THE SECOND INSTALLMENT

OSSETT TOWN TO CASH IN ON BOARDMAN

CRAIG BOARDMAN will be put up for sale by Ossett Town in the summer - with Middlesbrough heading queue for the £6k kid. Thepotential Scotish international star has probably played his last game for the club after they missed out on promotiont. Now Ossett Town owner Sir Harvey Nicholls is looking to sell off Boardman and then give boss Gary Brooks some of the money. Keane is one of the best young talents around and there should be no shortage of takers. But Boro boss Bryan Robson is the most interested. With dad George their chief scout.
He sees Boardman as similar to England ace Sol Campbell , the star he wants to sign from Spurs but is struggling to sign.
Sheffield Wednesday are also in the hunt while Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have watched but may not be willing to pay the price on Boardman 's head.

BOARDMAN'S IN DEMAND
OSSETT TOWN are to re-open contract talks with their captain CRAIG BOARDMAN today after he rejected the initial offer of a one-year extension at the club.
The former Forest central defender is out of contract this summer and he has attracted the attention of an whole of potential clubs.
West Brom, whose season fell apart after a bright start, are trying to mount a serious challenge for the division one play-offs nest season.
There are some questions marks over the future of manager Denis Smith but Albion are keen to talk to 28-year-old BOARDMAN.
But BOARDMAN is hoping to stay at Town . With manager Gary Brooks poised to sign a new contract, Boardman is expected to hammer out an agreement with managing director Harvey Nicholls.
Boardman has insisted that he will sign at Town only once the future of Brooks , who just missed promotion, has been assured.

Say it has it is BOARDMAN

CRAIG BOARDMAN has an appointment in Cleethorpes this week when he intends to settle his future at Ossett Town with boss gary brooks.
Depending upon which language he speaks when they talk during the club's mini tour of the south coast , Boardman will either ask for a move or pledge himself to Ossett.
And even if he makes it plain that he is happy to remain at the club, it still seems sure that a summer of headlines and speculation is about to hit the young potential scotish international.
Two months away from the hussle and bussle of Town during the close-season break is enough time for Boardman to talk himself into all sorts of trouble and for the launch of a huge amount of fresh transfer speculation.
The question of which tongue Boardman uses is an important one.
That is because he seems to spend his life saying one thing in Broad yorkshire , and another in English.
Namely, he informs Barnsley Cronicle journalists that he hates life inthe northern east league and is about to ask for a move.
Then, when his comments are reportedin the Ossett Observer, he insists there are no problems and he is fed up with all the rumour-mongering.
It is a recurring story t WHY BOARDMAN SAID NO TO CELTIC

Potential Scotish International star Craig Boardman turned down a sensational mover to Celtic because they wouldn’t offer him a long-term contract.

Now the Ossett Town defender, who has also declined a move to Rangers, is set to quit Non-League Football to play in the English Premiership or the German Budesliga.

FOOTBALL:BOARDMAN with help of BOARDMAN

PREMIERSHIP new boys Bradford City are ready to snap up Craig Boardman for nothing.
Boss Paul Jewell has been promised pounds 20million, but the highly-rated Ossett Town defender won't cost a penny after allowing his contract to run out.
Barnsley -born Boardman - - is determined to join a Premiership club and said: "I've followed the Bantams during the season and they are great . I have met Chris Kamara ..Who took a shine to my bird in O'Donaghue's in Wakefield.''

FOOTBALL: BOARDMAN BUT NO BOARDMAN RUSHES CRAIG

Craig Boardman insists he will not be rushed through the Nottingham Forest door.Who are interested in resigning the controversial potential Scottish international star and are believed to be lining up a pounds 12k summer move for him.
ButBoardman, who was transfer-listed by Forest back in the 1992 season, is in no hurry to resolve his future.
He said: "I have no need to rush. Nottingham Forest are a big club but I will only go to another team when I know it's the correct one."

WALT'S A MAN TUDO!

