Swindon skipper Jonathan Douglas is moving to Brentford putting to bed weeks of speculation over his future. Douglas was the midfield dynamo who helped drive the Robins to the play-off final in 2010, but suffered a dip in form and several injuries last term as they dropped into League Two.
It was always my feeling last season that the signing of David Prutton did former Leeds man Douglas no favours, but it looks as though he’s not convinced by the appointment of Paolo di Canio, preferring to take his chances with the Bees.
Former England keeper David James has extended his stay at Ashton Gate. James, 40, has penned a 12 month extension on his contract.
Alberto Comazzi has finally signed for Swindon. Comazzi, 32, is expected to form a central defensive partnership with fellow new boy Joe Devera.
I've set up this blog (Monday-Friday) to give extra coverage to teams I cover for the national press. Any views and opinions are all my own. Best wishes, Jeff. Follow me on Twitter and I'll update you each time I blog. http://twitter.com/JeffTaplin P.S. During the summer break I reserve the right to ramble on about anything and everything!
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Cottaging for young lads
There are reports coming out of Buckinghamshire that Fulham have had a £50k bid for Wycombe's teenage wonderkid Kadeem Harris turned down. Harris, 18, only signed a professional contract with the Chairboys one month ago, but new Cottagers' boss Martin Jol has reportedly shown an interest.
Harris has only made a couple of first team appearances for Wycombe and made his debut aged just 16 and 201 days on Boxing Day 2009. The club have not yet commented on the reports, adding a little substance to the rumours.
Bristol Rovers boss Paul Buckle has recruited Carl Emberson, 37, as a goalkeeping coach. Emberson spent much of his playing career with Colchester and will work with Scott Bevan and fellow new boy Lance Cronin, 25, should the latter sign as expected this week. Cronin was released by Gillingham at the end of last term.
Oxford United's first round tie against Championship outfit Cardiff City will now be played on Wednesday 9th August 2011 at 745pm.
Reports coming out of Swindon seem to indicate that their hopes of signing a Brazilian striker are in trouble. Rumours that the unnamed European based player is Neymar are well wide of the mark though!
Harris has only made a couple of first team appearances for Wycombe and made his debut aged just 16 and 201 days on Boxing Day 2009. The club have not yet commented on the reports, adding a little substance to the rumours.
Bristol Rovers boss Paul Buckle has recruited Carl Emberson, 37, as a goalkeeping coach. Emberson spent much of his playing career with Colchester and will work with Scott Bevan and fellow new boy Lance Cronin, 25, should the latter sign as expected this week. Cronin was released by Gillingham at the end of last term.
Oxford United's first round tie against Championship outfit Cardiff City will now be played on Wednesday 9th August 2011 at 745pm.
Reports coming out of Swindon seem to indicate that their hopes of signing a Brazilian striker are in trouble. Rumours that the unnamed European based player is Neymar are well wide of the mark though!
Monday, 27 June 2011
Mine's a Kilkenny
Keith Millen is resting on his laurels after signing Aussie midfielder Neil Kilkenny, 25, on a three year deal from Leeds and is being linked with a move for Boro' defender Andrew Taylor.
Cardiff have also shown an interest in the former England U21 player while Boro' still haven't given up hopes of keeping him.
James Tunnicliffe is joining Wycombe on a free transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion. Central defender Tunnicliffe had a spell on loan with Bristol Rovers last season and while he didn't necessarily impress everyone initially, when the chips were down he definitely played his part as Rovers fought unsuccessfully against the drop to League Two.
Meanwhile the Gas are hoping to sign goalkeeper Lance Cronin, 25, as back up to another new boy, Scott Bevan who manager brought from former club Torquay.
Winger Jake Thompson, 22, is hoping to return to Cheltenham - where he spent a period on loan last season - following his release by Exeter.
Defender Alberto Comazzi, 32, looks set to sign for Swindon according to the local press. Comazzi came through the youth ranks at AC Milan,although he only appeared for them twice. He spent much of his career at Verona where he played around 200 games. Comazzi's move follows on from Paolo di Canio's capture of striker Raffaele De Vita, 23, from Livinston. The lad spent four years at Blackburn without kicking a ball in anger and now gets the chance for another crack at English football as di Canio uses his Italian connections to lift Swindon's profile :-)
I'm sure that we will see move movement in the transfer market by the Robins, but I suspect that the fans weren't expecting signings such as these.
Cardiff have also shown an interest in the former England U21 player while Boro' still haven't given up hopes of keeping him.
James Tunnicliffe is joining Wycombe on a free transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion. Central defender Tunnicliffe had a spell on loan with Bristol Rovers last season and while he didn't necessarily impress everyone initially, when the chips were down he definitely played his part as Rovers fought unsuccessfully against the drop to League Two.
Meanwhile the Gas are hoping to sign goalkeeper Lance Cronin, 25, as back up to another new boy, Scott Bevan who manager brought from former club Torquay.
Winger Jake Thompson, 22, is hoping to return to Cheltenham - where he spent a period on loan last season - following his release by Exeter.
Defender Alberto Comazzi, 32, looks set to sign for Swindon according to the local press. Comazzi came through the youth ranks at AC Milan,although he only appeared for them twice. He spent much of his career at Verona where he played around 200 games. Comazzi's move follows on from Paolo di Canio's capture of striker Raffaele De Vita, 23, from Livinston. The lad spent four years at Blackburn without kicking a ball in anger and now gets the chance for another crack at English football as di Canio uses his Italian connections to lift Swindon's profile :-)
I'm sure that we will see move movement in the transfer market by the Robins, but I suspect that the fans weren't expecting signings such as these.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Facey fits
Bulls fans' website have confirmed that Delroy Facey has signed for Hereford. The no-nonsense striker is now 31 years old and has played for a host of clubs (see earlier post on this site) including Bolton and West Brom and - in my humble opinion - has more than enough to boost the Bulls' attack this coming season.
See: http://bullsnews.blogspot.com/
See: http://bullsnews.blogspot.com/
Pay back time?
I wonder if David Cameron is having a little chuckle to himself as FIFA slowly tears itself apart?
British Prime Minister Cameron was encouraged to perform like a circus animal for FIFA as he Prince William and others tried to gather enough votes to win the 2018 World Cup Finals bid for England. They were promised votes and then slapped in the face when only two were received. Twenty-two delegates voted (after two had been suspended pending investigations of corruption allegations) and of the two votes won, one was from the English FA itself.
David Beckham, Sir Bobby Charlton and other notable sports personalities were also busting a gut to win the bid, but with due respect to them, you can afford to insult a sports personality and get away with it. Not so with a serving head of government or a future head of state.
I said to friends at the time that I couldn’t imagine Cameron (or any other politician come to that) turning the other cheek and, while I’m not suggesting for a moment that an ‘official’ policy was drawn up by Downing Street to wreak revenge, if I was Cameron I’d certainly have asked someone to explore ways of returning the insult … with interest.
Former FA chairman Lord Triesman was ‘coincidentally’ summoned to a British parliamentary inquiry into the governance of football in England and the country's failure to secure the right to host the 2018 World Cup finals. On May 10th 2011 he made bribery allegations concerning four FIFA members (Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi), claiming that they sought bribes in return for backing England's failed bid. The ball had started rolling.
