WELSH
SOCCER NEWS PAGE FOR MAY 2007
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MAY-31 |
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Mingorance
set to hand Reds a boost
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Spanish
star Jacob Mingorance has promised to sign a new deal at Llanelli - but
there are doubts surrounding the future of another key player. Striker
Mingorance, who scored 27 goals in all competitions last season, is
expected to commit himself to another stint at Stebonheath Park when he
returns from his homeland on June 10.
However, there are question marks regarding defender Stuart Jones, who has
rejected Llanelli's terms over a new deal.
The former Swansea City defender became the club's first professional in
more than 50 years when he signed in 2005.
A former Wales Under-21 defender, Jones played a key part
in Llanelli's drive for an Intertoto Cup spot last season.
He missed just five of the club's league games last term and is set to sit
down again with the club as negotiations continue.
The Reds have confirmed 16 players have already agreed new terms, with one
other expected to sign shortly.
Key squad members Antonio Corbisiero, Rhys Griffiths, Craig Williams and
Wyn Thomas have joined the likes of Gary Lloyd, Andrew Mumford, skipper
Lee Phillips, Dale Griffiths, Matthew Thompson, Jordan Follows and Ryan
Lewis in next season's squad, while back-up keeper Gareth Williams is
expected to sign as cover for the European fixtures.
Llanelli
Star |
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MAY-31 |
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Wrexham
re-sign youngster Evans
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Defender Gareth Evans has
signed a new two-year deal to stay with Wrexham.
The 20-year-old former
Newi Cefn Druids player made 15 appearances for the Dragons first team
last season.
The club seemed set to
release Evans prior to last season due to financial problems, but funding
was then found to keep the adaptable centre back.
"I'm delighted to
have been offered a new contract and even more so as it's a two-year
deal," Evans, who would have been out of contract, told the club.
"Last year I thought
my time at the Racecourse was up, but then the club came back late in the
day to sign me on.
"I was determined to
work hard and make the most of my second chance, and this is my reward.
"I know I still have
plenty to do, but I have enjoyed being involved with the first team and if
I keep working at my game, then I'll be ready when I next get the
chance."
Evans is the first of a
number of players out of contract this summer to agree a new deal with the
north Wales club.
BBC
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MAY-31 |
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Wharton
shines at Merthyr awards
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MERTHYR
Tydfil FC's annual presentation night saw ex Cwmbran defender Gareth
Wharton cap a fine debut season by scooping four awards.
The
centre-half formed an encouraging defensive partnership with Jamie Rewbury
as the Martyrs recovered from a mid-season slump to finish in 12th place
in the BGB Premier Division.
His
contribution of seven league goals - only two behind top scorer Garry
Shephard - also proved vital.
The
imposing defender picked up the awards for Supporters' Player of the Year,
Players' Player, Travel Club Player and the Martyrs to the Cause Trust
Player of the Year.
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MAY-31 |
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Fresh
fears over Racecourse future
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FANS
last night feared for the future of Wrexham FC’s Racecourse ground after
council chiefs raised concerns over its redevelopment.
Developers
MacNiven Cameron are submitting revised plans due to “changes in the
local market”.
Yesterday
club bosses and developers appealed for calm, insisting there was nothing
to worry about.
An
application for a mixed-use development with flats, shops and eateries was
put to the council in February.
But
that is currently being revised after council planners raised concerns
over the proposals.
Club
owner Neville Dickens and Jason Hurkett May, director of MacNiven Cameron,
also insisted the historic Turf Pub will not be bulldozed and would be
staying put.
Mr
May said the aim was still to build a complex which would allow room for a
15,000 seater stadium.
But
some supporters fear delays could jeopardise the club’s future.
Daily
Post
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MAY-31 |
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£500,000
Tag on Duffy
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Darryl
Duffy admits he has no idea where he will be playing next season amid
speculation Hull have slapped a £500,000 price tag on his head.
Duffy remains a top target for Swansea City boss Roberto Martinez despite
last week's acquisition of fellow front man Jason Scotland.
But there is no chance of Swansea meeting Hull's inflated asking price,
leaving Martinez to play a waiting game as he bids to snare the Scottish
speedster on a permanent basis.
Hull have told Duffy he will be part of their Championship squad next
season if no suitable offers come in over the summer.
But Swansea must hope Tigers boss Phil Brown, who has six forwards on his
books and is trailing Bradford's Dean Windass, decides to cash in on a
player whose contract expires in 12 months' time.
Former Hull boss Peter Taylor paid £250,000 for Duffy in January last
year and Swansea could be prepared to stump up something near that to
bring their former loanee back to Wales.
''I was hoping I would have something sorted one way or another by now,
but I haven't got a clue what's happening,'' Duffy said.
''I haven't spoke to Roberto Martinez for a few weeks. He said he'll let
me know if there's any news that concerns me, but at the moment I'm in the
dark.''
Evening
Post
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MAY-31 |
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Another New
boss for Barry Town
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A NEW manager was appointed
at Barry Town Football Club this week.
Phil Clay replaces Jeff
McLean in the Jenner Park hot seat, and brings a wealth of experience at
Welsh League level.
The former AFC Cardiff
captain led Taffs Well to consecutive promotions in his first seasons in
management - taking them from Division Three to Division One - as well as
bringing success to Bridgend Town, Llantwit Major and Bryntirion Athletic.
Barry Town club secretary
David Cole says the new boss is the ideal candidate to resurrect The
Dragons' fortunes following relegation this season.
Mr Cole said: "We
interviewed four people for the job but Phil was by far and away the
stand-out candidate.
"He's been there and
done it, by taking three clubs - who had little or no money - to
promotion, and he certainly has the ability to wheel and deal while
getting results.
"We now hope he can
stabilise the club after last season and then build for promotion."
Barry's new chief enjoyed
a 14-year playing career as captain of Llantwit Major, Tondu Robins, AFC
Cardiff and Taffs Well before retiring through injury in 1992
Barry
District News
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MAY-31 |
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Koumas
keen on joining Premier class
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WALES
star Jason Koumas admits he has been waiting too long to play at the top
level.
Koumas,
27, has often been described as the best player in the Championship, both
at West Brom and during his one-season loan stop at Cardiff City in the
2005-06 campaign.
So,
following Albion’s play-off final defeat to Derby on Monday, it wasn’t
surprising that what happens to Koumas next was high on the post-match
agenda.
“I’m
at an age where I want to step up,” said Koumas, who has attracted
interest from Celtic and Everton among others.
“It’s
been too long in waiting. I’m desperate to play in the Premiership, but
it’s up to the chairman (Jeremy Peace). We’ll have a talk and see what
happens.
“The
season has gone well for me, but it makes no difference with what happened
on Monday.”
The
27-year-old has had an outstanding season after going AWOL from West Brom
last summer.
Back
then Cardiff were hoping to re-sign a player who had been an outstanding
success at Ninian Park, but a grander stage surely awaits the Wrexham-born
playmaker now.
“I’ve
no idea what my future holds,” said Koumas.
icWales
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MAY-31 |
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Grobbelaar's
training camp in
the Cynon Valley
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LIVERPOOL
football legend Bruce Grobbelaar is hosting a soccer camp in the Cynon
Valley this summer.
He
will be joined at the Blaengwawr all-weather pitch at Aberaman by Ronnie
Whelan and David Johnson.
Born
in South Africa in 1957, Grobbelaar played at Anfield during Liverpool’s
golden and dominant period throughout the 1980s.
Grobbelaar
remains a firm favourite among the Anfield faithful and places at his
Cynon Valley soccer school are expected to be in high demand.
The
three-day camps will run in August, with limited places available on a
first-come, first-served basis.
Gary
Marsh
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MAY-30 |
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Nico rings
the changes at Stebonheath
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It appears that Llanelli
boss Peter Nicholas has made a number of changes to his Llanelli squad as
he prepares for the club's second European campaign.
The club has announced
its squad for 2007/08 on their official website, but there are a number of
notable absentees from last season's as well as some interesting
additions. The most notable missing player is the versatile Cortez Belle,
formerly of Chester City and Newport who figured in defence, midfield and
attack last term. There has been a clear out of midfielders with Neil
Thomas, Efren Fernandez, Richard Lewis and Richard Appleby all appearing
to have been released, whilst former Haverfordwest wide man, Nicky Palmer
also looks to have moved on.
Negotiations with the
first ever Full-Time player at the club, Stuart Jones, are on-going, but
the recent acquisition of 'keeper Ryan Harrison (Forest Green Rovers)
means that last year's back-up Gareth Williams has been allowed to leave.
It's good to see that the Reds have named a third last line of defence, in
Ryan Lewis, who has graduated from the club's Academy, which was
re-structured last year. Striker Jordan Fellows, who featured towards the
end of the year in the first team squad has also been named.
Other recruits for the
Reds are defender Paul Wanless, who will be the Player/Coach and he joins
from Forest Green Rovers, Chris Holloway (pictured left) who joins from
Merthyr Tydfil and Sam Small, the former Cwmbran striker who impressed and
scored at Stebonheath in the last weeks of the season. Wanless played over
500 League games for Oxford and Cambridge, whilst Holloway re-joined the
Martyrs in the middle of last season from Tiverton Town and he has been a
Wales Semi Pro International in the last three Tournaments. He is a fiery
and skilful centre midfielder that will certainly strengthen the Reds.
With so many players
leaving the club, it adds to the speculation that Holloway will be joined
at Llanelli by his former Merthyr colleague, Darren Davies. New Martyrs
boss Gary Shephard, who was announced as the new Manager at Penydarren
Park today, will be desperate to hold onto the experienced left-sided
player, who boasts Barry Town, Morton, Stirling Albion, Dover Athletic and
Forest Green Rovers amongst his former clubs.
