"I'd be delighted to be a Portsmouth player next season. Equally, I would not have a problem with going back to Newcastle. Hopefully the matter will be sorted out in the next ten days." Lomano Lua Lua on his on-off move to Portsmouth (June 4 2004)

"He was the one who gave me the chance. There were a few players who didn't get on quite as well with Ruud, but I couldn't really complain, being on the bench in the Premiership at the age of 17. So obviously, if I was offered a move like that, I would jump at it." Brian Kerr on speculation linking him with Ruud Gullit's Feyenoord (June 5 2004)

"I hate to part with any of the collection but I would rather my family had some benefit from it." Former United defender Alf McMichael on selling his 1952 FA Cup winners medal at auction (June 9 2004)

"There are talks, I cannot deny that. Genova is a place that attracts me and I don't consider them to be a Serie B side. I'd like the opportunity which I think is very important. I admire the Genova people, their mentality, which is similar to mine." Supposed Alan Shearer quotes appearing in an Italian newspaper regarding a move to Genoa which the Serie B side's Chairman later admitted was a publicity stunt, bizarre... (June 10 2004)

"I have been made aware today of Italian press reports which say I have been in talks with Genoa. This is completely untrue." Alan Shearer, rubbishing claims he is to sign a 3 year deal with Genoa (June 10 2004)

"I have just one year left as a footballer and the only target on my mind is to help Newcastle finally win some silverware as a thank you to the best supporters in the world. The only way I would consider anything other than this is if Sir Bobby Robson told me that I was not to be a first-team regular next season." Alan Shearer claiming the only way he would consider leaving Newcastle is if he wasn't playing first-team football (June 10 2004)

"I would like to be happy at Newcastle. It is a big club, with a big history and has the best fans in the world, at least the best I know." Hugo Viana trying to get back into the good books of United fans after speculation that he wants away from Newcastle (June 11 2004)

"I could definitely see myself extending my contract with Newcastle because I have adapted well and my family, too. Bobby Robson trusts me and I have two years left on my contract." Laurent Robert hoping for a contract extension (June 11 2004)

"My objective is still to win a title with Newcastle." Sir Bobby Robson on his ambitions for Newcastle (June 12 2004)

"Everybody in Europe thinks we're one of the big clubs. Certainly the financial statistics show we are. Perhaps, sometimes, we don't see ourselves as being as big as other people do." Freddy Shepherd (June 12 2004)

"I am 65 this year and it is time to make way for someone else." Former Toon manager Arthur Cox announces his retirement from the game (June 13 2004)

"It's absolutely brilliant for me to get a deal like this. It's a dream come true not only for me but for my whole family. And the fact that Newcastle United obviously want to keep me for such a long time is a massive boost for me." A delighted Shola Ameobi speaking about his new five year contract (June 21 2004)

"We have more than high hopes for Shola. He has come on leaps and bounds every season and last season was no exception." Freddy Shepherd on Ameobi's new contract (June 21 2004)

"Uefa Cup qualification doesn't represent success in my book." Freddy Shepherd on the need to qualify for the Champions League (June 27 2004)

"We have not heard anything at all from Newcastle." The then Southampton boss Paul Sturrock denying that United have made a bid for James Beattie (June 28 2004)

"I have not spoken with anybody about moving anywhere. I was very upset to find out that there were reports saying that I wanted to play for another club. I did not say this. If Newcastle wants to sell me that is up to them not me." Hugo Viana slamming the English media for linking him with a move away from Newcasle (June 30 2004)