Mohamed bin Hammam was then forced to pull out of the race to become FIFA President after – on May 26th - allegations were made by US Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer about bribes being offered to the Caribbean Football Union in return for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid. Coincidentally, Blazer probably also felt a little stitched up in the voting process for that bid. Maybe he and Cameron shared a beer and notes at Zurich airport as they commiserated with each other. Warner was also implicated and an FIFA ethics committee investigation was launched.
Blatter has since distanced himself from his two “old friends” and it looks as though they will be hung out to dry by him. I don’t expect them to take too kindly to this.
Given that it would be monumentally stupid to try and hush these gentlemen up with a suitcase full of dollars, there is little Blatter can offer them now in way of appeasement. Their names have been tarnished for good and so they have nothing to lose by dishing the dirt on others … including old Sepp.
Warner in particular does not seem like the sort of character who will take this lying down. Bin Hamman could well be kept quiet under the threat that the World Cup could be withdrawn from Qatar and moved elsewhere. There is certainly enough time for this to happen.
Maybe they should chat to others who have felt let down and embarrassed by FIFA and ask advice on how cold the dish of revenge should be when it is eventually served? My money is on Warner playing the role of waiter and tipping the lot over Blatter’s head.
FIFA is slowly tearing itself apart at the moment and – for me – that is a good thing for world football. Blatter’s cronies might well have felt safe and secure under his patronage when they blasted the English FA’s suggestion to delay the vote for a new President, but these men have no backbone. They will soon turn on Blatter when the sponsors start getting cold feet about their association with FIFA, tear up contracts and stop the money flowing.
I wonder whether – given the fact that his own ethics committee is throwing out accusations of corruption among members – FIFA chairman Sepp Blatter will issue an apology (and maybe even a word of thanks) to the journalists in England, Germany, Switzerland and elsewhere, whose claims he so quickly dismissed in such a derisory way? I suspect not.
Things people regret saying # 145 …
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused the British media of running an “unacceptable” 2018 World Cup bid campaign.
“These countries blame people of corruption, they blame people without any grounds or evidence, it can be seen as putting pressure on FIFA members, and then they put it in their mass media all over the world.”
British Prime Minister Cameron was encouraged to perform like a circus animal for FIFA as he Prince William and others tried to gather enough votes to win the 2018 World Cup Finals bid for England. They were promised votes and then slapped in the face when only two were received. Twenty-two delegates voted (after two had been suspended pending investigations of corruption allegations) and of the two votes won, one was from the English FA itself.
David Beckham, Sir Bobby Charlton and other notable sports personalities were also busting a gut to win the bid, but with due respect to them, you can afford to insult a sports personality and get away with it. Not so with a serving head of government or a future head of state.
I said to friends at the time that I couldn’t imagine Cameron (or any other politician come to that) turning the other cheek and, while I’m not suggesting for a moment that an ‘official’ policy was drawn up by Downing Street to wreak revenge, if I was Cameron I’d certainly have asked someone to explore ways of returning the insult … with interest.
Former FA chairman Lord Triesman was ‘coincidentally’ summoned to a British parliamentary inquiry into the governance of football in England and the country's failure to secure the right to host the 2018 World Cup finals. On May 10th 2011 he made bribery allegations concerning four FIFA members (Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi), claiming that they sought bribes in return for backing England's failed bid. The ball had started rolling.
Mohamed bin Hammam was then forced to pull out of the race to become FIFA President after – on May 26th - allegations were made by US Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer about bribes being offered to the Caribbean Football Union in return for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid. Coincidentally, Blazer probably also felt a little stitched up in the voting process for that bid. Maybe he and Cameron shared a beer and notes at Zurich airport as they commiserated with each other. Warner was also implicated and an FIFA ethics committee investigation was launched.
Blatter has since distanced himself from his two “old friends” and it looks as though they will be hung out to dry by him. I don’t expect them to take too kindly to this.
Given that it would be monumentally stupid to try and hush these gentlemen up with a suitcase full of dollars, there is little Blatter can offer them now in way of appeasement. Their names have been tarnished for good and so they have nothing to lose by dishing the dirt on others … including old Sepp.
Warner in particular does not seem like the sort of character who will take this lying down. Bin Hamman could well be kept quiet under the threat that the World Cup could be withdrawn from Qatar and moved elsewhere. There is certainly enough time for this to happen.
Maybe they should chat to others who have felt let down and embarrassed by FIFA and ask advice on how cold the dish of revenge should be when it is eventually served? My money is on Warner playing the role of waiter and tipping the lot over Blatter’s head.
FIFA is slowly tearing itself apart at the moment and – for me – that is a good thing for world football. Blatter’s cronies might well have felt safe and secure under his patronage when they blasted the English FA’s suggestion to delay the vote for a new President, but these men have no backbone. They will soon turn on Blatter when the sponsors start getting cold feet about their association with FIFA, tear up contracts and stop the money flowing.
I wonder whether – given the fact that his own ethics committee is throwing out accusations of corruption among members – FIFA chairman Sepp Blatter will issue an apology (and maybe even a word of thanks) to the journalists in England, Germany, Switzerland and elsewhere, whose claims he so quickly dismissed in such a derisory way? I suspect not.
Things people regret saying # 145 …
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused the British media of running an “unacceptable” 2018 World Cup bid campaign.
“These countries blame people of corruption, they blame people without any grounds or evidence, it can be seen as putting pressure on FIFA members, and then they put it in their mass media all over the world.”
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Budapest Catch Up
Having flown off to Hungary for a few days, I’ve been catching up on news from the clubs I cover regularly each season.
Bristol City boss Keith Millen has found the time to sign Rotherham striker Ryan Taylor on a three year deal despite apparently having to fight off interest from Leicester in current hot shot Nicky Maynard.
Former Rotherham youth product Taylor, 23, has been Adam Le Fondre’s strike partner for the Millers and netted twelve times in 37 appearances last term.
Another striker, Lukas Jutkiewicz is also being linked to Ashton Gate. The former Swindon Town youth product played for Coventry last season.
With City’s interest in strikers, it would appear that it is only a matter of time before Maynard moves on. A £3m bid from Leicester has been knocked back already, but don’t be surprised to see the Foxes come sniffing around again.
Wycombe have signed Elliot Benyon from Swindon Town. Benyon signed for the Robins last January and scored on his debut, but despite appearing eleven times, couldn’t add to his tally as the Wiltshire club dropped down a division.
Benyon, 23, was born in High Wycombe and watched the Chairboys with his dad before joining Bristol City as a trainee and then moving on to St. Albans, Crawley and Torquay where he scored 39 goals in 75 starts.
Bristol Rovers have signed 22 year old Gambian winger Mustapha Carayol from Lincoln City and left back Lee Brown, 20, from Premier League new boys QPR. I don’t know too much about Brown, but I’ve seen Carayol play a few times think he is an exciting player.
Cheltenham have signed Kaid Mohamed, 26, from league newcomers Wimbledon. Mohamed spent one season at Swindon earlier in his career before drifting into the non league game and it will be interestiung to see how much he has improved.
Another Imp player has moved to Hereford. Experienced striker Delroy Facey will link up with the Bulls next season. Facey, 31, has played for 14 other clubs in a career that has seen him score 71 goals in nearly 300 professional starts. Not prolific by any means, but he knows where the net is and is a perfect foil for current striker Stuart Fleetwood.
Swindon have completed the signing of midfielder Jonathan Smith, 24, from York City while County Ground favourite Jon-Paul McGovern has left to join Carlsile and Hatian defender Lecsinel Jean-Francois has joined Sheffield United.
