TSANJ's Tim Howard Makes News In Great Britain
The Mirror, May 22, 2003
May 22, 2003, Thursday
FOOTBALL: FERGIE'S NEW KEEPER; WE SWEAR IT'S TRUE: TOURETTE'S
SUFFERER IS TARGET FOR UNITED
MANCHESTER United have agreed a deal for goalkeeper Tim
Howard, the American who has fought an extraordinary battle
with Tourette's Syndrome.
The 23-year-old has risen to the top in America with New
York MetroStars despite suffering from the neurological disorder
that causes nervous tics and uncontrolled verbal outbursts
or random swearing. Howard has worked hard to control the
condition and was recently given a humanitarian award for
helping others as a role model. The 6ft 2in star has quickly
risen to the top of the Major League and is tipped to have
the same impact as Brad Friedel, Blackburn's American star
voted best keeper in the Premiership this season.
United initially contacted Howard and MetroStars general
manager Nick Sakiewicz in March, expressing interest.
Howard said then: "You dream about things like this. They
are the biggest sports team in world history." After viewing
tapes of him in action, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson sent
goalkeeping coach Paul Barron to Houston to watch the recent
United States-Mexico friendly.
Barron was hugely impressed after Howard kept a clean sheet
and made five stunning saves - and has now persuaded Fergie
to pursue the player named in the Major League Best XI line-up
for the past two seasons.
Howard has yet to play for the United States in a serious
international because of the form of Friedel and Kasey Keller.
But Ferguson is hopeful of pulling strings over a visa. Howard
has just married a Hungarian and that might help get a work
permit so he can sign for this summer.
A fee of around pounds 1.2million has already been discussed.
Fabien Barthez is out of favour at United and Roy Carroll's
wanted by Steve Bruce's Birmingham City.
The
Independent May 22, 2003
(C) Copyright 2003 Independent Newspapers (UK) Limited
May 22, 2003
MANCHESTER UNITED TRYING TO SIGN DISABLED GOALKEEPER
MANCHESTER UNITED are trying to sign an American international
goalkeeper voted Humanitarian of the Year after coping with
the effects of Tourette's syndrome.
Tim Howard, 23, has risen to prominence in the United States
despite suffering from an illness that will make him an extraordinary
character if he arrives at Old Trafford in August for the
start of next season. People with Tourette's syndrome suffer
from nervous tics and at times cannot control what they are
saying. Howard, who plays for New York/New Jersey MetroStars
in the Major Soccer League, says he has learnt to cope with
the illness. The effects of Tourette's can be harrowing, with
spasms and uncontrollable outbursts two of the most common
signs.
Howard has coped with the difficulty and his team-mates say
they have not found it a problem. However, he is bound to
be at the centre of much interest if United complete the deal
for the pounds 1.2m-rated player.
The New Jersey-born player is regarded so highly for handling
his "handicap" that he was voted Humanitarian of the Year
by the charity New York Life. He rose through the college
ranks to play for MetroStars, all the while dealing with his
illness. Howard has yet to play for the US in a competitive
international because of the form of Blackburn's Brad Friedel
and Tottenham's Kasey Keller, but has played for the national
side in friendly games. He could be one of two new keepers
at Old Trafford, with Fabien Barthez out of favour and Roy
Carroll wanted by Birmingham City.
EVENING STANDARD
May 22, 2003
UNITED SWEAR BY STAR US GOALKEEPER HOWARD
Manchester United were today reported to be chasing a GBP
1.2million deal for Tim Howard, the American goalkeeper who
suffers from Tourette's Syndrome. The 23-year-old is one of
the stars of Major League Soccer despite being hampered by
the neurological disorder that can cause uncontrolled verbal
outbursts or random swearing.
Howard, who plays for New York MetroStars, recently won a
humanitarian award which recognised his success in coping
with the condition.
Reports today also claim United are in negotiations over
a GBP 12m deal for 23-year-old Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldinho
from Paris Saint Germain.
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