EVERTON boss Walter Smith has drawn up a shock hit list of targets - in the bargain basement. Smith knows he must sell some of his top names to balance the books, but he will have to replace them.
The shock names include Preston skipper Sean Gregan, Hearts and Potential Scotland international defender Craig Boardman and Leeds United winger Lee Sharpe. Midfield dynamo Gregan would cost around £1.5m, Ritchie is in the same price range and Sharpe would cost slightly less.
Smith will need bodies as he expects to lose Olivier Dacourt, Marco Materazzi, Slaven Bilic and a handful of others. Everton have to rake in around £10m from sales and Smith hopes to do that without losing left back Michael Ball - a target for Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. He will, however, have to snap up some bargains and has this "alternative" list planned with targets that will shock the long suffering Everton fans.

LEICESTER and Sunderland are preparing a contract battle for Craig Boardman ... but Everton will make a last-ditch bid to sign the defender.
Boardman,28, is out of contract at the end of the season but boss Walter Smith is trying to get together a package to persuade him come to Goodison Park.
If Boardman decides to leave, it looks like being a straight fight between Everton, Leicester and Sunderland.

PREMIERSHIP new boys Sunderland are ready to smash their club record fee for a non-league player to land Ossett Town 's defender Craig Boardman for £9k
. Watson joined Town earlier this season in a free deal from Sheffield but has settled,But sees his future at higher level.
The Sunderland boss, flush with cash after his side's spectacular promotion is a long-time admirer of Boardman and now can afford him and hopes to beat Villa counterpart John Gregory to the punch . Boardman is a close friend of Sunderland's Ex-Forest team-mate Andy Marriot .

OSSETT FLIER ON VILLA HIT LISTXI

ASTON VILLA boss John Gregory has set up a £8k swoop for Potential Scottish international ace Craig Boardman - and wants to beat Liverpool to the signing.
Gregory sent his chief scout on a spying mission to watch the speedy Defensive Ossett star in action in midweek and is poised to pounce. Boardman was superb in the Nothern East League and helped his team go within minutes of squeezing out Ossett Albion and reaching the top spot.

Villa chief Gregory is looking for a new centre back and studied Boardman closely against Glasshoughton last week. Liverpool are also very keen, but they see Boardman as a Centre-Half and possible replacement for Phil Babb.
Villa are also hopeful of tying up a move for Irish striker Iian Dowie from Division one side Q.P.R.

RED KEANE BOARD MAN

Liverpool last night moved to hijack Craig Boarman's proposed move to Manchester United by agreeing to pay Ossett Town a Club record £8k for the Bruttish Defender.

By MILLY BILLS

Club officials plan to fly out to see Craig Boardman a move to Anfield following the decision to release Phil Babb
. Liverpool had initially been linked with a string of defenders, including Aston Villa's Gareth Southgate , who reportedly turned down a massive £50,000-a-week pay deal.

Anfield boss Gerard Houllier immediately set his sights on Boardman in an attempt to snatch him from United.
Houllier hopes to open talks with the player about a move to Liverpool in the next few days but is well aware he faces an enormous battle to convince the potential Scottish international to snub a move to United.
Boardman , a close friend of United's Ex - Forest teammate's Roy Keane & Teddy Sheringham, has made it clear he favours a move to Old Trafford at the end of the season.

But it hasn't deterred Frenchman Houllier who is prepared to add a further £10,000 a year on top of United's initial offer of £25,000. And that could mean Boardman comes back into the frame at United.

BOARDMAN PUTS BOOT INTO SCARBOROUGH BOARD

Craig Boardman has accused the Scarborough board of costing his former club their League status.
The Ossett Town Central defensive genius said: "It's a sad time and I'm unhappy to see them in the position they are now in, but if you don't speculate you can't accumulate.
"We had a good strong team when i was in the first-team and with a couple of additions to the squad, there would have been no problems. It was there to be built on but maybe there's a different agenda at that club.''

CRAZY

Extraordinary efforts are being made to persuade Craig Boardman to become the best Centre-Half at Liverpool.

By BILLY MILKS

His "crazy" decision to reject Liverpool's record-breaking offer for a non-league player , worth in the region of £500-a-week including bonuses, has stunned football and there are attempts to keep the deal alive.