Bristol City boss Keith Millen has found the time to sign Rotherham striker Ryan Taylor on a three year deal despite apparently having to fight off interest from Leicester in current hot shot Nicky Maynard.
Former Rotherham youth product Taylor, 23, has been Adam Le Fondre’s strike partner for the Millers and netted twelve times in 37 appearances last term.
Another striker, Lukas Jutkiewicz is also being linked to Ashton Gate. The former Swindon Town youth product played for Coventry last season.
With City’s interest in strikers, it would appear that it is only a matter of time before Maynard moves on. A £3m bid from Leicester has been knocked back already, but don’t be surprised to see the Foxes come sniffing around again.
Wycombe have signed Elliot Benyon from Swindon Town. Benyon signed for the Robins last January and scored on his debut, but despite appearing eleven times, couldn’t add to his tally as the Wiltshire club dropped down a division.
Benyon, 23, was born in High Wycombe and watched the Chairboys with his dad before joining Bristol City as a trainee and then moving on to St. Albans, Crawley and Torquay where he scored 39 goals in 75 starts.
Bristol Rovers have signed 22 year old Gambian winger Mustapha Carayol from Lincoln City and left back Lee Brown, 20, from Premier League new boys QPR. I don’t know too much about Brown, but I’ve seen Carayol play a few times think he is an exciting player.
Cheltenham have signed Kaid Mohamed, 26, from league newcomers Wimbledon. Mohamed spent one season at Swindon earlier in his career before drifting into the non league game and it will be interestiung to see how much he has improved.
Another Imp player has moved to Hereford. Experienced striker Delroy Facey will link up with the Bulls next season. Facey, 31, has played for 14 other clubs in a career that has seen him score 71 goals in nearly 300 professional starts. Not prolific by any means, but he knows where the net is and is a perfect foil for current striker Stuart Fleetwood.
Swindon have completed the signing of midfielder Jonathan Smith, 24, from York City while County Ground favourite Jon-Paul McGovern has left to join Carlsile and Hatian defender Lecsinel Jean-Francois has joined Sheffield United.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Hope and glory
Greetings from sunny Budapest! And apologies for the lack of a post yesterday, but I was off enjoying myself!
On Sunday evening I returned to my hotel just as the England U17s were kicking their World Championship campaign in Mexico against Rwanda and so I felt it my duty to support the boys in front of the hotel bar’s television.
Like most people, I rarely get to see lads of that age playing, but I must admit I was impressed with the standard of play from both sides, but in particular the England boys.
England won the game by two goals without reply and the scorers – Hallam Hope and Raheem Sterling – were the pick of the bunch for me along with skipper and central defender Nathaniel Chalobah.
Sierra Leone born Chalobah is a Chelsea reserve and led by example putting his body on the line for the cause in a John Terry-esque manner.
Everton winger Sterling scored a beautiful goal, curling it home from outside of the box on the left. The ball crept just inside the far post and left the keeper with no chance.
Hope looks to be a real prospect as well and plays for the red half of Liverpool. His opener came immediately after Rwanda had seen a long range effort come down off the bar. The ball was pumped up field and Hope used his strength to shrug off a defender before dinking over the keeper who had one to ground.
In a nice touch, Hope then removed his shin pad and pointed it towards the camera to reveal he had written: Happy Fathers Day. It brought a smile to my face, but it was also an indication that this young man is apparently so confident in his own ability, that he prepares his goal scoring celebrations before the game has even kicked off.
If anyone is interested, the next game is against Canada tomorrow night and followed by the final group game against current leaders Ukraine at the weekend.
On Sunday evening I returned to my hotel just as the England U17s were kicking their World Championship campaign in Mexico against Rwanda and so I felt it my duty to support the boys in front of the hotel bar’s television.
Like most people, I rarely get to see lads of that age playing, but I must admit I was impressed with the standard of play from both sides, but in particular the England boys.
England won the game by two goals without reply and the scorers – Hallam Hope and Raheem Sterling – were the pick of the bunch for me along with skipper and central defender Nathaniel Chalobah.
Sierra Leone born Chalobah is a Chelsea reserve and led by example putting his body on the line for the cause in a John Terry-esque manner.
Everton winger Sterling scored a beautiful goal, curling it home from outside of the box on the left. The ball crept just inside the far post and left the keeper with no chance.
Hope looks to be a real prospect as well and plays for the red half of Liverpool. His opener came immediately after Rwanda had seen a long range effort come down off the bar. The ball was pumped up field and Hope used his strength to shrug off a defender before dinking over the keeper who had one to ground.
In a nice touch, Hope then removed his shin pad and pointed it towards the camera to reveal he had written: Happy Fathers Day. It brought a smile to my face, but it was also an indication that this young man is apparently so confident in his own ability, that he prepares his goal scoring celebrations before the game has even kicked off.
If anyone is interested, the next game is against Canada tomorrow night and followed by the final group game against current leaders Ukraine at the weekend.
Friday, 17 June 2011
Gone east
I'm away from my desk for the next few days in beautiful Budapest, but having just landed, checked out the first day fixtures for the teams on my patch.
Bristol City start at home to Ipswich and then have two tough fixtures on the road to local(ish) rivals Cardiff and Sven's Leicester respectively.
Cardiff visit the relegated Hammers before entertaining City and then Gus Poyet's League One champions, Brighton.
Reading start at home against those lovely people from Millwall and then have two away games against Leicester and Pompey.
The newly promoted Chairboys start with a home fixture against relegated Scunny in League one followed by two away trips to Colchester and Orient.
It seems that League Two sadly contains many of the clubs I've written about during the last seventeen years.
Bristol Rovers will visit AFC Wimbledon for their first game in the league proper (although some people might argue that point!) and then entertain new manager Paul Buckle's former club Torquay - where he is sure of a warm reception from the away fans who have probably forgiven him for walking out on them last month. The Gas then entertain Northampton whose manager - former Bristol City boss Gary Johnson - will also be greeted with flowers and chocolates at the Mem.
Cheltenham have a tough first game against Gillingham who will be chasing promotion this year and then welcome Swindon and new chief Paolo di Canio to Whaddon Road before taking on Morecambe at home in their first evening fixture.
Hereford are probably relieved that their first fixture - away at Southend - isn't to be played midweek. They then also play Morecambe and Macclesfield at home - two winnable games?
Oxford's opening three games look tough ones. Rotherham away and then Bradford and Shrewsbury at home.
Finally, Swindon sandwich their trip to Cheltenham with a home game against Crewe and an away game against relegated Daggers. It will be interesting to see how (or if) di Canio matches Still and Gradi for nouse.
I'll try to post daily waffle next week while I'm away, but do bear in mind that a) Hungarian beer is nice and b) you haven't sent me the money for your subscription!!
Good weekend everyone.
Bristol City start at home to Ipswich and then have two tough fixtures on the road to local(ish) rivals Cardiff and Sven's Leicester respectively.
Cardiff visit the relegated Hammers before entertaining City and then Gus Poyet's League One champions, Brighton.
Reading start at home against those lovely people from Millwall and then have two away games against Leicester and Pompey.
The newly promoted Chairboys start with a home fixture against relegated Scunny in League one followed by two away trips to Colchester and Orient.
It seems that League Two sadly contains many of the clubs I've written about during the last seventeen years.
