Thursday, October 10, 2013

Komando VAT 69

Komando VAT 69

Komando VAT 69, Kehebatan Komando VAT 69, Sejarah Penubuhan Komando VAT 69, Kes Pencerobohan Kesultanan Sulu Di Lahad Datu, Logo Komando VAT 69


Misi dan operasi (ihsan dari Wikipedia)

Pasukan elit 69 Komando dan UTK mempunyai rekod pertempuran yang baik tetapi mempunyai profil yang rendah.

  • Sebagai 'pasukan khas' yang menganggotai Pasukan Mencegah Keganasan bersama tiga unit elit Angkatan Tentera Malaysia yang lain Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN) di bawah arahan no. 18 iaitu pengurusan dan pengendalian krisis, 69 Komando PGK merupakan responder keempat dan diletakkan dalam keadaan siap siaga bagi menghadapi sebarang kemungkinan selepas Rejimen Gerak Khas (RGK), Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL) dan Pasukan Khas Udara (PASKAU) untuk menangani krisis dan keganasan yang kritikal.

  • 1969 - 69 Komando memulakan operasi pertamanya di hutan dan berjaya menumpaskan sebilangan besar komunis dan merampas kesemua senjata dan kelengkapan komunis.

  • 19 November 1985 - Unit anti-pengganas Unit Tindakan Khas (UTK) bersama seluruh formasi PDRM dalam operasi yang dikenali sebagai Ops Hapus melakukan serbuan ke atas kediaman Ibrahim Mahmud (Ibrahim Libya) di Kampung Memali, Baling, Kedahyang menyebabkan beliau terkorban ditembak berpuluh kali di dadanya bersama 13 penduduk kampung. Selain itu, seorang pegawai kanan PPH dan dua anggota polis turut terkorban, dipercayai tertembak sesama sendiri.

  • Berikutan insiden kegiatan lanun yang mengganas di kawasan pekan di Sabah, Pasukan 69 Komando telah dihantar beroperasi untuk menumpaskan aktiviti lanun di Sabah dan hasilnya, kegiatan lanun berjaya dihapuskan.

  • Oktober 1985 - Unit Tindakan Khas terlibat dalam satu operasi menyelamat tebusan seorang doktor dan pembantu perubatan oleh enam banduan yang bersenjata api di Penjara Pudu, Kuala Lumpur. Enam hari kemudian, serbuan yang dijalankan berjaya membuahkan hasil apabila tebusan tersebut berjaya diselamatkan, manakala Jimmy Chua, seorang penjenayah warga Singapura yang merupakan dalang disebalik drama tebusan tersebut berjaya ditangkap dan dijatuhi hukuman gantung sampai mati.

  • 2001 Seorang ahli militan MNLF Filipina bernama Rizal Aleh berjaya melarikan diri ke Sabah bersama bapanya dan memulakan kegiatan jenayah dengan taktik-taktik lanun. Apabila 69 Komando yang diketuai oleh DSP Mohd Noor bin Razak dihantar sekali lagi ke Sabah dalam Operasi yang digelar OPS Rambo II, Rizal, bapanya dan rakan-rakannya berjaya diberkas dan dihadapkan ke mahkamah Semenanjung atas jenayah yang dilakukan, kemudiannya Rizal dan bapanya diserahkan kepada kerajaan Filipina memandangkan kedua-duanya amat dikehendaki oleh pihak berkuasa di negara tersebut.

  • 2005 - Lima pegawai dan 32 anggota dari Pasukan Anti-Pengganas 69 Komando Ulu Kinta telah diterbangkan ke Kukup bagi melaksanakan operasi merampas semula sebuah kapal MV Natris yang telah ditukar nama kepada MV Paulijing dipercayai dilarikan di perairan Bertam, Indonesia. Kapal tersebut telah dikesan oleh Pasukan Gerakan Marin di perairan Selat Melaka setelah dilaporkan hilang pada tahun 2003. Operasi ini telah dinamakan sebagai Ops MV Paulijing. Operasi ini juga melibatkan anggota dari Pasukan Khas Pasukan Gerakan Marin.

  • 29 Jun 1994 - Unit Tindak Khas telah melakukan serbuan ke atas sebuah tempat persembunyian P. Kalimuthu atau Bentong Kali di Medan Damasara, Selangor. Dalam serbuan ini, penjenayah yang paling dikehendaki polis ini berjaya ditembak mati.

