الأحد، 19 يناير 2020

International Cricket Council

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa. It was renamed as the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989. It organises world championship events such as Cricket World Cup, Women's Cricket World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup, ICC Women's T20 World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy and Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

The ICC has 104 members: 12 Full Members that play Test matches and 92 Associate Members.[3] The ICC is responsible for the organisation and governance of cricket's major international tournaments, most notably the Cricket World Cup. It also appoints the umpires and referees that officiate at all sanctioned Test matches, One Day International and Twenty20 Internationals. It promulgates the ICC Code of Conduct, which sets professional standards of discipline for international cricket,[4] and also co-ordinates action against corruption and match-fixing through its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).

The ICC does not control bilateral fixtures between member countries (which include all Test matches), it does not govern domestic cricket in member countries, and it does not make the laws of the game, which remain under the control of the Marylebone Cricket Club.[5]

The Chairman heads the board of directors and on 26 June 2014, Narayanaswami Srinivasan, the former president of BCCI, was announced as the first chairman of the council.[6] The role of ICC president has become a largely honorary position since the establishment of the chairman role and other changes were made to the ICC constitution in 2014. It has been claimed that the 2014 changes have handed control to the so-called 'Big Three' nations of England, India and Australia.[7] The last ICC president was Zaheer Abbas,[8] who was appointed in June 2015 following the resignation of Mustafa Kamal in April 2015. The post of ICC president was abolished in April 2016 and Shashank Manohar who replaced Mr. Srinivasan in October 2015 became the first independent chairman of the ICC since then
History
1909–1963 – Imperial Cricket Conference
On 30 November 1907, Abe Bailey, the President of South African Cricket Association, wrote a letter to the Marylebone Cricket Club's (MCC, England) secretary, F.E. Lacey. Bailey suggested the formation of an 'Imperial Cricket Board'. In the letter, he suggested that the board would be responsible for formulation of rules and regulations which will govern the international matches between the three members: Australia, England and South Africa. Bailey, wanted to host a Triangular Test series between the participant countries in South Africa. Australia rejected the offer. However, Bailey did not lose hope. He saw an opportunity of getting the three members together during the Australia's tour of England in 1909. After continued lobbying and efforts, Bailey was successful.[10]

On 15 June 1909, representatives from England, Australia and South Africa met at Lord's and founded the Imperial Cricket Conference. A month later, a second meeting between the three members was held. The rules were agreed amongst the nations, and the first ever Tri-Test series was decided to be held in England in 1912.[10]

In 1926, West Indies, New Zealand and India were elected as Full Members, doubling the number of Test-playing nations to six. After the formation of Pakistan in 1947, it was given Test status in 1952, becoming the seventh Test-playing nation. In May 1961 South Africa left the Commonwealth and therefore lost membership.[10]

1964–1988 – International Cricket Conference
In 1964, the ICC agreed upon including the non-Test playing countries. The following year, the ICC changed its name to the International Cricket Conference. Under the new type of membership, the Associate. US, Ceylon and Fiji were admitted.[11]

In 1968, Denmark, Bermuda, Netherlands, and East Africa were admitted as Associate. South Africa had still not applied to rejoin the ICC.

In 1969, the basic rules of ICC were amended.

In 1971 meeting, the idea of organizing a World Cup was introduced. In 1973 meeting, it was decided that a World Cup will be played in 1975 in England. The six Test playing nations and East Africa and Sri Lanka were invited to take part.[11]

New members were added regularly during this period:

In 1974, Israel and Singapore were admitted as Associate.

In 1976, West Africa was admitted as Associate.

In 1977, Bangladesh was admitted as Associate.

In 1978, Papua-New Guinea was admitted as Associate. South Africa applied to rejoin, however their application was rejected.

In 1981, Sri Lanka was promoted to being a Full Member. They played their first Test in 1982.

In 1984, the third type of membership; Affiliate category of membership was added to the ICC. Italy was the first member, followed by Switzerland in 1985. In 1987, Bahamas and France were admitted, followed by Nepal in 1988.

1989–present – International Cricket Council
In the July meeting of 1989, the ICC renamed itself to the International Cricket Council and the trend of the MCC President automatically becoming the Chairman of ICC was terminated.[12]

In 1990, UAE joined as an associate.

In 1991, for the first time in ICC history the meeting was held away from England – in Melbourne. South Africa was re-elected as a Full Member of the ICC in July, after the end of apartheid.

In 1992, Zimbabwe was admitted as the ninth Full Member of the International Cricket Council (Full Member). Namibia joined as Associate member. Austria, Belgium, Brunei and Spain joined as Affiliates.

In 1993, the Chief Executive of ICC was created with David Richards of the Australian Cricket Board the first person appointed to the position. In July, Sir Clyde Walcott, from Barbados, was elected as the first non-British Chairman. The emergence of new technology saw the introduction of a third umpire who was equipped with video playback facilities.

By 1995, TV replays were made available for run outs and stumpings in Test matches with the third umpire required to signal out or not out with red and green lights respectively. The following year, the cameras were used to determine if the ball had crossed the boundary, and in 1997 decisions on the cleanness of catches could be referred to the third umpire. This year also saw the introduction of the Duckworth-Lewis method of adjusting targets in rain-affected ODI matches.

In 2000, Bangladesh were admitted as the tenth Full Member of the International Cricket Council.

In 2005, ICC moved its new headquarters in Dubai.

In 2017, Afghanistan and Ireland were admitted as the eleventh and twelfth Full Members of the International Cricket Council after a unanimous vote at the ICC Full Council meeting at The Oval.

In 2018, All Women's T20 matches were elevated as to Women's Twenty20 International status.

From its formation, the ICC had Lord's Cricket Ground as its home, and from 1993 had its offices in the "Clock Tower" building at the nursery end of the ground. The independent ICC was funded initially by commercial exploitation of the rights to the World Cup of One Day International cricket. As not all Member countries had double-tax agreements with the United Kingdom, it was necessary to protect cricket's revenues by creating a company, ICC Development (International) Pvt. Ltd – known as IDI, outside the UK. This was established in January 1994 and was based in Monaco.

For the remainder of the nineties, the administration of IDI was a modest affair. But with the negotiation of a bundle of rights to all ICC events from 2001–2008, revenues available to International cricket and the ICC member countries rose substantially. This led to a growth in the number of commercial staff employed by IDI in Monaco. It also had the disadvantage that the Council's cricket administrators, who remained at Lord's, were separated from their commercial colleagues in Monaco. The Council decided to seek ways of bringing all of their staff together in one office while protecting their commercial income from tax.

The option of staying at Lord's was investigated and a request was made, through Sport England, to the British Government to allow the ICC to have all its personnel (including those working on commercial matters) in London – but be given special exemption from paying UK corporation tax on its commercial income. The British Government was unwilling to create a precedent and would not agree to this request. As a consequence, the ICC examined other locations and eventually settled on the emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. ICC is registered in British Virgin Islands. In August 2005, the ICC moved its offices to Dubai, and subsequently closed its offices at Lord's and Monaco. The move to Dubai was made after an 11–1 vote by the ICC's Executive Board in favour.[13]

While the principal driver of the ICC's move to Dubai was the wish to bring its main employees together in one tax efficient location, a secondary reason was the wish to move offices closer to the increasingly important new centres of cricketing power in South Asia. Lord's had been a logical venue when the ICC had been administered by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) (a situation that lasted until 1993). But the growing power of India and Pakistan in world cricket had made the continued control of international cricket by a British private members club (the MCC) anachronistic and unsustainable. A direct consequence of the changes and reforms instituted in 1993 was eventually to be the move away from Lord's to a more neutral venue.[14]

Income generation
The ICC generates income from the tournaments it organises, primarily the Cricket World Cup, and it distributes the majority of that income to its members. Sponsorship and television rights of the World Cup brought in over US$1.6 billion between 2007 and 2015, by far the ICC's main source of income.[15][16] In the nine-month accounting period to 31 December 2007 the ICC had operating income of $12.66 million, mainly from member subscriptions and sponsorship. In contrast, event income was US$285.87 million, including $239 million from the 2007 World Cup. There was also investment income of $6.695 million in the period.[needs update]

The ICC has no income streams from the bilateral international cricket matches (Test matches, One Day International and Twenty20 Internationals), that account for the great majority of the international playing schedule, as they are owned and run by its members. It has sought to create other new events to augment its World Cup revenues. These include the ICC Champions Trophy and the ICC Super Series played in Australia in 2005. However these events have not been as successful as the ICC hoped. The Super Series was widely seen as a failure and is not expected to be repeated, and India called for the Champions Trophy to be scrapped in 2006.[17] The Champions Trophy 2004 event was referred to in Wisden 2005 by the editor as a "turkey of a tournament" and a "fiasco"; although the 2006 edition was seen as a greater success due to a new format.[18][19]

The ICC World Twenty20, first played in 2007, was a success. The ICC's current plan is to have an international tournament every year, with a Twenty20 World Cup played in even number years, the World Cup continuing to be held the year before the Olympic Games, and the ICC Champions Trophy in the remaining year of the cycle. This cycle will begin in 2010, one year after the 2009 edition.

Rules and regulation
The International Cricket Council oversees playing conditions, bowling reviews, and other ICC regulations. The ICC does not have copyright to the Laws of Cricket: only the MCC may change the Laws, though this is usually done in consultation with the game's global governing body. The ICC maintains a set of playing conditions for international cricket which make slight amendments to the Laws. They also have a "Code of Conduct" to which teams and players in international matches are required to adhere. Where breaches of this code occur the ICC can apply sanctions, usually fines. In 2008, the ICC imposed 19 penalties on players.