Bristol Rovers will visit AFC Wimbledon for their first game in the league proper (although some people might argue that point!) and then entertain new manager Paul Buckle's former club Torquay - where he is sure of a warm reception from the away fans who have probably forgiven him for walking out on them last month. The Gas then entertain Northampton whose manager - former Bristol City boss Gary Johnson - will also be greeted with flowers and chocolates at the Mem.
Cheltenham have a tough first game against Gillingham who will be chasing promotion this year and then welcome Swindon and new chief Paolo di Canio to Whaddon Road before taking on Morecambe at home in their first evening fixture.
Hereford are probably relieved that their first fixture - away at Southend - isn't to be played midweek. They then also play Morecambe and Macclesfield at home - two winnable games?
Oxford's opening three games look tough ones. Rotherham away and then Bradford and Shrewsbury at home.
Finally, Swindon sandwich their trip to Cheltenham with a home game against Crewe and an away game against relegated Daggers. It will be interesting to see how (or if) di Canio matches Still and Gradi for nouse.
I'll try to post daily waffle next week while I'm away, but do bear in mind that a) Hungarian beer is nice and b) you haven't sent me the money for your subscription!!
Good weekend everyone.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
News from Bristol City and Swindon Town
Bristol City’s winger Albert Adomah has told the local press that he is going to make himself available to play for Ghana.
Londoner Adomah, 22, qualifies through his parents and wile manager Keith Millen has said he is pleased for the lad, it means that he’ll be without Adomah in January if he is selected to play in the African Nations Cup and so the timing may not be ideal if City are pushing for the promotion spots – or battling to get away from the wrong end of the table as they were last January.
Paolo di Canio’s summer clear out at Swindon continues. Striker Vincent Pericard, , and third choice keeper Jakub Jesionkowski , 22, are both on their bikes.
Pericrad had a horrible time of it at the County Ground picking up several injuries and suffered a lot of abuse from a section of his own supporters as Swindon struggled and failed to beat the drop. I couldn’t understand the vitriol being dished out to Pericard and others at that time and I know that it didn’t help the Robins’ cause.
Former Poland U-21 keeper Jesionkowski didn’t really get a look-in at Swindon and spent a chunk of last season on loan to Oxford City.
The Wiltshire outfit have also said goodbye to Chief Scout Ken Ryder and fitness coach Dave Morrison who di Canio is expected to replace with his own men.
Meanwhile Jon-Paul McGovern is being linked with a return to Sheffield United and will team up with former Swindon boss Danny Wilson. Strange one this as I know that Wilson wanted shot of J-P when he arrived at the County Ground. It looks as though the all-action winger did more than enough to impress Wilson – and change his mind – when he topped League One’s Assist charts two seasons ago.
McGovern spent six months on loan with the Blades in 2002/2003 and appeared in 15 games scoring a single goal.
Londoner Adomah, 22, qualifies through his parents and wile manager Keith Millen has said he is pleased for the lad, it means that he’ll be without Adomah in January if he is selected to play in the African Nations Cup and so the timing may not be ideal if City are pushing for the promotion spots – or battling to get away from the wrong end of the table as they were last January.
Paolo di Canio’s summer clear out at Swindon continues. Striker Vincent Pericard, , and third choice keeper Jakub Jesionkowski , 22, are both on their bikes.
Pericrad had a horrible time of it at the County Ground picking up several injuries and suffered a lot of abuse from a section of his own supporters as Swindon struggled and failed to beat the drop. I couldn’t understand the vitriol being dished out to Pericard and others at that time and I know that it didn’t help the Robins’ cause.
Former Poland U-21 keeper Jesionkowski didn’t really get a look-in at Swindon and spent a chunk of last season on loan to Oxford City.
The Wiltshire outfit have also said goodbye to Chief Scout Ken Ryder and fitness coach Dave Morrison who di Canio is expected to replace with his own men.
Meanwhile Jon-Paul McGovern is being linked with a return to Sheffield United and will team up with former Swindon boss Danny Wilson. Strange one this as I know that Wilson wanted shot of J-P when he arrived at the County Ground. It looks as though the all-action winger did more than enough to impress Wilson – and change his mind – when he topped League One’s Assist charts two seasons ago.
McGovern spent six months on loan with the Blades in 2002/2003 and appeared in 15 games scoring a single goal.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Virgo to Rovers?
Bristol Rovers chief Paul Buckle has admitted interest in Yeovil central defender Adam Virgo.
Buckle told the local press the Virgo was “a player I like” as he attempts to strengthen a Rovers defence that couldn’t prevent the club dropping down a division last season.
Virgo, 28, has spent the majority of his career at Brighton where he started over one hundred games in two spells. He was also valued at £1.5 million by Celtic when the Scottish giants took him north in 2006.
Gordon Strachan signed Virgo to fill a position left vacant by Jackie McNamara who moved to Wolves. Unfortunately things didn’t work out too well for the lad because of injuries and the strength of the Celtic squad.
Last season he became a bit of a cult hero down at Yeovil and scored his first goal for the club against … Bristol Rovers.
Buckle told the local press the Virgo was “a player I like” as he attempts to strengthen a Rovers defence that couldn’t prevent the club dropping down a division last season.
Virgo, 28, has spent the majority of his career at Brighton where he started over one hundred games in two spells. He was also valued at £1.5 million by Celtic when the Scottish giants took him north in 2006.
Gordon Strachan signed Virgo to fill a position left vacant by Jackie McNamara who moved to Wolves. Unfortunately things didn’t work out too well for the lad because of injuries and the strength of the Celtic squad.
Last season he became a bit of a cult hero down at Yeovil and scored his first goal for the club against … Bristol Rovers.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
News from Wycombe and Swindon
Wycombe have signed Scott Donnelly, 23, on a season long loan deal from Swansea City.
Midfielder Donnelly scored three goals in nineteen appearances for the Chairboys following a loan deal in January and helped them achieve promotion to League One. Wycombe boss Gary Waddock already knew Donnelly well from their days at Aldershot and made no secret of the fact that he wanted the former England U-17 international back at Adams Park next season.
And Waddock has brought in another Shots old boy in the form of right sided midfielder John Halls, 29.
Former Arsenal trainee Halls has signed a one year contract with Wycombe and joins keeper Nikki Bull, Andy Sandell, Dave Winfield, Ben Harding, Joel Grant and Donnelly as players who Waddock has pinched from his former club.
Halls managed one goal in 25 outings for Aldershot last term, but is seen as more of a creator of goals than a scorer having grabbed only four in nearly 150 professional games.
Meanwhile Jamie Pitman has told Hereford fans he is still looking to bring in new faces and said: "We need one or two more forwards, a left-sider - so in general we`re pretty much nearly there. We want to just make a few more improvements and hopefully the squad will be stronger than it was last year.
"But sometimes it’s better to know a player than not and keep what you have around, because they did okay towards the end of the season. It’s just we maybe need to add four or five more with a bit more quality."
Swindon’s new boss Paolo di Canio made his first signings two signings for the club.
Defender Joe Devera, 24, has arrived from Barnet and midfielder Jonathan Smith, also 24, has been signed from York City. I don’t know too much about Devera (who was voted the Bees’ best player last season), but recall seeing Smith playing for Forest Green Rovers in their Cup run a couple of years ago and wondering why he was playing at such a low level. This could be his chance.
Former Swindon midfielder and Southend manager Martin Ling has taken the over the reins at Torquay following Paul Buckle’s switch to Bristol Rovers.
