This may have already been discussed on here,the obvious reason for the influx of French gadgies at the Arse must be the pulling power of Arse-End, Liverpool and the Jarmans, I can only suppose that Geraldo and Bored Man are looking to repair the tarnished reputation of the Pool and win the backing of the chippie owners. Seriously why is the North East attractive to players with South American backgounds? . A Spurs fan on the Strawb in listing his clubs achievments had the gall to say they were the first to introduce SA players to this country, (Ossie and Villa), I expected the regulars to at least fire back with the Robledo Bros, nah nuthin. The Boro have had their share and now the Queersiders are getting in on the act with purchases of Nonose and Sore thumb, Our lads need no intro, what is the attraction, apart from the wedge that is? Eyties to Chewsee, Cloggies to Rangers, must be the managers. Tre where will the talented socceroo land up, likewise Ciarra with the Ham Shanks? On reflection my team for the top by 2008 will be Dover FC, complete African National Teams will come across the Channel and after 8 years Dover will rise from the Doc Martens League to Euro Champs

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Answers

You got me wondering there Buff - why is it that relatively few African players have made it to the English leagues to date ? The money would be at least as attractive as it must be to the South Americans, the weather no more offputting, language would be less of a problem to many, and there seems to be plenty of talent developing there. Maybe it's an absence of established scouting networks ? If so, there's a gap in the market there for someone to exploit. Perhaps we could persuade Softie to pack his young family into the wagon and head back to the veld to rustle up some cheap talent for the lads ? :)

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

well rumours on nufc.com have Bobby Convey and Chris Albright supposedly Newcastle bound for off-season(MLS htat is) training with the Toon. Not sure when they'd go, but DC's season is over on the 9th. (hahahaha!) On a bit of a tangent, it was quite amusing last night to hear the Fort(the Revs loonies) chanting "Rel-e-ga-tion" as DC ran out of the tunnel. Even better that we beat them! Same on Sunday away at DC will clinch the Revs a spot in the playoffs for the first time in about 4 years. :-))

As for other Yanks, I can't remember the names tossed out, but there are a few coming to the end of their MLS contracts that are looking for moves to England. Mostly to first division clubs, I think. And of course, Joe-Max Moore is already at Everton.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Buff, I am older, fatter, shorter, balder and uglyer (I know it should be more ugly) than Tre, however, will I do?

At the moment there are 4 young Aussies at Leeds, West Ham had some but they moved on. Southampton will be the next club to grab some Aussies as they have an interest in a youth development program here in Perth. They took over from West Ham. I believe they already have 2 on their books.

There are a large no of keepers in the UK from here, Bosnich, Schwarzer, Filan, Kearton, Petterson, Mautone, the lad at Charlton, went to the Hammers on loan last season and others including a young lad with us.

If you are, or anyone else is interested in young Aussies (In a football sense Gav) have a quick look at www.sbs.com.au

You will find a link to "The world game" after clicking on that there is a section "Aussies Abroad" While not exciting reading, it just shows how far and wide young Aussies have travelled.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Leeds is the Aussie enclave in the EPL. They have three Aussies in their first team and two youth players. Plus another young Aussie, Jamie MacMaster, who they forced to change his nationality to English, so they wouldn't have anymore club v country rows.

Southampton and Middlesbrough also have a number of Aussie youngsters in their youth teams.

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000

There are 9 Aussies playing in EPL senior teams. 10 if Hayden Foxes transfer to West Ham ever goes through. And 9 Aussie kids who are part of EPL teams youth set-ups.

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2000