NYHETER: Ex-player/-manager news, Part 10

[Bites Yer Legs]

Michael Bridges and Chris Craig have joined up with the rest of the Norwich first team squad on their pre-season tour of Scotland.

Former Leeds and Sunderland striker Bridges is a free agent after leaving Hull City at the end of last season.

He seems to have been around forever but at 30-years-old still has plenty of time on his side.

20-year-old Craig on the other hand was released by Rangers at the end of the season after failing to break into the first team squad.

'They both joined us last night and took part in this morning's training session,' City boss Bryan Gunn told the club's official website.

'Michael Bridges is a very experienced campaigner having played in the Premiership, Championship and League One. He really enjoyed it this morning and it's an open-ended arrangement on both sides so we'll see how it goes over the days ahead.

'It gives us a chance to have a look at him in training and if possible matches.'

http://www.norwich.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=161213

[kjelvi]

BBC: Transfers - July 2009

Jemal Johnson [Unattached - MK Dons] Free
Jonathan Douglas [Leeds - Swindon] Free
Michael Duberry [Reading - Wycombe] Free
Danny Graham [Carlisle - Watford] Tribunal
Leon Constantine [Northampton- Hereford] Free

[kjelvi]

SEAGULLS LAND STRIKER DICKINSON
League One side Brighton have signed striker Liam Dickinson for an undisclosed fee from Championship outfit Derby County.
The 23-year-old leaves Pride Park just 12 months after arriving at the club in a £750,000 deal from Stockport.
After being signed by former Rams boss Paul Jewell, Dickinson found first-team opportunities limited and was sent out on loan to Huddersfield and Blackpool.
Things did not improve following the appointment of new manager Nigel Clough in January and Dickinson finished last season on loan at Leeds.
"We wish Liam all the best for the future. It hasn't quite worked out for him here and I think the move is the best for both parties," said Clough.

[kjelvi]

FOLAN KEEN ON TIGERS STAY
Caleb Folan is eager to remain part of Hull's plans despite Phil Brown's moves to strengthen his forward options.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/transfer_centre/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/07/14/manual_100312.html

[kjelvi]

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray says it is unlikely he would bid to bring striker Mark Viduka back to the club. (Sunday Times)

Michael Owen will be paid over £50,000 a week by Newcastle for the rest of the month, even though he has already joined Manchester United.
The Magpies will pay out over £700,000 to Owen, Mark Viduka and Brazilian defender Claudio Cacapa in July as part of their contracts.
http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-utd/2009/07/12/owen-still-costing-magpies-50-000-per-week-79310-24131441/

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is in line to take over as manager of Southampton but could face competition from Nigel Pearson.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=jim-s-ready-to-fix-it-for-saints%26method=full%26objectid=21513425%26siteid=93463-name_page.html

Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson has been told there is no way he will be allowed to leave to join Chelsea. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth are ready to make Paul Hart their new manager - handing him the job permanently after his stint as caretaker boss last season. (Daily Mirror)

[kjelvi]

Birmingham signing Bowyer has nothing to prove
Lee Bowyer believes he has nothing to prove to anybody after being given a Premier League lifeline by Birmingham.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/birmingham-signing-bowyer-has-nothing-prove-256472

Burnley striker Blake excited about Premiership return
Burnley striker Robbie Blake is excited about returning the Premiership.
“I’m just looking forward to getting going again, getting the kit and the shinpads on,” he said.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/burnley-striker-blake-excited-about-premiership-return-256523

Fowler set for North Queensland debut
North Queensland Fury’s marquee signing Robbie Fowler will make his debut for the club tomorrow night.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/fowler-set-north-queensland-debut-256812

[kjelvi]

Adams dismisses Saints talk: Vale boss committed to current position
Micky Adams insists he has no intention of walking out on Port Vale in order to take charge at Southampton.
Saints are in the market for a manager after new owner Markus Liebherr dismissed Mark Wotte just hours after completing his takeover. (...)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11750_5426010,00.html

Også: Vale - No row over Adams deal
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11750_5432902,00.html

[kjelvi]

