Quotes of the year (The Times)

Quotes of the year
Compiled by Mel Webb

Some of the things they said in 2004 — plus a few that they wish they hadn’t

"If a bus runs over me tomorrow and that is all we ever achieve then it will be worth it for that."
- Mark Palios, FA chief executive at the time, on the positive effects of Rio Ferdinand's eight-month ban for missing a drugs test.

"If you go out for a beer, all of a sudden it's multiplied by 12. If you're seen walking down the road with a girl you're having an affair."
- the former Manchester United forward Norman Whiteside on the troubles awaiting Wayne Rooney, who had just switched to Old Trafford.

"We came off life support on Friday and are now in recuperation."
- Gerald Krasner, the new chairman of Leeds United, after his consortium completed its takeover of the debt-ridden club in March.

"We would get more for Robinson if we sold him in the Leeds Weekly News."
- John Boocock, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters' Trust, after Paul Robinson, the England goalkeeper, moved to Tottenham Hotspur for £1.5million.

"Anyone can be clever, the trick is not to think the other guy is stupid."
- José Mourinho, then the FC Porto coach, in March.

"You give a player everything he needs to have a good professional life and good behaviour. It is his fault."
- Mourinho, now the Chelsea manager, blames Adrian Mutu for his dismissal after failing a drugs test for cocaine.

"Just because the bloke got caught having a couple of lines with some Page 3 bird does not mean he has got major problems."
- Ed Giddins, the former England cricketer who was once banned for testing positive for cocaine, on Mutu.

"I would sell my wife into slavery before I would sell my United shares."
- Pete Hargreaves, a Manchester United supporter, on Malcolm Glazer's takeover attempt.

"One of my players would have to be hit by an axe to get a penalty at the moment."
- Sir Alex Ferguson after Manchester United did not win a spot-kick in the derby against City at Old Trafford.

"I've felt like the fire brigade on Guy Fawkes Night for the past few weeks."
- David Dein, the Arsenal vice-chairman, on the long-running saga of whether Patrick Vieira would go to Real Madrid.

"It's important for the lads not to see a member of the squad walking around with a face like a smacked bum."
- Joe Cole on keeping his chin up despite not playing a minute for England at Euro 2004.

"I am sure some people think that I have not got the brains to be that clever."
- David Beckham on his deliberate booking for fouling Ben Thatcher, of Wales, in a World Cup qualifying match.

"Anybody who is thinking of applying for the Scotland job in the next eight or nine years should go and get themselves checked out by about 15 psychiatrists."
- Martin O'Neill, the Celtic manager.

"The lowest moment was when we were 5-0 down at West Ham last week and the realisation sank in that half my team were playing for the opposition."
- Stuart Murdoch, the Wimbledon manager, after the club's creditors accepted a takeover by Pete Winkelman's consortium.

"It's years since I've seen snow."
- Socrates, the former Brazil captain, reflects on his 13-minute debut for Garforth Town in the Northern Counties East League.

"They would hang me from the rafters at Molineux if someone who used to manage West Brom were given the job."
- Rick Hayward, the chairman of Wolverhampton Wanderers, on the news that Gary Megson, the former Albion manager, had applied for the job at Wolves.

"I just took it on the chin."
- Bill Leslie waxes philosophical after the miss from a yard by Kanu, the West Bromwich Albion forward, cost his side a draw against Middlesbrough and Leslie a £38,000 accumulator bet.

"His future is definitely in front of him."
- Andy Gray, the Sky Sports expert, on the England prospects of Chris Kirkland, the Liverpool goalkeeper.

"He dropped out at 1pm when we discovered he had tweaked a hamstring walking upstairs at home. We're now asking him to move to a bungalow."
- Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, on Glen Little's late withdrawal from the match against Brighton and Hove Albion. Reading still won 2-1.