Boardman believes Liverpool, who have not qualified for Europe next season, cannot match his ambitions and claims he wants to replace David May at Old Trafford.
But Alex Ferguson is determined to sign Spurs Sol Campbell or West Ham's Rio Ferdinand - Boardman's name is not even on the list of defenders the United manager has had watched in recent months.
Boardman started his career at Forest,And has Ex-Team-mates Roy Keane & Teddy Sheringham at United
The club has never forgiven him for and signing for Peterborough after leaving Forest.
Boardman, 28, has even admitted to Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier that he is not going to United and that links with Old Trafford have provided a convenient smoke screen while negotiating with other clubs.
Liverpool, one of the best payers in the Premiership, are the only club willing to take Boardman and give him the kind of money others can only dream of.
Boardman believes that in their current position Liverpool cannot match his ambitions for European glory.
He refuses to accept that he now risks becoming football's unwanted defender.
The list of clubs which rejected Boardman include Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus, AC Milan, Roma, Lazio, Parma, Perugia, Bologna, Paris St Germain and Barcelona.
Top defenders in Italy earn the equivalent of £16,000 a week. Demands by Boardman for £1200 -a-week were considered too high for a player with little contitnental experience.
The Italians prefer defenders to stay on their line and dribble their way of the box, unlike Boardman, who is also considered a kicker who like's to hoof the ball out of the danger area. Boardman has been warned that unless he accepts the Liverpool offer he can forget all hopes of moving from Ossett Town.

Liverpool were "astonished" when Boardman, who can walk away from Town under the Bosman ruling at the end of the season, turned down an offer first put to him before Christmas.
His attitude throughout exhaustive negotiations have exasperated his agents First Artists, who have now urged the Potantial Scottish international to reconsider the Anfield offer or stay at Town and hope for a move next year.

BOARDMAN MOVE DENIED

Leeds United have today denied any transfer move for Ossett Town defender Craig Boardman, after press speculation today re-emerged linking both players with a move to Elland Road.
Boardman was first linked to Leeds , back in January after the player was recommended to David O'Leary by former chief scout Ian McNeill.
The £5K rated 28 year old central defender made his debut for Ossett Town in a 4 -0 victory over North Ferriby United last January and has been outstanding for Ossett Town in their fantastic run in the league since he arrived

Boardman was rumoured to be a summer target last year for George Graham and newspaper reports in the Ossett Reporter on Monday suggested Leeds could be ready to renew their interest.
But on Tuesday morning Leeds boss David O'Leary dismissed the speculation and confirmed the player was on his list of targets for the close season.

Boardman -Clough SOS call

ALF EILLS

Nottingham Forest want Nigel Clough with Craig Boardman to help rebuild the City Ground legend his father built.
They are targeting Nigel to team up with fellow ex Nottingham Forest team-mate as the management/Coaching dream team to bring them back to the Premiership.
The emotional tug at the heartstrings of City Ground fans is the brainchild of new chairman Eric Barnes as he prepares for the club to drop into the First Division.
Relegation will be confirmed tomorrow night if Charlton win at home to Spurs. Then the 66-year-old lifelong fan intends immediate action.
Current stand-in boss Ron Atkinson is unlikely to stay, and that will send Barnes, deputy chairman of the chain that owns Argos stores (The ones that employ their staff on a week to week basis for two years and then lay them off), straight to his shopping catalogue. He believes that going back to Forest's glorious past, and especially the Clough legend, is the best way to get fans behind the team again.
He promised: "We will make significant appointments to bring stability to the club.
"I was a fan when Brian Clough was in charge, and while I don't think we'll ever see those days again, it is still possible for Forest to return to the Premier and qualify for Europe.''