Jemal Johnson [Unattached - MK Dons] Free

Johnson sticks with Dons
MK Dons striker Jemal Johnson has signed a two-year deal to extend his stay at the club.
Johnson looked to be on his way out of stadium:mk following the expiration of his contract at the end of last month.
However, MK Dons have remained in talks with the 24-year-old and the American has opted to stay with the League One side.
"Nothing is ever simple in football and it has taken some time to arrange, but we're delighted to have JJ back on board," MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman told the club's official website.
"He showed at times last season that he is capable of producing fantastic performances and, now that his future has been decided, I think we can look forward to seeing him produce those on a regular basis.
"His explosive qualities make him the kind of player that excites a crowd and I know the fans will be as pleased as I am about his return."

[kjelvi]

Carson committed to Baggies: Shot-stopper looking to see out Hawthorns deal
England international goalkeeper Scott Carson has reaffirmed his commitment to West Brom, stating he will be staying on despite relegation.
The former Aston Villa and Charlton shot-stopper revealed last January that he would not be looking for the Hawthorns exit door if they failed to avoid the drop. (....)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_5433117,00.html

[kjelvi]

CHARLTON striker Andy Gray is joining Championship outfit Barnsley in a £600,000 switch. Gray, 31, will undergo a medical at Oakwell today after agreeing terms with the Tykes. (The Sun)

http://www.cafc.co.uk/playerdisplay.ink?skip=11&season=2008/2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Gray_(footballer_born_1977)

[kjelvi]

Wycombe snap up Westlake
Wycombe have signed former Ipswich and Leeds midfielder Ian Westlake.
Westlake, 26, has been released by Cheltenham Town and both he and Green, 28, have signed on two-year contracts.
Wycombe boss Peter Taylor told the club website: "I'm delighted to sign Ian. I worked with him at England Under-21 level - he's got experience and energy.
"He has played for Ipswich and Leeds in the past and that shows what a good player he is."
Westlake began his career at Ipswich Town, where he progressed through the youth ranks and went on to make 113 first-team appearances.
A £400,000 move to Leeds followed in August 2006, before loan spells at Brighton and Hove Albion and Cheltenham.
His switch to the Robins became permanent in August 2008 following his release from Leeds.

[kjelvi]

Tom Taiwo Taken In By Cumbrians
Chelsea attacking midfielder Tom Taiwo links up with United on a six-month loan deal
In a surprise transfer this afternoon Carlisle have signed the 19-year old for a temporary spell from the Stamford Bridge club, Taiwo making the long trek north from London until the 31st of December. Tom was coached by Blues boss Greg Abbott when Abbott was the youth team coach at Leeds, Taiwo eventually moving on, along with Martin Woods as a 16-year old, in a controversial move to Chelsea in the summer of 2006.
Leeds chairman Ken Bates accusing Chelsea of tapping up the pair of players, the allegation eventually seeing the London Blues forced to pay the Whites £5 million in compensation for the England Under-16 duo after the Yorkshire club had threatened to take them to the High Court.
Tom's start at Chelsea was spoilt by a broken leg that pre-season of 2006 though and his career at Stamford Bridge has been restricted to youth and reserve team games before he went on loan to Port Vale in August 2008, Taiwo making three starts and two substitute appearances for the struggling side before the Valiants decided not to extend his loan spell.
The 19-year old has also spent a spell in the United States as he played on trial for the Seattle Sounders in March of this year, Taiwo perhaps looking for more of a permanent move with his contract at Chelsea running out in the summer of 2010. Carlisle boss Greg Abbott presumably wanting to take a look at his former charge with the view to any permanent move at a late date, Abbott commenting to BBC Radio Cumbria on Taiwo :
" I have known Tom (Taiwo) since he was 15 to be honest, he came up through the Leeds United ranks and he got into England's under-16s and then England's under-18s. Chelsea signed him with Michael Woods for £1 million in compensation, which is a hell of a figure for 16-year olds. So I knew all about Tom, what he has done is that he has got himself into Chelsea's reserves and he has found his way into the first team blocked by the unbelievable talent that they have at that club.
" We needed a young player, we needed one that is relatively clear of injury, he is a fit young boy, he plays in the type of mould of a Paul Thirlwell. We needed a bit of depth of strength in the midfield area, if anything happens to our senior players, and we did have injury problems in that area last year with Thir (Thirlwell), with Lummy (Chris Lumsdon), with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.
" They were all injured at one time and it left us a little bit thin on the ground. Tom gives us strength of depth of cover and he starts behind the three experienced players, but we are hoping that he can come in and prove that he is a player that is worthy of his place in his own right. "

