Departure prompts flood of fan messages

ROY KEANE’S departure provoked the expected flurry of reaction on various Premiership club messageboards. The postings on arseonline.com, an independent Arsenal site, was fairly typical.

“Keane for Arsenal - Vieira replacement” was the initial response from Arsenal fan Gizzer on the site, but the welcome was less than wholehearted. “Over my dead body”, was the immediate reaction from Smylee, who met a quick put down from fellow Gunner cantbebeat: “It would be if you met him... ”

As local rivals, Manchester City fans were also excited by the prospect of Keane joining his old Forest teammate Stuart Pearce, now City manager.