Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Accies have agreed one year deals with another couple of players they want to add to their squad as soon as the transfer embargo imposed by the Football League is lifted. The arrivals of Bantams duo Rory Boulding and Jon Bateson have seen their new additions increase to seven for next season.

New signing Darren Dennehy is still struggling with a leg injury and was forced to sit out Bees latest pre-season friendly at home to Southampton. The 21 year-old former Cardiff City central defender was also missing with a dead leg in their earlier 1-0 victory over Charlton Athletic.

Striker Marvin Morgan is playing down any speculation about him moving on in the near future. The Shots turned down bids from Swindon and Peterborough last season and the former 27 year-old Woking player is now happy to see out the remaining year of his contract at the Recreation Ground.

Bantams boss Peter Taylor has completed his sixth new signing at Valley Parade with the capture of 24 year-old central defender Shane Duff from Cheltenham Town. He had previously brought in Luke Oliver, Robbie Threlfall, Tommy Doherty, Lloyd Saxton and Jake Speight.

The Brewers are hoping long serving defender Aaron Webster will be put pen to paper on a two-year deal he was offered this week. 21 year-old Webster has spent the last 11 years at the Club and boss Paul Peschisolido has enhanced his original offer in an effort to rebuff interest from Crewe.

Alan Knill is facing up to life without two of his best players after midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy and central defender Ryan Cresswell became free agents and moved to Rochdale and Rotherham respectively. The Shakers boss is now sweating on Efe Sodje and Andy Morrell signing new deals.

Martin Riley has taken the unusual step of paying his own transfer fee in order to make the move from the Kiddies to the Robins and link up with former boss Mark Yates. 22 year-old Riley was unable to leave Aggborough on a free due to him being under 24 and the Robins couldn’t afford the fee.

Spireites first match at their new b2net stadium produced a nine goal thriller during the eagerly awaited pre-season friendly against Derby County. A crowd of 7550 turned out for the Spireites first game since leaving Saltergate and saw the Rams go on to record a narrow 5-4 victory.

The Bulls have pulled off a bit of a transfer coup by bringing back their former striker Stuart Fleetwood to Edgar Street after an absence of three years for a fee of around £20,000. The 24 year-old hot shot moved from Forest Green to Charlton Athletic for £100,000 and a 3 year deal in 2008.

The Imps have agreed a compensation fee rumoured to be in the region of £5000 with Hereford United for striker Gavin McCallum who turned down an offer to re-sign for the Bulls last month. The 22 year-old former Weymouth hitman made his full international debut for Canada in June.

Sammy Mcllroy has bolstered his squad with a couple of decent signings from Northampton Town and Wrexham. 28 year-old central defender Chris McCready has slipped down the pecking order at Sixfields whilst midfielder Andy Fleming has left the Dragons to try his luck in the Football League.

Cobblers transfer-listed forward Steve Guinan is keeping his options open regarding his future at Sixfields. With boss Ian Sampson expected to parade the twin strikeforce of Tadhg Purcell and Billy McKay next season, 34 year-old Guinan feels his chances of regular first team football will be limited.

Boss Ronnie Moore paraded a number of new signings including Ryan Cresswell, Tom Newey, Mark Bradley and Tom Elliott in the home pre-season friendly against Leicester City. With the Foxes leading 2-1 the floodlights went out at the Don Valley and halted play with just 11 minutes remaining.

U’s will be expecting a bumper crowd when they welcome Manchester United to the Kassam Stadium for their prestigious pre-season friendly on Tuesday 27th July. The previous meeting between the two back in 2006 saw 11,463 packed into the ground with Christiano Ronaldo in a Red Devils shirt.

Sean Clohessy is back in League football at Roots Hall after a two year break playing for Salisbury City. The 23 year-old former Arsenal trainee was all set to link up with Bath City until new Shrimpers manager Paul Sturrock appointed Salisbury boss Tommy Widdrington as his new No.2.

Graham Turner has been unveiled as Shrews new boss in succession to Paul Simpson who was sacked for failing to get the Club into the League Two play-offs. The 62 year who ended his 15 year reign at the Bulls last week has previously managed and played for the Shrews back in the 70’s and 80’s.

Paul Simpson is back in football at Edgeley Park after taking over the reins from previous Hatters boss Gary Ablett who was dismissed at the end of last season. 43 year-old Simpson was himself sacked by Shrewsbury Town last May after a disappointing 12th place finish in League Two.

Dario Gradi has made his third close season signing with the capture of Dave Artell from Morecambe. The 29 year-old defender penned a two year deal and joins Antoni Sarcevic and Lee Bell at Gresty Road after a 3 year stint at Morecambe including scoring the final goal at Christie Park.

Midfielder Matt Hamshaw has joined the Silkmen after impressing boss Gary Simpson during a two match trial period, The 28 year-old former Hillsborough trainee, who also picked up a League Two winners medal at Notts County last season, has signed a one year contract at the Moss Rose.

Chairman Bill Bratt has assured Valiant fans that their new all white replica shirts should be available from Vale Park from July 1st. Rumours that sportswear firm Vandanel had gone into liquidation were denied after it was learned that only their retail arm was experiencing financial problems.

SkySports will be showing the Boro v Pompey Carling Cup first round tie live from Broadhall Way on Monday August 9th with a 7.45 kick-off. The match will also mark the first ever meeting between the two clubs and Boro’s debut in the Carling Cup after promotion from the Blue Square Premier.

Swindon Town midfielder Lloyd Macklin has returned to Plainmoor after impressing boss Paul Buckle during his four match loan spell last season. The Robins former 20 year-old trainee who was released in May had showed lightening pace in midfield before picking up an injury with the Gulls.

Chairboys boss Gary Waddock has been busy strengthening his squad during the close season with at least four new faces arriving at Adams Park before pre-season training begins on June 28th. Ben Strevens, Danny Foster and Nicky Bull have joined from Brentford plus Dave Winfield from Aldershot.