Midfielder Donnelly scored three goals in nineteen appearances for the Chairboys following a loan deal in January and helped them achieve promotion to League One. Wycombe boss Gary Waddock already knew Donnelly well from their days at Aldershot and made no secret of the fact that he wanted the former England U-17 international back at Adams Park next season.
And Waddock has brought in another Shots old boy in the form of right sided midfielder John Halls, 29.
Former Arsenal trainee Halls has signed a one year contract with Wycombe and joins keeper Nikki Bull, Andy Sandell, Dave Winfield, Ben Harding, Joel Grant and Donnelly as players who Waddock has pinched from his former club.
Halls managed one goal in 25 outings for Aldershot last term, but is seen as more of a creator of goals than a scorer having grabbed only four in nearly 150 professional games.
Meanwhile Jamie Pitman has told Hereford fans he is still looking to bring in new faces and said: "We need one or two more forwards, a left-sider - so in general we`re pretty much nearly there. We want to just make a few more improvements and hopefully the squad will be stronger than it was last year.
"But sometimes it’s better to know a player than not and keep what you have around, because they did okay towards the end of the season. It’s just we maybe need to add four or five more with a bit more quality."
Swindon’s new boss Paolo di Canio made his first signings two signings for the club.
Defender Joe Devera, 24, has arrived from Barnet and midfielder Jonathan Smith, also 24, has been signed from York City. I don’t know too much about Devera (who was voted the Bees’ best player last season), but recall seeing Smith playing for Forest Green Rovers in their Cup run a couple of years ago and wondering why he was playing at such a low level. This could be his chance.
Former Swindon midfielder and Southend manager Martin Ling has taken the over the reins at Torquay following Paul Buckle’s switch to Bristol Rovers.
Monday, 13 June 2011
Bits from the Bristol clubs
Rotherham striker Ryan Taylor is being linked with a move to Ashton Gate. Taylor, 23, scored 12 goals in 37 appearances for the Yorkshire outfit last season and fits manager Keith Millen’s policy of picking up nuggets from the lower leagues and turning them into Championship performers.
It will be interesting to see whether Taylor is been bought to play alongside Nicky Maynard or replace him.
Bristol Rovers have lost the services of central defender Danny Coles who has moved down to Exeter – and moved back up to League One in the process. Coles played a big part in trying to revive Rovers under former player-boss Stuart Campbell towards the end of the last campaign.
It's also going to be interesting to see how (or if) Campbell features in the Rovers team going forward. New manager Paul Buckle has made a few additions already and two of these have been in central midfield - Campbell's domain for thwe last seven years.
It will be interesting to see whether Taylor is been bought to play alongside Nicky Maynard or replace him.
Bristol Rovers have lost the services of central defender Danny Coles who has moved down to Exeter – and moved back up to League One in the process. Coles played a big part in trying to revive Rovers under former player-boss Stuart Campbell towards the end of the last campaign.
It's also going to be interesting to see how (or if) Campbell features in the Rovers team going forward. New manager Paul Buckle has made a few additions already and two of these have been in central midfield - Campbell's domain for thwe last seven years.
Friday, 10 June 2011
News from Bristol City (and Spurs), Wycombe, Hereford, Swindon and Oxford
Former Bristol City loanee Steve Caulker looks to be on his way to Premier League new boyos Swansea – ruling out a hoped for return to Ashton Gate. Spurs central defender Caulker, 19, became a fans’ favourite in the red half of Bristol, but it now looks as though they will have to make do with fond memories and – if I’m right for a change – the right to say at some point in the future: “I once saw him play against Scunthorpe, long before he became an England player.”
I suspect that the Tottenham faithful are looking forward to watching him on Match of the Day and seeing if he can make the step up to the top flight – even if it isn’t at White Hart Lane.
Former Manchester United schoolboy Joe Heath has signed a two year deal with Hereford United. Full back Heath, 22, played 30 games on loan with the Bulls from Exeter last season and has obviously done enough to impress boss Jamie Pitman. Midfielder Rob Purdie, 28, who played 20 times the Edgar Street outfit and scored five goals on loan from Oldham, looks close to signing a permanent deal as well according to the local press.
A rather limited poll on Swindon’s vitalfootball website has 92% of fans dismissing next season’s rivalry with Oxford by ticking the box that reads: They Mean Nothing To Me (8% said: Bring It On).
I know that the officials of both clubs would be delighted if the fans treated the fixture as just another game. As one told me last season: “We will make more money from a game against Morecambe. Because of the history and rivalry, we have to fork out a fortune in policing costs - and so do they for the return fixture.”
Derby games are what football fans generally live for and I don’t think that the poll reflects the attitudes of most Swindon fans, but it’s interesting to note that if anyone causes any trouble next season during either fixture, they are ultimately costing their own club much needed dosh which could be better spent on a new player’s wages.
Aldershot striker Marvin Morgan, 28, is on the move and former Shots boss Gary Waddock is probably in pole position to take him to newly promoted League One outfit Wycombe. Having lost Jon-Paul Pitman to Oxford, the Chairboys will possibly need another hitman and Waddock knows what he’s getting after signing Morgan from non league Woking in 2008. He went on to score 25 goals for the Shots in 79 league appearances, but is out of favour with new manager Dean Holdsworth.
Then again, Swindon are also apparently looking at Morgan who infamously made a name for himself last season by tweeting to disgruntled fans that he hoped they would die after being on the wrong end of their collective wrath. Given some of the abuse the Town players received last season, I hope that he has developed a thicker skin!
I suspect that the Tottenham faithful are looking forward to watching him on Match of the Day and seeing if he can make the step up to the top flight – even if it isn’t at White Hart Lane.
Former Manchester United schoolboy Joe Heath has signed a two year deal with Hereford United. Full back Heath, 22, played 30 games on loan with the Bulls from Exeter last season and has obviously done enough to impress boss Jamie Pitman. Midfielder Rob Purdie, 28, who played 20 times the Edgar Street outfit and scored five goals on loan from Oldham, looks close to signing a permanent deal as well according to the local press.
A rather limited poll on Swindon’s vitalfootball website has 92% of fans dismissing next season’s rivalry with Oxford by ticking the box that reads: They Mean Nothing To Me (8% said: Bring It On).
I know that the officials of both clubs would be delighted if the fans treated the fixture as just another game. As one told me last season: “We will make more money from a game against Morecambe. Because of the history and rivalry, we have to fork out a fortune in policing costs - and so do they for the return fixture.”
Derby games are what football fans generally live for and I don’t think that the poll reflects the attitudes of most Swindon fans, but it’s interesting to note that if anyone causes any trouble next season during either fixture, they are ultimately costing their own club much needed dosh which could be better spent on a new player’s wages.
Aldershot striker Marvin Morgan, 28, is on the move and former Shots boss Gary Waddock is probably in pole position to take him to newly promoted League One outfit Wycombe. Having lost Jon-Paul Pitman to Oxford, the Chairboys will possibly need another hitman and Waddock knows what he’s getting after signing Morgan from non league Woking in 2008. He went on to score 25 goals for the Shots in 79 league appearances, but is out of favour with new manager Dean Holdsworth.
Then again, Swindon are also apparently looking at Morgan who infamously made a name for himself last season by tweeting to disgruntled fans that he hoped they would die after being on the wrong end of their collective wrath. Given some of the abuse the Town players received last season, I hope that he has developed a thicker skin!
