Shay Given

[Charlie Darwin]

I knew his birth certificate was fake.

[Sullivinho]

Very overt approach from agent Given but I trust he knows what he's doing.

[EastTerracer]

Shay still isn't giving much away about where he'll be playing next season. Sounds like he would like to stay at City but you can tell he wants to play. He's certainly not saying he's definitely away...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13721403.stm

[EastTerracer]

The UTV version of the interview is below

http://www.u.tv/Sport/Given-not-ruling-out-move-from-City/e78f9c4a-d7f4-4c93-bfcf-5571d8e11ec8

Weird to see Shay and Killer with the IFA crest on them. Shay looks handy outfield - I'm sure he would fancy getting a goal before his international career comes to an end in 10 or 15 years time.

[DannyInvincible]

Shay and Killer

*The Monaghan goalie and Kilbayne.

[DannyInvincible]

No prizes for guessing the origin of this odd and amusing collection of comments:


Have they no sense of shame? Given himself spoke up for the FAI's poaching of our RC players. The IFA are truly the masochists of international football. What a disgrace.


Is this gonna allow him to start scouting/training camps for the ROI under the banner of the IFA. Know im prob jumping to conclusions but why else would he be going for his badges through the ifa?


When you think they can't go any lower they offer another welcome to the FAI. Unbelievable.


So he flashed his £££ in the IFA eyes and they just welcome him.

Does the FAI have info or photos on someone within the IFA, or do we just like being bent over and f**ked from every angle?


The fact Shay Given agrees with the FAIs sectarian poaching policy against us would be enough for me to have turned the wee beggar away (under another reason of course) He supports the death of our team.


He was interviewed some time ago and said that he believed players from NI should be allowed to play for the ROI, and that he could have chosen to play for NI himself. Aye right. If big Maik was unavailable. And Tuffey. And Mannus. And Blayney. And Woy. And me. And my granny.


could you imagine the media here if the ifa stopped this poor little (multi millionaire) catholic from trying to realise his dreams.

does anyone really think the ifa would have stopped a famous footballer from taking part in one of their courses-not a chance. sure it will be great publicity for the training courses to show how cross community an association it is.


It would have been an excellent opportunity to be small minded and petty,by telling Given the course was full.The brass neck of somone advocating the destruction of our FA turning up to do a coaching course is no more than we should expect,but the IFA should have politely told him there would be no place for him here.


They could always invite him in, take his money and then fail the stupid *****.


It would be a step in the right direction,re having no contact at any level with the association whose reason d'etre is our extermination as an independent association.


Personally, I think he should be told to f**k away off to an FAI run course....£1000 fee or whatever.
No contact whatseover with FAI or their representatives until the gentleman's agreement is back in place.


just on UTV now Given & Kilbane, maybe some us need to take a trip down to Dub playing fields and give them a piece of our minds

Some from even a forum administrator.

[Sullivinho]

Call it a sunday morning phantasm but I have this image of Danny hunched behind some bushes with binoculars, a notepad and a flask of Irish coffee whilst a gaggle of lemons in the foreground, oblivious to his presence, argue about which one of them contains the most bitterness..

[Predator]

No prizes for guessing the origin of this odd and amusing collection of commentsThey truly are delusional. It's almost tragic.

[Gather round]

I like the idea of him replacing Dick Fcukwhittington, to be honest ;)

[ArdeeBhoy]

No prizes for guessing the origin of this odd and amusing collection of comments:
Some from even a forum administrator.

'Paranoid delusional' is an understatement. Some of them need help with their mental health....


I like the idea of him replacing Dick Fcukwhittington, to be honest
:confused:
As Mayor of London, 700 years ago??

[Charlie Darwin]

I liked that little intake of breath when asked if he'd like to join Celtic. Suggests his sights are set a bit higher.

[Murfinator]

The more he speaks, sadly the more I think hes coming around to a bench role at Man City. Westwood going to Sunderland might make him more nervous about his international career if he isn't starting at his club.

[EastTerracer]

The more he speaks, sadly the more I think hes coming around to a bench role at Man City. Westwood going to Sunderland might make him more nervous about his international career if he isn't starting at his club.

I think you should take his words with a pinch of salt. He doesn't want to be seen as a "want-away player" who is demanding a transfer. That would have severe financial implications for any player looking to move.

Shay is playing the game correctly here along the lines of "i've a contract with Man. City, I have two years left, I'm very happy. If the club decides that they want to sell me then we'll see what happens"....
RESULT = substantial loyalty bonus lodged so he doesn't have to worry too much about taking a pay cut at his next club.

[tetsujin1979]

Manchester City not keen on Shay Given loan: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1424074_manchester-city-not-keen-on-shay-given-loan

West Brom’s hopes of taking Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given on a season-long loan are unlikely to be realised.

The Blues either want the Irish ace to stay or to leave on a permanent move.
also, from the same article:

And the following players have been offered new contracts: Ahmed Benali, Chris Chantler, John Guidetti, Jeremy Helan, Eirik Johansen, Donal McDermott, Tom Smith and Sean Tse.

[Charlie Darwin]

Sean Tse is also Irish I think. Slightly surprised to see Donal McDermott offered a new deal. Good news!

[bwagner]

Sean Tse is also Irish I think. Slightly surprised to see Donal McDermott offered a new deal. Good news!

yea Sean Tse is half irish half chinesse , played under 17s

[Noelys Guitar]

Hearing from a few people today that Sunderland are interested in signing Given with Criag Gordon certain to be leaving. What a strange situation that would turn out to be if Shay signs for Sunderland with Westwood already there.

