TEN years ago in sport, Kevin Keegan reportedly launched a heavy law suit against Newcastle United after claiming unfair dismissal following his departure from St James’ Park.

The 57-year old demanded payment in full of the remaining three-and-a-half years of his deal - worth around £9million.

Keegan had left the club in acrimonious circumstances after claiming that his authority over transfer dealings had been undermined.

In the immediate aftermath of his departure, Keegan issued a statement saying: "It's my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want."

Also that week, England manager Fabio Capello praised the importance of teamwork after England beat Belarus 3-1 in the World Cup qualifier.

Goals from Steve Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, who netted twice, meant England got off to their best start in the campaign.

"I'm very happy, it was a very important game for us," said Capello,

"Tonight I saw one team and that was very important for us. It is only one step. It was an important victory but we have to play more games before we get to South Africa."

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton returned to the Shanghai International Circuit for the first time since sliding into a gravel trap the year before, wrecking the 23-year-old’s Formula One world title dreams.

He described his return as "one of my best Fridays of the season" despite receiving heavy criticism of his botched attempt to pass Kimi Raikkonen at the first corner of the Fuji Speedway in the Japanese Grand Prix the previous Sunday.

"I've not read the stuff, but I know people have made comments, " countered Hamilton, who had been accused of an aggressive approach on track.

"It's a shame they all think that way, but my driving is why I'm here and why I'm leading the championship.”

And Mike Ashley’s firm Sports Direct International bought at £3.4m stake in rival sportswear retailer JJB Sports - and as a result the Newcastle United owner made an immediate profit as JJB's share price rocketed.

The deal, announced to help shore up JJB's finances, marked a revival of fortunes for its struggling stock when shares in the company had previously dropped from a high of 175p to a low of 11p.

It left billionaire Mr Ashley's Sports Direct - owner of the Sports World chain and brands including Lonsdale and Slazenger - with an immediate paper profit on the 11.9 million shares bought for 28.5p.

Panmure Gordon analyst Philip Dorgan said: "This fundraising puts JJB on a more secure financial footing, and provides it with flexibility in dealing with its banks and in trading through the worst retail environment for over 30 years."