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Bits on Bristol City and Rovers, Hereford, Oxford, Swindon ... and Bristol Rugby Club!
Swindon’s highly rated young full back Nathan Thompson, 20, has extended his contract by another year as the club start to re-build for life in League Two, although Michael Timlin, 26, looks set to join former Robins boss Paul Sturrock at Southend. Sturrock signed the midfielder while boss at Swindon and also took him on loan last season for a spell.
Away from the pitch and the dressing rooms, Bristol Rovers have announced that they hope to move to a new stadium from the start of the 2013/14 season.
Rovers current home is the Memorial Stadium which they share with Bristol Rugby Club and is so named – and was built in 1921 - in honour of rugby players of the city who died in the two world wars.
As football fans we can get a little sentimental when a club (not necessarily our own) moves to a new stadium. In Rovers case though, they have only been residents since 1996 and so the ties aren’t as great. However, the rugby club will also be upping sticks and moving to the new site and given the reason for its development in the first place, I hope that the Memorial Gates and the moving monument listing the names of the fallen are both re-located to the new place and given the deference they deserve.
Leaving them in place outside a new supermarket or housing estate that replaces the Mem just wouldn’t seem right.
Meanwhile Hereford boss Jamie Pitman and Oxford chief Chris Wilder are attending a course in Cardiff this week in an effort to obtain their UEFA ‘A’ coaching badges.
Bristol City manager Keith Millen has admitted he has had calls regarding some of his players, but “ … no phone calls about any of those players I want to keep, which is pleasing.” Of those players he wants to keep, striker Nicky Maynard presumably tops the list. Maynard had an injury hit season, but picked up where he left off by hitting the net regularly. He has one year left on his contract and I know from talking to him that he loves the place. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him sign a one year extension, but then get signed up by a Premier club in January if he does the business for City.
Away from the pitch and the dressing rooms, Bristol Rovers have announced that they hope to move to a new stadium from the start of the 2013/14 season.
Rovers current home is the Memorial Stadium which they share with Bristol Rugby Club and is so named – and was built in 1921 - in honour of rugby players of the city who died in the two world wars.
As football fans we can get a little sentimental when a club (not necessarily our own) moves to a new stadium. In Rovers case though, they have only been residents since 1996 and so the ties aren’t as great. However, the rugby club will also be upping sticks and moving to the new site and given the reason for its development in the first place, I hope that the Memorial Gates and the moving monument listing the names of the fallen are both re-located to the new place and given the deference they deserve.
Leaving them in place outside a new supermarket or housing estate that replaces the Mem just wouldn’t seem right.
Meanwhile Hereford boss Jamie Pitman and Oxford chief Chris Wilder are attending a course in Cardiff this week in an effort to obtain their UEFA ‘A’ coaching badges.
Bristol City manager Keith Millen has admitted he has had calls regarding some of his players, but “ … no phone calls about any of those players I want to keep, which is pleasing.” Of those players he wants to keep, striker Nicky Maynard presumably tops the list. Maynard had an injury hit season, but picked up where he left off by hitting the net regularly. He has one year left on his contract and I know from talking to him that he loves the place. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him sign a one year extension, but then get signed up by a Premier club in January if he does the business for City.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Quiet morning, but a little news from Swindon and Wycombe
Swindon have lost defenders Scott Cuthbert and Alan Sheehan to Leyton Orient and Notts County respectively while reports that new boss Paolo di Canio is close to a deal for Chelsea youth striker Milan Lalkovic.
Slovak Lalkovic, 19, is highly thought of at Stamford Bridge and signed a contract last summer that will take him through to the start of the 2012/13 campaign.
While Swindon could certainly do with a prolific hit man in front of goal, they will probably employ the lad in the midfield or on either wing.
Given the porous state of the Swindon defence last season, expect to see di Canio make a move into the market to shore things up in that department pretty soon.
Meanwhile Wycombe central defender Leon Johnson has made his competitive debut for Grenada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but they went down by four goals to Jamaica.
Johnson 30-year-old Blues defender played 90 minutes in the Group B in front of 21,507 fans at the Home Depot Centre – home to LA Galaxy.
Slovak Lalkovic, 19, is highly thought of at Stamford Bridge and signed a contract last summer that will take him through to the start of the 2012/13 campaign.
While Swindon could certainly do with a prolific hit man in front of goal, they will probably employ the lad in the midfield or on either wing.
Given the porous state of the Swindon defence last season, expect to see di Canio make a move into the market to shore things up in that department pretty soon.
Meanwhile Wycombe central defender Leon Johnson has made his competitive debut for Grenada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but they went down by four goals to Jamaica.
Johnson 30-year-old Blues defender played 90 minutes in the Group B in front of 21,507 fans at the Home Depot Centre – home to LA Galaxy.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
News from Bristol City, Wycombe, Swindon and Bristol Rovers
Yannick Bolasie has tied up his switch from Plymouth to Bristol City and has told the local press that fellow winger Albert Adomah sold the club to him. The two became mates at Barnet and have stayed in touch since and Adomah – who received rave reviews for his shifts last season – let Bolasie, 22, know how great life was playing for Keith Millen at Ashton Gate. It was also enough to sway Bolasie despite apparent interest from other clubs. So it appears that Albert (who joined the club last summer) is still having a positive effect on the Robins even though he’s lying on a beach somewhere.
If you find you’re a little strapped at the moment and can’t afford that luxury holiday, you could do worse than take a leaf out of Kevin Betsy’s book.
Wycombe winger Betsy, 33, has signed up to play for the Seychelles and scored two goals in a recent warm up match for this summer’s Indian Ocean Island Games. His dad Lewis played for the Seychelles in the inaugural tournament 32 years ago.
I have a feeling that Kev also qualifies for Canvey Island and could have played in the annual Thames Estuary five-a-side competition, but for some odd reason …
New Bristol Rovers boss Paul Buckle has snapped up keeper Scott Bevan, 31, from former club Torquay just to rub a little salt in the wounds of the south coast club he left last week. He has also signed midfielder Matt Gill, 30, who has just been released by Norwich City.
Buckle’s third signing in a busy first week is another midfielder – Craig Stanley from Morecambe. Stanley, 28, played 19 games for Buckle while on loan with Torquay last season and is seen as a creative player. A replacement for Chris Lines?
Swindon may be about to lose yet another player if reports coming from the local media are to be believed. Striker Elliott Benyon, 19, has been linked with a switch to Leyton Orient despite having only signed a two-an-a-half year deal in January.
If you find you’re a little strapped at the moment and can’t afford that luxury holiday, you could do worse than take a leaf out of Kevin Betsy’s book.
Wycombe winger Betsy, 33, has signed up to play for the Seychelles and scored two goals in a recent warm up match for this summer’s Indian Ocean Island Games. His dad Lewis played for the Seychelles in the inaugural tournament 32 years ago.
I have a feeling that Kev also qualifies for Canvey Island and could have played in the annual Thames Estuary five-a-side competition, but for some odd reason …
New Bristol Rovers boss Paul Buckle has snapped up keeper Scott Bevan, 31, from former club Torquay just to rub a little salt in the wounds of the south coast club he left last week. He has also signed midfielder Matt Gill, 30, who has just been released by Norwich City.
Buckle’s third signing in a busy first week is another midfielder – Craig Stanley from Morecambe. Stanley, 28, played 19 games for Buckle while on loan with Torquay last season and is seen as a creative player. A replacement for Chris Lines?
