Former Manchester United keeper Roy Carroll is on the verge of completing a move to West Ham United. The Northern Ireland shot-stopper, who was released by United last month, has been in talks with the Premiership newboys and his agent reveals the Hammers are his first choice. "Talks are ongoing between West Ham and Roy," Francis Martin told skysports.com. "Other clubs have shown interest in Roy, but I think West Ham is his first choice. "Roy would have no problem in going down to London and he is keen to stay in The Premiership. "I am hopeful that something could be done in the next few days." United had recently signed on Dutch international Edwin Van Der Sar, who will be their first choice keeper. Vladimir Smicer passed a medical today and completed his free transfer from Liverpool to Bordeaux. The 32-year-old Czech Republic international has signed a two-year contract with the French Ligue 1 club. "Vladimir underwent medical screening at Bordeaux today and he is 100% fit to play," said Dalibor Lacina, a spokesman from Smicer’s management group. The midfielder came on as a substitute and scored for Liverpool in the Champions League final against AC Milan and converted a penalty in the shoot-out. Before moving to Merseyside he won the French league title with RC Lens in 1998. Smicer was signed by former Reds manager Gerard Houllier for £4.2 million from Lens in July 1999. He was supposed to sign with Lens on a free transfer but Bordeaux won him over.

Juan Sebastian Veron is hoping that his loan spell from Chelsea to Inter Milan will become a permanent one. The Argentine has been in good form for the Nerazzurri this season after proving surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. Newcastle United and Everton – already in a race to sign Scott Parker, now find themselves in another transfer tussle, this time over Internazionale’s Turkey midfielder Belozoglu Emre. Everton manager David Moyes has already held talks with Emre’s camp in Milan, but Souness is said to be prepared to match the price tag quoted to the Toffees. Everton are strengthening the squad ahead of their first Champions League campaign next season, while Newcastle are in the process of rebuilding after a terrible season.



The Spanish La Liga season officially came to a close with the final of the Spanish Cup being played out. Real Betis, who have qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever, beat Osasuna 2-1 in extra time. This means that Osasuna will get to compete in the UEFA Cup in 2005-2006 as Cup losers. I found this cartoon of Bart Simpson on the net, wearing a Betis jersey and profesing his love for the club from Seville.



Cam Neely, the Boston Bruins' forward who helped define the term "power forward" during his NHL career is now a star for the ages. Neely leads the Class of 2005 that will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November. The Hall of Fame's Selection Committee announced Wednesday that Neely, Soviet standout winger Valeri Kharlamov and Hockey Canada's Murray Costello will join the Hall at November's induction ceremonies. Neely, a bruising 6-foot, 185 pound forward, is one of Boston's most beloved athletes, and with good reason. During 10 seasons with the Bruins, Neely showed skill, stamina, incredible perseverance and a mean streak a mile wide as he became a fearsome force. Neely, born in British Columbia, was originally drafted by the hometown Vancouver Canucks with the ninth overall selection of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft after a tremendous junior season with the Western Hockey League's Portland Winter Hawks. But after three somewhat average seasons with the Canucks, including a rookie season in 1983-84 in which he scored 16 goals and 15 assists in 56 games, Neely was traded to the Bruins in a deal that still elicits sighs of regret in Vancouver and cries of joy in Boston. "I can't quite fathom just yet what this means to myself and to all the great players I played with," said Neely, whose No. 8 was retired by the Bruins on Jan. 12, 2004.



Neely and a 1987 first round draft pick that became defenseman Glen Wesley were sent to the Bruins in exchange for center Barry Pederson, whose contributions to the Canucks were limited by injury. Over his first five seasons with the B's, Neely scored 36, 42, 37, 55 and 51 goals as he became one of the toughest players in NHL history. The 1991-92 season saw the start of a decline for Neely, one that was brought on by serious injury. Over the remainder of his career, he appeared in nine, 13, 49, 42 and 49 games. But the 1993-94 season was one that exemplified his great courage. Limited to 49 games, Neely nevertheless scored an incredible 50 goals and 24 assists. "After having to retire because of injury ... that's not the way any athlete wants to leave his sport," Neely said. "So it was difficult for the first couple years. "I lived for the moment when I played," Neely said. "I really didn't look at what my career was all about until after I retired." Here is a quick refresher. For his career, Neely appeared in 726 regular-season games, scoring 395 goals, 299 assists and 1,241 penalty minutes. In 93 Stanley Cup Playoff games, Neely had 57 goals and 32 assists as well as 168 penalty minutes. Neely never won a Stanley Cup as a player. Twice, the Bruins went to the Finals during his career, but were denied, so Neely counts the Bruins upsetting the Montreal Canadiens in 1988 as his fondest memory. "Beating the Canadiens for the first time in 45 years really stands out," Neely said. "That was quite an experience." But for Neely, the whole experience is what was swirling around in his head after getting the phone call from Jim Gregory, the chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Having the opportunity to play in the NHL and build so many special relationships," Neely said when asked for another highlight. "It was special to be a part of the Boston Bruins. They really gave me an opportunity to play. They said just go do it. To retire as a Bruin was a great honor." "Cam's contributions to Boston have gone far beyond what he accomplished on the ice, " Bruins President Harry Sinden said. "He has meant a lot to the Boston community with his countless efforts on behalf of charitable causes and, of course, the establishment of the Neely House and Neely Foundation." Etc.: Played his junior hockey for Portland (WHL), winning a Memorial Cup championship in 1982-83 with 56-64=120 regular season totals and 9-11=20 playoff totals…Was Vancouver's first pick, ninth overall, in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft…Was traded to Boston on his 21st birthday, June 6, 1986.








Song for the day - "God Shuffled His Feet" - CRASH TEST DUMMIES