THE tabloid rumour machine surpassed itself with the bizarre claim that Wanderers are planning to buy Alan Thompson back from Aston Villa. Here's the scenario according to one Sunday newspaper, infamous for its flights of fancy: Wanderers return to the Premiership; Colin Todd asks his board to bankroll a record-breaking £4 million bid for a player who netted them just over £3 million last summer (remember, Newcastle took more than £1 million of the £4.5 million fee under the terms of a 'sell-on' clause); and, with no more ado and regardless of Thomspon's financial demands, Gordon Hargreaves gets out his cheque book.

The word "sensational" is used to describe what, by any stretch of the imagination, would be an audacious and, in the real world, an unbelievable set of circumstances - especially since the supposed offer would be less than Villa paid for Tommo, who presumably they value no less now than when they signed him. The talented Geordie Boy's had his problems with form and fitness this season but you can't imagine John Gregory wanting to cut his losses just yet.

"Have you seen the latest nonsense in the papers?" Todd asked when we bumped into each other at St Andrew's on Sunday. "We're supposed to be buying Tommo back."

"Nothing in it, then?" Well, you have to ask! "Nothing in it? His name has never been mentioned. I can't even begin to think how they dreamed up that one!"

Probably the same way they dreamed up the story that Wanderers were "trying to sign" Mike Burns, the USA international.

Wanderers never made any attempt to sign him, nor did they ever suggest they were even contemplating it. The full back was being touted around British clubs by an agent. Todd, unconvinced by what he'd seen in a couple of training sessions, was generous enough to give Burns a trial in a reserve match before delivering a predictable: "Thanks, but no thanks!"

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.