Swindon may be about to lose yet another player if reports coming from the local media are to be believed. Striker Elliott Benyon, 19, has been linked with a switch to Leyton Orient despite having only signed a two-an-a-half year deal in January.
Monday, 6 June 2011
Two leave di Canio's Swindon
Swindon have lost defenders Scott Cuthbert and Alan Sheehan to Leyton Orient and Notts County respectively while reports that new boss Paolo di Canio is close to a deal for Chelsea youth striker Milan Lalkovic.
Slovak Lalkovic, 19, is highly thought of at Stamford Bridge and signed a contract last summer that will take him through to the start of the 2012/13 campaign.
While Swindon could certainly do with a prolific hit man in front of goal, they will probably employ the lad in the midfield or on either wing.
Given the porous defence last season, expect to see di Canio make a move into the market to shore things up in that department pretty soon.
Slovak Lalkovic, 19, is highly thought of at Stamford Bridge and signed a contract last summer that will take him through to the start of the 2012/13 campaign.
While Swindon could certainly do with a prolific hit man in front of goal, they will probably employ the lad in the midfield or on either wing.
Given the porous defence last season, expect to see di Canio make a move into the market to shore things up in that department pretty soon.
Friday, 3 June 2011
From the Kop to the Cod Army
We’ve now reached the point of the year when hundreds of out of contract players are searching around for clubs to play with next season and it’s tough out there especially in the lower leagues.
Some of these lads will be nearing the end of their careers and looking to extend them a little more before trying to work out what to do next. Others will be journeymen professionals who have a decent amount of ability and tend to bounce from club to club every season or two keeping their families fed and clothed. It’s not as glamorous as you might think being a professional footballer.
But it’s tougher for the kids who are rejected and find themselves kicked out of a club and suddenly realize they need to develop a new career in their teens having been convinced that their futures lie on the football field.
I met one such lad, George Donnelly, after he had scored the winner for Stockport against Oxford earlier this season. As much as the Oxford fans could have throttled him that day, many admitted he was a talent and were gracious enough to praise him. Like most real fans they were prepared to give credit where it was due.
George had been brought up at Liverpool and – as many kids are – had his ego massaged and was pumped up with self-belief … until he was dumped at only 18 years of age. Not a criticism of the Anfield club, it’s just the way of the world throughout the professional game.
He told me how he had ended up “emptying wagons at a warehouse” and spent his spare time lying on the couch rather than kicking a ball having given up hope. Fortunately his dad wasn’t about to give up on him or let him give up on himself. He persuaded George to join local side Skelmersdale where the kid scored 36 goals in 45 games and was then spotted and signed by Plymouth in March 2009.
At the start of the new season, George moved to Luton on loan and made four substitute appearances before a further loan move saw him see out the season and the first six months of the following season at Stockport.
Having scored eight goals in 23 appearances for Stockport, Plymouth then sold George to Blue Square Premier side Fleetwood Town where he has added another four goals in 13 starts.
Now Fleetwood aren’t quite what George had in mind when he was at Anfield, but they are a decent side who pushed unsuccessfully for promotion to League Two this season. I also saw them give Walsall a run for their money where they were unlucky to go out after an FA Cup replay.
George is still only 23 and so who knows how far he can still go if he knuckles down. He’s already showing he’s prepared to graft to re-ignite his career and I know he’s thankful that he has a dad who kicked him off the couch!
Not every young lad released by a professional club will be as lucky this summer, but I sincerely hope to be able to recount similar tales next term.
Some of these lads will be nearing the end of their careers and looking to extend them a little more before trying to work out what to do next. Others will be journeymen professionals who have a decent amount of ability and tend to bounce from club to club every season or two keeping their families fed and clothed. It’s not as glamorous as you might think being a professional footballer.
But it’s tougher for the kids who are rejected and find themselves kicked out of a club and suddenly realize they need to develop a new career in their teens having been convinced that their futures lie on the football field.
I met one such lad, George Donnelly, after he had scored the winner for Stockport against Oxford earlier this season. As much as the Oxford fans could have throttled him that day, many admitted he was a talent and were gracious enough to praise him. Like most real fans they were prepared to give credit where it was due.
George had been brought up at Liverpool and – as many kids are – had his ego massaged and was pumped up with self-belief … until he was dumped at only 18 years of age. Not a criticism of the Anfield club, it’s just the way of the world throughout the professional game.
He told me how he had ended up “emptying wagons at a warehouse” and spent his spare time lying on the couch rather than kicking a ball having given up hope. Fortunately his dad wasn’t about to give up on him or let him give up on himself. He persuaded George to join local side Skelmersdale where the kid scored 36 goals in 45 games and was then spotted and signed by Plymouth in March 2009.
At the start of the new season, George moved to Luton on loan and made four substitute appearances before a further loan move saw him see out the season and the first six months of the following season at Stockport.
Having scored eight goals in 23 appearances for Stockport, Plymouth then sold George to Blue Square Premier side Fleetwood Town where he has added another four goals in 13 starts.
Now Fleetwood aren’t quite what George had in mind when he was at Anfield, but they are a decent side who pushed unsuccessfully for promotion to League Two this season. I also saw them give Walsall a run for their money where they were unlucky to go out after an FA Cup replay.
George is still only 23 and so who knows how far he can still go if he knuckles down. He’s already showing he’s prepared to graft to re-ignite his career and I know he’s thankful that he has a dad who kicked him off the couch!
Not every young lad released by a professional club will be as lucky this summer, but I sincerely hope to be able to recount similar tales next term.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Round ups from Bristol City, Wycombe, Oxford, Swindon and Cheltenham
Bristol City are very close to signing 22-year-old winger Yannick Bolasie from Plymouth Argyle.
Bolasie, who still had a year left to run on his contract with the cash strapped Pilgrims, made 38 appearances this season and hit the net seven times and has completed a medical at Ashton Gate. The person who needs to process the paperwork is on a beach somewhere and that is the only reason the deal hasn't been completed.
He signed for Argyle in 2008 but spent time on loan at Barnet – the former club of City’s other highly rated winger Albert Adomah. Unlike Adomah though he doesn’t get up and down the flanks as much, although this might change once boss Keith Millen gets his claws into him!
Former England keeper David James, who will be 41 when the new season starts, has also indicated that he is ready to extend his stay with City for a second season, but this could mean that second choice Dean Gerken, 23, ups sticks and looks for a new club rather than warming the bench or playing with the stiffs.
Meanwhile Wycombe boss Gary Waddock has moved to strengthen the Chairboys for their return to League One by signing striker-cum-winger Joel Grant.
Grant, 23, played for Waddock during his spell managing Aldershot and the lad was released by Crewe at the end of the season.
Wycombe’s central defender Chris Westwood, 34, has turned down a one year deal and is expected to sign for Wrexham where he will probably feature on a more regular basis.
Former Chelsea central defender Michael Duberry has joined Oxford who have also employed former Sunderland manager Malcolm Crosby as manager Chris Wilder’s assistant.
Swindon winger Jon-Paul McGovern has been linked to join former Town boss Danny Wilson at Sheffield United. The former Wednesday favourite was originally told he could leave Swindon when Wilson arrived and so it would be a major surprise if this one came off – oh and J-P’s high stock on the blue side of the steel city would plummet overnight.