The Reds squad for 2007/2008 season is:
Goalkeepers: Ryan
Harrison, Duncan Roberts, Ryan Lewis (Under 19)
Defenders: Gary Lloyd,
Lee Phillips, Wyn Thomas, Dale Griffiths, Paul Wanless
Midfielders: Andrew
Mumford, Antonio Corbisiero, Craig Williams, Chris Holloway, Matthew
Thompson
Strikers: Rhys Griffiths, Jacob Mingorance, Sam Small, Jordan Follows
(U19)
Welshpremier.com |
|
MAY-30 |
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Rhys
relishing Reds European Campaign
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After gaining his first
Welsh Cap at any level last week, new Wales Semi Professional
International Rhys Griffiths is relishing a second stint in Europe with
Llanelli. Before that however, the League's Golden Boot winner for the
past two seasons, has a well earned two week holiday to look forward to
before he re-joins his Reds' team-mates in an earlier than usual
pre-season training.
Peter Nicholas' side
begin their European preparations as early as next week but Griffiths will
team up with them slightly later after he was allowed to delay his holiday
to play for his country in the Four Nations Tournament, in which he played
in all three games and scored the decisive penalty in the opening win
against the Scots.
The striker from Cardiff
certainly benefited from the Tournament as he told us exclusively,
"I have definitely
accomplished a personal goal of mine, which was to play and score for my
country. Every time I score a goal, in whatever competition, that can't be
taken away from me, so it's a great personal achievement. I've also met so
many new friends from being involved in the squad. We bonded from Day 1,
and it's been a great environment to be involved in.
"I picked up a lot
from different people last week, the obvious being players like our
skipper Tony Roberts as his preparation for the games is so professional.
I've also learnt a lot from the inexperienced players as well who were
winning their first cap like me."
Welshpremier.com |
|
MAY-30 |
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Martyrs
announce new management team
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After two weeks of
speculation, British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division club
Merthyr Tydfil have announced Garry Shephard as their new player-manager.
Shephard (pictured) first act was to appoint former fans` favourite Danny
Carter as his assistant.
Secretary Anthony Hughes said on Shephard's promotion from team captain:
"We appreciate that the appointment has taken some time, but we knew
from the start that we wanted Garry to take charge, but Shep was keen to
have his backroom staff secured before he would take on the job."
Shephard (pictured) was delighted to take on the role. "I've been
busy the last week looking at the players that we will have at the club
next season. I've had assurances from 90% of them that they will be here
for pre season training and at the moment only Chris Holloway has left the
club. I have been in contact with two or three players that will improve
the squad and hopefully all of these will be with us in August".
On the appointment of Carter, Shephard added: "Danny will be great to
have around, he has a tremendous coaching ability, he will have the
instant respect of the players and he knows the place inside out.
“We are both looking forward to the challenge ahead and assure the
supporters that we will be making every effort in bringing the club the
success it deserves.”
www.nonleaguedaily.com |
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MAY-30 |
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False start
for Carmarthen
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New Carmarthen Town manager
Deryn Brace has laughed off reports the club is in talks with Olympic gold
medal sprinter Darren Campbell.
A national newspaper suggested the 34-year-old former athlete was heading
to Richmond Park and would become Brace's first signing since taking over
from Mark Jones.
Campbell, who retired from athletics last year, has played in the FA Cup
for Weymouth and was on the books of Plymouth Argyle. He has also played
for Cwmbran and Newport County.
But his arrival has been laughed off by Brace as he looks set to sort out
his own players first before contemplating bringing in fresh faces.
"I know no truth in that. We could do with his pace though,"
Brace said.
"I am just concentrating on my own squad at the moment.
"Within the next couple of days I will sit down with all the players
and see who is staying and who wants out.
"I am looking at bringing in around three players just to bring some
freshness to the squad but, apart from that, I am hoping there won't be
too much transfer activity."
BBC |
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MAY-30 |
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Stand off
at the Liberty
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Kevin Austin is poised to
sign a new Liberty Stadium deal - but Swansea City are growing
increasingly frustrated with their five other out-of-contract players. The
Evening Post understands veteran defender Austin is on the brink of
committing to Swansea for the next 12 months.
But the futures of club skipper Garry Monk, Bayo Akinfenwa, Kris O'Leary,
Izzy Iriekpen and Steve Watt are far more uncertain.
All five have been offered fresh terms, but as yet there is little sign of
any of them putting pen to paper.
And those in charge at the Liberty are becoming more and more agitated by
the lack of progress, which they believe is hindering their summer
rebuilding plans.
It is believed many of the players involved are unhappy with the terms on
offer. But Swansea, who have pledged to do some belt-tightening this
summer, are refusing to budge.
That means a stand-off which could conceivably end with all five players
departing.
Monk and company have until the middle of June to respond to their offers,
after which the club can withdraw them if they wish.
''The chairman and directors of the club are very disappointed,'' a
highly-placed Swansea source told the Post.
''The offers have been made to the players in good faith and yet the club
have now been left in limbo at a time when we need to push on, finalise
our budgets and see what money is available to strengthen the squad.
''It's disappointing because we felt these boys would jump at the chance
to stay with the club. We thought they would have wanted to carry on
furthering their careers under Roberto Martinez.
''But the impression we're getting is that they aren't that bothered about
staying.
''Frustration is certainly growing within the club.''
Evening
Post |
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MAY-30 |
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Murtagh
swaps seaside resorts
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Influential midfielder
Conall Murtagh has swapped seaside resorts and quit Principality Welsh
Premier club Rhyl after agreeing full-time terms with Southport, relegated
to Blue Square North at the end of the season.
The 21-year-old becomes the third player to leave the club in the past
week - striker Paul Roberts was released at his own request and fellow
front man Alex Hay opted to join Cammell Laird in the UniBond League.
A Northern Ireland under-21 international who started his career with
Ballymena United and Crusaders before being spotted by Hearts, Murtagh
(pictured) made his Scottish League debut while on loan at Raith Rovers in
January 2005.
Following his release from Tynecastle he played in the reserves at
Altrincham after arriving in Manchester as a student and then joined
Connah's Quay Nomads.
After a season on Deeside, he quickly became a fans' favourite at Belle
Vue, where he made twenty-three Welsh Premier appearances last season out
of a career total of fifty, and was voted into the Welsh Premier dream
team by the league managers.
He now links up with former Bangor City manager Peter Davenport at Haig
Avenue.
"Conall’s a student at Manchester University and Southport’s
offer of a full-time contract is the main reason behind his
departure," said Lillies' boss John Hulse.
"He told me he thought there would be less travelling and better
pitches in the Conference North, but I disagree on both counts.
"He might change his mind when he has to travel to Blyth Spartans on
a bleak midweek winter night!" he added.
www.nonleaguedaily.com |
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MAY-29 |
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Crewe set
to sign Stones from New Saints
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League One side Crewe
Alexandra look set to sign The New Saints midfielder Greg Stones.
The 25-year-old scored
four goals in 22 Welsh Premier League appearances after signing from Rhyl
last June.
"I think TNS have
accepted he is going to move on," Crewe assistant manager Neil Baker
told the club's website.
"We'd like him to
come soon, although there's one or two things to sort out. There would be
international clearance to obtain in the long run."
BBC |
|
MAY-29 |
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Neath
looking to the future
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The
sweetest thing for Neath Athletic was topping the MacWhirter Welsh League
Division One.
Finishing
with 92 points - the highest in the league's 100 year history - more than
made up for being held back by the league last year, said coach Andy Dyer.
'The
main challenge as coach in the Premiership will be survival,' he said.
'Over
the past five years we've come from Division Three and we've been winning
all the way, gaining honours.
'Realistically,
that's not going to happen now. We have to get our minds around that. It's
about how we react now when we lose one or two games on the bounce -
because that is going to happen. It's about developing the strength to
cope with those situations.'
In the
Premiership, the club will be up against teams including The New Saints
and Llanelli who have full-time players but Dyer is not daunted by that
prospect.
'We'll
prepare just the same as we have over the past five years. We're a
difficult side to beat, which is what we've always been. As long as we
maintain that and remain strong we'll be competitive against them. We
won't be going into the games negative, we will prepare by knowing what
the opposition is all about. Whether you're winning or surviving, you have
to be competitive'
With a
settled coaching team in place that has carried the club through to
promotion, Dyer feels no need to make changes or add to it. Although, as
he says 'we never say never'.
He is
confident the team will meet the tougher challenge posed by the
Premiership and that the players will raise their game.
'There's
no reason why we can't stay there. One thing about the side is that it's
useful, with a young, youthful side it gives that enthusiasm to do well.
We are well equipped to stay. We had a five year plan to get into the
League of Wales and we achieved that, now we have a five year plan to get
to and keep us at the top end of the table.
'We'll
take each year as it comes. The first year we aim to be at least third
from bottom and then keep going up from there.'
There
have been several new signings to strengthen the team, a striker,
midfielder and defender but the current squad - including experienced
players like Carl Shaw - all remain.
Neath
Guardian |
|
MAY-29 |
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Flint
lose boss Beck
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FLINT
Town United’s long-serving manager Dave Beck has resigned after more
than 17 years with the Silkmen.
An
active figure since first helping out with the club’s juniors, Beck has
been Flint’s first team manager for the past six years but says he has
had enough of the Cymru Alliance League.
“I
don’t like the way they operate and I don’t believe they have given
Flint fair treatment over the years so I am getting out of it,” he said.
“Two
seasons ago they deducted three points from us for fielding an ineligible
player that cost us getting promotion back to the Welsh Premier League.
“Yet
this season another club had nothing deducted for the same offence. There
seems to be an anti-Flint attitude and as far as I am concerned it
stinks.”
Paul Davies steps up from
assistant and will be aided by long-serving Flint player Andy Davies.
Daily
Post |
|
MAY-29 |
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Bluebirds
set sights on a goalkeeper
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CARDIFF
City will this week turn their attention to signing a goalkeeper for next
season.
The
Echo exclusively revealed Plymouth left-sided player Tony Capaldi has
signed for the Bluebirds, while the arrival of Hibernian striker Chris
Killen, pictured is imminent.
The
Bluebirds hope to seal the Killen deal by the end of the week.
