Ginola falls for natural beauty of Midlands

Was it a fall-out with Alan Sugar that made David Ginola exit Tottenham and head towards the Midlands? Or was it the money? It can now be revealed that it was neither of these. It was the region's outstanding natural beauty - as well as sensitive Brummy burghers.

Was it a fall-out with Alan Sugar that made David Ginola exit Tottenham and head towards the Midlands? Or was it the money? It can now be revealed that it was neither of these. It was the region's outstanding natural beauty - as well as sensitive Brummy burghers.

According to the Frenchman's agent, it was a brief tour of Birmingham's residential areas that made his mind up to join Aston Villa. Chantal Stanley, clearly hoping to establish a climate of goodwill from the outset, told Villa's official website yesterday: "It was beautiful. The sensitivity from everyone he met in Birmingham really impressed David."

Although Tottenham were on the verge of selling another two players yesterday - Allan Nielsen to Watford for an undisclosed record fee for the First Division outfit and also Espen Baardsen to the same side - the Spurs chairman, Alan Sugar, rejected the idea that Tottenham are now a selling club.

Spurs have denied reports that the investment group ENIC have bought a stake in the club.