  • 1 April 2009 - Unit anti-pengganas Unit Tindakan Khas bersama Cawangan Khas PDRM dalam operasi pada waktu Subuh melakukan serbuan ke atas persembunyian Ketua Jemaah Islamiah Singapura, Mas Selamat Kastari di Kampung Tawakal, Skudai,Johor yang menyebabkan beliau berjaya ditangkap bersama 2 orang kanannya, Abdul Matin dan Johar. Penangkapan pemimpin JI dan juga pengganas berbahaya Asia ini merupakan satu kejayaan besar PDRM dalam usaha membanteras keganasan.

  • 69 Komando juga terlibat dalam operasi mencari dan menyelamat bersama anngota penyelamat seperti Jabatan Bomba dan Jabatan Pertahanan Awam seperti Kes Orang Hilang, Pesawat Terhempas dan Lemas. Antaranya ialah Misi Mencari dan Menyelamat pesawat helikopter milik Hornbill Skyways yang terhempas di Sarawak, insiden jambatan gantung runtuh di Perak dan pesawat Nuri yang terhempas yang telah mengorbankan anggota TUDM di Pahang.

  • 1 Mac 2013 Pegawai anggota 69 Komando terlibat dalam pertempuran di Lahad Datu yang mengorbankan 2 orang pegawai dan anggota 69 Komando akibat serangan hendap Askar Diraja Sultan Sulu pada 1 Mac 2013. 69 Komando berjaya membunuh 12 orang penceroboh dalam serangan hendap itu.

  • 2 Mac 2013 Pegawai dan anggota 69 komando yang baru tiba di tawau bagi menambah keanggotaan PDRM di Lahad Datu telah diterbangkan ke Semporna bagi menyelamatkan dan mengeluarkan pegawai serta anggota yang terperangkap dalam serang hendap di Kg Seri Jaya Siminul, Semporna. Dalam kejadian serang hendap tersebut 6 orang anggota polis telah terkorban.
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SALLEHUDDIN (berdiri kiri) bersama pasukannya selepas melaksanakan satu operasi di Sarawak.

Peristiwa 'bos' ASP Mohd Zabri terkorban akibat terpijak jerangkap samar masih dalam ingatan
 

TAHUN ini genap 40 tahun penubuhan pasukan elit Pasukan Polis Hutan (PPH) 69 atau VAT 69. Kisah perjuangan, suka duka, perit maung skuad kebanggaan nusa bangsa sering menjadi ingatan dan sama sekali tidak dilupakan.
 

Terlalu banyak kenangan yang tidak boleh dibiarkan kerana satu ketika dulu nama VAT 69 yang ditubuhkan pada 23 Oktober 1969 cukup ditakuti komunis.
 


Skuad itu digelar komunis sebagai ‘Lok Kow’ bermaksud 69 dan digeruni kerana kehebatan mereka menjejak pengganas dan bertempur di hutan.
 

Hakikatnya, menjejaki komunis di hutan belantara memang sukar. Mereka juga mempunyai pasukan risikan, mendapatkan maklumat mengenai pasukan keselamatan yang memburu mereka.
 

Menariknya, bagi pasukan VAT 69, mereka sentiasa diajar supaya berfikir bagaimana menjadi komunis, bagaimana bertindak melarikan diri dan mendapatkan maklumat kerana melalui pendekatan itulah lebih mudah mereka menjejak pengganas.

Melalui pendekatan itu, mereka mempunyai kelebihan dan lebih bijak mengatur gerak sekali gus menggerunkan pengganas kerana gerak langkah mereka adalah hampir sama. Sudah pasti kumpulan awal penubuhan VAT 69 dianggap pelopor kejayaan gemilang mereka. 

Seorang pemimpin VAT 69 yang dianggap pakar taktikal dan cukup digeruni komunis ialah Allahyarham Asisten Superintendan (ASP) Mohd Zabri Abdul Hamid yang dianggap perwira paling dikenang dalam pasukan elit berkenaan.
 

Beliau terkorban akibat terkena jerangkap samar selepas pasukannya memenangi satu pertempuran di Hulu Perak, Perak pada 1975 dan sebagai tanda memperingati jasanya, sebuah kem latihan Komando 69 PGK di Tasik Banding, Grik, Perak dinamakan sebagai Kem Zabri.
 

Menyingkap kisah tragis itu, seorang anggota VAT 69 yang terbabit dalam pertempuran itu, Sallehuddin Omar, 58, menegaskan peristiwa itu seolah-olah berlaku semalam dan semangat perjuangan rakan sepasukan tidak pernah pudar hingga ke hari ini.
 