Cheltenham have lost leading scorer Wes Thomas to League Two new boys and moneybags Crawley Town – for nowt. Thomas, 24, netted 19 times for the Robins last term and – as I’ve said before on this blog – the board missed a trick by not signing him up on a longer deal after the first couple of months of last season. Presumably Mark Yates will be looking to add another striker as a replacement for Thomas, but young hot shot Ethan Moore has just signed professional terms and so is expected to back up current front man Jeff Goulding.
Bolasie, who still had a year left to run on his contract with the cash strapped Pilgrims, made 38 appearances this season and hit the net seven times and has completed a medical at Ashton Gate. The person who needs to process the paperwork is on a beach somewhere and that is the only reason the deal hasn't been completed.
He signed for Argyle in 2008 but spent time on loan at Barnet – the former club of City’s other highly rated winger Albert Adomah. Unlike Adomah though he doesn’t get up and down the flanks as much, although this might change once boss Keith Millen gets his claws into him!
Former England keeper David James, who will be 41 when the new season starts, has also indicated that he is ready to extend his stay with City for a second season, but this could mean that second choice Dean Gerken, 23, ups sticks and looks for a new club rather than warming the bench or playing with the stiffs.
Meanwhile Wycombe boss Gary Waddock has moved to strengthen the Chairboys for their return to League One by signing striker-cum-winger Joel Grant.
Grant, 23, played for Waddock during his spell managing Aldershot and the lad was released by Crewe at the end of the season.
Wycombe’s central defender Chris Westwood, 34, has turned down a one year deal and is expected to sign for Wrexham where he will probably feature on a more regular basis.
Former Chelsea central defender Michael Duberry has joined Oxford who have also employed former Sunderland manager Malcolm Crosby as manager Chris Wilder’s assistant.
Swindon winger Jon-Paul McGovern has been linked to join former Town boss Danny Wilson at Sheffield United. The former Wednesday favourite was originally told he could leave Swindon when Wilson arrived and so it would be a major surprise if this one came off – oh and J-P’s high stock on the blue side of the steel city would plummet overnight.
Cheltenham have lost leading scorer Wes Thomas to League Two new boys and moneybags Crawley Town – for nowt. Thomas, 24, netted 19 times for the Robins last term and – as I’ve said before on this blog – the board missed a trick by not signing him up on a longer deal after the first couple of months of last season. Presumably Mark Yates will be looking to add another striker as a replacement for Thomas, but young hot shot Ethan Moore has just signed professional terms and so is expected to back up current front man Jeff Goulding.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Got to love it ...
I’ve been trawling the forums and reading messages that are heavily critical of Sepp Blatter and FIFA, but despite the seriousness of the situation, this one from an English fan made me chuckle:
“I think that we should follow Scotland’s lead and never play in the World Cup again.”
You just got to love the humour of football fans haven't you.
“I think that we should follow Scotland’s lead and never play in the World Cup again.”
You just got to love the humour of football fans haven't you.
Blatter Out! It’s never too late to act.
Sepp Blatter will probably be voted in unopposed as President of FIFA this afternoon, but that doesn’t mean he is untouchable or that football’s governing body can ignore the concerns of football fans worldwide.
Unless we stand up to be counted this dictatorial regime will settle back into its old unaccountable ways and so it’s now time for the people who really matter to Blatter to take a moral stance – the sponsors.
Without the money of the companies listed below, FIFA and Blatter will have to become more transparent and accountable to the billions of football, fans around the world. Cut and paste the following message (or write your own) to a company (or companies) of your choice and place it on the company’s Facebook page. By doing this, they and their customers can read our concerns. Let’s show Blatter and FIFA that we expect better from the people who run ‘our’ game.
I’m English, but this is a situation that should concern all fans of principle, all fans who care. There are people who think the English are just sour about not winning the World Cup bid. Not true. However disappointed we might have been in England about that result, this is entirely different. This matter is about honesty and integrity and transparency (or the lack of them). It’s about ensuring that money given to FIFA to support kids playing the game in areas of the world where they can’t even afford clothing and food reaches them and doesn’t find its way into the bank accounts of men who are already rich beyond their dreams.
If you haven’t got Facebook, do you bit by forwarding this post on your social networking sites or contact the companies yourself via e-mail.
Text:
As a keen football supporter I am becoming increasingly concerned about the way the game is being run by Sepp Blatter and FIFA and I would like to see ‘my’ governing body’s game reformed immediately.
Allegations of money finding its way into the pockets of powerful and corrupt men instead of reaching the people who need it to help develop the game, are of great concern. As a world renowned company and sponsor of FIFA, I find it difficult to believe that you stand shoulder to shoulder with this sporting dictatorship given the damage it is causing to your good name.
There is little doubt that your association with FIFA - and the general perception that your company sees fit to prop up an organization that has lost all credibility with fans globally – will have an adverse effect on your goods, services and image if the current situation is allowed to continue.
Thank you for giving this matter your consideration.
Facebook:
Coca-cola: http://www.facebook.com/cocacola
Hyundai: http://www.facebook.com/Hyundai
Adidas: http://www.facebook.com/adidas
Emirates Airlines: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emirates-Airline/8605488619
Kia Motors: http://www.facebook.com/Kiamotorsworldwide
Sony: http://www.facebook.com/Sony
VISA: http://www.facebook.com/Visafansforlife
Unless we stand up to be counted this dictatorial regime will settle back into its old unaccountable ways and so it’s now time for the people who really matter to Blatter to take a moral stance – the sponsors.
Without the money of the companies listed below, FIFA and Blatter will have to become more transparent and accountable to the billions of football, fans around the world. Cut and paste the following message (or write your own) to a company (or companies) of your choice and place it on the company’s Facebook page. By doing this, they and their customers can read our concerns. Let’s show Blatter and FIFA that we expect better from the people who run ‘our’ game.
I’m English, but this is a situation that should concern all fans of principle, all fans who care. There are people who think the English are just sour about not winning the World Cup bid. Not true. However disappointed we might have been in England about that result, this is entirely different. This matter is about honesty and integrity and transparency (or the lack of them). It’s about ensuring that money given to FIFA to support kids playing the game in areas of the world where they can’t even afford clothing and food reaches them and doesn’t find its way into the bank accounts of men who are already rich beyond their dreams.
If you haven’t got Facebook, do you bit by forwarding this post on your social networking sites or contact the companies yourself via e-mail.
Text:
As a keen football supporter I am becoming increasingly concerned about the way the game is being run by Sepp Blatter and FIFA and I would like to see ‘my’ governing body’s game reformed immediately.
Allegations of money finding its way into the pockets of powerful and corrupt men instead of reaching the people who need it to help develop the game, are of great concern. As a world renowned company and sponsor of FIFA, I find it difficult to believe that you stand shoulder to shoulder with this sporting dictatorship given the damage it is causing to your good name.
There is little doubt that your association with FIFA - and the general perception that your company sees fit to prop up an organization that has lost all credibility with fans globally – will have an adverse effect on your goods, services and image if the current situation is allowed to continue.
Thank you for giving this matter your consideration.
Facebook:
Coca-cola: http://www.facebook.com/cocacola
Hyundai: http://www.facebook.com/Hyundai
Adidas: http://www.facebook.com/adidas
Emirates Airlines: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emirates-Airline/8605488619
Kia Motors: http://www.facebook.com/Kiamotorsworldwide
Sony: http://www.facebook.com/Sony
VISA: http://www.facebook.com/Visafansforlife
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