And
now, after the season officially finished with yesterday’s Championship
play-off final in which Derby were promoted to the Premiership, City will
now concentrate on strengthening their last line of defence to fill the
void left by the departing Neil Alexander.
“We
will now focus our intentions on bringing in a goalkeeper and we have
three or four targeted,” said Bluebirds chairman Peter Ridsdale.
“The
process is well under way and it goes without saying we are looking to
bring in quality.”
City
have David Forde in their ranks, who replaced Alexander towards the end of
the season, after the Scotsman could not agree a further contract with the
club after six seasons with the Bluebirds.
The
club are also targeting a ball-winner in the centre of midfield to add a
bit more bite in the engine room.
South
Wales Echo |
|
MAY-29 |
|
Wrexham
stages celeb super six
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|
Celebrities took to the
pitch at Wrexham's Racecourse ground in aid of the Soccer Six charity
tournament.
Singers including Liberty
X, Goldie Lookin' Chain, former footballers Ian Rush and Mickey Thomas,
and members of the current Wrexham team, also played.
The travelling event has
helped a variety of different good causes.
Wrexham FC's Football in
the Community Project will benefit from the money raised during the bank
holiday Mondaytournament.
Also among the line-up
were stars from TV soaps, Channel 4's Big Brother and ITV's The X Factor,
as well as the likes of former Manchester United and Leeds player Lee
Sharpe.
A WAGs (wives and
girlfriends) team from Wrexham FC also took part.
BBC |
|
MAY-29 |
|
WBA
boss won’t be forcing Koumas to stay
|
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WELSH
international Jason Koumas could be one of a host of West Brom stars to
leave the club following their Championship play-off defeat to Derby.
Koumas,
Curtis Davies and Diomansy Kamara are among the players who may be heading
out of The Hawthorns if the price is right – and manager Tony Mowbray
will not stand in their way.
The
Baggies were beaten 1-0 by Derby at Wembley, with Stephen Pearson’s
first goal since his £650,000 move from Celtic in January settling the
issue.
And
Mowbray knows he may not be able to keep his squad together through the
summer.
Koumas
is being linked with Celtic, while Davies is interesting Arsenal and
Kamara is in Roma’s sights.
South
Wales Echo |
|
MAY-28 |
|
‘I’ll
sign for City’ says Killen
|
|
CARDIFF
City are set to seal their second transfer of the summer with Hibernian
striker Chris Killen on the brink of joining the Bluebirds.
After
the Echo exclusively revealed last week that City manager Dave Jones had
snapped up Plymouth left-back Tony Capaldi, Killen now looks to be on his
way to Ninian Park as well.
The
25-year-old New Zealand international, who scored 14 goals this season for
Hibs, has not played since suffering an Achilles injury a week before the
January transfer window opened.
But
Killen revealed to the Echo that once he is fit again, he is ready to sign
for the Bluebirds ahead of Hibs’ rivals Hearts.
“I
have spoken to Cardiff City and hopefully everything will be sorted out
this week,” said Killen, who sat out Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Wales at
Wrexham through injury.
“I
still have my medical to come, but we have agreed personal terms.
“I
came to Cardiff a couple of months ago and met the manager, players and
staff and I like what I heard.
“I
saw the plans for the new stadium and training ground.
“There
are exciting times down there and I want to be part of those ambitious
plans.
“Everything
has been agreed and hopefully I’ll be a Cardiff player by the end of the
week.”
icWales |
|
MAY-28 |
|
I’ll
help Wrexham again – Bellamy
|
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CRAIG
BELLAMY has vowed to help Wrexham with another donation if he ends up in
more controversy next season.
The
Wales striker, who scored twice against New Zealand at the Racecourse on
Saturday, made a donation to the Dragons two months ago after he was fined
by Liverpool for a training-ground bust-up with club-mate John Arne Riise.
The
cash boost enabled the club to sign loan players who helped keep the
Dragons in the Football League.
And
Bellamy joked he would splash the cash again to help the club if he landed
in more hot water next season.
“There’s
usually a fine round the corner for me at some stage of the season so
I’m sure Wrexham will be
waiting
in anticipation for another fine so I can help them out,” said Bellamy.
“I
don’t think Wrexham would have come back if they’d been relegated.
That would have been it. I watched Newport County do it a number of years
ago. They were the first professional team I ever saw play when I watched
them play Cardiff. I watched them then drift out of the league and that
was it, and we can’t afford to have another Welsh team go the same way.
“It’s
important not just to the people up north to have a team representing
Welsh football in the English leagues.
“It’s
about producing players – a lot of good players come from North Wales
and a lot of them do come through the Wrexham set-up at one time or
another, and it’s vital for us that they continue to do that.
icWales |
|
MAY-28 |
|
Llanelli
announce four new signings
|
Llanelli AFC announced
that four new players have joined the club.
They are : Goalkeeper, Ryan Harrison, who has been playing for Forest
Green Rovers in The Nationwide Conference and played for Havant &
Waterlooville on loan for their two play off games at the end of the
season. Midfielder, Chris Holloway from Merthyr Tydfil, who is currently
representing Wales in the Four Nations Tournament in Scotland. Chris
previously played for Exeter City, Rotherham United and Tiverton Town,
where he was voted player of the year in 2005. Chris lives in Gowerton.
Striker/Midfielder, Sam Small, who played for Cwmbran last season,
Finally, Paul Wanless, who has joined as Player/Coach. Paul has played
over 500 Football League games for Oxford United and Cambridge and spent
last season as No 2 at Forest Green. Paul will bring a wealth of
experience to the Club and be an added bonus to both the playing and
coaching staff.
llanelliafc.org |
|
MAY-28 |
|
Ridsdale
on Euro mission
|
|
Cardiff
chairman Peter Ridsdale has revealed his next project is to ensure the
Bluebirds can again qualify for European competition.
The
Ninian Park outfit has effectively been barred from Europe since their
right to represent Wales as Welsh Cup winners was withdrawn in 1994.
“I’ve
spent four fifths of my time until now working on the new stadium project
and now that’s going ahead, I will turn to other matters including
Europe,” Ridsdale said.
“If
we win the FA Cup or the Premiership in seasons to come, we would not be
nominated by the FA because we don’t come under their jurisdiction.
“It’s
the FA who nominate clubs, but we come under the Football Association of
Wales and they don’t want to lose us
“Berwick
Rangers are in England, but they play in Scotland and come under the
Scottish FA. If it happens there then there should be no reason City
cannot come under the English FA.
“This
is not Wales v England. We play in the English system and we ought to be
able to qualify for whichever competitions other clubs are able to qualify
for.”
icWales |
|
MAY-28 |
|
Wales
lose Semi-Pro crown to England
|
|
Wales
were defeated by England in their final Four Nations match in Inverness
this afternoon, but the 3-0 scoreline was no reflection on the game at
all. Things could have been so different for Tony Pennock's men if two
referee decisions had gone their way and a dubious disallowed goal was
allowed to stand. Add this, to the twice that Wales had hit the bar in the
opening half and all in all, it was a very unlucky day.
It wasn't to be Wales'
day when Craig Hughes of Newport County rattled the bar with a rifled
free-kick and then Todd hit the same woodwork with his header at a corner.
To add to Wales's frustrations in a half that they dominated, a Lee John
cross was handled in the area by Kevin Nicholson, but the Referee and
Assistant were happy for play to continue.
The game continued to be
a fiery affair, in which five Welshman received yellow cards,
The English had taken the
lead on eleven minutes when their striker Gareth Seddon of Hyde Utd struck
a 25 metre effort that was deflected and looped over Tony Roberts in the
Welsh goal. This was a cruel blow for Wales, who had the better of the
opening minutes.
the game was all but over
and the Tournament sealed for the Three Lions on 70 minutes, when against
the run of play and with Wales attacking, Glen Southam broke free and
although his effort was cleared off the lion by Gethin Jones, sub Mitchell
Cole was on hand to put England 2-0 up.
Wales responded well and
Hughes was again unlucky when his shot beat the keeper, only for Quinn to
clear his goal bound shot. England rubbed salt into the Welsh wounds just
moments later though when Southam again took advantage of a Wales attack
to catch them on the break. He unselfishly fed Seddon, who struck his
second of the match.
Welshpremier.com |
|
MAY-28 |
|
£15
Million Sky deal for FAW
|
|
WELSH
football is celebrating a TV jackpot after signing a double-your-money £15m
deal with Sky Sports.
Sky
Sports' bid, which eclipsed a £10m offer from BBC Wales, includes a £13m
down-payment and a £750,000 bonus every time John Toshack's national team
hosts a European footballing giant like Italy, England or Spain.
The
Welsh FA have English football to thank for their whopping new deal, with
Sky having cash to spare after losing the rights to televise England
internationals and the FA Cup.
icWales |
|
MAY-27 |
|
No
job is too small for sacked manager Jones
|
|
CARMARTHEN Town made an
astonishing decision this week when they dismissed manager Mark Jones two
weeks after winning the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history.
Jones’ dismissal came
as a complete shock to Cardiff-born manager and Carmarthen moved quickly
to appoint ex-Wrexham defender Deryn Brace.
“I simply want to get
straight back in,” said Jones, who is a Uefa A licence coach. “I’m a
football man and I’ll consider any job at a reasonable level.
“I wouldn’t rule
anything out.”
Jones started his
managerial career at Welsh League Maesteg Park and led them to the Welsh
Cup semi-finals, losing 2-1 against TNS.
Maesteg also finished
runners-up in the Welsh League, being edged out on goal difference by Ton
Pentre, and had the option of taking promotion. But they decided against
going up.
After seven years with
Maesteg Park, Jones revitalised Port Talbot, lifting them from rock bottom
in the Welsh Premier League to top spot at one stage and the Welsh Cup
semi-finals for the first time in their history.
He took charge at
Carmarthen three years ago and has earned domestic and European success.
Jones admitted he was ‘gutted’ by Carmarthen’s decision to sack him
this week.
South Wales
Echo |
|
MAY-27 |
|
County
fancy Port's Lee
John
|
|
NEWPORT County are
interested in signing up Port Talbot midfielder Lee John.