Namun, mereka tidak dapat menyembunyikan perasaan sedih ketika Zabri yang digelar ‘bos’ oleh anak buahnya menghembuskan nafas terakhir. Semuanya menitiskan air mata kerana kehilangan pemimpin disayangi. Hingga kini, jika bercerita mengenai Zabri, pasti menitiskan air mata.
 

Detik perjuangan mereka bermula apabila tiga patrol diketuai Ismail Daud, ‘Mail Rantai’, Wan Tahar dan Sheikh Ismail, ditugaskan menggagalkan cubaan komunis meletupkan satu empangan di Perak. Selepas hampir tiga bulan berada di hutan, satu pasukan bantuan ditugaskan menghantar bekalan makanan.
 

Malangnya, empat anggota yang menaiki bot diserang hendap dan dibunuh kejam dengan mayat mereka dikelar dengan pisau oleh komunis.
 

Pasukan VAT 69 kemudian mengesan kedudukan khemah musuh berhampiran Grik pada 3 September 1975. Sebelum itu, mereka kehilangan jejak komunis dan ketika tiba di satu kawasan tanjung untuk mendapatkan bekalan air bersih, penjejak laluan ternampak musuh di kawasan sama.
 

Serentak itu, tiga patrol terdiri daripada 18 orang bergabung dalam barisan panjang, semua berpecah mengambil kedudukan bertempur hebat dengan komunis dianggarkan antara 30 hingga 40 orang.
 

Pertempuran itu mengorbankan 18 orang dan dua anggota VAT 69 parah iaitu Aziz Idris dan ketua patrol, Sheikh Ismail.
 

“Peluru bertaburan macam hujan, nak angkat kepala pun tak boleh, peluru lalu atas kepala. Kami menyerang guna bom tangan. Selepas 45 minit bertempur, terdengar jeritan ‘bawa ke sungai’ dan kami percaya komunis bawa lari rakan tercedera ke laluan sungai supaya jejak sukar dikesan,” katanya.
 

Ketika bertempur, operator perhubungan, Ahmad Dahlal Hashim, mendapatkan bantuan Zabri yang ketika itu mengetuai pasukan lain di kawasan berdekatan. Disebabkan hujan lebat dan jaraknya jauh, pasukan Zabri tiba di kawasan pertempuran pada awal pagi keesokannya.
 

Selepas pertempuran selesai, VAT 69 menemui bekalan termasuk senjata dan makanan dan merampas rampas bom, pelancar roket, makanan dipercayai untuk projek khas meletupkan empangan.
 

Sebaik tiba, Zabri mengarahkan pasukan menghala ke tempat pendaratan helikopter yang jaraknya kira-kira sehari perjalanan bagi mengeluarkan anggota tercedera mendapatkan rawatan.
 

“Zabri arahkan kami jangan mengejar komunis kerana bimbang terkena perangkap samar dan minta tumpukan kepada misi membawa anggota keluar. Beliau sering mengingatkan jangan sesekali tersalah langkah terpijak jerangkap samar yang biasa dipasang di denai binatang.
 

“Komunis gunakan jerangkap bom dipasang bateri, dibungkus plastik supaya tidak rosak dan tahan lama. Malangnya ketika dalam perjalanan, Zabri sendiri yang terkena. Beliau bersama penjejak Orang Asli, Bahuda berada di depan, manakala penjejak Apot, berada di belakang kerana kepenatan bertempur.
 

“Ketika melintasi kawasan sungai, mungkin Zabri terlupa dan memang ajalnya sudah tiba, beliau terpijak akar kayu yang dipasang perangkap bom. Letupan kuat berlaku dan saya dengar Mail Rantai jerit ‘habislah...bos dah kena’
 

“Bos putus kaki kanan, tetapi masih sedarkan diri, darah banyak mengalir. Walaupun kesakitan, beliau tetap semangat, masih fikirkan pasal berjuang, naikkan semangat anak buah supaya tidak mudah menyerah,” katanya.
 

Mereka membuat keputusan melalui laluan lain kerana percaya komunis akan menunggu di mana-mana tempat dan akan menyerang ketika dalam perjalanan.
 

Zabri dibawa keluar menggunakan pengusung dan pakar perubatan pasukan, Abdul Rahman Sabden, merawatnya sepanjang perjalanan.
 

“Bos menghembus nafas terakhir ketika dalam perjalanan ke tempat helikopter. Ketika itu, semua anggota kaku, menangis, tak tertahan melihat ketua yang dedikasi, bersemangat meninggalkan kami. Hingga sekarang kami akan kenang kejadian itu,” katanya.
 

Ketika tiba di tempat pendaratan helikopter, mereka mendapat bantuan daripada Rejimen Komando Gerak Khas (RGK) dan pasukan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) membuat serangan udara di tempat disyaki.
 