Umpires and referees
The ICC appoints international umpires and Match referees who officiate at all sanctioned Test matches, One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. The ICC operates 3 panels of umpires: namely the Elite Panel, the International Panel, and the Associates and Affiliates Panel.

As of April 2012, the Elite Panel includes twelve umpires. In theory, two umpires from the Elite Panel officiate at every Test match, while one Elite Panel umpire stands in ODI matches together with an umpire from the International Panel. In practice, members of the International Panel stand in occasional Test matches, as this is viewed as a good opportunity to see whether they can cope at the Test level, and whether they should be elevated to the Elite Panel. The Elite Panel are full-time employees of the ICC, although do still, very occasionally umpire first-class cricket in their country of residence. The average, annual, officiating schedule for Elite Umpires is 8–10 Test matches and 10–15 ODIs, a potential on-field workload of 75 days plus travel and preparation time per year.[20]

The International Panel is made up of officials nominated from each of the ten Test-playing cricket boards. The Panel Members officiate in ODI matches in their home country, and assist the Elite Panel at peak times in the cricket calendar when they can be appointed to overseas ODI and Test matches. International Panel members also undertake overseas umpiring assignments such as the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup to improve their knowledge and understanding of overseas conditions, and help them prepare for possible promotion onto the Elite Panel. Some of these umpires also officiate in the Cricket World Cup. Each of the Test cricket boards nominates a "third umpire" who can be called upon to review certain on-field decisions through instant television replays. All third umpires are first-class umpires in their own county, and the role is seen as a step onto the International Panel, and then the Elite Panel.[21]

The inaugural ICC Associate and Affiliate International Umpires Panel was formed in June 2006. It superseded the ICC Associate and Affiliate International Umpires Panel, created in 2005, and serves as the pinnacle for umpires from non-Test playing Members, with selection achieved through each of the five ICC Development Program Regional Umpires Panels. Members of the Associate and Affiliate International Umpires Panel are eligible for appointments to ODIs involving ICC Associate Members, ICC Intercontinental Cup matches and other Associate and Affiliate tournaments. High-performing umpires may also be considered for other ICC events, including the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup, and could also be invited to be involved in the ICC Champions Trophy and ICC Cricket World Cup.[22]

There is also an Elite Panel of ICC Referees who act as the independent representative of the ICC at all Test and ODI matches. As of January 2009, it has 6 members, all highly experienced former international cricketers. The Referees do not have the power to report players or officials (which has to be done by the umpires), but they are responsible for conducting hearings under the ICC Code of Conduct and imposing penalties as required at matches, ranging from an official reprimand to a lifetime ban from cricket. Decisions can be appealed, but the original decision is upheld in most cases.

The Council failed to achieve consensus among the cricket playing nations – as of June 2012 – on the universal application of Umpire's Decision Review System, due to opposition by BCCI. It will continue to be applied subject to mutual agreement of the playing countries.[23] In July 2012, ICC decided to send a delegation to show the ball tracking research done by Dr Ed Rosten, an expert on computer vision and technology, to BCCI to remove the scepticism about the use of DRS technology


Dundee United

Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909. originally as Dundee Hibernian,[2] the club changed to the present name in 1923.[3] United are nicknamed The Terrors[4] or The Tangerines and the supporters are known as Arabs.[5]

The club has played in tangerine kits since the 1960s and have played at the present ground, Tannadice Park, since their foundation in 1909. United were founder members of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) in 1998 and were ever-present in the competition until it was abolished in 2013 to make way for the SPFL structure. United were relegated in 2016 to the Scottish Championship, which is the second tier of the SPFL.

Domestically, the club has won the Scottish Premier Division on one occasion (1982–83), the Scottish Cup twice (1994 and 2010) and the Scottish League Cup twice (1979 and 1980). United appeared in European competition for the first time in the 1966–67 season, going on to appear in Europe in 14 successive seasons from 1976. They also reached the European Cup semi-finals in 1983–84 season and the UEFA Cup final in 1987. The club has a 100% record in four matches against Barcelona in competitive European ties.[6]

The club's main rivals are Dundee. The two teams contest the Dundee derby, with the local rivals' Dens Park stadium being located virtually next door to Tannadice Park
The club was formed as Dundee Hibernian in 1909, playing from the outset at Tannadice Park. They were voted into the Scottish Football League in 1910. After being saved from going out of business in October 1923, the club changed their name to Dundee United in order to widen their appeal. Between 1925 and 1932 United were promoted and relegated between the first and second tier three times, winning the Second Division title in 1925 and 1929.[8]

Promotion to the Top Flight (1959–1971)
The club took significant strides forward when Jerry Kerr became manager in 1959. Kerr's team won promotion in his first season in charge and became an established team in the top flight, where they remained until 1995.[9]

A key characteristic of Kerr's reign was the strengthening of the playing squad with Scandinavian imports,[9] most notably with the signings of Lennart Wing, Finn Dossing, Mogens Berg, Finn Seemann and Orjan Persson.

It was during this period that United qualified for European competition for the first time, eliminating Inter-Cities Fairs Cup holders Barcelona on their European debut in 1966.

Jim McLean era (1971–1993)
Jim McLean took over from Kerr in 1971 and under his management the club enjoyed the most successful era in its history. McLean's era became known for his youth policy and the offering of long term contracts that would see future Scotland international players such as Dave Narey, Paul Sturrock, Paul Hegarty, Davie Dodds, Eamonn Bannon and Maurice Malpas spend the majority of their careers at the club.[10]

United won its first major honour under McLean, capturing the Scottish League Cup first in 1979 and again in 1980.[11] They were crowned Premier Division champions in 1982–83.

The club were also successful in Europe, reaching the European Cup semi-finals in 1984 and the UEFA cup Final in 1987,[11] the latter campaign involving another elimination of Barcelona during the earlier rounds.[12] Despite losing to IFK Gothenburg in the final, the club was awarded a FIFA Fair Play Award.[13]

McLean retired as manager in 1993, but remained as club chairman.[14]

Scottish Cup wins and relegation (1993–2016)
United won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 1994 under McLean's successor Ivan Golac, but were relegated in 1995, before returning to the Premier Division a year later.

Following a number of board changes, the club was purchased from McLean in 2002 by former Morning Noon and Night co-founder and chief executive Eddie Thompson.[15] A lifelong United fan, Thompson invested heavily in the team in a bid to compete with significant spending which had developed following the formation of the Scottish Premier League, however little progress was made until Craig Levein became manager in 2006. Levein established United as a Top Six club, regularly achieving European qualification before he left the club to take the post as Scotland manager in 2009.

With the foundations of the side in place, United won the Scottish Cup for a second time in 2010 under the management of Peter Houston.

After several relatively successful seasons, a series of poor results in the Premiership led to United being relegated in 2016.[16]

Scottish Championship and promotion battles (Since 2016)
Dundee United's first season in the Championship was under the management of Ray McKinnon. United won the Challenge Cup by beating St Mirren 2–1 in the final and they reached the play-off final for the Premiership. However they lost narrowly 1–0 to Hamilton. The second season in the second tier was less successful, as manager McKinnon was sacked and replaced with Csaba László; after a very disappointing season, United lost in the play-off semi-final to eventual promotion winners Livingston. After a poor start to the 2018–19 season the manager was once again sacked and replaced with Robbie Neilson. The team finished second in the Championship but lost in the play-offs to St Mirren, missing four penalty kicks in the process.

Colours and badge
For a complete pictorial history of playing kit, see the Historical Football Kits site.
United's playing kit consists of tangerine shirts and black shorts, first used when the team played under the Dallas Tornado moniker in the United Soccer Association competition of 1967, which they were invited to participate in after their first European excursion had created many headlines in the football world.[17] After persuasion by the wife of manager Jerry Kerr, the colour would soon be adopted as the club's own in 1969 to give the club a brighter, more modern image. The new colour was paraded for the first time in a pre-season friendly against Everton in August.

When founded as Dundee Hibernian, they had followed the example of other clubs of similar heritage by adopting the traditionally Irish colours of green shirts and white shorts. By the time the club became Dundee United in 1923, the colours had been changed to white shirts and black shorts as they sought to appeal to a wider cross-section of the community. These colours persisted in various forms up until 1969, sometimes using plain shirts, but also at various times including Celtic-style broad hoops, Queen's Park-style narrow hoops and an Airdrie-style "V" motif.
The present club badge was introduced in 1993, and saw the previous lion rampant design rebranded in a new circular logo incorporating the club colours.[18] To mark the club's centenary in 2009, a special version of the badge with an added "1909 2009 Centenary" logo was introduced for the duration of the 2009–10 season, along with additional green trim on the badge, representing Dundee Hibernian's colours.

Previously, the lion had been represented on a simpler shield design. Although this "classic" version had been used as the club crest on the cover of the matchday programme as early as 1956, it had never appeared on the players' strip prior to 1983. Since 1959, various other designs had been worn on the shirts, incorporating either the lion rampant or the letters DUFC, often on a circular badge.

The club first introduced shirt sponsorship in the 1985–86 season when future chairman Eddie Thompson's VG chain sponsored the club in the first of a two-year deal. A six-year association with Belhaven then ensued with a sponsorless 1993–94 season. Rover began a two-year deal early in time for the 1994 Scottish Cup final, sponsoring the club until the end of the 1995–96 season. Telewest took over sponsorship from 1996 for six years until Eddie Thompson's Morning, Noon and Night started sponsoring the club in 2002. This association continued until 2006 when Anglian Home Improvements began a two-year deal with an optional third year. At the same time, Ole International became the first shorts sponsors. JD Sports' Carbrini Sportswear brand sponsored the club in the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons. United's shirt sponsor from the 2016–17 season was McEwan Fraser Legal, with Utilita taking over in 2018.