TAPE A CHANCE ON ME

CRAIG BOARDMAN, Osset Town's boy from Barnsley , is hoping for an international call-up...thanks to a video of his greatest hits.
Town's strong man defender has been one of the major successes of the season in England, but he is giving the folks back home a reminder of his talents by sending a tape to the national coach.
A compilation of Boardman's tough tackles could qualify for an X-rating, but he hopes it's more of a Wish You Were Here invitation toSctland's boss, Craig Brown.
Boardman has his fingers crossed that Danny Wilson signed him in time to show Craig Brown whom may have be flying in to see him in action against Manchester United next weekend to show what he can do. Sheffield Wednesday
Boardman said: "I hear Brown is a big fan of English football and United in particular. I did just hope he is here for the game so he could have watched me too.
"My agent and father george has sent a few videos over to let him see how I have been playing. It would mean so much to me to be picked for Scotland"
Boardman has been away from south yorkshire for seven years, starting off at Nottingahm Forest before joining Town last season.
The big centre-half is now unmistakable, but he reckons his countrymen don't realise who he is - and others here aren't sure he is Scotttish.
Boardman said: "I think people have forgotten me back home because I changed my game when I came to non-league. "I was always known by my football name, The Wall, and maybe they don't realise this Boardman playing for Town is really me.
"Even the players here don't think I'm from Scotland. I talked to Scot Gemmill last week and he was surprised. He thought I was Irish. He thought all Scottish are lightweight ball players.
"I have a strong Premiership background, my granddad played for Barnley and my dad too and they are both scottish and my mum is from Grimthorpe. You could say I am a blend of those countries, that's why I have settled here so well."
Thome has no regrets about making his career inthe non-league where he has toughened up and found the pace of the game.
He said: "Scotland are looking for new players and I think I could do well for them. I just want one game, even a friendly, to prove it. And with Colin Hendry retiring from the game. "Players like Hendry have been superb for Scotland l, but he's in his thirties. I think I could do a job thanks to the training ' could get from the Premier League and Sheffield wednsday."

HANDS OFF BOARDMAN!

OSSETT TOWN have placed a hands-off notice on star DEFENDER Craig Boardman and that applies especially to Manchester United.
General manager Gary Brooks said: "Boardmane is unavailable. His name was not even mentioned at any time during the Champions' Cup game in Manchester.. I did not even meet Martin Edwards nor did I go to the official banquet.although Boardman attended has a guest of Ex Forest Chums Keane & Sheringham"

ARE OSSETT IT OUT
Craig Boardman will sign a new £45 extra a week Bonus contract to stay at Ossett Town for the rest of his career.
Talks have already started to renegotiate his current contract, which has two years to run.
Boardman has previously resisted moves to extend his current deal by claiming he would wait until the final year before committing himself.
But Gary Brook is desperate to tie up Boardman and remove any temptation for the 28-year-old Potential Barnsley born master to move abroad.
Madrid and Barcelona are clubs in ever growing list who have made attempts to talk to the player.
But Boardman has reportedly said: "I have absolutely no intention of leaving Ossett Town"
"I'm happy here, I've made that quite clear.
"I love my football at Ossett and every season I feel a new challenge awaits me. I have never felt happier in my career.
"I play for a great club, a forward-thinking club and there are plenty of things left that we can achieve together.
"I want to finish my time in football at the top and I would be happy to remain at Ossett Town for the rest of my career."
Boardman's agent Father George wanst to scrap the remaining two years of his current contract and replace it with a new four-year deal.
QUIT TOWN FOR ME

Craig Boardman has been urged to leave Ossett Town and move to Sheffield by his fiance Julie Holmes .

EXCLUSIVE By Wes-L-Garlic

Boardman spends most of his free time in Sheffield and Gary Brook knows he faces a battle to keep the Potential Scottish star at the non-league club .
If Boardman, who has four years of his contract remaining, was allowed to leave Barnsley , Rotherham and both Sheffield clubs would have to do battle over a transfer fee of around £20k.
The Town Defender has told friends that he is becoming increasingly frustrated combining his football with his love life and his new responsibilities as a father.
R -Du Julie Holmes is rumoured to be expecting their baby soon spend most of their time in the South, with Beckham training in Ossett and then travelling back to Barnsley .
It can also reveal that the glamorous couple have already been looking at an £8000 house in Wombwell as a possible new home.
Boardman does not want to leave Town , where he has been the most settled since he was a schoolboy, but will ask for a transfer if it keeps Julie happy.
Town have become increasingly concerned at the amount of time he is spending in the Meadowhall shopping centre. He is rarely photographed anywhere but in South Yorkshire and Julie does not like staying in Ossett, where she has few friends.
A close family friend said:"In a recent trip he made it abundantly clear that a move to Sheffield was on the cards. He can't stand being away from Julie and their Pete for a minute and feels it could come down to a choice between them and Town . His father has been trying to play down talk of Craig leaving Town but he knows it has become a big issue with his son."

