SO that's how these Premiership football managers do their deals. A meeting on neutral turf - in this case the well-sprung turf of York Races - a word or two before the 3.30 and, Becks is your uncle, a multi-million pound transfer deal is clinched.

We couldn't help this mischievous thought after seeing our photograph of Peter Reid and Sir Alex Ferguson together, bosses of arch-rivals Leeds and Manchester United. What they were actually chatting about is anyone's guess. Perhaps they were merely admiring the new Ebor Stand.

The sight of two of football's biggest names, and several television stars, among the crowd only reinforces York Races' reputation as a major sporting spectacle. It has been a terrific start to the season. No doubt both Sir Alex and Peter will be hoping for a similarly positive start come the 2003/2004 football campaign. It is only three months away, after all.

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, May 15, 2003