Sheringham to leave

Teddy Sheringham yesterday reiterated his intention to leave Tottenham, dismissing reports that he had been persuaded into a rethink by the Spurs manager, Gerry Francis.

The England striker put in a transfer request before leaving for international duty in the Tournoi de France earlier this month, with the Spurs chairman, Alan Sugar, agreeing to his plea. But although a report on Tottenham's ClubCall service indicated that Sheringham had undergone a change of heart, a spokesman for the player insisted: "We don't know where this story has come from, but it is simply not true. Teddy wants to leave Spurs and is still very much on the transfer list."

Sheringham has been valued at around pounds 6m and has been linked with Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United as well as moves to the Continent after signalling his ambition to join a club he feels are capable of challenging for top honours.

Brighton could face expulsion from the Football League over their failure to pay a pounds 500,000 bond. The Seagulls were supposed to pay the bond by last Friday to secure their place in the League. That deadline passed although Brighton claimed that they had been granted an extension until this week. However, with the bond still unpaid, League officials may decide it is time to take action. Brighton's failure to pay the b ond will be discussed at the League's board of directors meeting on Friday.

Britain's Davis Cup tennis captain, David Lloyd, has taken over the Third Division club Hull. In a statement issued by his financial partner, Tim Wilby, Lloyd confirmed that he had completed a pounds 2.4m deal with Christopher Needler to secure a controlling interest at Boothferry Park. The pair, who have recently gained a major shareholding at the rugby league club Hull Sharks, hope to build a multi-purpose sports stadium complex for the two clubs to share.

"I believe it is crucial if the area is to become a major sporting centre in this country, which, with its popularity, it should be," Wilby said. Needler will receive pounds 1,070,000 from the sale of his shares, with the remainder of the money being used to pay off debts.