Bailiffs were called in by Manchester City yesterday to recover £509,000 from Town manager Joe Royle. The former City boss recently lost an appeal against a High Court ruling which had awarded him £422,819 last July.

Official papers were served yesterday and a bailiff was sent to the club, a week after a payment deadline had expired, but the Town manager was at Town's Playford Road Training Centre.

A cheque for £435,000 was later received by City's solicitors, Manchester-based firm Kuit, Steinart and Levy.

The Appeals Court also ruled that Royle should meet a substantial amount of City's costs. Royle has said he plans to take the case to the House of Lords.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls