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!