The two legends?

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), March 10, 2007

Byline: By Gareth Deighan

Speculation is rife that Eric Gates may move on from the Century FM Legends team.

Former Sunderland and England striker Gates has been left out of the Three Legends starting line-up, one of the most popular shows on North East radio.

It is thought to have happened after the BBC allegedly moved in for a triple transfer that was turned down, and that Gates was dropped to the bench after the talks.

The Chronicle has heard he has subsequently been put on "gardening leave" from the show.

It is thought Gates, who was born in Durham City but who started his career at Ipswich when just 15, has been told he must turn up each night for the show, will keep getting paid, but will not be allowed on air.

Toon legend Malcolm "Supermac" Macdonald, who appears alongside Boro's Bernie Slaven, said: "All I know is that Bernie and I are on air and will continue with the show to the best of our ability."

A spokesman for Century FM maintained that Gates was still "very much part of the Legends team". He refused to comment on rumours of a bust-up being to blame.

He said Gates was still in the station's plans and it was looking for extra "guest" speakers to fight the Black Cats' corner on the show.

Century FM says it has already had e-mails from many Legends fans and programme controller Paul Smith provided this response: "The Three Legends is one of the most popular programmes on radio in the North East, and is important both to the station and to the tens of thousands of listeners who enjoy it.

"The decision to continue in the short term with two regular presenters instead of three hasn't been taken lightly; after all, there is no sense whatsoever in deliberately spoiling a show enjoyed by so many.

"We're keen that Sunderland is fairly represented on the show, and to that end we'll be having guest presenters on the show, and Eric Gates may return to the Three Legends from time to time too.

"Ultimately, the show relies ( as it always has done ( on the views and opinions of the fans. Without them the show is nothing. I'd hope you and other fans passionate about football in the North East continue to contribute."

John Myers, chief executive of Century's parent company GMG Radio, said earlier he was aware the BBC was interested in the show's presenters, but a deal was not about to take place.

He said: "They're contracted to us under an exclusive contract until autumn 2008, and after that there is a three-month exclusion clause, which means they wouldn't be allowed to enter into a contract with another broadcaster until late in 2008.

"I know the BBC has been after them for some time and has been talking to them, but they can't really go anywhere."

Ex-Sunderland players John Byrne, Gordon Armstrong and Marco Gabbiadini are early favourites to appear on the show.

A spokesman for the BBC declined to confirm that it is interested in the current Legends.