Anggota keselamatan yang berada dalam hutan dikumpul di tempat selamat dan serangan udara berlaku dua jam tanpa henti. Pasukan RGK kemudian meneruskan operasi darat bagi menghapuskan saki baki komunis di kawasan berkenaan.
 

Info: Anggota Platun 1 ke platun 2
 
    * Jamil Othman
    * Ahmad Dahalal Hashim
    * Chin Hajeed
    * Che Meh (Allahyarham)
    * Abu Seman
    * Sallehuddin Omar 

Anggota Platun 1 ke platun 3.
 
    * Mohd Zahid Shamsuddin
    * Rasidi Jamaluddin
    * Ibrahim Che Mat
    * Abd Aziz Idris (Allahyarham). 

< Kami generasi hari ini mengucapkan jutaan terima kasih kepada semua hero2 malaya,,,, jasa anda tetap    kami kenang,,, Al-Fatihah utk yg terkorban semoga rohnya cucuri rahmat,, amin,,>

 credit to : mohd azis ngah/ azis@bharian.com.my
sumber   :  jomlayan

Sunday, October 6, 2013

US Delta Force

Al Qaeda commander who gave Scotland Yard the slip 13 years ago snatched in Libya by US Delta Force

  • Abu Anas al-Liby wanted for attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania
  • He was seized from Tripoli home in daring raid by elite US troops
  • In 2000 he narrowly avoided arrest in Manchester
Abu Anas al-Liby, who was snatched by U.S. special forces, is believed to have been involved in the 1998 bombings of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania
Abu Anas al-Liby, who was snatched by U.S. special forces, is believed to have been involved in the 1998 bombings of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania
One of the world’s most wanted terrorists has been captured in Libya by elite US troops 13 years after British police let him slip through their fingers.
Al Qaeda commander Abu Anas al-Liby was wanted for plotting the 1998 US embassy attacks in Kenya and Tanzania that killed more than 220.
The extremist, who had a £3million US bounty on his head, was seized at his home in Tripoli after dawn prayers by the US Army’s Delta Force.
But the raid was described as ‘a kidnapping’ by Libya, which has demanded an explanation from Washington.
Liby, whose real name is Nazih Abdul-Hamed al-Ruqai, has been on the FBI’s most-wanted list since it was introduced soon after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
However, two years earlier, he had been arrested as a terror suspect in the UK, where he had claimed political asylum.
The computer expert was released because he had cleared his hard drive and Scotland Yard detectives could find no evidence to hold him.
Then in May 2000, anti-terror police raided his flat in Moss Side, Manchester, where he was living as a student, and found a 180-page handwritten terror instruction book for Al Qaeda followers which was called the ‘Manchester Manual’.
It explained how to booby-trap cars and TVs and showed how to kill using a knife. But by the time police entered the property Liby had fled the country.
 
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the operation to snatch him on Saturday showed that terrorists could ‘run but they cannot hide’.
Liby’s brother Nabih said the terror chief was parking outside his house when three vehicles surrounded him, his car’s window was smashed and his gun seized before he was taken away.
Plot: A U.S. Marine stands guard outside the American Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, after a huge explosion damaged buildings and the American Embassy, killing dozens of people in 1998
Plot: A U.S. Marine stands guard outside the American Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, after a huge explosion damaged buildings and the American Embassy, killing dozens of people in 1998
Carnage: A U.S. soldier stands guard in front of the embassy in Dar es Salaam, the site of the August 7 bomb blast. A total of 220 people died in the two attacks, and thousands were injured
Carnage: A U.S. soldier stands guard in front of the embassy in Dar es Salaam, the site of the August 7 bomb blast. A total of 220 people died in the two attacks, and thousands were injured
The US Defense Department said Liby was ‘lawfully detained under the law of war in a secure location outside of Libya’.
Liby was indicted by the US for his alleged role in the 1998 bombings. A court heard Osama bin Laden had ordered him to Kenya and Tanzania to photograph the embassy compounds and decide how best to carry out the attacks.
His family denied he had any involvement. They said he was in the Armed Islamic Fighting Group, a militant organisation that battled Colonel Gadaffi’s regime.

