Monty's_Girl
Active Member
Taken from the Star......
SHEFFIELD United dealt Championship rivals Middlesbrough a double blow on transfer deadline day, it emerged this morning.
First Kevin McCabe, the Bramall Lane club's owner and chairman, sanctioned the decision to snub Gareth Southgate's bid for Matthew Kilgallon before thwarting the former England international's attempt to capture Reading's James Harper by releasing thADVERTISEMENTe funds to take over his contract at the Madejski Stadium.
United's coaching staff and board of directors now hope their decision to confront -and subsequently beat - one of the most powerful teams in theChampionship will persuade Kilgallon to accept their offer of a new contract as well as placate supporters angered by the recent sale of Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker to Tottenham Hotspur.
"Sometimes the chairman helps me out," United manager Kevin Blackwell said. "And at other times I have to help him out.
"It's all about working together and I think we've done well here. That's the way you have to approach things if you want to be well-run.
"Everyone has responsibilities to ensure things remain on an even keel and that we're solvent. Which we are."
Harper's arrival earlier this week was a surprise.
Not because the swiftness with which the deal was announced - talks took place immediately after last weekend's 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion despite Blackwell's claims to the contrary - but because United also faced stiff competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers for the midfielder's signature.
Alerted by their failure to push through a move, Boro are understood to have contemplated the possibility of submitting a concrete offer just hours before Tuesday's 5pm cut-off point but, by then, negotiations between United and Harper's representatives were already at an advanced stage.
Blackwell, who unveiled Derby's Jordan Stewart before allowing Billy Sharp and Lee Hendrie to depart, agreed to honour Harper's present terms with Reading until his loan expires at the end of the season. However, should the arrangement prove a success, then talks between United and his representatives are likely to take place in the New Year.
"I was delighted to get James because there were some good clubs in for him," Blackwell said. "Some very good clubs so we're pleased that he wanted to come here.
"Hopefully it sends a message
SHEFFIELD United dealt Championship rivals Middlesbrough a double blow on transfer deadline day, it emerged this morning.
First Kevin McCabe, the Bramall Lane club's owner and chairman, sanctioned the decision to snub Gareth Southgate's bid for Matthew Kilgallon before thwarting the former England international's attempt to capture Reading's James Harper by releasing thADVERTISEMENTe funds to take over his contract at the Madejski Stadium.
United's coaching staff and board of directors now hope their decision to confront -and subsequently beat - one of the most powerful teams in theChampionship will persuade Kilgallon to accept their offer of a new contract as well as placate supporters angered by the recent sale of Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker to Tottenham Hotspur.
"Sometimes the chairman helps me out," United manager Kevin Blackwell said. "And at other times I have to help him out.
"It's all about working together and I think we've done well here. That's the way you have to approach things if you want to be well-run.
"Everyone has responsibilities to ensure things remain on an even keel and that we're solvent. Which we are."
Harper's arrival earlier this week was a surprise.
Not because the swiftness with which the deal was announced - talks took place immediately after last weekend's 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion despite Blackwell's claims to the contrary - but because United also faced stiff competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers for the midfielder's signature.
Alerted by their failure to push through a move, Boro are understood to have contemplated the possibility of submitting a concrete offer just hours before Tuesday's 5pm cut-off point but, by then, negotiations between United and Harper's representatives were already at an advanced stage.
Blackwell, who unveiled Derby's Jordan Stewart before allowing Billy Sharp and Lee Hendrie to depart, agreed to honour Harper's present terms with Reading until his loan expires at the end of the season. However, should the arrangement prove a success, then talks between United and his representatives are likely to take place in the New Year.
"I was delighted to get James because there were some good clubs in for him," Blackwell said. "Some very good clubs so we're pleased that he wanted to come here.
"Hopefully it sends a message
