Brown Wants To Stay

By Paul Holland
July 17 2002

Michael Brown today delivered the message all Sheffield United fans wanted to hear: "I'd love to stay at Bramall Lane."

The £4million-rated midfielder has been been linked with a move to the Premiership, with West Ham, Sunderland and West Brom all reportedly chasing his signature.

But despite harbouring ambitions to play in the top flight, Brown, who made his comeback from injury in last night's 14-1 friendly victory at Baslow, insists he would be happy to remain in South Yorkshire.

So much so he aims to win a new deal by spearheading United's charge on the play-offs next season.

"I really enjoy it here and and I'm not concentrating on anything else other than helping the club do well," 25-year-old Brown told The Star.

"I've got two years left under contract and I want to play well enough for them to sort me out with something after that as well.

"There's no way I'm trying to back anyone into any corners, I'm just saying how I feel I want to make it in the Premier League, who wouldn't? But there's nothing I'd like more than to do it with United. The fans have been brilliant to me."

n Football League clubs have been asked to waive £35m in internet rights fees in return for a greater share of future profits from their websites. Premium TV, a wholly-owned subsidiary of cash-strapped media firm NTL, have asked the League for permission to restructure the jointly-owned FLPTV company which runs the official websites of all the Nationwide clubs.