1997-98 Season - June

Monday 02 Jun 1997

Lee Clark is so desperate for first team football that he agrees to sign for Sunderland; £2m worth of "dirty" money changes hands making him the Makems record signing.

There are rumours that Tino may follow him with South American clubs Riverplate and Boca Juniors believed to be sniffing around.

Tuesday 03 Jun 1997

London media speculation surrounding a move to Upton Park for Robert Lee's is news to him. "I've got two years left on my contract. I don't know why there's been so much talk about me moving. I've had little bits every season but this time it's been rife and been a bit over the top."

Tuesday 03 Jun 1997

Representatives from the Football Association, Premier League, Football League and the Professional Footballers Association meet at at Lancaster Gate to discuss the ramificatioons of the Bosman ruling.

It's of particular interest to United who have agreed a four year deal with out of contract player Shay Given. Under current domestic rules an intra-Britian still attracts a fee which would be set by an independent tribunal.

However, United are allegedly prepared go to court if they are asked to pay a fee. They will argue that under the terms of the Bosman ruling a court would declare a transfer fee illegal, even though the player is moving within Britain.

Faustino Asprilla dismisses rumours he wants to leave "I love my life in Newcastle. The people here are very good to me. I will only leave if the club wants me to leave."

Wednesday 04 Jun 1997

More speculation suggests a potential swop deal between United and Spurs involving the transfer listed Teddy boy Sheringham and Sir Les.

Monday 09 Jun 1997

Shay Given explains (as if he needed to) why he chose United in preference to Sunderland (where he had been on loan).

"I may well have thought about joining Sunderland but Kenny was a massive influence on my decision so was the size of the club and the fact that Newcastle will be challenging for trophies next season".

Tuesday 10 Jun 1997

Newcastle United announce they will be re-applying for the Pontin's Central League. They are expecting to have to rejoin at the bottom. They were right.

Wednesday 11 Jun 1997

Some miscreant has suggested that Sir John Hall's "N1 JFC" Bentley Turbo number plate may be illegal. , faces a possible red card over his car number plates.

The 1 and the J are deliberately close together so that from a distance it looks like NUFC.

If they are less than 11 millimetres apart or not clearly separate from 25 yards it will be illegal .

Sir John is on holiday, but a Newcastle United spokesman said:"We haven't received any complaints about the car, but we'll certainly have a look into the matter."

Danish international Jon Dahl Tomasson jets in to take his medical and do some house hunting scotching suggestions that he had had second thoughts about the move.

Thursday 12 Jun 1997

Former Celtic boss Tommy Burns joins Dalglish's coaching staff in preference to tasking the manager's job at Reading.

Thursday 19 Jun 1997

Bolton Wanderers manager Colin Todd confirms that he is interested in signing Pedro as well as another "mystery" North East based player.

Friday 20 Jun 1997

Reserve team coach Jeff Clarke becomes the latest victim of Kenny Dalglish's Newcastle revolution.

Sunday 22 Jun 1997

Despite Tino's previous assurances it is alleged that his agent Gustavo Mascardi is negotiating a deal for a return to Parma.

And Asprilla has been quoted in an Italian newspaper stating: "I am not guaranteed first-team football at Newcastle so I will be delighted to return to Italy. My only regret will be disappointing the Newcastle supporters they have been magnificent to me".

Meanwhile Peter Beardsley declares: "I want to stay at Newcastle. I think I have a couple more years left playing top flight football."

Friday 27 Jun 1997

Newcastle are reported to be prepared to sell Robbie Elliott to Bolton if they can sign a replacement.

Sunday 29 Jun 1997

And now it's Sir Les whose position is under threat with Spurs manager Gerry Francis set to make a move after selling Teddy Sheringham.

Monday 30 Jun 1997

Former Celtic boss Tommy Burns has allegedly suggested that Kenny Dalglish should sign the Hoops unsettled Italian Paulo di Canio.