Royals Promotion Prospects Dented As Burnley Sign Ronaldo

Last updated : 23 June 2003 By Rob Cooper
Ronaldo
Ronaldo is 'bound for Burnley'
Burnley fans were left flabbergasted this morning when they reached for their phones to check their text messages. Subscribers to the club's official text messaging service were informed that the club had signed Brazilian World Cup hero Ronaldo on a three-year deal.

Details of the 'move' are yet to be confirmed on the clubs official site. Indeed, no other source of media have yet picked up on the biggest transfer English Football has ever seen.

The move is understandable given that Spanish giants Real have only recently acquired David Beckham from Manchester United for a fee of £25 million. Such a fee, although paltry compared to the £48 million they paid for Zidane, is a massive fee given footballs current depressed economic climate. It is believed that in order to avoid financial disaster, the Spanish giants decided to cash in on one of their most prized assets, to Burnley.

Yesterday the 27-year-old bagged a brace as Real Madrid secured they're record 29th Spanish league title. As the squad celebrated there were no signs that Ronaldo, his wife and son were to swap the bright-lights of Madrid for the low-lights of Lancashire.

Alternatively, it is possible that the text messages sent to those on Burnley Football Club's SMS list were bogus and merely an attempt to take money off fans. Supporters were charged 25p to receive the message, cash that is destined for the club's coffers. A nasty money-making scheme if ever there was one.

If this was to prove the case then it would represent a major own goal for Premium TV, the company that run the Official Sites of the Football League sides. Fans have often criticised the 'World' sites which require an expensive subscription, news of what has gone on in Burnley today is bound to receive an angry backlash from supporters.

Thanks to www.Burnleyfc.co.uk, our sister site, for news of this scandal.