[kjelvi]

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will spend £3m on Derby striker Rob Hulse. (The Sun)


Paul Hart has been told he is being kept on as Portsmouth manager following Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim's takeover of the club.
* http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2537806/Hart-stays-as-Pompey-boss.html
* http://www.sportinglife.com/football/transfer_centre/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/07/16/manual_083733.html
* http://www.tribalfootball.com/al-fahim-wants-hart-take-charge-portsmouth-257315

[kjelvi]

Anthony Elding - ny som visekaptein og i ny rolle som hengende spiss i Crewe Alex.
http://www.crewealex.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~1723359,00.html

http://www.crewealex.net/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10414~22507,00.html

[kjelvi]

Blackburn to bid for Newcastle striker Smith
Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is eyeing Newcastle United striker Alan Smith.
The Shields Gazette says the forward is among the clutch of players who face an uncertain future at St James's Park in the wake of the club's relegation from the Premier League.
And Blackburn Rovers boss Allardyce â€" who signed Smith for Newcastle for £6m â€" is weighing up a move for the 28-year-old.

[kjelvi]

Matt Kilgallon is ready to snub interest from Birmingham and Burnley by pledging his future to Sheffield United. (Daily Star)

Rob Hulse is a target for Middlesbrough. (Daily Star)

Barnsley are set to complete a £600,000 deal for Charlton striker Andy Gray. (Daily Star)

[kjelvi]

Walton not in Pilgrims party: Midfielder left out of squad for pre-season tour



Simon Walton has been left out of Paul Sturrock's squad for Plymouth's pre-season tour of Scotland.
Walton, who became the Pilgrims' record signing last summer after he moved to Home Park from QPR, endured a difficult first season in the South West.
His temperament was called into question and the former Leeds United player was sent out on loan to Blackpool for a spell.
Having played most of his football in midfield, the 21-year-old has now told Sturrock that he wants to establish himself in the side as a centre-back.
The Plymouth boss has held talks with Walton and has left him behind due to the quality of players already established in his defence.
Sturrock said: "He wants to play centre-back and there are other players ahead of him at centre-back.
"Everybody was told that, performance wise, 22 players were going to get taken on the tour and Simon's been left behind.
"Simon and I have had a good discussion about his whole scenario here and I think it's vitally important that he appreciates the situation."

[kjelvi]

Roberto Martinez is willing to send Wigan misfit Marlon King out on loan again. (Daily Mirror)

[kjelvi]

Weston extends Gills stay: Midfielder agrees new deal



Curtis Weston has signed a two-year contract extension with League One outfit Gillingham.
The 22-year-old had only 12 months left to run on his current deal and the Gills have moved quickly to agree new terms.
The midfielder will now remain at Priestfield until at least the summer of 2012.
Weston joined Gillingham from Leeds last summer and played an integral role in the club's successful promotion-winning campaign.
He follows Simon King and Andy Barcham in penning new deals this summer, and manager Mark Stimson is delighted to have retained the services of another key member of his squad.
"It's great news," he said. "We've recently signed Simon King on a long-term contract and now we've signed Curtis up for three years.
"I think the kid's got great potential and I think he realises that now. I look forward to seeing him play in League One and hopefully he will have an effect like he did in League Two.
"It's a very, very good signing for the club."

Sky

[kjelvi]

60 seconds with Lucas Radebe



The former Leeds United skipper reveals all about cars, women, parties and John Fashanu.

What is your earliest sporting memory?
- Putting on my first pair of boots as a nine-year-old, after a long time of playing in bare feet! If I was sent to the shops, I would wear them. I would sometimes even wear them inside the house.

Which opponent did you really enjoy beating?
- Well, obviously Man Utd! But back in South Africa, I played for Kaizer Chiefs and our great rivals are Orlando Pirates, which is a huge Soweto derby. The rivalry there was fierce - whoever won on the day were the kings of Soweto. We usually won, but one time they beat us 5-1, and it was like Christmas for them.

Where is the worst place you have ever played?
- In the Premier League, I can tell you that Selhurst Park was the worst. Playing against Wimbledon there was always so hard. All of their players were so big, and they could not play football so everything was in the air, with lots of elbows and head clashes. I'm sure John Fashanu used to sharpen his elbows before games!

What's the best freebie that you've ever blagged?
- I suppose the trips that I get to go on, to be an ambassador and a role model for good causes.

What was your first car?
- I remember my momma telling me that football was not a good career because it was all about cars, women and parties - and then I bought a gold BMW 520i as my first car.

What do you have on your iPod?
- The last thing I put on there was the latest album from Beyonce.

Do you have a culinary speciality?
- I would cook pap (a kind of porridge) and boerewors (sauage) - I love a barbecue.

What really grinds your gears?
- I don't like people who are ignorant, who have a closed mind and live in their own world.

What do you think you would have become if you hadn't been a footballer?
- My momma wanted me to be a doctor. She sent me away to a homeland to get away from the violence in Soweto at the time. There, I went to the college of education, so I think I could have become a teacher.

What was your most extravagant purchase?
- It was my 1967 Ford Mustang GT 500. That is my pride - it's a bad boy. I think there are only five in South Africa, and I have the only one that is in Johannesburg.

What song would you sing at karaoke?
- Michael Jackson - Beat It. I can dance like him too, I can moonwalk - (60 seconds calls his bluff) - Okay, okay, I am joking!

uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

[kjelvi]

Dan Harding set to sign for Southampton
Alan Pardew is expected to make his first Saints signing today with former Brighton, Leeds and Ipswich full back Dan Harding in line for a free transfer move to St Mary’s.
The Daily Echo understands that the 25-year-old is currently under going a medical and, if there are no complications, the left back is set to be announced as Pardew’s first capture as Saints boss this afternoon.
Harding came through the youth ranks at Brighton, making his first team debut in 2002 and went on to make 67 appearances for the Seagulls before Leeds swooped for him in 2005, paying a fee ordered by a tribunal of £400,000 up front with a further £450,000 based on appearances.
After one season at Leeds, Harding was on the move again, this time to Ipswich as part of a swap deal involving Ian Westlake.
Harding made 73 appearances for Ipswich but last season had loan spells at Southend and Reading before being told his contract at Portman Road was not going to be renewed.
Harding’s signing gives Pardew a recognised first team option at left back with Joseph Mills and Lee Molyneux his only other choices in that position.

dailyecho.co.uk

[kjelvi]

Horsfield named as Vale assistant



Port Vale have announced they have brought in veteran former Fulham and Birmingham City striker Geoff Horsfield as player-assistant manager.
The 35-year-old had retired from football last October after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
He successfully recovered and joined Lincoln City in a player-coach role in January, scoring once in 17 games.
He told the club website:"I am looking forward to it, it is something I have always wanted to do."
"From turning 30 I have always wanted to come into the coaching side and Micky Adams has given me the chance to keep on playing.
"I want to play most of the games and Micky is going to teach me the ropes," he continued.
The former Halifax and West Brom striker added: "The problems I have encountered over the last 12 months are now behind me.
"Getting cancer was something I had to get over. I got it, wanted to beat it and I did. Now I am just glad that I've got another chance in football.
"I am going to learn a lot with Micky Adams. He has given me a leash to work with the strikers and do some scouting as well, but first and foremost I have got to get my fitness and my match fitness."
Horsfield made his name in the 1997-98 season when he scored 30 goals in 40 goals to help Halifax into the Football League, whilst still working part-time as a bricklayer.

