Leeds United Football Club - Blackwell Ready To Spend Milner Money: "Blackwell Ready To Spend Milner Money
United boss Kevin Blackwell is ready to spend money on new signings after his warchest was boosted by the sale of James Milner.
Blackwell will be able to use a considerable amount of the £5m received as a transfer fee after 18-year-old Milner's departure for St James' Park, and although in an ideal world he would have liked to have kept the future England star, believes that the board have made the right decision.
Said the United boss: 'It is disappointing to lose a player of James calibre, someone who is going to have a fantastic future in the game, but it is a deal that suits everyone at this time.
'James gets to stay in the Premiership, and I know Sir Bobby is looking to build that club with a base of British players, and for my part I now have a bit more money available to build a decent squad with.
'I am delighted with the players we have managed to bring in so far, they all have past Premiership experience or are proven in this division, and having this money now will help us get a better calibre of player.'
United Chairman Gerald Krasner explained that the decision to accept Newcastle's bid for James had not been easy, but the board have to stick by their decision.
'This is a good offer for the player and reluctantly we felt it was something we had to consider for a number of reasons,' Krasner told the Evening Post.
'Of course we are disappointed to see James leave, but the choice the board had was whether to keep him and not have money to give Kevin or go ahead with the sale and have some money to spend.
"It's not been an easy decision and it's one we've not taken lightly, but we believe it will be for the good of everyone concerned.
"James is a Leeds lad and has done well for the club. He goes with our best wishes."
Milner is excited about the challenge ahead of him at Newcastle, particularly the chance to play with Alan Shearer.
He told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "Obviously I've got mixed feelings about leaving the club I've been with for such a long time. But I am very excited about the challenge ahead of me - coming to a club like Newcastle United is fantastic.
"You just have to look at the squad list and the coaching staff. They have got some unbelievable players, internationals and some who are at the top of their game.
"Alan Shearer has been scoring goals for a long time and keeps on doing it. To play with guys like him is a dream come true and can only help me become a better player. I always watched him as I was growing up and the number of goals he has scored in his career is incredible. I'm looking forward to training and playing with Alan and the rest of the players. It will be a joy just to do that.
"I cannot wait to meet up with everyone. I know I can become a better player at Newcastle and the standard of the side around me can only help make that easier."
United boss Kevin Blackwell is ready to spend money on new signings after his warchest was boosted by the sale of James Milner.
Blackwell will be able to use a considerable amount of the £5m received as a transfer fee after 18-year-old Milner's departure for St James' Park, and although in an ideal world he would have liked to have kept the future England star, believes that the board have made the right decision.
Said the United boss: 'It is disappointing to lose a player of James calibre, someone who is going to have a fantastic future in the game, but it is a deal that suits everyone at this time.
'James gets to stay in the Premiership, and I know Sir Bobby is looking to build that club with a base of British players, and for my part I now have a bit more money available to build a decent squad with.
'I am delighted with the players we have managed to bring in so far, they all have past Premiership experience or are proven in this division, and having this money now will help us get a better calibre of player.'
United Chairman Gerald Krasner explained that the decision to accept Newcastle's bid for James had not been easy, but the board have to stick by their decision.
'This is a good offer for the player and reluctantly we felt it was something we had to consider for a number of reasons,' Krasner told the Evening Post.
'Of course we are disappointed to see James leave, but the choice the board had was whether to keep him and not have money to give Kevin or go ahead with the sale and have some money to spend.
"It's not been an easy decision and it's one we've not taken lightly, but we believe it will be for the good of everyone concerned.
"James is a Leeds lad and has done well for the club. He goes with our best wishes."
Milner is excited about the challenge ahead of him at Newcastle, particularly the chance to play with Alan Shearer.
He told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "Obviously I've got mixed feelings about leaving the club I've been with for such a long time. But I am very excited about the challenge ahead of me - coming to a club like Newcastle United is fantastic.
"You just have to look at the squad list and the coaching staff. They have got some unbelievable players, internationals and some who are at the top of their game.
"Alan Shearer has been scoring goals for a long time and keeps on doing it. To play with guys like him is a dream come true and can only help me become a better player. I always watched him as I was growing up and the number of goals he has scored in his career is incredible. I'm looking forward to training and playing with Alan and the rest of the players. It will be a joy just to do that.
"I cannot wait to meet up with everyone. I know I can become a better player at Newcastle and the standard of the side around me can only help make that easier."
