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Ask 'The Gaffer' your football trivia teasers
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Got a football trivia question that's bugging you? Ask The Gaffer and he'll answer the best trivia teasers each day. Send in your questions on the beautiful game to: sportsdesk@orange-ftgroup.com. Include your name and location.
If you're an Orange mobile customer you can get a free trivia question by text from the Gaffer every Monday. Text Gaffer to 247 to receive a free SMS linking to Orange World's 'Ask The Gaffer' section.
Latest Gaffer questions and answers:
Thursday 24 July
The Pump: Hey Gaffer, I heard a story about a footballer called Rio Mavuba who has no nationality, due to his being born at sea. Is this a first in world football?
The Gaffer says: I've certainly heard of none other than the said Mavuba. He was born on board a boat off the Angolan coast during the civil war there. Mavuba claims that his passport does not have a nationality on it, but reads "born at sea". However, as he grew up in France he considers himself French and was granted French citizenship in September 2004. The Lille midfielder made his senior international debut for France on 18 August 2004 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 1-1 draw.
Ld: If Barry plays in the Intertoto Cup can he play in the Champions League?
The Gaffer says: Yes he can. Players who appear in the Intertoto Cup or Uefa Super Cup are eligible to join and be registered for a new club in a Uefa competition, as are those who are unused substitutes in Uefa Champions League or Uefa Cup qualifying. A player who has turned out in qualifying for either of those latter competitions, though, cannot be registered by another club.
Ian, NT1: Gaffer, please give us the lowdown on Newcastle signing Jonas Gutierrez: left foot, right foot, games and goals ratio please.
The Gaffer says: He's aged 25, stands 6ft tall and usually plays on the right side of midfield. Gutierrez made 88 league starts for Real Mallorca (eight as sub), scoring five goals. He's won four Argentina caps (no goals). He started his career with Velez Sarsfield in Argentina and won the league title in 2005 before heading for Spain. Toon fans will have the chance to see him in action at St James' Park on 6 August when Kevin Keegan's side meet PSV Eindhoven in a pre-season friendly before entertaining Valencia three days later.
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Wednesday 23 July
Dibs: How much did Carrick join Man Utd for? I think it was £18.5million, how would you compare it with the £20million offer for Berbatov? I think Sir Alex is trying to short change us.
The Gaffer says: £18.6m to be exact, Dibs. Many thought Carrick's fee was over-inflated at the time - maybe Berbatov's is more realistic, as opposed to trying to get him on the cheap.
Gaz, Shrops: Out of all the leagues founder members who has won the most titles?
The Gaffer says: Everton, with nine.
Richie: Which football ground in England is furthest away from the sea?
The Gaffer says: As Leicestershire is home to the furthest point from the sea in England (Barrow-upon-Soar), logic suggests it's Leicester City's Walkers Stadium.
Bozza: Alright Gaff, could you tell me what the record is for the hardest shot in the Premiership? My money is on David Hirst for Sheffeidl Wednesday v Arsenal. Think it was recorded at 114mph - nearly snapped the crossbar in two!
The Gaffer says: Indeed - 114mph it was, but there is no official record for this.
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Tuesday 22 July
Andy Perth: I read a while back that Colin Cramb was the only player to have played in all senior divisions in England and Scotland. Is this true?
The Gaffer says: It is indeed true. It is also claimed that Cramb is the only player to have scored in every division in England and Scotland. He's certainly well-travelled enough to have done so. Check out this career path: Hamilton, Southampton, Falkirk, Hearts, Doncaster, Bristol City, Walsall, Crewe, Notts County, Bury, Fortuna Sittard (Holland), Bury (again), Shrewsbury, Grimsby, Hamilton (again), Stenhousemuir, Stirling Albion, East Stirling.
Nick Gooner Land: Gaff please could you tell me what players Barcelona and Real Madrid have bought this summer and how much they cost?
The Gaffer says: Barcelona - Alexander Hleb (£11.8m), Daniel Alves (£23m), Jose Martin Caceres (£13.1m), Gerard Pique (undisclosed - rumoured to be £7m), Seydou Keita (£11.1m). Real Madrid have yet to sign anyone this summer although several players are returning from long loan deals and Daniel Opare, a 17 year old right back, is joining from Ashanti Gold in a deal which was announced in January.
Charlie Hudds: As you know, Herbert Chapman won old First Divison titles Huddersfield Town three times in a row, and also with Arsenal. Has any other manager acheived this with two different clubs?
The Gaffer says: Chapman won 'only' two league titles with each club: in 1923/24 and 1924/25 with Huddersfield, 1930/31 and 1932/33 with Arsenal. Huddersfield went on to win the title for a third successive season in 1925/26 after Chapman's departure to Highbury. And Arsenal won two successive titles after Chapman's death from pneumonia in January 1934 at the age of 55. Kenny Dalglish (Blackburn/Liverpool) and Brian Clough (Derby/Nottingham Forest) are two other managers who have won top flight titles with different clubs.
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Monday 21 July
Terry: Can you tell me the date when Dudek let the ball go through his legs when the Mancs beat Liverpool at Anfield, I'd say on 1 December 2002. My mate says it was the year before - who's right Gaff?
The Gaffer says: Do you mean when Jamie Carragher headed the ball to Jerzy Dudek, who let it slip under his legs before Diego Forlan pounced for a simple finish in Man Utd's 2-1 win at Anfield? You're spot on - Sunday 1 December 2002.
Rat Boy, Newcastle: Gaff, who has the better record under Newcastle as manager: Keegan or Robson?
The Gaffer says: Sir Bobby's record was P255 W119 D64 L72, while Keegan's across both reigns is P269 W143 D56 L70, giving Keegan the better record. However all Robson's games in charge were in the top flight - Keegan's were not.