United have had a number of official kit suppliers, including Adidas, Hummel and, from June 2009, Nike.

Historical home kits
Stadium
Dundee United's home ground throughout their history has been Tannadice Park, located on Tannadice Street in the Clepington area of the city. It is situated a mere 170 yards (160 m) away from Dens Park, home of rivals Dundee;[19] The club has only ever played one home fixture at another venue. This was a League Cup tie against Rangers in March 1947, when despite snow rendering Tannadice Park unplayable, the match was able to go ahead across the road at Dens Park.

Tannadice is currently an all-seater with a capacity of 14,223.[1] The Main Stand, built in 1962, was the first cantilever to be constructed at a Scottish football ground.[20] For long periods of its history, only a small proportion of the ground contained seated accommodation. In the late 1980s the ground had 2,252 seats out of a total capacity of 22,310
The comparative age and proximity of their stadiums has led to various discussions about the possibility of both Dundee clubs moving to a new, purpose-built shared stadium. The most recent proposal was put forward as part of Scotland's bid to jointly host the UEFA Euro 2008 championship,[21] with several clubs seeking to benefit from a new stadium.[22] With planning permission given to a proposed site at Caird Park,[23] special dispensation was requested to proceed with the proposal,[24] as rules at the time forbade SPL teams from groundsharing. Following Scotland's failed bid to host the tournament, the scheme was shelved,[25] although it was resurrected in June 2008, following doubts about joint-host Ukraine's ability to stage Euro 2012, and the SFA's keenness to act as an alternative host.[26]

Achievements
League
Dundee United's first trophy came in 1925, when they won the 1924–25 Division Two championship. After two seasons in the top tier, they were relegated, but they won the Division Two title for a second time in 1928–29. Immediate relegation followed and the club finished runners-up in 1931–32.[8] Another runners-up spot was claimed in 1959–60, in manager Jerry Kerr's first season, and from then club remained in the top division for the next 35-years.[9] Under Jim McLean's management, the club won the Premier Division title for the only time, in 1982–83, resulting in European Cup football the following season. The title win was United's last league success, although they finished runners-up in the First Division in 1995–96, after nearly avoiding relegation the previous season, and in third place in their first season back in the Premier Division.

Cups
The club had to wait several decades before their first realistic chance at cup silverware, when they began the first of a six-game losing streak of Scottish Cup Final appearances in 1974, losing 3–0 to Celtic. Towards the end of the 1970s, things began to change, with three successive appearances in the League Cup Final. United won their first major trophy with a 3–0 replay victory over Aberdeen in the 1979–80 Scottish League Cup Final.[27] The club reached both cup finals in the following season; while they retained the League Cup by winning 3–0 against rivals Dundee,[27] United lost out again in the Scottish Cup with a replay defeat to Rangers. United reached a third consecutive League Cup Final in 1981–82, but failed to make it a hat-trick of wins as they lost 2–1 to Rangers
United suffered the agony of reaching three out of four Scottish Cup finals in the mid-1980s, only to lose them all by a single goal. First came a 2–1 defeat to Celtic in 1984–85, compounded by a 1–0 League Cup final loss to Rangers in the same season; then a 1–0 defeat in extra time to St Mirren in 1986–87; and finally, a last-minute 2–1 loss against Celtic the following year, despite being a goal ahead.[11] A three-year gap ensued before the 1990–91 Scottish Cup final, which pitted Jim McLean against his brother Tommy, at Motherwell. The final was won 4–3 by 'Well, with United again losing in extra time.[14] The sixth Cup Final loss was also the club's fifth final appearance in eleven years.

These defeats in cup finals at Hampden Park led to the Scottish football media claiming that United suffered from a Hampden hoodoo, as they had failed to win ten cup finals played at the ground between 1974 and 1991.[28] When the club reached the 1994 Scottish Cup Final, manager Ivan Golac dismissed talk of the hoodoo, even though opponents Rangers were strong favourites to complete a domestic treble in the 1993–94 season.[28] United broke the supposed hoodoo and won the Scottish Cup for the first time when Craig Brewster's goal gave them a 1–0 win.[14][28]

Eleven years passed until the next Scottish Cup final appearance, when United lost 1–0 to Celtic in 2005. Sandwiched in the middle of these appearances was a defeat on penalties to Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Challenge Cup (when United failed to concede a goal in the whole competition) and a 3–0 defeat to Celtic in the 1997 Scottish League Cup Final. United then lost the 2008 Scottish League Cup Final on penalties to Rangers after the match had finished 2–2 after extra time. Dundee United won their next major trophy in 2010, under the guidance of manager Peter Houston, when First Division side Ross County were defeated 3–0 in the 2010 Scottish Cup Final.[29] David Goodwillie scored the first goal and Craig Conway scored the second and third goals.[29]

United's 10th appearance in the Scottish Cup final came in 2014, but the team lost 2–0 to St Johnstone at Celtic Park. The Tangerines reached the League Cup final the following year, but lost to Celtic in the final.

Two years later, after the club's relegation from the Scottish Premiership, they faced St. Mirren in the 2017 Scottish Challenge Cup Final. United won the game 2–1, marking the club's first silverware since 2010.

Europe
The club's first experience of Europe came in 1966–67 season when, helped by a clutch of Scandinavian players, United defeated Inter-Cities Fairs Cup holders FC Barcelona both home and away. Although Juventus proved too strong in the next round with a 3–1 aggregate victory, United made headlines and were asked to compete as Dallas Tornado in the United Soccer Association league in North America during the summer of 1967.[9]

In 1981–82 they began a period in which they were competitive in European competition. In a six-year spell they reached one UEFA final, another semi-final and two quarter finals. After their only Premier Division win in 1983, the team reached the resulting semi-final of the European Cup in 1984, losing 3–2 on aggregate to Roma. In 1987, the club went one better, reaching the final of the UEFA Cup. Despite the 2–1 aggregate loss to IFK Gothenburg, the club won the first-ever FIFA Fair Play Award for their supporters' sporting behavior after the final defeat.[13]

Rivalries
Dundee United's traditional rivals are Dundee, with whom they compete in the Dundee derby. The fixture was lacking a competitive element for a number of years until Dundee's return to the top flight of the Scottish game. A unique element of the rivalry lies in the fact that both clubs' stadiums are located within 100 yards of one another.

In spite of their rivalry, the two sides previously contemplated ground-sharing as part of the SFA's unsuccessful bid to host Euro 2008. Perhaps the most notable meeting was the final game of the 1982–83 Premier Division season, where if United were victors at Dens Park, they would clinch the top flight title; United were victorious thanks to an Eamonn Bannon winner.

Another intense fixture is that of the New Firm derby between United and North-East rivals Aberdeen. The match itself became one of fierce competition due to the domestic and European success the two sides achieved in the late 1970s and 1980s under the stewardship of United's Jim McLean and Aberdeen's Alex Ferguson.

United also share a rivalry with St Johnstone due to the relatively close proximity of Dundee and Perth, known as the Tayside derby. The most notable meeting between the two sides was in the 2014 Scottish Cup Final, when St Johnstone won 2–0 at Celtic Park in United's tenth final appearance.


هولي هولم

هولي رينيه هولم (ولدت في 17 أكتوبر 1981) فنانة قتالية أمريكية مختلطة تتنافس في بطولة القتال النهائي. بطلة بطولة القتال النهائي للسيدات سابقة في وزن الديك، وملاكمة محترفة سابقة وكيك بوكسر. بطلة العالم عدة مرات في الملاكمة ، ودافعت عن ألقابها 18 مرة في ثلاث فئات الوزن ، ومقاتلة مجلة رينج مرتين من العام (2005 ، 2006). وقد صنفتها BoxRec كأفضل ملاكم محترف في المرتبة العاشرة على الإطلاق.

اعتبارًا من 1 يوليو 2019 ، أصبحت في المرتبة الثانية في تصنيفات وزن الجسم الرسمية في UFC

Holly Holm

Holly Rene Holm (born October 17, 1981)[4] is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She is the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, and a former professional boxer and kickboxer. She was a multiple-time world champion in boxing, defending her titles 18 times in three weight classes, and a two-time Ring magazine fighter of the year (2005, 2006).[5] She's ranked by BoxRec as the tenth-best female professional boxer of all time.[6] As of July 8, 2019, she is #3 in the UFC women's bantamweight rankings.[7]

Holm's most notable win in mixed martial arts (MMA) occurred at UFC 193 (November 15, 2015), in front of a record-breaking crowd for a UFC event (56,215 people) in Melbourne, when she captured the bantamweight title and gave Ronda Rousey her first loss in the sport. This fight is generally considered to be one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history.
Early life
Holm was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the youngest of three children. Her father, Roger, is a Church of Christ preacher — as a fighter, Holly would later be nicknamed "The Preacher's Daughter" — and her mother, Tammy, is a massage therapist. Holm is of primarily Irish descent.[11][12]

Growing up, Holm played soccer and participated in gymnastics, swimming and diving. Her parents divorced shortly before she graduated from Manzano High School in 2000; after graduation, she studied for a year at the University of New Mexico.[13][14][15]

Amateur kickboxing career
Holm's path to a career in boxing and kickboxing began with aerobics classes when she was 16 years old. Her cardio-kickboxing instructor, Mike Winkeljohn, recognized Holm's potential as a fighter and began training her.

