BHP group celebrate Newcastle's Dan Gosling coup

Jul 28 2010 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A NORTH East legal team helped save Newcastle United around £4m after representing the club at the tribunal which ruled it could sign England Under-21 international Dan Gosling without having to pay a penny.

BHP Sport, a division of regional legal firm BHP Law, secured the recent free transfer of the former Everton star at a two-day Premier League tribunal in London earlier this month.

The team at BHP Sport was led by former Darlington FC manager and Liverpool player David Hodgson, together with sports law specialist Robin Winskell and Gosling’s barrister, Jim Sturman QC.

Gosling’s contract was due to expire on June 30 and Everton were in negotiations about a contract extension. However, although the Toffees had offered a verbal agreement they had not given a written contract.

The tribunal was asked to rule whether or not Gosling would be entitled to a free transfer from Everton FC. In a ground-breaking decision, they ruled in favour of the player.

Mr Hodgson, director of BHP Sport, said: “The net result is a fantastic four-year contract for Dan, a great acquisition for Newcastle United and a great success story for BHP Sport.”

Gosling said: “BHP Sport has been superb for me. David understands perfectly the demands that are placed on young footballers, especially at the top levels of the game, and it’s great to have him and BHP Law looking after my interests.”