County boss Peter Beadle
was impressed by the 22-year-old when the sides met at Spytty Park in last
season’s FAW Premier Cup.
But he says the
Nationwide South club won’t rush into a move.
“We are not in a
panic,” he said.
“We need two or three
more players, but we will wait and see how the summer pans out.”
South Wales
Argus |
|
MAY-27 |
|
Another
departure from Rhyl
|
|
There has been another
departure at Belle Vue as Rhyl striker Alex Hay has left the club after
just one season, in order to team up with his former Assistant Manager
Neil Young at Cammell Laird.
Hay follows fellow
striker Paul Roberts and Dylan Owen out of the Belle Vue exit door as John
Hulse's squad is reshaped in time for their UEFA Cup campaign.
Hay's departure is the
most significant of the three as he made 45 appearances in total last
term, netting nine times, whereas Roberts and Owen both failed to make an
impression.
He signed for Rhyl from
Vauxhall Motors in June 2006 after previously playing for Tranmere Rovers,
Rushden & Diamonds, Altrincham and Bangor City. John Hulse is expected
to bring in some new faces next week to add to the captures of midfielder
Craig Garside who joined from Connah's Quay and winger Craig Jones, who
made the switch from Aberystwyth Town.
Welshpremier.com |
|
MAY-27 |
|
Tiny
rise in Premier League attendances
|
|
Rhyl attracted the best
average attendances in the Principality Welsh Premier League during
2006-7.
Rhyl had the highest
average of 492, while Airbus UK had the lowest at 148.
Relegated Cwmbran Town
recorded an average of 165 with a high of 286 and a low of 103.
The average attendance
over the whole league was 269.
That’s a rise of one
from the previous season – and 33 from 1994-95.
Average attendances:
Aberystwyth 353, Airbus UK 148, Bangor 442, Caernarfon 250, Caersws 199,
Carmarthen Town 323, Connah’s Quay Nomads 207, Porthmadog 225, Cwmbran
165, Haverfordwest 232, Llanelli 286, Newi Cefn Druids 172, Newtown 256,
Port Talbot 218, Rhyl 492, The New Saints 321, Welshpool 276.
South Wales
Echo |
|
MAY-27 |
|
Dorus next
on the list for Swansea
|
Swansea City are being
linked with highly-rated goalkeeper Dorus De Vries after completing the
signing of Fulham's Matty Collins and St Johnstone striker Jason Scotland.
Midfielder Collins followed Scotland into the Liberty Stadium yesterday,
penning a two-year deal after a successful trial spell at the back end of
last season. Now Swansea are thought to be targeting Dutchman De Vries,
set to play what could be his last game for Dunfermline against Celtic in
today's Scottish Cup Final, as Roberto Martinez's summer rebuilding work
gathers pace.
And the Evening Post also understands Swansea have agreed a fee for ADO
Den Haag midfielder Ferrie Bodde. Bodde, who will cost around £50,000
with add-ons depending on appearances, could be unveiled next week if the
two parties can agree personal terms.
Swansea will also be keen to wrap up De Vries's signature soon as they
seek serious competition for Willy Gueret.
A former team-mate of Bodde's at Den Haag, the 26-year-old stopper has
been a big hit since switching to Scotland 12 months ago.
But with his contract up this summer and Dunfermline relegated from the
Scottish Premier League, De Vries could walk away for nothing.
Hibernian and Dundee United have also been linked with the former Holland
Under-21 international, who would almost certainly be regarded as
Swansea's new first-choice No. 1 should Martinez lure him to Wales.South Wales
Echo |
|
MAY-27 |
|
Boyle
at Welshpool
|
|
FORMER Wales and Cardiff
City defender Terry Boyle has joined Welshpool as assistant manager.
Boyle, who is now the
football development officer for Gwynedd, is currently in Scotland
assisting Welsh semi-pro manager Tony Pennock at the Four Nations
tournament.
South Wales
Echo |
|
MAY-26 |
|
Celtic
view WPL as it gains academy status
|
|
AMBITIOUS Cwmbran Celtic
have targeted promotion to the top tier of Welsh domestic football.
The Celtic Park outfit is
now just two steps from gaining a place in the Welsh Premier League after
recently winning promotion to Division Two of the MacWhirter Welsh League.
However an even
significant move came recently when the club was granted academy status, a
pre-requisite of membership to the WPL.
Celtic went head-to-head
with Cwmbran Town for the right to put their name to the academy at the
town's Fairwater High School - and came out on top.
"It's great news and
hopefully it will help speed up our ambition to progress to the Welsh
Premier League," said Celtic secretary Malcolm Jarrett.
"However we'd only
want to play at that level if we managed to find the right financial
package. We wouldn't want to do as some clubs have done and relied on one
particular individual or one company."
South Wales
Argus |
|
MAY-26 |
|
Wales
Internationals stay on Sky
|
|
The Football Association of
Wales has extended its deal to show Wales internationals on Sky Sports for
a further four seasons.
That will take it up to
the end of the 2011/12 season, including Wales' home qualifying matches
for the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championships.
Sky will also show all
Wales' friendly internationals played at home and a number of Under-21
matches.
"The increased money
benefits football in Wales," said FAW boss David Collins.
BBC Wales' Head of
Sport Nigel Walker commented: "We put in an extremely strong,
competitive bid, but we always have to bear in mind our responsibility
to licence fee payers.
"Our plans would
have offered free and comprehensive television coverage of Welsh
football in English and Welsh for our audiences.
"However, to spend
over the odds would not have represented good value for money."
BBC |
|
MAY-26 |
|
Crows
hope of a WPL return dashed
|
|
Town suffered WPL relegation
at the end of this season, just over two years after their sole
benefactor, club chairman and local businessman John Colley, retired from
football.
Now the Crows have
suffered another massive blow by losing their academy status, a scenario
which rules them out of a return to the WPL.
There was added spice to
the situation because one of the academy's leading figures is Cwmbran
Celtic first-team coach Della Cheedy, who previously held a similar
position with Town.
"We had a
partnership agreement with Cwmbran Town which had operated for some six
years, but that had actually expired, " said Fairwater High School
head teacher Stephen Cocks.
"The school
governors felt very, very strongly that they had a responsibility to
actually find the best deal for the students.
"So they invited
interested football clubs to come along and make a presentation and it was
after the presentation that Cwmbran Celtic was chosen.
"Everybody who knows
Della Cheedy recognises that he's a fantastic coach and has tremendous
respect from all concerned."
Town last week appointed
Spaniard Guillermo Ganet as their new manager and he now faces a difficult
task to revive the Crows fortunes.
South Wales
Argus |
|
MAY-26 |
|
Wales
held by the Irish
|
|
Wales came from behind to
gain a draw at a cold and windy Dudgeon Park in Brora in the Scottish
Highlands this evening, meaning that they will have to win against England
on Sunday to retain the Four Nations Championship. The match was delayed
by two minutes after a torrential hailstorm forced the players straight
off the pitch following the Anthems, but when they returned Wales kicked
off into the wind.
The plucky Irish, who
were made up of the best players in the successful Eircom Under 21 League
took a surprise lead after a quiet opening period. The goal was of real
class from the impressive Conor McDonald of Waterford Utd who struck a
25-metre belter that lobbed over Wales skipper Tony Roberts in the Welsh
goal.
Just before the goal,
Wales had a good chance to take the lead when Michael Byrne's effort from
the edge of the box was tipped around his post by the impressive Eugene
Ferry. Following the goal, Shane Fitzgerald of UCD tried to replicate his
team-mate when his 25 yard shot went just over Roberts' cross bar as the
Irish played with growing confidence.
Chris Venables of Caersws
had the only other chance of a disappointing first half, but his left foot
volley went wide of the upright.
Tony Pennock's men came
out with more urgency after the break and they almost pulled level just
minutes after the re-start, when Dagenham's Chris Moore crossed from the
left with pace but it zipped off the bar. Graham Evans hobbled off moments
later after a knock on his right ankle and Newport's Craig Hughes came on
for his second cap.
The Irish had a great
chance to double the advantage when Shelbourne's David Bracken capitalised
on hesitation in the Welsh defence, but the burly striker hit his shot
straight at the reliable Roberts.
Wales then created their
best chance when two smart headers from midfielders Adie Harris and
Venables fell at striker Rob Duffy's feet but his volley on the turn went
agonisingly wide of the post.
The Welsh continued to
exert pressure in search of the equaliser and sub Lee John again looked
dangerous wide on the right. He managed to create a chance in the penalty
area, but his placed shot across Ferry in the Irish goal also went
narrowly wide. Ferry then twice denied Hughes on his near-post as he saved
well following Paul Keddle's deliveries.
The Irish almost sealed the win, when a strong Fitzgerald effort was
palmed away by Roberts. From the resulting corner, sub Chris Todd headed
against his own bar with his first touch. Moments later though Todd again
hit the woodwork but at the correct end and Moore was on hand to head home
the rebound from a yard out.
Welshpremier.com |
|
MAY-26 |
|
Scotland
moves to Wales to join Swans
|
|
Swansea
have fended off competition from a number of Scottish Premier League clubs
to sign St Johnstone striker Jason Scotland.
The
Trinidad & Tobago frontman was thought to have been interesting
Hibernian, Hearts and Dundee United after scoring 26 goals last season.
But
Swansea boss Roberto Martinez has persuaded the 28-year-old to sign for
the Welsh club subject to a work permit being granted.
The
Swans have agreed a nominal fee with St Johnstone for Scotland's release
as he was under contract with the First Division club until August 24.
The
Coca-Cola League One side have already submitted an application for a work
permit and are awaiting a hearing date from the Home Office.
Scotland
was denied a work permit to continue his two-year stay at Dundee United in
2005 before being forced to step down a division with Saints.
Former
Motherwell midfielder Martinez told www.swanseacity.co.uk: "I'm
delighted to be able to secure a player of Jason's calibre.
"Goalscorers
are the most precious commodity in football and I believe we've persuaded
a quality striker to join us.