BBC

[kjelvi]

Permanent Pompey contract for Hart
Portsmouth have announced that Paul Hart has signed a two-year contract to become the club's manager on a permanent basis.



http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_5446708,00.html

[kjelvi]

Hibs eye Stack move: Keeper could solve Hughes' problems
Hibernian are lining up a move for Plymouth goalkeeper Graham Stack, skysports.com understands.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11705_5446058,00.html

[kjelvi]

Birmingham City's Lee Bowyer: My Bad-Boy Reputation Is Unfair



Birmingham City new boy Lee Bowyer has defended his bad-boy reputation, claiming there are far worse players regarding discipline problems in football.
Bowyer spent the end of last season on loan with the Blues and has since left West Ham United to sign permanently at St. Andrews.
The 32-year-old has more than his fair share of incident behind him, both on and off the pitch, including a fracas with then Newcastle United team-mate Kieron Dyer, which saw both players sent off.
But the midfielder has angrily hit back at critics of his chequered past, believing some single him out for unjust treatment.
"Do I think it's fair that all this will be brought up again because I am back playing in the Premier League? No," Bowyer told The Daily Express.
"What have I actually done? On the football side my record isn't that bad, there are others a lot worse. But the slightest thing I do just gets blown out of all proportion.
"Do I think that's fair? No. I think there's worse than me. Some will do a two-footed tackle and say, 'I mistimed it.' If I do it I'm banned for life.
"It's like there's rules for one, there's rules for another. I think it's personal."
He added, "I've made mistakes, I've never denied that. When I've been sent off I take my punishment."

Goal.com

[kjelvi]

Hull manager Phil Brown is keen to persuade veteran striker Mark Viduka to forgo retirement plans by moving to the Tigers under a pay-as-you-play contract. (The Sun)
* http://www.sportinglife.com/football/transfer_centre/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/07/24/manual_095208.html


Sheffield United, who may lose striker Billy Sharp to Notts County, want to buy Tottenham midfielder Danny Rose and Charlton defender Jonathan Fortune. (Daily Star)
* http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/leedsunited/Leeds-United-Rose-linked-with.5490815.jp


Plymouth keeper Graham Stack is poised to complete his move to Hibernian after agreeing terms with the Scottish Premier League side. (Sky)
* http://www.sportinglife.com/football/transfer_centre/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/07/24/manual_094643.html


Sakho and Wolfenden check in at Wrexham FC
Dean Saunders today agreed a deal to sign former Oldham Athletic striker Matthew Wolfenden and ex-Leeds United forward Lamine Sakho.
* http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/76192/sakho-and-wolfenden-check-in-at-wrexham-fc.aspx

[Tom S]

Sannheten om Smithy:
http://www.leedsunited.com/news/lorimer-the-facts-about-smith-move-20090730_2247585_1738586

[Rudi G.]

Sannheten om Smithy:
http://www.leedsunited.com/news/lorimer-the-facts-about-smith-move-20090730_2247585_1738586

Konklusjonen på disse fakta er at Smith ofret seg for LU ved å gå til erke erke fienden. Smith vil alltid være velkommen hjem igjen.

Måtte det skje så fort som overhodet mulig. Det er nå min mening

[sveifors]

Hvordan kunne han stå imot agent, klubb og alle som han stolte på, når du får beskjed om at den eneste måten å berge klubben du elsker er å gå til scum.

Stopp buingen av Alan Smith, han er en ekte Leeds gutt

[Hallgeir *]

 TIPS har i dag en oppsummering av karrieren til Noel Whelan. Han prøvde seg i Darlington under Steve Staunton i helga, i kampen mot Dagenham & Redbridge. Det "eventyret" varte i 30 minutter da Whelan måtte ut med strekkskade. Utenomsportslige problemer (alkohol) har ikke hjulpet på karrieren som gikk ganske bratt nedover etter opphold i Coventry og Middlesbrough. Som vi husker var han et bra talent i Leeds, og han debuterte for Leeds sesongen 92/93. Noel Whelan er fortsatt bare 34 år.