Review of the year 2004 - January

January 4 Phil Taylor won his 11th professional world darts title.

January 6 Leeds striker Alan Smith was banned for two matches for throwing a plastic bottle into the Elland Road crowd against Manchester United in October.

January 6 Australia captain Steve Waugh bowed out of Test cricket after 168 matches by securing a draw against India with a typical innings of 80.

January 8 Greg Rusedski revealed he has tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone but vowed to prove his innocence.

January 9 Gordon Strachan announced he would not renew his contract at Southampton when it expired at the end of the season.

January 11 Andy Fordham won the Lakeside darts World Championship title by beating Mervyn King 6-3 in the final.

January 12 Bolton manager Sam Allardyce was "outraged" by the appointment of "unqualified" Trevor Brooking as FA director of football development.

January 13 Manchester City and former England goalkeeper David Seaman announced his retirement after his club revealed they had agreed a fee with West Ham for David James.

January 15 Scott Parker was dropped from Charlton's trip to Everton because manager Alan Curbishley claimed he was unsettled by Chelsea's bid to sign him.

January 16 Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand announced he would challenge his eight-month ban for a missed drugs test, but confirmed his ban would start on January 20.

January 17 England's World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson announced his retirement from international rugby.

January 21 Darren Gough announced he was to leave Yorkshire after 15 years due to family reasons.

January 23 Louis Saha completed his £12.8million move from Fulham to Manchester United.

January 27 Sevilla winger Jose Reyes signed for Arsenal in a deal believed to be worth around £21million.

January 28 Sir Alex Ferguson signed a one-year rolling contract with Manchester United to commence July 2005.

January 29 Charlton accepted a third bid from Chelsea for midfielder Scott Parker allowing the midfielder to discuss terms. Aston Villa signed Nolberto Solano from Newcastle in a £1.5million deal.

January 30 Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson branded accusations that he had abused his position at the club "incomprehensible".

January 31 Leicester goalkeeper Ian Walker pushed an irate fan to the floor after the man invaded the pitch to confront him during the 5-0 home defeat to Aston Villa.

January 31 Justine Henin-Hardenne beat Kim Clijsters to win the Australian Open, tennis' first Grand Slam tournament of the year.