STOCKBRIDGE FURY AFTER CITY APPOINT SPARKY [05/06/08 17:39:52]

For the second time in less than twleve months, Abberton's Head of Security John Stockbridge (68) has been overlooked for the managerial vacancy at Manchester City despite being widely tipped to follow the ousted Sven-Goran Eriksson into the Eastland hotseat (see previous story on this website).

It is understood that Stockbridge was furious after it emerged that Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes had secured the position on a three year contract. Sources close to the former newspaper magnate claimed he had been "badly let down" by the board of the Premiership club who had apparently been close to agreeing terms last weekend.

However, a spokesman from the City of Manchester Stadium said "Whilst we are not prepared to discuss the individual circumstances of those that we conasidered for the manager's position, Manchester City FC are confident that we have appointed the right man for the job. Mr Hughes is a vastly experienced Premiership leader with an enviable track record." He would not confirm or deny that Stockbridge had been dumped because of availability doubts for the entirety of the 2008/09 season.

This was clearly seen as a sop by a distraught Stockbridge who spoke through his legal representative John Everett earlier today. "They have f***ed me about again. Last time it was that f***ing Swede and this time its some geezer with a 1970s haircut. I hope the b***ards get f***ing relegated."

There is speculation that Stockbridge originally thought that Andy Lockyer had been appointed after he saw The Sun yesterday morning (see right). The headline somewhat ambiguously named the Whalebone's under threat Director of Cricket as the new City boss, prompting the following outburst from Stockbridge. "I can't believe they have given the job to Sparky, he is a f***ing idiot" he ranted before being informed that it was the former Manchester United and Chelsea striker Hughes that had been successful and not the Whalebone's Director of Cricket.