In September 2001, Holm won the championship title in the International Rules Adult Women's Welterweight Division at the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) USA National Amateur Championship Tournament, held in Kansas City, Missouri. She fought two bouts in the tournament. She won the first by technical knockout at 34 seconds in the first round. She won the second by unanimous decision.[16] This was Holm's last amateur competition. Her overall amateur kickboxing record is 6–0–2.

Professional boxing career
Holm has held several welterweight boxing titles,[17] been highly regarded as one of the best female welterweights in the world, and is considered among the best of all time, by some.[18][19] She also has been named Ring Magazine female Fighter of the Year, twice in consecutive years in 2005 and 2006. She is a big draw in her home town of Albuquerque, having all but three of her fights there and just one of her fights outside of her home state of New Mexico.

In June 2008 she became the undisputed welterweight champion and holder of belts from 140 to 154 by defeating former champ Mary Jo Sanders by decision. They had a rematch on October 17, 2008, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit, which ended in a draw.[20]

On December 2, 2011, Holm took on knockout artist Anne Sophie Mathis of France for the vacant IBA female and WBAN welterweight titles. Holm was badly beaten by the stronger Mathis without the referee interfering, even going into the canvas without a count. She finally lost by knockout in the 7th round, which would be dubbed the upset of the year in women's boxing.[21] The two fought again on June 15, 2012, for Mathis's WBF female, IBA female, and WBAN welterweight titles. Holm took a unanimous decision win over Mathis, becoming the new champion and avenging her earlier KO loss.[22]

Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Holm made her mixed martial arts debut on March 4, 2011, against Christina Domke at an event organized by her boxing promoter, Lenny Fresquez. She headlined the card with Jackson's Submission Fighting teammate Keith Jardine.[23] Holm won the fight via TKO in the second round after her opponent was unable to continue due to leg kicks inflicted by Holm.[24]

Holm returned to MMA on September 9, 2011, at Fresquez Productions: Clash in the Cage against Strikeforce veteran Jan Finney.[25] She defeated Finney by TKO in the third round.[26][27]

Bellator MMA
On February 28, 2013, Holm made her Bellator MMA debut against Katie Merrill at Bellator 91 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.[28] Holm won the bout via TKO in the second round.[29][30]

Holm announced that she would retire from boxing after her May 11, 2013, boxing match against Mary McGee so that she can fully concentrate on her MMA career.[31] The message came as a punctuation in the negotiations to arrange a title-battle between Holm and the Norwegian champion Cecilia Brækhus.[32] Holm went on to defeat McGee via unanimous decision, for her boxing retirement bout.

Legacy Fighting Championship
On July 19, 2013, Holm faced Allanna Jones at Legacy Fighting Championship 21.[33] She won the fight by head-kick knockout in the second round.[34]

Holm was expected to face Erica Paes at Legacy Fighting Championship 24 on October 11, 2013.[35] However, Paes was removed from the card and Holm instead faced Nikki Knudsen. Holm won the fight via TKO due to a body kick and knees in round two.[36]

On December 6, 2013, Holm faced Angela Hayes at Fresquez Productions: Havoc.[37] She won the fight via unanimous decision.

On April 4, 2014, Holm faced Juliana Werner for the inaugural Legacy FC Women's Bantamweight Championship. She won the bout and title via TKO in the fifth round due to a head kick and punches.[38] Holm broke her left arm during the first round of the bout.[39]

Ultimate Fighting Championship
On July 10, 2014, the media announced that Holm had signed a multi-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[40] Later in an interview with MMA Junkie, Holm's manager Lenny Fresquez disclosed that Holm's contract is for five fights.[41]

Holm was expected to make her debut at UFC 181 against Raquel Pennington. However, on November 13, Holm was forced to pull out due to an undisclosed injury.[42] The two fighters faced each other at UFC 184. Holm won the bout by split decision (29–28, 28–29, and 30–27).

Holm faced Marion Reneau on July 15, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 71.[43] Holm won the fight by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–26, and 29–28).

Women's bantamweight championship
Holm vs. Rousey
In her highest profile MMA fight to date, Holm faced defending women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey before a record-setting crowd in the main event of UFC 193 on November 14, 2015. Despite being a massive betting underdog, Holm controlled a majority of the bout with her superior striking and defended all of Rousey's takedowns. The second fighter to take Rousey past the first round (after Miesha Tate), she won the fight via knockout in the second with a high kick, ending Rousey's undefeated streak and three-year reign as champion causing her to spend the night in the hospital.[44]

Holm was also awarded her first "Fight of the Night" and "Performance of the Night" bonus awards (totalling $100,000).[45] By winning the title, she became the first person to win championships in both boxing and MMA.[46] Following the bout, UFC fighter Jon Jones[47][48] said he thought Holm was "already the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) of women's combat sports".[49] Her hometown, Albuquerque, New Mexico, proclaimed November "Holly Holm Month".[50][51]

In her first title defense, Holm lost to Miesha Tate in the fifth round on March 5, 2016, at UFC 196. After four rounds of back-and-forth fighting, Tate defeated Holm in the fifth with a rear-naked choke. Holm was strong in the first round of the fight standing up, but was less effective grappling with Tate on the mat. After Tate took Holm down in the second round, Holm almost submitted to a guillotine choke, but wriggled out just before the bell. In the fifth round, Tate scored another takedown and locked in another rear-naked choke. Holm refused to submit, was rendered unconscious, and the referee declared a technical submission.[52][53]

Holm faced Valentina Shevchenko on July 23, 2016, at UFC on Fox 20. She lost the bout via unanimous decision.[54]

Women's featherweight championship
Holm faced Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208 for the inaugural women's featherweight championship on February 11, 2017. She lost the fight via controversial unanimous decision. At the end of the second and third rounds, de Randamie continued to throw punches after the horn had sounded and the referee stepped in, the first of which was a right hand that visibly wobbled Holm, who had already stopped fighting. The referee did not take a point on either occasion, which crucially affected the result of the fight.[55] Fourteen of 23 media outlets and a majority of MMA fans still scored the fight in favor of Holm.[56] Holm said post-fight she believed both instances to be intentional.[57] She appealed to the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) to review the referee's decisions and determine an "appropriate result."[58] On February 28, the NYSAC denied the appeal, finding "no clear error or violation of statute or rule."[59]

Post championship
Holm returned to bantamweight division after losing the featherweight title bout. Holm faced Bethe Correia at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia on June 17, 2017 in Singapore.[60] She won the fight via knockout in the third round via a head kick that dropped Correia and then a punch.[61] The win earned Holm her second Performance of the Night bonus award. This also set up her bout against current UFC Women's Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg at UFC 219[62]

In a return to the women's featherweight division, Holm challenged Cris Cyborg for the UFC Featherweight Championship on December 30, 2017 in the main event at UFC 219.[63] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[64] This fight earned Holm her second Fight of the Night bonus.[65]

Holm faced Megan Anderson on June 9, 2018 at UFC 225.[66] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[67]

Holm was expected to face Aspen Ladd in a bantamweight bout on March 2, 2019 at UFC 235.[68] However, on January 31, 2019 it was reported the pair was no longer taking place at the event. [69]

On March 20, it was reported that Holm signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC.[70]

Holm faced Amanda Nunes for the Women's bantamweight championship on July 6, 2019 at UFC 239.[71] She lost the fight via technical knockout in round one after being dropped by a head kick and finished with follow up punches by Nunes.[72]

Holm was scheduled to face Raquel Pennington on October 6, 2019 at UFC 243.[73] However, on September 27, it was revealed Holm withdrew from the bout due to a hamstring injury and the bout was cancelled.[74] The pair was rescheduled to fight on January 18, 2020 at UFC 246.[75] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[76]

Fighting style
Holm employs frequent lateral movement while working stiff jabs to an opponent's head.[77][78] When standing within the pocket, she often waits to attack with counter-strikes, usually employing a straight left hand.[78] Holm is also known for her punching combinations, typically done while her opponents are against the cage.[79]

Decorated boxer and ONE Championship fighter Ana Julaton has described Holm as a "natural mover", noting her footwork as an asset in setting up strikes.[80] At UFC 193, Ronda Rousey took several blows while struggling to close the distance against Holm.[81] Holm uses a variety of kicking techniques, often targeting the body with a fast side kick, pushing back a rush with a low oblique kick, and attacking the head with a left high kick.[77][82]

In popular culture
Holm is one of several boxers photographed by artist Delilah Montoya and profiled in the publication Women Boxers: The New Warriors.[83] She appeared in the 2016 feature film Fight Valley alongside Miesha Tate and Cris Cyborg.[84]