"He
is a striker with all-round ability which will enable him to play in a
number of roles that give us different options.
"He
has a magic touch and can make something happen out of nothing.
"He's
an exciting player who always entertains and attracts the crowds and
players like that are a rare breed.
"It's
also a bonus that he knows the British football scene having spent four
successful years playing in Scotland."
Evening
Post |
|
MAY-26 |
|
Bluebirds
snap up Capaldi
|
|
CARDIFF
City today clinched their first summer signing.
Left-back
Tony Capaldi, who is out of contract with Plymouth Argyle, has signed a
three-year contract for the Bluebirds.
Sunderland
made two offers for Capaldi during the January transfer window, while
Wolves and Norwich City were also keen on the Northern Ireland
international.
Former
Birmingham City defender Capaldi, 25, completed his medical at Ninian Park
late yesterday and leaves Argyle after four years at Home Park.
They
offered him a new contract, but he was keen on a move closer to Birmingham
where he grew up.
That
made Wolves favourites to sign him, but he has opted for Cardiff.
Manager
Dave Jones has now landed his first target and is also close to bringing
in a striker.
There
are also talks progressing with goalkeepers and midfield players as Jones
seeks to bring in at least six new signings over the next month or so.
icWales |
|
MAY-26 |
|
Dundee
United offer Flood lifeline
|
|
DUNDEE
United are close to signing Cardiff City winger Willo Flood.
The
Scottish Premier League club are keen to sign the lively and dangerous
Flood on a season-long loan.
City
manager Dave Jones believes Flood, 22, has genuine potential, but wants to
see how he performs over a full season of league football.
Dundee
United are offering the Dublin-born midfield player regular first team
football.
Flood,
who has had loan spells with Rochdale and Coventry City, joined the
Bluebirds at the start of last season.
He
started only five league games for Cardiff City, firing the winner at
Leeds United after going on as substitute.
Flood's
career total of first team appearances is 29 starts plus 31 from the subs
bench.
He has
scored three goals, one of them for Cardiff.
South Wales
Argus |
|
MAY-26 |
|
Neil
steps up a rung
|
|
FORMER
Wales Under-21 international Neil Gibson is to step up a rung and take
over as new manager of his home-town club Prestatyn Town.
Gibson,
27, whose former clubs include Tranmere Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday,
Southport and Rhyl, was Prestatyn's assistant manager last season but now
moves into the hot seat following last week's decision of player-manager
Dave Fuller to stand down for family and teaching reasons.
Daily
Post |
|
MAY-25 |
|
Bluebirds
track Wales star
|
|
WEMBLEY-BOUND
Arron Davies is being tracked by Cardiff City.
The
Bluebirds will watch once-capped Welshman Davies play for Yeovil Town in
Sunday’s League One play-off final against Blackpool at the new Wembley
Stadium.
Cardiff
City fan Davies, 22, did ‘the Ayatollah’ in celebration after scoring
twice in Yeovil’s semi-final triumph against Nottingham Forest at the
City Ground.
A
year ago, the Bluebirds signed Stephen McPhail immediately after he helped
Barnsley earn promotion with victory in the play-off final at the
Millennium Stadium.
McPhail
had played for Barnsley when Peter Ridsdale, now Cardiff’s chairman, was
in charge at the Yorkshire club – and so did Davies!
The
attacking midfield player had a loan spell with Barnsley when he was a
Southampton player in 2003-4.
Davies,
who has scored 27 goals in 113 first team appearances, 33 of them from the
substitutes bench, and is also being watched by Bristol City.
South Wales
Echo |
|
MAY-25 |
|
Weaver:
Dragons won’t rush signings
|
|
WREXHAM
assistant boss Steve Weaver has admitted he and manager Brian Carey will
not be rushed into any panic summer signings.
The
Dragons, who narrowly avoided dropping out of the Football League for the
first time in their history with a final day win over Boston United, have
released only two players from the squad that kept them up.
Only
Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Michael Ingham and former
Manchester United defender Lee Roche have left the club, while the
management duo have also acted quickly to bring in two of the loan players
that ensured the Dragons stayed in the League, signing stopper Anthony
Williams and striker Michael Proctor.
However,
Carey’s right-hand man admitted it might be quite a few weeks before
Wrexham go back into the transfer market.
"Speaking
to other managers and people who’ve been around for some time, they all
warned us not to rush in and sign a player just for the sake of it,"
said Weaver.
"The
fans have to be patient, just as we have to be patient. It’s no good
signing someone for whatever reason and then when we get back to
pre-season training not having it work out.
"You
have to make sure that the players you bring in are right for the
club."
Daily Post |
|
MAY-25 |
|
Scimeca
crucial to promotion plans
|
|
As thoughts
turn to next season, Terry Phillips looks at what Cardiff City
can do to improve on the last campaign
THE
biggest single blow to Cardiff City’s promotion hopes last season was
the injury to Riccardo Scimeca.
Yes,
there was a major problem when Glenn Loovens was hurt at a time when
Darren Purse was already ruled out, but, for me, Scimeca was the key.
The
Bluebirds looked a quality team when the hugely influential Scimeca
partnered Stephen McPhail in central midfield.
Cardiff
City were unable to fill the massive gap left by Scimeca and that’s one
of the key positions where manager Dave Jones will look to add competition
for next season.
South Wales
Echo |
|
MAY-25 |
|
Stay
fit or you'll be fined say Swans
|
|
Swansea
City's players face hefty fines if they return next season any heavier
than when they signed off at the end of the last campaign. Roberto
Martinez's squad were given a fortnight off after defeat by Blackpool saw
them miss out on the League One play-offs.
But they have all been sent close-season fitness guides this week to
ensure they come back in good shape for Swansea's next challenge for the
Championship.
"We don't want to spend pre-season training getting the players
fit," explained Swansea physio Richie Evans.
"They should come back fit so the focus can be on football.
"It's also vital to be fit from the start because the fitter they
are, the less chance there is of picking up injuries.
"All the studies show that a heavy proportion of injuries come during
the early part of the season, and that's something we want to avoid if we
can.
"The lads were given two weeks off, but then we sent out a
close-season conditioning programme. If they follow that there is much
less chance of them picking up injuries when they do come back."
Lee Trundle and Co's summer jobs are based around three gym visits a week.
Evening Post |
|
MAY-25 |
|
County
close in on Simpson
|
|
NEWPORT County boss Peter
Beadle is close to agreeing a deal to bring former Cardiff City academy
product James Simpson to Spytty Park next season.
Simpson, 18, joined the
Exiles on loan in March and impressed during County's run-in, where they
only missed out on the Conference South playoffs on the final day of the
season.
Comfortable across the
midfield and at fullback, Simpson is seen by Beadle as a utility player
with the ability to shine in the Conference South.
He explained: "James
is good on the ball, is an excellent passer and his attitude is first
class.
"I was always keen
to keep him but he rightly felt he should examine the options available to
him after being released by Cardiff City.
"He spoke with Scott
Young (County assistant manager) and Scott gave him some advice and then I
spoke with both James and his father.
"I explained what
role I had in mind for James next season and his father explained that
they'd sat down and decided on signing with us.
"They have decided
that James is better off being part of the first team squad at Newport
County than he would be playing reserve football at a league club.
South Wales
Argus |
|
MAY-25 |
|
Big day in the life of Byron
|
|
NEWPORT'S Byron Anthony will fulfil a lifelong dream on Saturday when he
steps out onto the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium.
The 22-year-old from Conway Road will play a leading role for Bristol
Rovers as they take on Shrewsbury Town in the League Two play-off final -
and he can't wait to play at the new-look 90,000 seat arena.
"It's probably the best stadium in the world," said Anthony.
"When you consider that some of the great players never get the
chance to play there it's a dream come true for me."
It's a remarkable upturn in fortunes for the former Wales under-21
defender who was released by Cardiff City last year.
After a spell on loan at non-league Forest Green Rovers, Anthony signed
for the Pirates last summer and has quickly established himself as a key
player in their promotion charge.
The side were lying 16th in the table in March, but a run of nine wins
in 12 games saw them clinch a play-off place with a last-day win at
Hartlepool.
They confirmed their Wembley spot with a thumping 7-4 aggregate victory
over Lincoln City in the semi-final and now only Shrewsbury lie between
them and a return to League One football.
South Wales
Argus |
|
MAY-24 |
|
Larsson set
for Old Gold date
|
|
Swedish legend Henrik Larsson
may be on his way to Richmond Park to face Carmarthen Town.
The former Celtic, Barcelona and Manchester United striker is now playing for
Helsingborg in his native country and next month's Uefa Cup draw could see his
side paired with Carmarthen.
Town have earned qualification for the second-tier European competition
following their historic 3-2 victory over Afan Lido in the Welsh Cup final
earlier this month.
And the prospect of Larsson arriving at their home ground is a mouth watering
one.
The Old Gold will have to wait until next month for the draw in Switzerland,
where they will definitely be pulled out against a team from either Denmark,
Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden or Norway.
Larsson - who has won 93 international caps - is no stranger to opposition from
the Welsh Premier League.
He was in the Celtic side who thrashed Cwmbran Town 10-0 on aggregate in the
1999 Uefa Cup.
Carmarthen have had mixed success in Europe.
They beat Eircom League qualifiers Longford Town two years ago in the Uefa Cup,
with their 5-1 home victory the biggest win by a Welsh club in Europe.
Last season, however, they were comprehensively beaten 8-1 on aggregate by
Finnish outfit Tampere United in the Intertoto Cup.
Evening Post |
|
MAY-24 |
|
Parekh set
title target for Reds
|
Bring us the title - the plea
sent to Llanelli's playing and management staff by chairman Nitin Parekh at the
club's end of season presentation. Following two years of full-time status, the
eye is now on the main prize as the club gears up for its first real assault on
the Welsh Premier League title.
A second and third place finish over the past two seasons have earned the club
European football but now Parekh wants to go one step further and lift the
league crown.