UK GRANTED HIM ASYLUM

Anas al-Liby was given political asylum in Britain in 1995 after a failed Al Qaeda plot to assassinate Hosni Mubarak, then president of Egypt.
An Egyptian extradition request was turned down on the grounds that he could not receive a fair trial.
A year later MI6 is said to have paid a Libyan Al Qaeda cell to kill Colonel Gaddafi. It is thought that Liby, 49, pictured, was allowed to stay in return for aiding the alleged plot, which was unsuccessful.
He was arrested as a terror suspect by Scotland Yard in 1999, but released due to a lack of evidence.
In May 2000, his flat in Manchester, where he was a student, was raided and officers found a 180-page handwritten manual for Al Qaeda followers, translated from Arabic to English.
But by this time, Liby had already fled abroad.
The US said the capture had taken place with authorisation from Libya. But a statement from prime minister Ali Zeidan’s office said: ‘The Libyan government is keen on prosecuting any Libyan citizen inside Libya, no matter what the charges are... the accused are innocent until proven guilty.’
Liby, who studied electronic and nuclear engineering in Tripoli, is thought to have been with bin Laden in Sudan in the early Nineties.
He then turned up in the UK in 1995 where he was granted political asylum as an enemy of Gaddafi.
Since fleeing Britain, he has cropped up in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and is said to have been jailed in Iran for seven years.
The news of his capture comes as it emerged that US Navy Seal commandos had to abort a mission to seize a leader of al-Shabaab, the group behind the Westgate shopping centre massacre in Nairobi.
After their dawn attack at the house of al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane near Barawe in southern Somalia met fierce resistance, they abandoned the raid.
Seven militants are said to have been killed, with no US casualties.
Meanwhile, Theresa May warned last night that British extremists were training as terrorists in the Syrian civil war and could return to commit atrocities at home.
The Home Secretary also revealed that security had been tightened in the UK after the attack at the Westgate mall in Kenya, adding: ‘We have increased... the number of armed response vehicles, the number of specially-trained firearm officers.’
Twin raids: American special operations troops launched raids just hours apart in Somalia and Libya. The Libya raid was successful, the Navy SEALs in Somalia were pushed back by strong resistance
Twin raids: American special operations troops launched raids just hours apart in Somalia and Libya. The Libya raid was successful, the Navy SEALs in Somalia were pushed back by strong resistance


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2447532/Al-Qaeda-commander-gave-Scotland-Yard-slip-13-years-ago-snatched-Libya-US-Delta-Force.html#ixzz2gzW7K36S
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Sunday, September 1, 2013

Bale is for REAL

Bale is the Real deal! Madrid move finally confirmed as Spanish giants announce £86m world-record signing of Spurs winger

  • Madrid confirm Bale has joined - ending the big saga of the summer
  • The fee is a world record £86m - beating the £80m Real paid for Ronaldo
  • Wales winger Bale thanked Spurs for 'six very happy years' but admitted it was 'time to say goodbye'
  • Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and boss Andre Villas-Boas wished Bale well
The Gareth Bale transfer saga was finally concluded on Sunday night when he moved to Real Madrid for a world-record £86million. 
After negotiations that dragged on all summer, the Welshman has agreed a £256,000-a-week, six-year contract and will have a medical on Monday morning before being presented to the media. 
In a move designed to keep Cristiano Ronaldo - signed for £80m in 2009 - happy at the Bernabeu, Real are claiming Bale's fee is £78m. 
Scroll down for video
He's here: Real Madrid's new recruit Gareth Bale poses with fans after arriving at Barajas Airport
He's here: Real Madrid's new recruit Gareth Bale poses with fans after arriving at Barajas Airport
On the move: Gareth Bale, out in London on Saturday, has finally completed his move to Real Madrid
On the move: Gareth Bale, out in London on Saturday, has finally completed his move to Real Madrid
Final shot: Bale is leaving Tottenham after featuring in just one pre-season friendly this campaign
Final shot: Bale is leaving Tottenham after featuring in just one pre-season friendly this campaign

