Rogue trader Leeson to greet Town

By Derek Davis

IF Jim Magilton is considering taking a few risks with his budget for the forthcoming season he may look to pick the brains of Galway United's general manger when they visit Terrylands Park tonight.

The man masterminding the Irish Division One club's off-field activities is a certain Nick Leeson, the rogue trader who brought down Barings Bank.

Leeson has held the post since being promoted from commercial manager in 1995 and has proved a competent and popular boss.

After serving four years of the six-and-a-half year sentence in a Singapore jail, Leeson moved to the west coast of Ireland to recover from the ordeal, compounded by colon cancer, where he married his second wife and now has three children.

As well as enjoying a football life, Leeson is a regular on the speaking circuit and his second book, Back From the Brink: Coping With Stress, hit the bookshops last month.

His first book, Rogue Trader, was a best-seller and turned into a blockbuster Hollywood movie.

Leeson will be on hand to greet the Blues contingent, minus David Sheepshanks who is attending Football League and FA Council business.

On the football front Tony Cousins, the Tribesman's manager and old friend of Town boss Jim Magilton, will run the rule over his squad this morning to see who has come through unscathed after his side played Cohn Ramblers in a league match last night.

The Irish will be hoping top scorer Barry Moran, who had hit five in 11 appearances before last night, will be available.

Not only do Town have links with the Tribesman through their managers' friendship but Galway United's chairman, John Fallon, is a massive Blues fan.

Alan Lee will not be able to play against his home-town club as he continues to recover from a lower-stomach operation

Owen Garvan is included in the squad after being rested for the 1-1 draw at Boston United.