To further enhance their chances, the club is hoping to add to its playing and
management set-up.
Virtually every player is out of contract at the end of June but the club is
confident they retain the core of the squad and add further quality to
Nicholas's options.
Nicholas too, is expected to have a new face alongside him in the dugout.
It is understood the club is in talks with a coach - who has played in the
English football league - to join Nicholas, assistant manager Andrew York and
coach Terry Lewis on the management team.
York joined last season as Nicholas's No. 2 to lift some of the workload off the
former Barry Town boss, but an extra pair of hands will further help share out
responsibility.
Parekh hopes these factors will help realise the club's dream of becoming league
champions.
"We have gained a lot of experience over the last two years and now it is a case
of moving up another level," said Parekh.
"There is no magic wand in turning this club around - it is a long term plan.
"But at the moment, we are smack on track. We have got a strong squad here and
we are looking to retain the players we want for next season.
Llanelli Star |
|
MAY-24 |
|
Bangor set for the new season
|
|
BANGOR City fans are have been
assured that football will be played at Farrar Road next season following last
weekend's fire in the stands.
There were fears that the city council may not sanction remedial work because
of the impending move to Nantporth, but town clerk Gwyn Hughes said that all
necessary work will be carried out.
"It's too soon to say what the extent of the damage is, but the stadium is
fully covered by insurance and there would be no cost to the council," he
said.
"Engineers will assess the scale of the damage, the fire happened at the
supporting trusses of the two stands."
The Fire Service were called out to the blaze at 1.32am
last Saturday morning and
managed to contain the fire to the press area, where the commentary box was
completed destroyed.
"It could have been much worse," added the town clerk. "Fortunately there was
wasn't a bit of a wind or we could have lost the whole stand."
"However, there is damage to the electrics and water supply as well as water
damage to the boardroom area."
Preliminary investigations point to an electrical problem in the speaker
system, but investigations are still being carried out.
A spokesperson for the Fire Service said that the investigation was expected
to be completed by the end of the week, while the police said that they had
not been asked to investigate at this juncture.
There have been claims that youths had been seen in the vicinity, and a police
spokesperson said that they would like to speak to anyone with any information
about the incident.
South Wales
Echo |
|
MAY-24 |
|
Reds star dreaming of another
Euro adventure
|
|
Llanelli players' player of the
year Antonio Corbisiero is dreaming of waltzing on the European stage once more
next season. The former Swansea City midfielder was rewarded for his tireless
displays for the Reds last season when he picked up the gong voted by his fellow
team-mates on Saturday night.
And he hopes to set the Continent alight next month when Llanelli take on
Lithuanian side Vetra Vilnius in the Intertoto Cup.
The 22-year-old already has fond memories of European football.
He famously scored the equalising goal at the Liberty Stadium in the Uefa Cup
second qualifying round defeat to Odense last August.
It was what dreams are made of for the hard-working midfielder.
"We all have great memories of
our ventures in Europe last season," he said.
"We beat Gefle which was a fantastic achievement for the club and then we did
well against Odense.
"It was great for the club as it attracted a lot of interest and this year we
are setting out to do the same in the Intertoto Cup.
"We don't know much about our opponents.
"But then again, we didn't know much about Gefle, so we know we can do it.
"European games, for a player, are the ones you really look forward to.
"The experience you can gain from playing in these games is huge.
"Hopefully, we can repeat the success we had in the Uefa Cup this year."
Before then, however, Corbisiero is hoping to sign a new deal at Stebonheath
Park which will see him lead the club's charge for the Welsh Premier League
crown.
Virtually the whole squad is
out of contract next month, but manager Peter Nicholas is keen to nail down his
squad well before then.
Corbisiero has become a key component in Nicholas's machine.
Llanelli Star |
|
MAY-24 |
|
Ferrie not sailing to Liberty -
Yet
|
Swansea City have denied
reports they have signed Ferrie Bodde - but are in talks with the Dutch
midfielder.And boss Roberto Martinez is also continuing negotiations with St
Johnstone and Hull respectively over strikers Jason Scotland and Darryl Duffy.
Reports in Holland claimed a deal was done for Bodde, who is keen to leave ADO
Den Haag following their relegation from the Dutch top flight.
It is understood Swansea will have to pay a fee in the region of £50,000 with
add-ons depending on appearances for the 24-year-old, who was also a target for
Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen.
But chairman Huw Jenkins insists no deal has yet been agreed.
"Reports saying we have signed Ferrie Bodde are wrong," he said.
"Yes he is one of the targets we are working hard to try to secure and there are
talks going on between the clubs and between the player and Roberto.
"But as is the case with a number of other players we're interested in, nothing
has been finalised yet."
St Johnstone boss Owen Coyle yesterday claimed Swansea were the "frontrunners"
in the chase for Trinidad & Tobago international Scotland, ahead of Dundee
United among others.
Jenkins added: "As with Ferrie Bodde, we are still speaking to the club and to
the agent over that one.
Evening Post |
|
MAY-24 |
|
Ridsdale bids for FAW power
|
|
PETER Ridsdale has put himself forward to be the first Cardiff City chairman to
serve on Football Association of Wales council for 16 years.
Bluebirds chairman Ridsdale has been nominated for a place on the new FAW
council which is to be elected over the next couple of months.
City have been left frustrated with the FAW over disciplinary matters and have
made it clear they would prefer to come under the English FA, while a switch
could help their quest to find a route into European competition.
Chairman Ridsdale, though, believes City must work closely with the FAW and his
nomination has been sent in.
Today, Ridsdale would not make any comment, although sources within Welsh
football confirm the nomination has been received.
Clubs who are full members of the FAW will vote on the nominations with six
council places available in South Wales.
The last Cardiff City chairman to serve on the FAW council was Tony Clemo, whose
three-year spell ended in 1991.
That was part of an agreement that the chairman of one of Wales’ three Football
League clubs – Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham – would have a place on the council.
Doug Sharpe (Swansea) was first, Clemo next and Wrexham's Pryce Griffiths
followed. But the arrangement was ended and City have not had a representative
since.
South Wales
Echo |
|
MAY-23 |
|
Carmarthen
appoint Deryn Brace as manager
|
|
Following the shock sacking
of Mark Jones yesterday afternoon, Carmarthen Town have announced that
former Haverfordwest boss Deryn Brace will take over at Richmond Park. The
departure of Jones came out of the blue yesterday afternoon when the news
broke just sixteen days after he guided them to the club's first ever
Welsh Cup. Town Chairman, Jeff Thomas has acted quickly to appoint the man
from Tenby after he made the announcement through the club's website.
The statement explained
that "Deryn Brace has been appointed Player / Manager of Carmarthen
Town. The former U18 & U21 International spent six years with Wrexham
before signing for Carmarthen Town in 2000-2001.
Following four seasons as Player / Manager at the New Bridge Meadow the
Tenby based defender re-signed for Town in November 2006 and will now take
over managerial responsibilities at Richmond Park.
Ironically, Jones brought
Brace to the club after he left Haverfordwest last season and he also
surprisingly picked him for the Welsh Cup Final, Jones's final game in
charge, over the current Welsh Semi Pro left-back, Paul Keddle.
Brace's first game in
charge will be in the UEFA Cup Qualifying Round, which will be a baptism
of fire, although he did guide County into the competition three season's
ago when they were defeated by Hafnarfjordur of Iceland.
Welshpremier.com |
|
MAY-23 |
|
Agent
admits strong interest in Purse
|
|
CARDIFF
CITY have been told by Darren Purse’s agent that there is strong
interest from elsewhere in the Bluebirds’ skipper.
The
centre-half has one year left on his contract at Ninian Park and admitted
on Monday that he was disappointed not to have been offered an extension
yet.
Now
the Bluebirds do appear to have opened up a dialogue with their
30-year-old skipper.
But
Premiership sides Wigan, Fulham and promoted Birmingham have been linked
with him, along with relegated pair Charlton and Sheffield United.
Purse’s
agent Richard Cody said talks were under way with Cardiff, but interest
from elsewhere could not be ignored.
“Talks
have begun over extending Darren’s deal, but we know there is a great
deal of interest,” said Cody.
“Darren’s
enjoyed himself at Cardiff and that’s why talks have begun over a new
deal.
“But,
when you have big clubs looking, it’s something that needs to be
considered. We’ll have to see what Dave Jones (Cardiff manager) has to
say.”
Western Mail |
|
MAY-23 |
|
Bluebirds
and Blues stadium deal on
|
|
Rugby regional
side Cardiff Blues will quit their historic Arms Park home to ground
share with Cardiff City Football Club – the decision expected to be
announced as early as within the next fortnight.
The
Western Mail understands Blues’ board members will give the green light
to relocate across the capital at the Bluebirds’ new 25,000-seat stadium
which is about to begin construction.
The
move will signal an end to more than 130 years of rugby at the Arms Park
and bring the capital in line with Swansea City and the Ospreys, who share
the Liberty Stadium.
Cardiff
City chairman Peter Ridsdale and Blues chief executive Bob Norster have
already held a number of meetings which have been described as “very
positive”.
The
main stumbling block has been the fact that the Arms Park is owned by
Cardiff Athletic Club and is leased by the Blues for matches, but this
detail is expected to be overcome.
It
seems likely the city-centre site would then be freed up for the building
of a conference centre next to the Millennium Stadium. This is a
long-cherished plan of Cardiff City Council.
It
is proposed that Cardiff RFC would then play their home games at Sophia
Gardens, though this could encounter local residents’ opposition on the
back of Glamorgan County Cricket Club’s redevelopment project nearby.
Western Mail |
|
MAY-23 |
|
Tredegar
Town Re-appoint manager
|
|
Tredegar
Town FC have reappointed Rob Ellis as Manager for the 2007-2008 season.
Rob Ellis had to step aside last September due to sad personal
circumstances; however, the Tredegar Town committee have now
re-appointed Rob as Manager as of yesterday evening.
Riley
Gray said "it was always our hope that Rob would return as Manager.