NICE LITTLE EARNER

Gareth Bale has more than trebled his salary by agreeing an incredible deal worth £256,000 a week with Real Madrid. 
That works out at:
£13.312million a year
£36,471 a day
£1,520 an hour
£25.33 a minute
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas disclosed a deal had been reached minutes after seeing his side slip to a disappointing 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at bitter rivals Arsenal. 
Bale, who arrived in Madrid late on Sunday night, said: 'I would like to thank everyone at the club, the chairman, board, staff, coaches and players - and most of all the fantastic fans who I hope will understand this amazing career opportunity. 
'I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date. I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams but I can honestly say this is my dream come true. 
'I would not be at the level I am today were it not for Southampton and then Spurs standing by me during some of the tougher times. Tottenham will always be in my heart and I'm sure this will be a successful season for them. I am now looking forward to the next exciting chapter in my life.' 
Jumping for joy: Gareth Bale will join Real Madrid after Tottenham accepted a fee for the Welsh wizard
Jumping for joy: Bale left White Hart Lane after scoring 55 goals in 203 matches for Spurs
Gareth Bale
He added on the club website: ''I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it's the right time to say goodbye. We've had some special times together over the years and I've loved every minute of it. 
'I would like to thank everyone at the club, the chairman, board, staff, coaches and players – and most of all the fantastic fans who I hope will understand this amazing career opportunity.'
Bale has been omitted from Andre Villas-Boas's squad this season after signalling his intent to join Real Madrid and after weeks of negotiations, the Spanish giants confirmed they have got their man. 
Real erected a stage on the pitch ahead of the transfer last week, hoping to announce the star's arrival, but were made to wait as Spurs chairman Daniel Levy played hardball. Bale will be unveiled at midday UK time.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale
End of an era: Bale, who won the Player and Young Player of the Year last term, will leave Tottenham
Star man: But Andre Villas-Boas conceded defeat in his bid to keep Bale at White Hart Lane
Star man: But Andre Villas-Boas conceded defeat in his bid to keep Bale at White Hart Lane
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, known as one of the toughest negotiators in the game, was reluctant to lose his star man and played hardball right until the end.
But he sent bale on his way with his best wishes.
Levy said: 'We had no intention of selling Gareth. But such has been the attention from Real Madrid and so great is Gareth's desire to join them, that we have taken the view that the player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign in the current season.
'We have, therefore, with great reluctance, agreed to this sale and do so in the knowledge that we have an exceptionally strong squad to which we have added no fewer than seven top internationals. More importantly, we have an immense team spirit and a dressing room that is hungry for success.
Waiting in the wings: Bale hasn't featured for Tottenham this season after signalling his desire to leave
Waiting in the wings: Bale hasn't featured for Tottenham this season after signalling his desire to leave
Making the leap: Bale turned out sporadically for Spurs in pre-season because of injury
Making the leap: Bale turned out sporadically for Spurs in pre-season because of injury
'We wish Gareth all the best in the future and he shall always be welcome at the Lane.'
Villas-Boas said: 'He is going to join Real Madrid so we wish him all the best. The player is an absolutely wonderful player.
'He has left us with some great memories from last season which every Tottenham fan cherishes, but he has moved on and we will move on as well.'
Bale joins a long list of illustrious players to have made big-money moves to the Bernabeu. Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo have all been given the 'Galactico' moniker following their high-profile transfers to Real, but none of them have cost as much as Bale.
Big stage: Bale will join a host of world stars at Real Madrid, including Cristiano Ronaldo
Big stage: Bale will join a host of world stars at Real Madrid, including Cristiano Ronaldo
All smiles: Bale will be managed by former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, who took over at Madrid this summer
All smiles: Bale will be managed by former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, who took over at Madrid this summer
Tottenham and Real have clashed several times during the transfer saga, which has brought the two clubs' partnership agreement into question.
First, Tottenham were unhappy with how several Real Madrid players spoke publicly about the possibility of Bale moving to the Bernabeu.
Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Isco were just three of the squad members to talk about the prospect of Bale becoming the latest star arrival, and manager Carlo Ancelotti also spoke openly about the player, much to Tottenham's annoyance.
The Spanish club then angered Levy even further by selling Bale replica shirts on their website.
Bale is certain to get a rapturous welcome, although Real fans hardly need another hero. 
Ronaldo made it 202 goals in 202 games during a 3-1 defeat of Athletic Bilbao, Luka Modric had his name chanted by all four sides of the ground and new boy Isco scored twice.
Off the peg: Madrid shirts with Bale's name and No 11 were available to buy before the deal was complete
Off the peg: Madrid shirts with Bale's name and No 11 were available to buy before the deal was complete