Championships and accomplishments
Boxing
Overall
16 title defenses won at three different weight classes
World Boxing Federation
WBF Female World Light Welterweight Championship (One time)[85]
WBF Female World Welterweight Championship (One time)[86]
2012 Female Fighter of the Year[87]
2012 Female Fight of the Year vs. Anne Sophie Mathis on June 15[87]
Women Boxing Archive Network
WBAN World Welterweight Championship (One time)[88]
WBAN World Junior Welterweight Championship (One time)[89]
WBAN World Junior Middleweight Championship (One time; First)[90]
2012 Biggest Comeback of the Year[91]
2011 Fight of the Year vs. Anne Sophie Mathis on December 2[92]
2010 Fighter of the Year[93]
2009 Most Accomplished of the Year[94]
2008 Highest Achievements of the Year[95]
2007 Fighter of the Year[96]
2007 Most Improved Boxer of the Year[96]
2006 Most Improved Boxer of the Year[97]
2005 Hottest Rising Star of the Year[98]
2005 Upset of the Year vs. Christy Martin on September 16[98]
World Boxing Council
WBC Female World Welterweight Championship (One time)[99]
NABF Female Light Welterweight Championship (One time)[100]
Global Boxing Union
GBU World Welterweight Championship (One time)[99]
Women's International Boxing Association
WIBA World Light Welterweight Championship (One time)[101]
WIBA World Welterweight Championship (One time)[99]
International Female Boxers Association
IFBA World Welterweight Championship (One time)[99]
IFBA World Light Middleweight Championship (One time)[102]
2006 Fighter of the Year[103]
World Boxing Association
WBA Female World Welterweight Championship (One time; First)[104]
International Boxing Association
IBA Female World Welterweight Championship (Three times)[88][99]
IBA Female World Light Welterweight Championship (Three times; First)[105][106][107]
BadLeftHook.com
2012 Female Comeback Fighter of the Year[108]
BoxRec
Highest ranked female boxer in automated all-time pound-for-pound rankings at the time of her retirement from boxing. By the time of winning her UFC championship she dropped to #2 in pound-for-pound rankings but still was #1 in welterweight[109]
The Ring
2006 Female Fighter of the Year[103]
2005 Female Fighter of the Year[110]
New Mexico Boxing
2013 Hall of Fame Inductee[111]
2010 Fighter of the Year[112]
2009 Fighter of the Year[112]
2008 Fighter of the Year[112]
2007 Fighter of the Year[112]
2006 Fighter of the Year[112]
2005 Fighter of the Year[112]
Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame
2005 Female Athlete of the Year

نوتينغهام فورست

نوتينغهام فورست (بالإنجليزية: .Nottingham Forest F.C) هو نادي كرة قدم إنجليزي يلعب في الدوري الإنجليزي الدرجة الأولى، تأسس عام 1865، و يقع ملعب الفريق في مدينة نوتنغهام. و قد حصل الفريق على دوري أبطال أوروبا مرتين، في عام 1979 و1980. يلعب مبارياته رسمية على ملعبه سيتي غراوند الذي افتتخ في 1898، و يتسع ل 30,576 متفرج.
سيتي غراوند (بالإنجليزية:City Ground) هو ملعب كرة قدم في نوتينغهام بمقاطعة نوتنغهامشير بإنجلترا، ويطل على نهر الترينت. أنشأ الملعب في عام 1898 بتكلفة بلغت 5 آلاف مليون جنيه إسترليني بذلك الوقت، وهو الملعب الرسمي لنادي نوتينغهام فورست منذ افتتاحه في عام 1898، يتسع الملعب إلى 30576 متفرج. مما يجعله في المركز الرابع و العشرين من قائمة أكبر الملاعب كرة قدم في إنجلترا.

الإنجازات
محلياً
الدوري الإنجليزي الدرجة الأولى:
الفائز (مرة): 1977–78.
الوصيف (مرتين): 1966–67، 1978–79.
دوري الدرجة الثانية الإنجليزي:
الفائز (3 مرات): 1906–07، 1921–22، 1997–98.
الوصيف (مرتين): 1956–57، 1993–94.
دوري الدرجة الثالثة:
الفائز (مرة): 1950–51.
الوصيف (مرة): 2007–08.
كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي لكرة القدم:
الفائز (مرتين): 1898، 1959.
الوصيف (مرة): 1991.
كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية المحترفة:
الفائز (4 مرات): 1978، 1979، 1989، 1990.
الوصيف (مرتين): 1980، 1992.
درع الاتحاد الإنجليزي لكرة القدم:
الفائز (مرة): 1978.
الوصيف (مرة): 1959.
بطولة ويمبلي الدولية:
الفائز (مرة واحدة): 1988
أوروبا أوروبياً
دوري أبطال أوروبا:
الفائز (مرتين): 1979، 1980.
كأس السوبر الأوروبي:
الفائز (مرة): 1979.
الوصيف (مرة): 1980.
كأس الإنتركونتيننتال:
الوصيف (مرة): 1980.

Saracens

Saracens Football Club (/ˈsærəsənz/) are an English professional rugby union football club based in London, England. Established in 1876, they play in the RFU Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England, however, due to blatant cheating the Premiership have announced they will be automatically relegated to the Rugby Championship at the conclusion of the 2019/20 season regardless of their final points tally. They are also the current title holders of the European Rugby Champions Cup, a tournament which they have won more times than any other English team, with three titles, won in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

Since 2012, Saracens have played their home games at Allianz Park in Hendon, in the London Borough of Barnet; previous grounds have included Vicarage Road in Watford, and Bramley Road. The club's home playing colours are black and red.

In November 2019, they were handed a 35-point deduction and fined £5.3m after they were found to have breached Premiership Rugby salary cap regulations over the previous three seasons.[2] On 18 January 2020 Premiership Rugby announced they would be relegated to the RFU Championship at the end of the season, following the 'conclusion of dialogue' between Premiership Rugby and the team
Saracens were founded in 1876 by the Old Boys of the Philological School in Marylebone, London (later to become St Marylebone Grammar School). The club's name is said to come from the "endurance, enthusiasm and perceived invincibility of Saladin's desert warriors of the 12th century". The fact that their local rivals were called the Crusaders may also have been a factor.[4] The Crescent and Star appearing in the club's emblem are reminiscent of those appearing on the flag of the Ottoman Empire.

Saracens amalgamated with neighbouring club Crusaders two years later. In 1892, Saracens moved from Crown Lane, Southgate, to Firs Farm, Winchmore Hill then played on nine different grounds before the move to Bramley Road[5] for the 1939–40 season (although the Second World War actually prevented them from playing there until 1945).

After their inaugural match against Blackheath, the Saracens had to wait another 9 years before Harlequins offered to include them on their fixture list. Saracens found it difficult to get games against first-class sides as the facilities at Bramley Road were so poor.

The club produced a number of internationals in pre-league era, such as hooker John Steeds who won five caps representing England from 1949 to 1950; Vic Harding, a lock also for England from 1961 to 1962; and George Sheriff, an England back-rower from 1966 to 1967.

The club enjoyed fixtures with the leading clubs for many years and enjoyed a particularly successful time in the 1970s when they reached the semi-finals of the National Cup. Special games played at Bramley Road during this period include the 1971 match against a select International XV. It was a fantastic occasion,[tone] as a 5,000 strong crowd (the largest ever to watch a rugby union game in North London at the time) came to watch a magnificent contest, ending Saracens 34 International XV 34.[citation needed]

This Saracens team also won the Middlesex Cup beating rivals Wasps in the final.[when?][6]

The Courage leagues
After some bleak years in the early 1980s, the club responded to the challenge of the Courage Leagues, and with Floyd Steadman as captain and Tony Russ as coach, they won the second division in 1989 with a 100% record. The next year in the first division they surprised many by finishing fourth in the league behind Wasps, Gloucester and Bath. [7]

But within the space of two years, Saracens had lost Jason Leonard to Harlequins, Dean Ryan to Wasps and Ben Clarke to Bath and they were fast becoming a nursery for the more prestigious clubs. The 1992–93 season saw the leagues restructured with Saracens, along with three other clubs, being relegated to the second division. In 1993–94 Saracens finished third and narrowly missed out on promotion but the following year they finished as champions and were again back in the top flight.

Former player David Wellman was given the task to rebrand Saracens. He gave former player Mike Smith the remit to take Saracens professional. A benefactor was required in order to improve the ground and playing staff. Alas Saracens' seesaw existence over the nineties was about to continue in 1995–96 when they again found themselves at the wrong end of the table along with West Hartlepool but they were saved by their new CEO Mike Smith, who persuaded the RFU that there should be no relegation for the first season of professional rugby.

The professional era
In November 1995 Saracens gained the financial backing of Nigel Wray and this enabled the club to recruit the likes of Michael Lynagh, Philippe Sella, Francois Pienaar and Kyran Bracken.[8] Saracens moved again to Enfield F.C.'s ground, Southbury Road,[9] and they started the new season with a victory over title favourites Leicester but only finished seventh just missing out on Heineken Cup qualification.
The 1997–98 season, was a landmark year. They began a ground share with Watford FC and their 22,000 all seater Vicarage Road Stadium. The agreement ran until February 2013, when Saracens relocated to Barnet Copthall.

The appointment of a Marketing Director saw Saracens splashed all over the broadsheets, tabloids, magazines and TV and with the help of a small band of be-fezzed followers that had been following the club for a number of years, "the year of the Fez"[clarification needed] began.

Close season signings like Danny Grewcock, Roberto Grau, Gavin Johnson and Ryan Constable joined forces with the home grown talent of Tony Diprose, Richard Hill and Steve Ravenscroft to form a side that would prove a significant force during the season losing only three games during the season to finish second in the Premiership, missing out narrowly to Newcastle, another club that had embraced the changes that the professional game had brought. Newcastle haven't repeated this success since.

