk down to someone), I welcome your banter, al long as the comment is above the "you're shit" nah nah nah it's what these boards are about.

It may seem a step back to bring in players sold in the past, but it we caould have all the players TSM sold we'd welcome every one of them.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

Seems as if it's all still speculation by some of the less trustworthy 'news' sources at present. I haven't seen anything vaguely approaching confirmation yet - has anyone ?

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

I'm with Superkev on this one - the bbs, I mean, not Robbie Elliot. He's posted some crass, illiterate wank on here recently, but as far as I'm concerned if he's prepared to be politely combative and ask reasonable questions, then we can either respond in kind or ignore him, not just post 'fuck off', 'piss off back to wearside' and so on. That's just going to encourage his unwelcome side to resurface and frankly it's a slippery slope. If this bbs goes the way of most and turns into peurile gainsaying abuse, it'll be a big loss to a lot of people.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

Howay T Dan / Paul .... Superkev is making the effort to be polite, so I think that we should lay off the abuse and talk to him in the way that you would if you met him face to face.

As for the local lads returning, I'd have them back as they are better than what we have. Rob Elliot is better than Wayne Quinn and can play as a left winger, and Lee Clarke is better than Gary Speed. What they also have going for them is a passion for thier hometown team that most of the players don't have. We do need some world class players in our team, but we also need some local lads. If there is only 15 - 20 million for 4 players then taking Elliot on a freebie is a good start, It means that we can get a better quality of player in the other positions.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

Is this still just Rumour? There's nothing being reported on it that I can find. SK - I'm happy to add my welcome to the new you. I'm glad our BBS is attracting new fans.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

Hear hear, Dan. The schoolyard approach drags everybody down to the same brainless level.

In your more acceptible posts, SK, you haven't brought up many points that, hand on heart, hadn't occurred to most of us anyway. All I'd say about this rivalry is ' make the most of any superiority you might think you have, cos it won't last '.

When it comes down to it, the only superiority your lot have over us, at the moment is that they won two more league games than we did. Big deal. Opinions on what's likely to happen in the future have as much chance of becoming fact as saying you're six lottery numbers are going to come up.

All we really end up doing is slagging off each other's wish lists.

I happen to agree that taking back Elliot and Clark would be a backward step. In my opinion we'd be taking as big a chance with them as we would with a couple of unknowns.

If they'd been on fire for clubs in the prem, it would be a different story, I wouldn't hesitate to take them back, but probably, if they'd come that good, neither we nor your lot would get a look in, although Clarky probably wouldn't dare come back to yours even if he wanted to.

Probably still justifiable in Elliot's case, though, cos he'd cost nowt, but I'm sure the 5 Mill for Clark could be spent better elsewhere. Academic anyway, now, if there's any truth in what barry posted.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

Lee Clarke was due to be on a Centuary Radio phone in tonight, but it's been cancelled . His agent says it would be inapropriate for him to be on the show tonight.

Looks like he and Ginola will be at city next season.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

Grit your teeth superkev - as you can hopefully see, there are more who welcome your involvement in debate than disappointingly slagging you off. Remember "Rome wasn't built in day".

Whether we like it or not, the reality is that we have a limited transfer budget and need to sign 4 or 5 players.
Robbie Elliott isn't a world beater, but he is a solid and versatile player who will strengthen the squad, and his (alleged) signing isn't eating into the available budget. That means we can spend more on the creative players that we really need. Being a committed Geordie and former player, Elliott will also add something in the dressing room.

The Lee Clark situation is different. I love the lad - despite his dalliance with "the dark side" - but I'm not sure he is worth £5mm, or that he would materially improve the squad in a position where we need genuine class.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

Rik, is this called being polite?

"Is it 'cos you are shit and you are skint and no decent player would come to you? Or is it that your manager is fucking clueless? Remember keep buying the shirts,the summers here and you need to wear them everywhere that your fucking giros allow you to go!"

Not really anything worthwhile contributed to the discussion there I reckon.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

By the way, is this story about Elliott true? Surely if it appeared last night it would have surfaced on Sky Sports or teletext by now?

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

Still nothing definete on Elliot returning

As for the maKems contributions, I think we've all at one time in our lives said things about the Sunderland fans that have been over the top, hey I made a whole web site called SMB so I'm not squeaky clean, but I think I've grown up in the last few years. Perhaps Superkev is seeing the light.

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2001

Oh come on! If Sewpah Kev was really interested in debating, he wouldn't be such a smarmy Mackem tosser would he?

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2001

I like your style SMB. ;-)

You cannit reason with Scumland inbreds, intent on continuously calling us skunks and badgers. ;-)

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2001

I see the Sunday Sun is still touting the ideaof Clarke to Toon. WTFIGO? Has he or has he not signed for KK?

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Clarky and Elliot will hold out until Robson returns from his hols . They both have the same agent who says so far there has been no contact from NUFC regarding either of them.

Perhaps NUFC are guaging public opinion before they make an approach for either?

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

The Screws of the News seem to suggest that the Clark deal is as good as done, Smarties and Sherbets being sorted out by Freddie whist Bobby is off with Saga hols.

KK after Nielson too (who I once saw play a blinder for us at Maine Road). He'll be after Salty Sellars next...

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

But I think i read that Brian Kilcline has been dismantled in a dry dock somewhere, and won't be available to join City, lucky the've got Howey then

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

I bet KK will be after Ferdinand and Cole next.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001