BALE'S BEST SPURS MOMENTS

INTER MILAN 4 TOTTENHAM 3 - Champions League (October 20, 2010)
Spurs looked set to be humiliated when holders Inter raced into a 4-0 lead inside 35 minutes through goals from Javier Zanetti, a Samuel Eto'o penalty - after goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes had been sent off - Dejan Stankovic and Eto'o again.
But Bale almost completed a sensational comeback single-handedly, scoring one of the goals of the season before netting twice in the closing seconds to burst onto the world stage.
TOTTENHAM 2 LYON 1 - Europa League (February 14, 2013)
Bale took a leaf from Cristiano Ronaldo's book with a 40-yard free-kick that flew over the wall and then dipped before beating Lyon goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre low to his right. And the Wales international secured a vital first-leg win with another piece of magic to score a second free-kick deep into the second half. WEST HAM 2 TOTTENHAM 3 - Barclays Premier League (February 25, 2013)
Having put Spurs ahead with a low, driven finish early in the game, Bale looked set to be on the losing side as the Hammers hit back to take the lead. But despite being up-ended as Spurs chased a win following an equaliser, he picked himself up before rifling in an unstoppable shot with no time left on the clock for West Ham to respond. TOTTENHAM 2 NEWCASTLE 1 - Barclays Premier League (February 9, 2013)
After manager Andre Villas-Boas had talked up the similarities between Bale and Ronaldo during the week, Bale lived up to the hype with a 25-yard free-kick to open the scoring for the Londoners. And he then sealed the win with a superb break-away goal that ended with him slotting the ball between Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul's legs. SWANSEA 1 TOTTENHAM 2 - Barclays Premier League (March 30, 2013)
Bale was described as "world class" by Villas-Boas and "exceptional" by opposite number Michael Laudrup after scoring one, setting up the other and then making a vital block in stoppage time to secure victory over Swansea.
With seven minutes on the clock he produced a delicate chip into the path of Jan Vertonghen who controlled before opening the scoring, and on 21 minutes made it 2-0 with a stunning strike with the outside of his left foot into the top corner. After Swansea had pulled one back, Bale came to the rescue in the dying moments by throwing his body in the way of Nathan Dyer's goal-bound shot.

GARETH BALE TIMELINE

1989: Born July 16 in Cardiff.
2005: Joins Southampton as a trainee.
2006: April 17 - Aged 16 years and 275 days, becomes second youngest footballer to play for Southampton in 2-0 Championship win against Millwall.
May - Makes Wales Under-21 debut against Cyprus. Quickly promoted to the senior squad for a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, coming off the bench to become Wales' youngest full international at 16 years and 315 days.
July 16 - Signs first professional contract with Southampton on his 17th birthday.
Gareth Bale in action for Southampton
August 6 - Scores first goal for Saints with free-kick on opening day of the season in a 2-2 draw at Derby.
September 5 - Makes first start for Wales in 2-0 defeat to Brazil.
October 7 - Becomes Wales' youngest goalscorer with a trademark free-kick in a 5-1 defeat to Slovakia.
Bale in action for Wales
2007: January - Bale's agent says he is happy to stay at Southampton despite Manchester United and Tottenham reportedly bidding £10million for the player. Both clubs admit their interest.
May 25 - Joins Tottenham.
August 26 - Makes his first-team debut for Tottenham in a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United. September 1 - Scores first Tottenham goal in away draw at Fulham.
September 15 - Scores in his first north London derby against Arsenal.
December 2 - Injury against Birmingham rules him out for the rest of the season.
2009: June - Undergoes knee surgery, ruling him out for the start of the 2009-10 Premier League campaign.
Gareth Bale at Tottenham
September 26 - Bale tastes victory as a Premier League player for the first time in 25 attempts in the 5-0 defeat of Burnley.
2010: January 26 - Secures first victory as a Premier League starter at the 23rd time of asking. April - Scores in successive games against Arsenal and Chelsea to help Tottenham finish in the Premier League's top four. Named player of the month.
May - Signs new four-year deal for Tottenham.
August 25 - Sets up all four goals as Tottenham beat Young Boys 4-0 in the second leg of their Champions League qualifying game to progress to the group stages.
October 20 - Scores a scintillating hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro. Named Welsh player of the year by the FAW.
November 2 - Produces man-of-the-match display as Tottenham beat Inter 3-1.
Gareth Bale beats Lucio and Maicon of Inter
2011: January 28 - Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp rules out possibility of selling Bale, amid interest from Inter.
March 19 - Bale signs new four-and-a-half-year deal with Spurs.
April 17 - Named Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.
2012: January - Named in the UEFA team of the year. Also named as Premier League player of the month for the second time.
June 27 - Signs new four-year contract with Spurs.
June 30 - Suffers a recurrence of an old back and hip injury after pulling up while running, ending his hopes of competing in the Olympics.
Gareth Bale's celebration
September 11 - Scores the first of his 29 goals in the season - a stunning free-kick for Wales against Serbia.
October 20 - Pulls out of Tottenham's game against Chelsea just before kick-off so he can attend the birth of his first child, Alba Violet Bale.
2013: February 7 - Manager Andre Villas-Boas admits Tottenham are likely to lose Bale in the summer unless they qualify for the Champions League.
February 25 - Scores a contender for goal of the season at West Ham - a stoppage-time winner from 30 yards.
April 27 - Villas-Boas says he has been told by Tottenham that Bale will stay if Spurs finish in the top four.
April 28 - Becomes only the third player to be voted senior and young Player of the Year at the PFA Awards.
 