[CraftyToePoke]

Hearing from a few people today that Sunderland are interested in signing Given with Criag Gordon certain to be leaving. What a strange situation that would turn out to be if Shay signs for Sunderland with Westwood already there.

This would be a bit of a disaster. We are better off with him at Man City than them both there. Was this in any paper or anything?

[Noelys Guitar]

This would be a bit of a disaster. We are better off with him at Man City than them both there. Was this in any paper or anything?

Just from a few City fans and it has been mentioned on other fans websites. Probably ****** but Sunderland seem to have ditched their signing only younger players policy. And Gordon is for sale. O'Shea seems certain to sign tomorrow.

[Charlie Darwin]

No way that'll happen. Sunderland are trimming their wage bill and Given would command even higher wages than Gordon.

[zero]

Aston Villa have agreed fee with Manchester City for Shay Given reports @skysportsnews

hopefully he can agree terms - would be a good move i think.

[Noelys Guitar]

It will be great for Shay to be playing every week. Lets hope he stays injury free.

[the bear]

http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7037889/Given-On-Way

[centre mid]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2395397,00.html

Tis official

[IsMiseSean]

5 year contract!! Didn't think he'd get that long....

[centre mid]

Would have got less time for murder!

I think its a good deal for both, Villa get a reliable, experienced proven premiership goalkeeper, Shay gets gets first team football and a decent length contract.

[SkStu]

great move for Shay - well deserved. And a great move in the context of the Irish team.

[Sullivinho]

As fond as his memories of being a luxury backup must be, it's great to see Shay sorted. 5 years too, well played.

[BonnieShels]

Thanks be to jaysus that's over...

Next up, Robbie, Shane and Kevin.

[EastTerracer]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2395397,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265%7E2395397,00.html)

Who did Shay play for at the 2006 World Cup - I know it wasn't us:confused: ? Someone on the Villa website needs to sharpen their research skills.

[CraftyToePoke]

Good good, delighted with this, him Dunne and Clarke all part of the same defence and at a decent club with a few more bob to spend.

[DannyInvincible]

Good move for Shay. Hadn't been expecting him to get a 5-year deal either.

[tommy_c12000]

Good move for him. It was getting a bit tiresome watching Shay waste his talent on the Letterkenny dancefloors, instead of showcasing his talent between the goalposts . . .

[the bear]

Good move for him. It was getting a bit tiresome watching Shay waste his talent on the Letterkenny dancefloors, instead of showcasing his talent between the goalposts . . .

the grills loss is villas gain, 5 years is a great deal for him and good for us that he plans to play into his 40's

[amaccann]

About bloody time. Very painful season to watch for fans of Given (ie, all of us), particularly as there were some signs his rustiness was showing on the pitch for Ireland. But hey, happy days he's back at #1. Roll on the Autumn :)

[DannyInvincible]

About bloody time. Very painful season to watch for fans of Given (ie, all of us), particularly as there were some signs his rustiness was showing on the pitch for Ireland.

Certainly agree that it wasn't at all optimal seeing him warm the bench at Manchester City, but I don't think his recent form for us is in question. He performed well against Macedonia and also kept clean-sheets in the two Carling Nations Cup wins over NI and Scotland prior to that. Nevertheless, Shay playing first-team football regularly for Aston Villa is obviously more beneficial than the situation at Manchester City for everyone concerned.

[Colbert Report]

What was the transfer fee involved? Did he agree to take a pay cut? Did Villa just get him for free after agreeing to pay a portion of his wages?

[ArdeeBhoy]

Clearly he's decided he doesn't want to win any silverware. Just hope he doesn't get injured too often, as he'll have his work cut out in front of Villa's defence....

[Murfinator]

With a 5-year deal I guess that confirms Givens intention to be available for the 2014 world cup and euro 2016. Great news.

[Charlie Darwin]

Not necessarily - he's confirming his intention to be available for Aston Villa for 5 years. He's replacing Brad Friedel, who prolonged his club career by retiring from international duty aged 33. I'm sure Shay will stick around as long as he can but he may have a decision to make at some point.

[SkStu]

What was the transfer fee involved?

3.5m i believe.

[AlaskaFox]

Clearly he's decided he doesn't want to win any silverware. Just hope he doesn't get injured too often, as he'll have his work cut out in front of Villa's defence....

Yeah, he probably should've spent another season getting splinters in his arse to pick up an FA Cup medal.

[ArdeeBhoy]

He's going to have had precious little in his career....

[SwanVsDalton]

He's going to have had precious little in his career....

Would you really have him sit on the bench in the twilight years of his career in the off-chance he might collect some token medals? How would that benefit player or Ireland?

[ArdeeBhoy]

He could have gone to Celtic...

Anyway it's down to him. Lack of ambition IMO as still good enough for a more potentially successful club.
Nothing to do with any bench.

[pineapple stu]

Linfield are more successful than Celtic by that measure. Should have gone there.

[SwanVsDalton]

He could have gone to Celtic...

Anyway it's down to him. Lack of ambition IMO as still good enough for a more potentially successful club.
Nothing to do with any bench.

He could've gone to Rosenberg or Anderlecht or Shamrock Rovers if he wanted trophies. He wants to play at the top level and not drop down to an inferior league. That is the opposite of lacking ambition.

[AlaskaFox]

He could have gone to Celtic....

Like that's ambitious...

[BonnieShels]

Everyone managed to resist it.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Linfield are more successful than Celtic by that measure. Should have gone there.

But that's hardly likely.
Ever.
And I meant in the EPL, as in a club pushing for Europe or a Cup Final, which won't be AV in the short-term.

Hence the lack of ambition...