A “CRAZY finish to a crazy season” was how ­Roberto Mancini perfectly summed it up as ­Manchester City won the league title for the first time in 44 years with the most dramatic final-day finish in history.
The title looked to be heading to Manchester United as the game moved into injury-time at the Etihad stadium, with Queens Park Rangers 2-1 up and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side winning 1-0 at Sunderland.
Then Edin Dzeko equalised and Sergio Aguero banged in the winner to spark the most amazing scenes.
And if that was not …

Off the Ball never rests in its mission to scratch around the underbelly of professional football to find the most bizarre, humorous and inexplicable stories.
This week, it’s a chance to showcase all the chicken puns in history with Blackburn’s relegation and Paul Hunt’s self-implosion; Swansea turn to Elvis; Paolo Di Canio proves he did not give up a singing career to play football; Cardiff won’t go blue; a moonwalking defender; and Manchester United’s ghastly gingham gets a battering.
Chickens come home to roost
‘Venky’s: Good For You’ is the slogan that ends …

Today’s fluff enjoys a green dress now and again
With the England job gone to Roy Hodgson, Gary Neville running rings round his son on telly and the dread call of the Europa League singing to Spurs, Harry Redknapp’s mind has turned to dark thoughts. Where once he saw an unbeatable champion in goal for Spurs he sees a man being creaking under the frosts of time, and will pack Brad Friedel off to the retirement home and bring in Birmingham City’s Ben Foster.
Another manager facing up to reality is Kenny …

Gennaro Gattuso has hinted he will retire from football if he is not part of AC Milan’s first-team plans next season.
The 34-year-old midfielder is out of contract this summer and is hoping to sit down with vice-president Adriano Galliani to discuss a new deal.
While Gattuso admits Milan could use some fresh blood in their ranks after missing out on this year’s Serie A title to Juventus, the former Italy international will walk away from football if he is not part of head coach Massimiliano Allegri’s plans next season.
“Even when you …

Preparations for New Zealand’s two Olympic football teams are taking shape with confirmation of challenging Asian warm-ups for the Oly Whites and Football Ferns on the Road to London.
The Football Ferns will play two matches against Australia on June 24 and 27 at a yet to be determined venue across the Tasman while the Oly Whites will face fellow Olympic qualifiers Japan in Tokyo on July 11 en route to London.
The confirmation of matches was welcomed by both coaches as an important component of their build-up.
Football Ferns coach Tony Readings …