Source: Daily_Mail
Charles Sale: Michael Grade wants to succeed Lord Mawhinney as chairman of Football League
Television ringmaster Michael Grade has emerged as the leading celebrity candidate with ambitions of succeeding Lord Brian Mawhinney as executive chairman of the Football League next month.[LNB]The high profile Grade, a former chairman of both BBC and ITV as well as an ex-director of Charlton Athletic is understood to have applied for the post.[LNB] Grade: Has ambitions of succeeding Lord Brian Mawhinney as executive chairman of the Football League[LNB] More from Charles Sale... Charles Sale: Barmy England put shirt on Kasabian09/02/10 Charles Sale: FA chasing £30m England sponsor08/02/10 Charles Sale: Wembley's tough line on box bandits07/02/10 CHARLES SALE: Protesters hunt down TV historian in bid to stop 2012 Olympics equestrian at Greenwich Park 05/02/10 Charles Sale: Shamed England skipper Terry is expected to keep his kit on04/02/10 Charles Sale: Fabio Capello's untimely night on Pall Mall03/02/10 Charles Sale: China set to exploit BOA's Surrey state during London 2012 Olympics02/02/10 CHARLES SALE: John Terry lawyer now in Wayne Bridge's team 01/02/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE His business tycoon stature, as well as his media and footballexperiences, will make him a strong contender for the vacancy which isat a long list stage that includes former defence minister Geoff Hoonand a number of other former members of the Labour Cabinet.[LNB]The disadvantage for Grade is that he will be 67 next month and Football League regulations state the chairman must stand down in the season after his 70th birthday.[LNB]But on the plus side Grade has the stature to keep 72 clubs in order which Mawhinney has done remarkably well for seven years.[LNB]And Grade, who masterminded ITV's original snatch of Match of the day from BBC as well as the joint ITV-Setanta raid on the FA Cup, won't need outside help in future Football League TV rights negotiations.[LNB] [LNB]Capello: Has yet to speak to Ferdinand[LNB]England coach Fabio Capello has, intriguingly, given himself some wriggle room just in case Rio Ferdinand becomes embroiled in controversy before England play Egypt at Wembley on March 3.[LNB]For despite the media anointment of Ferdinand as the England captain to replace the deposed John Terry, Capello has yet to confirm the appointment of the Manchester United defender by name or even to speak to him.[LNB]Nor have the FA made any official announcement or mentioned the captaincy issue on their website.[LNB]And Capello, after his vague 'I also selected a vice-captain and third choice' after the Terry axing, refused to elaborate when asked about Ferdinand's position at the Euro 2012 draw, saying he will speak to the players first when they gather for the Egypt match.[LNB] The great hotel rip-off that seems to coincide with every major sports event includes the Premier Travel Inn in Newcastle on the weekend of the Great North Run.[LNB]The chain, who claim in their TV ad that everything is big apart from the price, insist guests must stay for two nights and charge a whopping unrefundable £250 for those who book rooms.[LNB]The hotel highlights an all-you-can-eat breakfast on Sunday - hardly what you need before running 13.1 miles.[LNB] The England 2018 team must have a job lot of signed David Beckham England kit at their Wembley headquarters judging by the number of times the gear has been used as gifts during the campaign.[LNB]The latest occasion on which England have played the Becks card was chief executive Andy Anson presenting Archbishop Desmond Tutu with an autographed No 7 shirt in London this week.[LNB] Clarence Seedorf, the only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs, will be part of the BBC pundits team at the World Cup.[LNB]The Holland midfielder, who hasn't officially retired, is also a well-known personality in Africa, having done a lot of work there with his charitable foundation.[LNB]The Beeb are building their World Cup presentation studio on the roof of a Cape Town hospital but have yet to reveal the cost.[LNB] Seedorf: Celebrating AC Milan's European Cup triumph in 2007[LNB] Racing UK have won the battle to fill the vacant sponsorship opportunity on jump jockey Ruby Walsh's riding breeches, although since the deal was agreed last weekend Walsh has been in action on tracks televised by rivals At The Races.[LNB]He won't be seen on a Racing UK course until he appears at Kempton on Friday.[LNB] Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who holds optimistic expectations of Spurs securing a new £10m-a-year kit sponsorship deal to replace Mansion next season, will be becoming increasingly anxious that the search goes on in a difficult marketplace with two senior executives about to leave.[LNB]Secretary John Alexander is going to Manchester United and commercial chief Paul Barber to MLS newcomer Vancouver.[LNB] [LNB]