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Crazy money

If Bale's worth nearly £100m, imagine what Pele, Best, Maradona and Co would cost! Here's my ultimate fantasy football team (see if you can match it)

He is also predominantly left-footed, a comparative rarity which adds to his transfer value.
But the best part of £100million?
Good luck to Gareth The Goal when he picks up his seven-figure percentage of Real Madrid’s extravagant desperation to compete with Barcelona’s capture of Brazilian prodigy Neymar.
You're not worth it: He is good but there's no way Gareth Bale could justify a near-£100m fee
You're not worth it: He is good but there's no way Gareth Bale could justify a near-£100m fee
He will need it to cope with the pressure of trying to justify himself as the world’s most expensive footballer in the cauldron of the Bernabeu.
Compared with the feeding frenzy coming in Spain, it was a picnic down White Hart Lane.
But £100m?
Is Bale worth that, even in today’s money-mad football world? Of course not. It would even be a stretch for Lionel Messi.
This is the total amount allowed by the Daily Mail’s Fantasy League for the compiling of an entire Premier League dream team.
Running away with it: Lionel Messi is currently the world's best player and would be worth around £225m
Running away with it: Lionel Messi is currently the world's best player and would be worth around £225m
Pele and Bobby Moore
Diego Maradona
Legends: Great friends Pele and Bobby Moore would be in the team, as would Diego Maradona (right)
The Best: George would be in
The Best: George would be in
No 1: Banks would be in goal
No 1: Banks would be in goal
Master: Cruyff could turn it on
Master: Cruyff could turn it on
Which got me wondering what the ceiling would have to be for buying a team comprised of 10 of the greatest players of all time plus the one currently active maestro who has not cost a penny in the transfer market.
By the inflated valuation applied to Bale, what is Messi worth now? And what would Pele or  Maradona cost today? Or Best and Beckenbauer.
So take this for an all-time World XI, if you can afford it, in 3-3-1-3 formation.
Dream team: Here is Jeff Powell's ultimate Fantasy Football XI
Dream team: Here is Jeff Powell's ultimate Fantasy Football XI
Now I’m not good at maths but I make that a super-cool £2.6billion. 
But if you think you could pick a team to beat this one, on that mind-blowing budget, send us your line-up complete with the valuation of each player in the comments section.
To the selector of the team I consider to be the next best - to mine! - a bottle of champagne.
 
So under that know-nothing manger of theirs  Arsenal only won 3-0 away to Fenerbahce, in one of the most hostile environments to be found in the Champions League.
So Arsene Wenger should have been sacked after losing to Aston Villa on Saturday and all he’s done since then is go to flame-throwing Istanbul and guarantee – barring outbreaks of plague or pestilence – a load more millions to spend if he can find players better than those he already has.
What on earth is the matter with the man?
Up in arms: But Arsene Wenger led Arsenal to a 3-0 win in Istanbul despite being derided by Gooners
Up in arms: But Arsene Wenger led Arsenal to a 3-0 win in Istanbul despite being derided by Gooners
Why can’t he do what almost all the other Premier League bosses are doing and squander fortunes on unexceptional foreigners to look good in the eyes of panicking punters – or just for the hell of it?
Le Professeur may be one of the few sane people in a crazy game. So that must be why so many at The Emirates are trying to think of someone to replace him.
So how odd that they haven’t come with any names.
Surely no-one could do worse, since that Monsieur Wenger is such an idiot.
 
Good to see Jose Mourinho back in ranting mode on Wednesday night, even if his Chelsea team were the beneficiaries of two result twisting decisions in their favour by a referee ironically named Friend.  
Playing the luvvie is not his game and thank goodness it only lasted until the second match of his return to the Bridge. Blue in the face is his colour, not mellow yellow.
Blue in the face: Mourinho was back in full ranting mode on Wednesday
Blue in the face: Mourinho was back in full ranting mode on Wednesday
More importantly for Chelsea, treating Aston Villa’s justifiably miffed manager Paul Lambert to a tongue-lashing deflected some of the attention away from Branislav Ivanovic, who should have been sent off, and John Terry, whose hand-ball ought to have conceded a potentially equalising penalty.
It also camouflaged the cracks in an indifferent team performance.
Protecting his players is key to Mourinho’s man management and this was a clever example of that art. 
The Special One’s comeback season has barely started but the lads will be ready to die for him, all over again.