Consolation for missing out on the league title came in the then principal domestic cup competition, the Tetley Bitter Cup. Saracens beat Wasps 48–18 in the cup final at Twickenham, in doing so equalling Bath's cup-final record score of 48 points. Their run had included a 59-point win over Blackheath, a 14–13 victory over Leicester, a quarter final 36–30 win over Richmond, followed by a victory over Northampton. It was the first major silverware that Saracens had won in their 122-year history. The game was also notable for being the last competitive game for two legends of the sport, Lynagh and Sella; some years later these same two players became the inaugural members of Saracen's Hall of Fame.[10]

After a solid start to 1998–99 season, Saracens were rocked in December when they lost to third from bottom London Scottish in a shock defeat at home, but a win against Bedford and West Hartlepool and a draw with Wasps still saw them in touch with leaders Leicester. The second half of the season was a roller coaster ride with Saracens going from eighth and out of European contention after a run of four loses, to eventually finishing third as London's top club.

The 1999–00 season saw more big name players move to Vicarage Road with Mark Mapletoft, Thierry Lacroix, Scott Murray and Dan Luger joining the club along with Darragh O'Mahony and the up-and-coming Julian White. With the squad ravaged by World Cup duty and then injury the club's first attempt at the Heineken Cup was not a happy one. They lost three games by a couple of points in the last seconds of the game and didn't make the quarter finals.

With a few games left they were looking at a possible failure to qualify for Europe again, but Kyran Bracken returned from a ten-month injury to inspire Saracens into fourth place and Heineken Cup qualification.

2000–2006
2000–01 saw another difficult start to the season. By October Saracens had effectively crashed out of the Heineken Cup with back to back defeats to Cardiff and with the team shorn of internationals due to the Autumn Tests the final blow was dealt when Thomas Castaignède suffered an Achilles tendon injury.

The results went downhill fast and a fifth-place finish saw the club miss out on a Heineken Cup place.

The 2001–02 season brought many changes, with established players such as Luger, Grewcock, White, Wallace and, much to the consternation of his loyal fan club, Tony Diprose, all leaving the club. Further weakened with the news that Castaignède was likely to miss the whole of the coming season, Francois Pienaar, now in full control of coaching operations opted to make use of a crop of younger players coming through the club system.

After a reasonable start to the season Saracens found themselves in their by then accustomed top half of the table position but then the curse of the Autumn Internationals once again took its toll, and Saracens' performances weakened drastically. Entering the New Year Saracens were again flirting with relegation danger, and soon exited all cup competitions. With morale sinking Pienaar stepped down from his various roles with the club after a five-year stay.

Lacking a coach the senior players took charge, the morale problem seemed to have passed, but results remained sketchy and the Saracens ended up in a lowly 10th place.

All Black legend Wayne Shelford took over the coaching reins for the 2002–03 season, while the playing squad saw the arrival of the likes of Andy Goode, Christian Califano, Craig Quinnell amongst several signings of established players. In a repetition of the pattern of some of the preceding seasons, Saracens once again got off to a flying start, beating Bath and Bristol.

Once again though, sound defeats, this season administered by London rivals, Wasps and Irish, seemed to shatter the team's confidence, to such an extent that once again by early in the new year Saracens were once again uncomfortably close to the relegation zone, the only real success coming in an impressive run in the Parker Pen Cup.

The club once again rallied towards the tail end of the season, with victories over Bristol, and then high flying Sale securing a 5th place in the table that seemed unlikely at the turn of the year, and a place in the play off system for the remaining European Cup place. A comfortable win over fourth placed Leeds in the play off semi-final brought an astonishingly tight final against Leicester.

With temperatures soaring at Franklin's Gardens, 80 minutes was not enough to separate the teams, with a late rally by Saracens tying the scores at 20–20. Ultimately, a Neil Back try was to see Leicester through, but at least it appeared that Saracen's had rediscovered their fighting spirit.

The late rally was not enough to save Shelford, and he and most of the rest of the coaching staff paid the price for the weak season, being replaced by the experienced Australia and Leicester player, Rod Kafer, at that time a relative newcomer to a coaching roll, for the 2003–04 season. Key signings included Fijian Simon Raiwalui, former French captain Raphaël Ibañez, Springbok Cobus Visagie and All Black Taine Randell.

The club's finances were also diversified with Nigel Wray divesting himself of nearly 50% of his shares to spread the financial cost and risk of supporting Saracens. This led to the addition of five new members being appointed to the Saracens board.[11]

The change of faces did little to change the pattern of consistent inconsistency of previous seasons. Once again, the early rounds saw a false dawn as Saracens found themselves in the top three, and again the club coped badly with the international call-ups for the 2003 World Cup, once again finding themselves near the foot of the table. Only the long gap to bottom place Rotherham avoided any serious relegation danger. The victorious return of Richard Hill and Kyran Bracken from World Cup duty brought somewhat more upbeat performances for the second half of the season, but it still took a rare away victory at London Irish to claim the same 10th place of two seasons before.[12]

2004–05 saw a bold strengthening of the squad, for once eschewing their cosmopolitan recruitment policy and securing mainly English based players, possibly with one eye on the effect that international call-ups had had in previous seasons. In came Kevin Yates, Iain Fullarton, Alex Sanderson, Dan Scarbrough and Hugh Vyvyan, while Matt Cairns returned to the club and Steve Diamond arrived at the club as forwards coach. Another signing who was to become a prominent part of the Saracens line up was fly half Glen Jackson from New Zealand.

The season got off to the best off all possible starts with Saracens scoring a victory over reigning champions Wasps at the first ever London 'Double Header' at Twickenham. Once again, Saracen's winter malaise struck, and after inconsistent performances, Diamond took over the coaching duties from Kafer. The New Year brought a string of convincing performances, and a long unbeaten run saw the club finish the season in the top half of the table, in fifth place.

Once again in the wild card system for a European Cup place, Worcester were comfortably beaten, setting up the chance to end the season where it had begun, back at Twickenham. A late try secured victory over Gloucester and a place in the next season's Heineken Cup was ensured.

There was further shuffling of the coaching pack in 2005–06 with Diamond becoming Director of Rugby and defensive coach Mike Ford taking over the front line coaching role.[13] In a reversal of the previous season's outcome Saracens lost their opening double-header game against Wasps, but unlike some previous seasons, this did not immediately trigger a run of bad results, and indeed until December Saracens progressed well. The Christmas season saw the start of a calamitous dip in form and going into the final months of the season the prospect of ending up in another relegation scrap seemed very real.

Diamond parted company with the club, with Ford taking over full control of the team, assisted by future England coach Eddie Jones in a consulting role. Results improved, and an away win at Sale who were to be champions that season even brought the prospect of another Heineken cup place.[14]

A few disappointing results at the end of the season took some of the shine off the improved run of form, with Saracens ending the season in 10th place. The season's end also brought to a close the distinguished playing career of Kyran Bracken.

2006–07
With Mike Ford being offered a role in the England set-up, former Leinster, Munster and Australia coach Alan Gaffney was appointed coach for the 2006 campaign.[15] Amongst the new signings was South African, Neil de Kock, a player who was influential in the club's best season since 2000. Once again, Saracens were narrowly defeated by Wasps in the London double-header.

This was to be followed by what turned out to be a good away draw at Bristol in the context of the excellent season that Bristol would go on to have, before a bonus point win was secured against the Newcastle Falcons. A morale-boosting run of results followed, losing only three times between October and the following March. No individual result could quite produce the reaction that the return of England's Richard Hill to top flight action, with supporters of both clubs giving Hill a huge ovation on his return to the pitch after 18 months of knee reconstruction, capping off his comeback with a try.

This period also saw the long-awaited arrival of former Great Britain Rugby League captain, Andy Farrell, initially at flanker, but later at centre, the position at which he went on to take his England debut.

With the prospect of a place in the Premiership play-offs becoming ever more real, Saracens were also progressing well in the European Challenge Cup. They qualified for the knockout stages as second seeds, with only an away draw at Glasgow spoiling their group stage progression. A further win at the quarter-final stage against Glasgow saw Saracens host Bath for the semi-final, only to lose to ultimate runners up of the competition.

Results in the Premiership went Saracens' way, leaving them with the possibility of ending up anywhere from second to fifth as the final round of matches approached. After a day of games almost all of which had significant consequences in terms of positions at the top, and at the foot of the table, Saracens found themselves in the Premiership playoffs for the first time, squeezing Wasps into a rare 5th-place position, out of playoff contention.[16]

The campaign was to end with a heavy defeat away at Gloucester, however, overall the season represented a significant advance on those of recent years. After the end of the season there was to be personal success for Glen Jackson, whose league topping 400 points for the season and consistent high-level performances almost every week saw him awarded the PRA Player of the Year Award by his fellow professionals. On a sadder note the mercurial Thomas Castaignède, one of the most enduringly popular players at the club decided to bring his club rugby career to an end after providing many years of entertaining rugby at its best both for Saracens and France.[17]

2007–08
Preparation for the 2007–08 seasons saw somewhat less activity in comings and goings from the squad, reflecting the relatively solid 2006–07 season. Among signings to date, specialist cover for Glen Jackson came in the form of Scotland fly half Gordon Ross, while South African utility back Brent Russell was highly regarded by many Springbok fans.

The most spectacular signing though was that of All Black second row Chris Jack, widely regarded as the world's best in his position, who joined Saracens after the 2007 World Cup. In addition to his all-round game, Saracens hoped that Jack would bring some solidity to a Saracens' line-out which was one of the areas where they were consistently pressured in the previous season. The estimated value of Jack's contract raised eyebrows with a three-year contract at a total value of £750,000.[18]

The loss of Glen Jackson and Brent Russell for the opening of the season due to pre-season injuries represented a significant blow to the club, but nonetheless the season began well with a return to winning ways against Wasps in the opening day London double-header. Defeat at the first home game by early pace setters Gloucester brought the team down to earth, before a solid away win at struggling Leeds, revenge for the previous season's home and away defeats away at Worcester, and a win back at Vicarage Road over Leicester. Defensive frailties saw Saracens go into the Autumn Premiership break for cup matches third in the table, but also with the third worst defensive record, after a defeat away at Sale.