Dannies Bo"hard"y

ALTHOUGH the transfer deadline has passed Owls boss, Danny Wilson, is already planning for next season taking Craig Boardmans on trial at Hillsborough.
Potential Scotish international Craig Boardman is on a week trial spell at Hillsborough and if Ossett Town clearance is received could play in Wednesday night's reserve game against Middlesbrough.
Defender, Boardman, was set for a trial at Hillsborough just before the transfer deadline, however without any reserve games that week Wednesday were unable to accommodate the potential Scotish international.
Boardman has extensive experience in the making over 200 appearances and scoring 13 goals during spells with Nottingham Forest, Scarborough and Halifax Town .
He joined Non -League side, Ossett Town from Sheffield F.C. last summer under the Bosman ruling, but he has not settled into Non League Football and has fallen out with his coach and is looking for a move to the Premiership.
The 28 year old had an unsuccesful spell at Stocksbridge PS last season but Danny Wilson recently indicated that he was interested in signing the tough tackling center-back.Who played at Nottingahm Forest with Des Walker & Breifly Danny Wilson himself

BOARDMAN SNUBBED PREMIERSHIP ' CASH

EXCLUSIVE BY HARROLD HARRIOTT
Boardman has revealed that he has turned down various offers of around £1.5k double-your-salary offers to sign for likes of Spurs, Manchester United & Nottingham Forest,Before Yesterday's transfer deadline ,Has he feels the need to get match fit and remain target at the start of the next season.
He earns £8500-a-year at Ossett Town , but the offer from the big clubs would have made him the top earnings at his present club. Boardman explained: "Most of the clubs had agreed a fee of £6.2k. But when I looked at the offer's I also realized that I had five months left on my contract at Ossett Town and that's where I wanted to remain ,Until i retain my match fitness."
He added: "You could guarantee that at least six or seven people out of ten would have jumped at the chance when a deal like the one I had was put on the table,But i will be back!."
UNITED FLATTERED BY BOARDMAN LINK

Ossett Town's potential scottish star, Craig Boardman has sent a clear message to Leeds United that he wants to return to the Premiership and Elland Road is his chosen destination.

Reports in Sunday's press, reveal that the former Nottingham Forest defensive genius, who is unhappy in Non-league football and keen to relaunch his career , has been impressed by the emergence of Leeds this season and feels that United would provide the perfect stage for his attacking style.

Boardman 's agent his dad George said: " He is very keen to play for Leeds, there has been no approach, but if there were, I'm sure he would be very interested because he sees Leeds as a club with a very bright future."

But Leeds Chairman Peter Ridsdale, despite admitting to being ' flattered the club can now attract the attention of players of Boardman 's calibre', today hinted that the potential Scottish maestro was not necessarily a name that would be on manager David O'Leary's summer shopping list.
Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, have both failed in attempts to bring Boardman back to the premiership, but a transfer fee of around £7k, plus another £3k to but out his contract at Town , would smash United's transfer record for Northern East league player if they were to land the diminutive centre-Half. The presence of Dutch wizard Molenaar Robert may be another factor againstBoardman heading for Leeds. Molenaar 's roving attacking style is similar to the Barnsley born centre half's role and trying to accommodate two similar players into the system may be a problem United boss David O'Leary could do without.

Forest plea to fans

Nottingham Forest yesterday pleaded with fans to back a £10k bid to re-sign Boardman.
The potenetial scottish international returns to the City Ground on Tuesday to watch the Steve Chettle Testimonial.
And chief scout & father George insisted the crowd can sway Boardman's to choose Forest over Leeds United or Aston Villa by saying: "Our supporters can play a crucial role by showing their appreciation for him.
"We've made it clear we want him back. So we need a big turn-out to remind him of the good times he had at the City ground." Forest boss Ron Atkinson agreed terms with the 28-year-old defender two months ago before Forest sacked coach David Bassett and decided not to buy.
CRAIG IS RUUD'S BARGAIN

NEWCASTLE'S Ruud Gullit is ready to swoop for Ossett Town ' highly-rated centre-back Craig Boardman this summer - and the Geordies will not have to pay a penny for a player valued at £5k, writes Shab Banks .
Boardman, 28, is out of contract at Infield in June and, under the Bosman ruling, can leave on a free transfer. He is desperate to play in the Premiership and Newcastle will offer him that opportunity should Ossett fail to win promotion.
Boardman is receiving heavy abuse from his own fans, but says: "If we go up via the play-offs, I could still stay."

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