Jason Mogan who took over in Rob's absence will now revert back to
Assistant Manager. It is hoped with this management team in place
they can take the club to the next level".
Welshleague.org |
|
MAY-23 |
|
Carmarthen
sack manager Jones
|
Carmarthen Town have sacked
manager Mark Jones. On the clubs official website chairman Jeff Thomas
praised the achievements of Jones and his team in winning the League Cup
and Welsh Cup and for the club's exploits in Europe.
"Mark should feel a great deal of pride, we share that pride with him in
that we have supported him with a high level of resources. His efforts are
sincerely appreciated. Thomas went on to say "However, the club continues
to evolve and we have recently opened a study centre at Richmond Park
aimed at advancing our role in the community through school liaison, a
state of the art IT Centre and a host of other community initiatives.
"We are duty bound to fully utilise the ethos of best value and wish to
appoint a more locally based person who can fully embrace himself in these
initiatives and in enhancing a programme of player growth from within."
But
even though Jones has led Carmarthen to cup success and Europe, it seems
he has paid the price for failing to make Town a force in the league,
Town have one of the highest player budgets in the league, but Mark
Jones's era has seen them fall well short of making a claim for the
premier title, in his first season in charge they finished in 6th place 17
points off winners TNS, in the 2005-06 they finished in 4th place but a
massive 29 points off the title, and this season they could only manage
7th place 26 points from the top.
They have a few options for a replacement at hand at the club, with Mark
Aizelwood and former Haverfordwest County player/manager Deryn Brace on
the books, Brace took unfashionable Haverfordwest into Europe and a 3rd
and 4th place finish in the league, but was sacked as manager
and discarded as a player by the new Bluebirds committee early last
season, and was snapped up as a player by Carmarthen.
Tony |
|
MAY-23 |
|
Wales off
to a winning start
|
|
The
welsh semi-pro team got off to a good start in their big to retain the
semi-pro title. Last night at Victoria Park home of Ross County, they beat
their Scottish hosts 1-0, the only goal of the game came from a Rhys
Griffiths penalty in the 82nd minute, the spot kick was awarded for a foul
inside the box on Port Talbot's Lee John.
Wales
could have taken the the lead earlier but had several chances cleared off
the line by the Scots. England top the table following their 5-0
demolition of the Irish semi-pro side at Inverness.
Tony |
|
MAY-22 |
|
Premier
Pair to make Welsh Debut
|
|
Llanelli striker Rhys
Griffiths and Port Talbot Town flyer Lee John will both make their Wales
Semi Professional debuts against Scotland this evening in the opening game
of the Four Nations Tournament in Inverness.
It will be a first cap
for both players at any level and marks a fine season for both. The two
were team-mates at the Remax Stadium last season but Griffiths, who has
been the League's Golden Boot for the past two years, has continued his
excellent scoring record at Llanelli this year and he links up with
another former Port Talbot player Craig Hughes in a potentially deadly
strike force.
New Wales Semi Pro boss
Tony Pennock, who continues the Port Talbot Town connection (he's now
their Manager) also names Carmarthen Town left-back, Paul Keddle in his
first eleven, who will win his fourth cap.
The other three
Principality Welsh Premier players in the squad, Graham Evans and Chris
Venables of Caersws and Carmarthen's Chris Thomas will all start the game
against Ireland on Friday, but for the latter two, they will also win
their first caps should they come off the bench this evening. At the other
end of the spectrum, Evans is the record cap-holder at this level and he
will be hoping to add to his sixteen appearances tonight at Ross County's
Victoria Park.
Welshpremier.com |
|
MAY-22 |
|
Jones:
We need quality
|
|
DAVE
Jones today vowed to build a new team this summer capable of sustaining an
assault on promotion from the Championship.
The
Cardiff City boss insisted that at full strength, his Bluebirds are
already just as good a side as play-off finalists Derby County.
But
now he is on a major recruiting drive for next season, determined a
threadbare squad will not block the path to the Premiership again.
Two
goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers are all on his wanted
list.
He
has released 14 players including Neil Alexander plus making Steve
Thompson, Kevin Cooper and Chris Barker available for transfer.
But
Jones says only one ingredient will take City up next season – extra
quality.
“Success
in the Championship comes down to one factor – the quality of your
players,” said Jones.
“Every
player at this level has a flaw in their make-up, otherwise they would be
in the Premiership.
“When
I was at Wolves I signed Paul Ince and Denis Irwin. Both of them had a
flaw – not ability, but age.
“We
need to build a team with less flaws than the other Championship teams.
South Wales
Echo |
|
MAY-22 |
|
Fitness
boost for Swans injured trio
|
|
Swansea
City have received a triple boost with the news that Darren Way, Owain
Tudur Jones and Bayo Akinfenwa should be fully fit early next season. The
trio of long-term casualties will continue rehabilitation work throughout
the summer and Swansea are optimistic they will all be playing again by
September at the latest.
Way has managed only 17 appearances since arriving in a £150,000 deal
from Yeovil back in January 2006 thanks to a long-standing shin complaint,
while Tudur Jones played just five times last season because of
career-threatening knee trouble.
Akinfenwa, who is out of contract next month but has been offered a new
deal, has not played since breaking his leg in February. "The
view on all three of them is very optimistic," said Swansea physio
Richie Evans.
"Owain has been out to America to see the specialist, Dr (Richard)
Steadman, and he was really happy with the condition of the knee.
"He is now concentrating on a strengthening programme and is coming
along quite nicely.
"We will start him running at the start of pre-season and a realistic
target for him to be playing again is late August or early September.
"I'm confident that we've cracked the problem after sending Owain out
to America, and the situation is similar with Darren.
"His problem stems back to his Yeovil days and we were just unlucky
to catch him when we did.
"The injury has baffled everybody, but as with Owain, I believe we
have now finally got to the bottom of it.
"Darren is a quality player and hopefully now he will have the chance
to show what an asset he can be to this club.
"His running programme starts later this week and he should be back
playing around the same time as Owain.
"Bayo is also looking at September.
"He came off the crutches a week ago and he will start running in
three weeks' time.
''He's already working very hard in the gym and the consultant is very
optimistic we'll have a positive outcome."
Evening Post |
|
MAY-22 |
|
I
may have to move on - says Purse
|
|
CARDIFF
CITY captain Darren Purse seems likely to leave the club this summer if he
is not offered an extension to his contract.
The
30-year-old defender has revealed his disappointment that City boss Dave
Jones and chairman Peter Ridsdale have not yet come forward to extend the
one year he has currently left on his Bluebirds’ deal.
Purse
has been a stalwart in his two years at Ninian Park, making almost 80
appearances despite being ruled out for a sizeable chunk of this season
with injuries.
Speculation
is now rife the no-nonsense centre-half could leave this summer with
Wigan, fresh from their successful Premiership relegation battle, keen on
securing the Londoner’s signature.
Purse,
who arrived in South Wales in June 2005 for £750,000 from West Bromwich,
admits he wants to stay a “few more seasons” with Cardiff.
But,
despite assurances from Jones, he admits he might have to leave, though he
is optimistic there will be clubs out there keen to acquire his services.
“I
do find it a little bit disappointing that they (Cardiff) haven’t tried
to snap me up already, especially as captain,” said Purse, who has also
spent time at Birmingham, Oxford and Leyton Orient.
“I’ve
had two years here already and put in some good service, but that’s
football nowadays.
“We’ll
have to wait and see how it goes, but I’m hopeful that I’ve got a bit
more time to come at Cardiff.
“If
a new contract doesn’t come along then I expect I’ll have to move on
elsewhere.”
Western Mail |
|
MAY-22 |
|
Pennock
banking on goal rush
|
|
GOALS
shouldn’t be a problem for Wales when they start the defence of their
Four Nations title against hosts Scotland at Dingwall tonight, writes
Terry Daley.
Port
Talbot boss Tony Pennock has a trio of prolific sharpshooters plus a
goal-scoring midfielder to choose from as he gets his Wales semi-pro
managerial career under way in the Scottish Highlands.
In his
18-stong squad are Caersws’ Graham Evans, Wales’ most capped player
and top scorer at this level with 13 and seven respectively; and Newport
County hitman Craig Hughes, who netted 25 times for the Conference South
side in 2006-07.
Pennock
can also count on Rhys Griffiths, who found the back of the net 30 times
last season for Welsh Premier outfit Llanelli.
Backing
up that prolific lot is Oxford United midfielder Robert Duffy, who cracked
18 Nationwide Conference goals last season.
“Yes
we certainly have players who know where the back of the net is,”
admitted former Newport goalkeeper Pennock. “But he trick is not to
concede at the same time and if we can do that, then we’ll do well.
After
tonight’s match, Wales play Ireland in Borra on Friday night before
taking on England, at Inverness, on Sunday afternoon.
Western Mail |
|
MAY-22 |
|
Lloyd
Williams to take over at Nomads
|
|
The League's highest ever goalscorer, Marc Lloyd Williams is set to be
named as the new Manager of Connah's Quay Nomads. It is understood that
'Jiws' was offered the role today, which will be his first Managerial job
after an illustrious playing career in the League. The hotshot, who was
released by Bangor City last month, just before Steve Bleasdale also left
Farrar Road, was looking for a club to remain in the Principality Welsh
Premier and this provides a tremendous opportunity for the ex-Golden Boot
winner to adopt a Player/Manager role.
The Nomads hot-seat became vacant when the long-serving Neville Powell
left the Deesiders to ironically go in the other direction to Farrar Road.
Alun Morgan, who was Powell's Assistant last year at the Nomads was then
offered the vacant position but he opted to follow Powell to become his
Number 2 at the Citizens. The club then issued a statement to say that
they would fill the position as early as possible to provide security to
their players and they appear to have been true to their word.
Jiws struck his 250th League goal this season after re-joining Bangor
following a successful spell with TNS, winning the Welsh Premier twice and
winning the Golden Boot in the Double winning 2004/05 season with 34
goals.
He is currently undertaking his 'A'
coaching Licence and his appointment at the Nomads is a tremendous
opportunity for him and will be welcomed by Nomads fans.