The first round of cup competition saw Saracens win comfortably away at Leeds in the EDF Energy Cup, despite conceding four tries. Another bonus point win over Bristol back at Vicarage Road positioned Saracens well with maximum points ahead of a difficult away trip to Llanelli. Turning to Europe, Saracens' return to Heineken Cup action also saw the return of Glasgow Warriors to Vicarge Road. As in the two European Challenge Cup home games against the same team in the previous season, Saracens ran out bonus point winners, albeit not without defensive frailties causing anxious moments going into the final minutes of the game. The following weekend Saracens lost out by a single point against Biarritz Olympique being denied by a penalty scored from the half-way line in the dying moments of the match.

The brief return to Guinness Premiership action at the end of November saw Saracens come out top in a tight battle at home against London Irish, with the lead changing hands several times. Cup action in the form of the final round of EDF Energy Cup pool stage games, where Saracens failed once again to win away in Wales, but taking a losing bonus point and a try bonus too was enough to see them qualify for the semi-final stage for the first time in their Anglo-Welsh cup history, ahead of their opponents Llanelli Scarlets. Further progress was then made in the Heineken Cup in an impressive ten try to one defeat of Viadana at home in a game which saw the first team debuts for Chris Jack and Brent Russell. Viadana almost took their revenge in the return fixture the following week, where Saracens conceded a 26–3 half time lead to the Italians, before showing composure in the second half to score 31 unanswered points and take the win that would see them enter the New Year at the head of their Heineken Cup pool.

The return to premiership action over Christmas and the New Year began well for Saracens with a win away at London rivals Harlequins, however once again defensive weakness and coming out of the blocks slowly saw Saracens take only a losing bonus point from their final fixture of 2007 in the Premiership, though it was enough to see them go into the New Year in third place in the domestic league.

The buildup to the first game of 2008 was dominated by talk away from the field of play, with the news that former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones was to succeed Alan Gaffney at the top of the coaching subject with Gaffney adopting the same consulting role Jones had been providing, whilst rumours of substantial cash investment from South African rugby interests abounded. When the focus returned to on-field matters Saracens suffered a second successive defeat in the Premiership, this time away at Bristol, failing even to take a losing bonus point for the first time in any competition in the season and raising fears of the all too familiar Saracens' winter slump.

2009–10
The arrival of Brendan Venter to the head coach role sparked major controversy. Shortly after arrival he triggered the culling of 18 players within 48 hours, known among fans as "the night of the long knives", this would then be followed up by the arrival of a number of South Africans to the squad. This caused the club to be strongly criticised as they were seen to be swaying away from being an English club. Some even began calling the club "Saffracens", due to their strong South African links (Saffa being slang for South African).[19]

This didn't stop Saracens going on a 10-match unbeaten run at the start of the domestic season which saw wins over London Irish (at Twickenham in the London Double Header), Northampton (at Wembley), London Wasps and Bath.

On 16 November a Derick Hougaard drop goal saw a one-point win over South Africa at Wembley. Viewed by some as a notable example of the South Africa excessive presence (Saracens fielded 9 South Africans), Saracens managed to overturn a 6–18 half time deficit to win 24–23.[20] Generating greater publicity than the actual game was Stuart Tinner managing to win £250,000 by kicking a ball to directly hit the crossbar of the posts. A question of his punting (kicking a falling ball) rather than kicking a drop goal was resolved in his favour leaving this unheard of success to be shown around the world.[21]

27 December saw Saracens lose away to London Irish, which was their first defeat of the domestic league competition, having had one draw and two losses in all competitions before this date. What followed was five defeats in the next six games; Leicester, Wasps, Bath and Leeds Carnegie all defeated Saracens, accompanied with being knocked out of the Amlin Challenge Cup despite losing only one match.

The post-Christmas slump in form for Saracens looked all too familiar. Yet a change in playing style and having found a new sense of attacking rugby, Sarries stopped the rot with a 58–15 drubbing of struggling Newcastle. From then on, they went on to win four out the five matches played, including impressive wins away to Sale, Northampton and table-topping Leicester Tigers.

This drastic change in form secured Saracens' Guinness Premiership Semi-Final spot in a respectable 3rd place and now faced Northampton Saints, the fifth time this season, away at Franklin's Gardens looking to end a streak of six semi-final losses in all competitions in the last three-years. Saracens defeated Northampton 21–19 in an all-mighty clash, with Glen Jackson ensuring that Sarries reached their first final since 1998 with a late kick, converting Schalk Brits's driving-maul try.

The 2010 Guinness Premiership Final at Twickenham, pitted Saracens against the eight-time and reigning English Champions, Leicester Tigers. In a pulsating game of rugby, Leicester sneaked Saracens to a 33–27 win with a late try to Dan Hipkiss providing the difference after Saracens flyhalf Glen Jackson had kicked what looked to be the winning penalty with only a few minutes left. Heartbreak for Sarries and their fans, but it just wasn't to be a fairy-tale ending for a remarkable season.[22]

The final also marked the last match for a number of players including Fabio Ongaro, Matías Agüero, former All Black Justin Marshall and loyal fly-half Glen Jackson.[22]

2010–11: Premiership champions
Saracens opened the 2010–11 season with a loss to London Irish in the opener of the London Double Header at Twickenham, Following the loss, their form improved as they ran off four wins in succession before a shock loss to Premiership newcomers Exeter Chiefs. They crashed out of the Heineken Cup in the pool stage, finishing bottom of a tough pool that featured Leinster, the ultimate Heineken Cup winners, and Clermont and Racing Métro, both of which made the French semi-finals. Saracens' domestic form, however, proved much stronger; they secured a home semi-final with one league match left, defeating Harlequins on the final day to complete a run of ten straight victories, including away at Northampton, Wasps, Exeter and Leicester Tigers. In the regular season Saracens won more games than any other side −18 in total – only missing out on top spot in the league because of the bonus point system. Gloucester awaited the Men in Black in the Semi-Final at Vicarage Road. A nervy finish and a late penalty from young flyhalf Owen Farrell gave Sarries the 12–10 win they wanted to reach their second successive Premiership Final.[23]

In the Final, they again faced Leicester Tigers in a dramatic encounter.[24] Saracens dominated the first half, leading 16–9 at half-time thanks to a James Short try, and showed a strong defensive performance to keep out waves of Leicester attack. This culminated in a nine-minute period of extra time during which they defended over 30 phases of Leicester assault through the forwards while leading 22–18, finally being awarded a penalty to crown them English champions for the first time and get revenge against Leicester for the previous year's final. Schalk Brits, who set up James Short's try, was awarded Man of the Match
Saracens also had one major off-field development during the season. Their landlord Watford FC activated a break clause in their groundshare deal, which at the time meant that Saracens needed a new home for the 2011–12 season.[26] After looking at several venues in the area, Saracens announced on 10 November 2010 that it was in serious discussions with Barnet Borough Council about a move to the athletics stadium at the Barnet Copthall complex. Under the plan, Saracens would redevelop the stadium into a modern facility with 3,000 permanent seats and demountable stands to allow a rugby capacity of 10,000, and include the first artificial pitch in English rugby union.[27]

Because of delays in the Barnet Copthall project, Saracens eventually reached an agreement with Watford to extend the groundshare at Vicarage Road for the 2011–12 season; the agreement covered at least 10 home matches that season.[28]

2014–15: Premiership champions
Saracens started the 2014–15 with high-scoring victories against London rivals Wasps and Harlequins, and went on to finish the regular season in fourth place, qualifying for the play-offs. After beating first-placed Northampton 29–24 in the semi-final,[29] Saracens met Bath in the final. Saracens scored three unanswered tries in the first half, and went on to win the game 28–16, becoming the first team to become Premiership champions from a fourth-place finish.[30] They made it a double, with a 23–20 win against Exeter in the final of the Anglo-Welsh Cup, a last minute penalty from Ben Spencer claiming Saracen's second Cup win.[31]

In the first iteration of the European Rugby Champions Cup Saracens made it to the Semi-Finals before losing to ASM Clermont[32] In the boardroom, CEO Edward Griffiths departed and was replaced by Heath Harvey, a former director at Club Wembley.[33]

2019 salary cap infringement
In March 2019, allegations first emerged that Saracens may have broken Premiership Rugby's salary cap, the story was initially printed in the Daily Mail and revealed Saracens chairman Nigel Wray had been investing in companies alongside players such as Richard Wigglesworth, Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola and Maro Itoje. In June, Premiership Rugby announced that they would hold an investigation into Saracens.[34]

In November 2019, they were found to have been in breach of the salary cap regulations due to failure to disclose player payments in the 2016–17, 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons, which would have taken them over the £7 million senior player salary cap.[35] They were handed a 35-point deduction for the 2019–20 Premiership Rugby season and fined £5.3 million.[36][35] The judgement found that Saracens had been reckless in entering into the arrangements with players without disclosing them to Premiership Rugby.[37]

In January 2020, Premiership Rugby announced that Saracens will be relegated to the RFU Championship for the 2020-21 season. [38]

International relationships
Following the Saracens tour of Japan, they have developed a relationship with Fukuoka Sanix Blues. They played Sanix at Global Arena at the start of Buck Shelford's reign as head coach and won comfortably, but they had a harder game on the same tour in Tokyo against Suntory Sungoliath.

