Keane blasts League over trophy
May 6, 2007www.bbc.comhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/6630723.stmSunderland boss Roy Keane was angry after his side win the Championship title by winning 5-0 at Luton - but were not presented with the trophy.
Title rivals Birmingham's boss Steve Bruce also expressed his surprise at the League's policy of not presenting the trophy at an away ground.
"It is a PR disaster that we did not pick it up today," Keane fumed.
"The supporters paid good money to travel here to watch us. I don't think safety would have been a problem."
Earlier in the week, Bruce had said: "I can't understand the logic of it.
"The players have slogged away for 46 games and can't get the trophy because it's on an away ground - it's an insult.
"I picked up the Premiership trophy with Manchester United at Middlesbrough, and the Middlesbrough people were hugely respectful."
Reflecting on the game, Keane also paid tribute to chairman Niall Quinn.
"It is nice to go up as champions, and there is a massive challenge ahead," he said.
"I will meet Niall and the board next week, and we will look at what kind of money is available.
Niall Quinn and the board do not interfere, and that is why it has worked
Sunderland boss Roy Keane
"There are a few players at the back of my mind who I would like to bring to the club, but that is just the start. Signing them is sometimes easier said than done.
"They are good players, at good clubs, and they are under contract. You have to set your standards very high, and we will have to raise the bar next season.
"It is going to be very hard, and I am not predicting we will win it, but I predict we will add something to the Premiership.
"But Niall and the board do not interfere, and that is why it has worked. It would not have done otherwise."
Meanwhile, Luton boss Kevin Blackwell admitted his side had been outclassed - conceding that it had looked like "men against boys".
However, he was quick to pay tribute to the Keane-Quinn partnership.
"Roy has been different class, but Niall has to take monumental praise as he has done a fantastic job," Blackwell said.
"They have a good manager and a dynamic young board, and, at the moment, it looks like the perfect marriage."
