Bond - 'I'll clear my name'

Kevin Bond on Tuesday vowed to clear his name after accusing Newcastle of sacking him without carrying out a full investigation into bungs allegations.

Glenn Roeder's number two had his contract terminated as the fall-out from last week's Panorama probe into corruption in football continued to have repercussions. However, Bond revealed that his lawyers are ready to go to court to demand full transcripts from the BBC to prove his innocence.

In a statement released through his solicitors, he explained: "I intend to pursue all legal avenues to vindicate my reputation and restore my career and livelihood."

He added: "I am extremely disappointed that Newcastle have chosen to terminate my contract without carrying out any proper investigation into the allegations made against me in the Panorama programme.

"My lawyers will shortly be going to court to compel the BBC to release full transcripts of the recordings.

"Rather than waiting for this and the outcome of any FA investigation, NUFC have made their decision solely on the basis of a few sentences carefully selected and edited by Panorama."

Bond's comments came after his departure was confirmed in a brief statement to the Stock Exchange by Newcastle.

It read: "Newcastle have terminated Kevin Bond's contract. There is no further comment from the club."

The Magpies' move came as no surprise after days of speculation that Bond would be shown the door. He was left behind and placed on gardening leave when the squad flew out to Estonia for the UEFA Cup clash with Levadia Tallinn earlier this month, and has been absent ever since.

He met chairman Freddy Shepherd, who was quick to intervene when he was informed by Middlesbrough that his club had been talking at a much lower level to 15-year-old Nathan Porritt, on Friday.