In 2008–09, 50% of the club was bought by a South African consortium. Eddie Jones left mid-season and Brendan Venter was announced as the new Director of Rugby. Many players were 'culled' mid-season, to the outrage of the media. The changes in the club resulted in a dramatic turnaround in the club's fortunes, as they won their first eight games in the 2009–10 season, and finished 2009 on top of the Guinness Premiership. However, following a run of poor performances, they slipped to third finishing the season behind Leicester and Northampton.

Under the current ownership, Saracens have dramatically increased their international reach. They currently have established partner clubs in Georgia, Seattle, Timișoara, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Amman, Moscow, Kenya, São Paulo, and Tonga. According to CEO Edward Griffiths, "We estimate we could have 40 Saracens players participating at the Rio Olympics under various national colours. And we have an advertising campaign running worldwide on CNBC."[39]

2013 international encounters
In the summer of 2013, Saracens played two international matches. They beat the South African Barbarians on 16 May at Artillery Ground.[40] They toured the Atlantic Ocean island Bermuda to promote rugby.[41] They visited a number of schools, ran coaching workshops and engaged in fundraising activities while on tour. To finish, they played a Bermuda International Select XV, which included Simon Taylor, Mike Scholz, Zach Pangelinan, Shaun Perry and Gcobani Bobo who are all Internationally capped. The side was coached by former England international Lewis Moody and captained by former Ireland player Geordan Murphy.[42]

2016 and 2017 matches in the United States
On 12 March 2016, Saracens' away Premiership match against London Irish was held at the Red Bull Arena in the U.S. state of New Jersey. This was the first time a Premiership match had taken place overseas.[43] Saracens won by a score of 26–16.[44]

Saracens returned to the United States when they were hosted by the Newcastle Falcons on 16 September 2017 at the Talen Energy Stadium in Philadelphia. Saracens won by a score of 29–7.

ابن دغيثر

الشيخ ناصر بن علي بن دغيثر ، واحد من رجالات مرحلة البناء والتأسيس في الجزيرة العربية ،التحق بجيش الشريف حسين إبنان الحرب التي قامت بين العثمانيين و الشريف ، ويذكر التاريخ أنه عمل بتجارة الجمال والسلاح بعد بطولات مشهورةعلى أرض المعارك التي دارت رحاها بين العرب والفرنسيين في العشرينات من القرن الماضي ، حيث معركة ميسلون الشهيرةالتي قادها وزير الحربية العربي يوسف العظمة ضد القوات الفرنسية بقيادةالجنرال هنري قورو ، وما يزال النصب التذكاري هناك في ميلسون يوثق أسماء شهداء المعركة . وفي العهد السعودي حظى " ابن دغيثر" بثقة المؤسس الملك عبدالعزيز - رحمه الله - ،فعينه قابضاً لزكاة الحناكية ، ثم انتقل إلى السويرقية ، ثم آمراً لمالية الجوف، إضافة إلى مهام آخرى كلفه بها المؤسس.
نشأته
ولد " ناصر بن علي بن دغيثر" ، عام 1309 هـ ، حيث شهد معظم مراحل تأسيس ووحدة المملكة، كان والده قد توفي وهو في صغير السن وارتحل ناصر بن دغيثر الى الحجاز لأداء مناسك الحج وهو ابن 14 ربيعاً ، وكان حينها يرعى الإبل ويسعد الحجاج مقابل مبلغ زهيد 10 ريالات ، وبعد نحو عام من أدائه لمناسك الحج بدأ التنقل في أرض الحجاز ، حيث سافر إلى المدينة المنورة ، وعمل هناك صبيا لمدة سنتين عند " ابن جوعان " وهو من رجال الكويت المقيمين في المدينة ، ومن ثم عمل في محل بيع القماش لدى أحد أهالي القصيم في المدينة المنورة مدة عام وحصل فيها على أجر 20 ريالاً ، ثم انتقل في أعمال عديدة قبل التحاقه بالجيش العثماني الذي يواجه آنذاك تهديدات الحلفاء قبل قيام الحرب العالمية الأولى .
جيش الشريف حسين
إبان ظهور القطار في العهد العثماني عام 1327 هـ الذي كان ينطلق من تركيا مروراً بالمدن السورية الى عمان، ثم معان حتى المدينة المنورة محطته الأخيرة ، وخلال هذه الفترة التحق ابن دغيثر بالجيش النظامي الي يتولى شؤونه في ذالك الوقت عبدالله بن فيصل وهو من رجال الشريف حسين ، وعمل محافظاً ( حارساً) على الخط الحديدي ومعه300 هجان موزعين عليه ، وكان عليهم " عبد الله بن دخيل " شيخاً ، ثم حج ومن معه من المحمل الشامي والمحمل المصري للمحافظة على الحجاج والخط الحديدي وغيره من ممتلكات الدولة . وبعد أن ترك ابن دغيثر الخدمة عند العثمانيين اشتغل لنفسه بالتجارة وكان يبيع الجمال و السلاح ، حيث كان يجلب السلاح اليوناني والإيطالي بالسفن عن طريق البحر ، ومن ثم يسير بها عن طريق البر حتى يصل إلى ميناء رابغ ، فيسلمها عميلاً آخر ، وفي سنه 1331 هـ حيث بوادر الانشقاق بين الشريف حسين - رحمه الله - والدولة العثمانية، وحينما أمره الشريف بتجنيد أفراد الهجانه من مكة والطائف قام بتجنيدهم بقيادته وإشرافه ، وتوالت أحداث الحرب بين العثمانيين والشريف رغم تحفظ كثير من القبائل على هذا الانشقاق ، إلا أن العرب انساقوا خلف دعوة الوحدة العربية ودخلوا في مواجهة مباشرة مع الدولة العثمانية ، وعطل حينها ابن دغيثر سكة الحديد .

قائد النجديين في معركة ميسلون
كان لـ " ابن دغيثر " دور بارز في المعارك العربية في زمن الحرب العالمية الثانية ، تلك المعارك التى دارت رحاها في سوريا بين العرب والفرنسيين في العشرينات من القرن الماضي ، فقد أبلى بلاء حسناً في معركة ميسلون تلك المعركة التي كتب عنها الكثير من المؤرخين وشاركت فيها قوة عسكرية من نجد بقيادة " ابن دغيثر " في ديرة أبو شامة من قبيلة " بلي" ومعه الشيخ عودة أبو تايه ، والتقى هناك بـ " لورنس " ، وهو وكيل إنجلترا عند " الشريف فيصل " الذي ذكر في كتابه ( أعمدة الحكمة السبعة ) أن "ابن دغيثر " كان قائد العقيلات في معركة ميسلون ، و " ناصر الشريف " قائد الجيش ونائباً عن " الشريف " ، والشيخ عودة أبو تايه قائد قبيلة الحويطات . وعند وصول " ابن دغيثر" ومن معه من الجيش إلى سوريا وإستيلائه على مدينة حمص ثم حماة فحلب ، أمره " فيصل الشريف " بأن يتوجه إلى دير الزور ومعه مايزيدعلى 70 هجاناً على سبعين ذلولاً وأربعة خيول ، واستلموها من دون قتال من الدولة العثمانية ، وبقوا فيها قرابة شهرين ، ثم رجعوا الى دمشق وبقوا فيها شهرا بعدها سمح الشريف للعقيلات بأن يذهب كل منهم إلى أهله .
وبعد نهاية الحرب العالمية ، وتنصيب الملك فيصل ابن الحسين ملكاً على سوريا كلفه بعدها الشريف عام 1339 هـ بأن يجند جيشاً من الهجانة للمشاركة في معركة ميسلون التي يقودها وزير الحربية العربي يوسف العظمة ، وفعلا اختار 500 هجان من أهل نجد ، وكانت أسلحتهم محدودة وذخيرتهم محدودة .

قابض للزكاة
بعد أن انتهى " ابن دغيثر " من قيادة النجديين في معركة ميسلون عام 1920م عاد إلى القصيم وجلس فيها فترة ثم سافر إلى المدينة المنورة وأخذ يعمل جمالاً يمارس التجارة كغيره من رجال العقيلات ، حيث كان يشتري هو ومن معه الإبل و الماشية من المدينة المنورة وما حولها ويجلبونها إلى الشام و مصر والأردن ويبيعونها ، ثم يشترون بثمنها بضاعة ويعودون لبيعها في أرض الجزيرة . وبعد عودة " ابن دغيثر " إلى المدينة عام 1347هـ من تجارته مع العقيلات ، بلغه وزير المالية أمر الملك عبدالعزيز بتعيينه قابضاً لزكاة الحناكية التابعة لإمارة المدينة المنورة ، ومكث في الحناكية فترة ، ثم انتقل بأمر الملك عبدالعزيز إلى السويرقية وهي تابعة كذلك لمنطقة المدينة المنورة عاملاً على زكاتها ، وفي نهاية عام 1352 هـ انتقل إلى الجوف ليعمل آمراً لماليتها .

وفاته
تقدم العمر بـ " ابن دغيثر " فترك تجارة الماشية وتفرغ لحياته الخاصة وكان له مجلس مع وجهاء بلدته ، و حين قارب المائة من عمره تضاعفت أوجاعه ، واضطر أبناؤه حينذاك إلى نقله لمستشفى القوات المسلحة بالرياض ، الى الخامس عشر من شهر ربيع الثاني عام 1407 هـ ، أعلن الأطباء وفاته عن عمر يناهز الثامنة و التسعين عاماً .


زياد علي

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