Welshpremier.com |
|
MAY-22 |
|
Semi Pro side arrive in Inverness
|
|
The Welsh Semi Professional side, managed by new Port Talbot Town boss,
Tony Pennock have arrived in Inverness after two excellent days of
training in Bristol. The squad assembled in Filton on Saturday lunchtime
and after a two-hour session on Saturday, they had a double session on
Sunday before this morning's flight to the Highlands. The squad were
joined at the airport this morning by the eighteenth player, Exeter City
skipper, Chris Todd, who missed out in Play-off glory on Sunday afternoon
at Wembley as his side went down to Morecambe for a place in the Football
League.
The squad completed their fourth training session today in the city of
Inverness and have one final hour planned on Tuesday morning in
preparation for the Tournament opener in the evening against the hosts,
Scotland at Victoria Park, the home of Ross County FC.
There are six Principality Welsh Premier League players in the squad
and Carmarthen's Paul Keddle is certain to start at left back tomorrow.
Port Talbot wingman Lee John has impressed in training and should play
down the right flank to gain his first cap, whilst the League's Golden
Boot Winner Rhys Griffiths of Llanelli is also likely to win his first cap
after Oxford's Richard Duffy aggravated a slight knee injury this
afternoon. The highest Cap holder at this level, Graham Evans of Caersws
who has struck seven times in sixteen matches could also start but he is
vying for a place with former Carmarthen striker Craig Hughes, now of
Newport County.
Keddle's Old Gold team-mate Kris Thomas should start on the bench as
should Caersws' Chris Venables. The team will be captained by Dagenham
'keeper Tony Roberts for the second consecutive season.
Welshpremier.com |
|
MAY-21 |
|
Ex
Port Talbot keeper released by Lincoln
|
|
Port Talbot's former Canadian
goalkeeper Simon Raynor, has been released by Lincoln City.
Raynor played 21 times
for Barry Town in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, before Joining Port Talbot
after Barry Town's financial demise, and he notched
up 25 WPL appearances for the Steelmen.
He also had a week long trial
with Premiership club Newcastle United at the end of the 2003-04 season.
Since joining Lincoln as a
professional player, he has only made 5 first team appearances for the Imps.
This season he managed just 1 league cup game for Lincoln before playing 10
games for relegated Torquay United on loan, Raynor was is one of 5 players to be
released by Lincoln. Other clubs on his list are Salisbury and AFC Bournemouth,
plus an under 23 cap for Canada.
Tony
|
|
MAY-21 |
|
Wrexham
complete Proctor capture
|
|
Wrexham have agreed a permanent deal for
Hartlepool striker Michael Proctor.
The 26-year-old joined the Dragons on
loan in March on an initial one-month agreement that was then extended until the
end of the season.
Proctor has signed a three-year deal
and the former Sunderland trainee will join Wrexham when his current deal with
Pools expires in June.
"This is a big signing for us,
he is a clever and bright footballer," Wrexham boss Brian Carey told the
club website.
"Michael came here along with
Anthony Williams at a period when we needed help and the pair certainly made a
difference.
"Now I want him to help us
push on and mount a challenge at the top of the table.
"With a full pre-season under
his beat I think there is even more to come from him."
Proctor scored twice from nine
appearances for the Dragons, appearing both on the wing and as a centre
forward.
The first goal earned a crucial win
at Shrewsbury and Proctor's second came in the 3-1 victory over Boston on the
last day of the season that ensured Wrexham's League Two survival.
Fellow Pools reject Eifion Williams
is also thought to be a summer target for Carey.
BBC
|
|
MAY-21 |
|
Blues
cash will help Bluebirds
|
|
CARDIFF
Blues will help Cardiff City build a team fit for the Premiership – with the
money they pay to play at the new stadium.
That
is the message from Bluebirds chairman Peter Ridsdale.
With
many City fans still suspicious about a ground share that Ridsdale says is
almost certain to go ahead, the chairman stressed the benefits of any future
link-up will be seen on the field.
Asked
for the latest on the rugby-football partnership, Ridsdale made the position
clear.
“Do
I think it will happen? Yes. Is it right? I can’t see an alternative and it
will help our income from the stadium,” he said.
“That
will help Dave Jones with the team.”
But
Ridsdale hinted that Blues supporters may not be happy about the arrangement.
“The
council have gifted Cardiff City land for the stadium and we will own that
stadium.
“We
were asked to talk to Cardiff Blues. The previous owner of this football club
(Sam Hammam) said: “Over my dead body”.
“But
how do you think the rugby supporters feel? Their club is going to be tenants of
Cardiff City in a football stadium. How do you think they feel about that?”
South Wales
Echo
|
|
MAY-21 |
|
Barry
Town announce new manager
|
|
PHIL
Clay is the new manager of MacWhirter Welsh League club Barry Town.
Clay
has had coaching and management roles at Taffs Well, in all three divisions of
the Welsh League, as well as posts at Bridgend Town, Llantwit Major and
Bryntirion Athletic.
South Wales
Echo
|
|
MAY-21 |
|
Martinez
now looking to Spanish market
|
|
Roberto
Martinez looks certain to add a Spanish flavour to Swansea City's squad this
summer after making two scouting trips to his homeland last week. Swansea's
manager twice jetted out to the Continent to check on possible new recruits,
even watching a whopping four games in one day as part of his player search.
And Martinez believes the success of past imports at Swansea shows the value of
looking abroad.
"The foreigners who have come to Swansea City have always done well,"
Martinez said.
"They have brought something different to the team and the club and I'm
certainly not going to look only at the UK market.
"The Spanish market is a fantastic one if you target the right players and
that's something I am looking to do.
"I'm talking about getting professionals in, players who have the right
attitude and the hunger to succeed.
"You can find those players in Spain and also in France, Italy and
Holland."
Martinez also believes the foreign market often offers better value for money
than can be found on these shores.
But he is keen to stress that Swansea's dressing room will not be taken over by
non-British players next season.
"You have to get the right balance," the former Real Zaragoza
youngster added.
"It's important to recognise where we are strong already, and I already I
have a squad which is strong in many aspects.
"What I am looking to do is add to that squad to make it stronger."
Evening Post
|
|
MAY-21 |
|
Davies
joins Wales withdrawals
|
|
Wales have lost a third player
from their squad to face New Zealand to the Football League play-offs.
Yeovil striker Arron Davies
will miss the friendly at Wrexham on Saturday to play in Sunday's League One
final.
West Brom's Jason Koumas and
Derby's Lewin Nyatanga had already been ruled out because their involvement in
the Championship final on Monday.
All three will return for the
Euro 2008 qualifier with the Czech Republic on in Cardiff Saturday, 2 June.
But Southend striker Freddy
Eastwood will miss both matches as he is still suffering from the back spasms
which forced him to miss the final two games of the season.
The 23-year-old was set to win
his first cap after proving his eligibility through a Welsh-born grandfather.
Wales added Wrexham striker
Chris Llewellyn to the squad last week because of the doubts over Eastwood.
Evening Post
|
|
MAY-21 |
|
Troubled
club ‘was in profit’
|
|
FIGURES
released by the insolvency firm which took over the running of Wrexham FC reveal
that the club actually made a profit for much of the time that it was in
administration.
The
Dragons’ trading profit was more than £208,000 during the 2005 and 2006
seasons, a report shows.
The
news means creditors will now get back more of their investment than they
expected.
Insolvency
firm Begbies Traynor took over the club in December 2004, before finally selling
it to local businessmen Neville Dickens and Geoff Moss in August last year.
In
its final report, the Preston-based firm has told creditors they can expect to
receive back 32.69p in the pound, an improvement on the 27.73p they voted to
accept 12 months ago so that the rescue package could go ahead.
An
interim payment of 28p in the pound has already been paid out.
The
detailed financial breakdown confirms that Dickens and Moss paid £3.325m for
the Racecourse club, £1.2m of which will be shared by the unsecured creditors,
which include HM Revenue and Customs, former owner Alex Hamilton, ex-Wrexham
directors and dozens of small businesses.
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-20 |
|
Ex
Valencia midfielder is new Crows boss
|
|
CWMBRAN
Town have unveiled a former midfielder with La Liga outfit Valencia as their new
manager. Spaniard Guillermo Ganet succeeds Cwmbran-based Sean Wharton, who
resigned following the Crows relegation from the Welsh Premier League at the end
of the 2006-7 season.
Ganet
attended a meeting with a number of the club’s playing staff and committee at
the Crows’ Old Cwmbran-based clubhouse last night before speaking to the Argus
ahead of catching a midnight flight back to Spain.
“I’m
delighted and honoured to be joining Cwmbran Town,” he said. I’ll be
returning early next week when I look forward to speaking to you at length about
how I see the way forward for this club. Ganet spent a month in charge of Welsh
League Division One outfit UWIC earlier this year and brought in a couple of
players from Cameroon.
Before
joining the students, Ganet was In charge of Welwyn Garden City, who he guided
to promotion, and was also on the coaching staff at Watford.
Guillermo's
playing carer took him from Spain to England and the non-league scene with a
host of different clubs before he entered management first at Windsor &
Eton.
A
cash crisis nearly two years ago proved to be the catalyst for Cwmbran’s
eventual demise from the top flight of Welsh domestic football.
Now
as they prepare for life in the Welsh League following a 15-season absence, the
Crows have turned to Ganet, who watched the Crows towards the end of the season,
to help them on the road to recovery.
‘We’re
extremely pleased that Guillermo has agreed to join us and we look forward to
his input over the coming months,” said a Cwmbran committee spokesman. Cwmbran
fans will get the chance to meet Ganet on Thursday when the Crows host an open
forum at its clubhouse, 7.30pm start.
South Wales
Argus
|
|
MAY-20 |
|
Liam
gives late father best tribute possible
|
|
LIAM McCreesh
has had two emotional football moments at Port Talbot’s Remax Stadium this
season.
McCreesh is
captain of Afan Lido, while his late father Gerald McCreesh was honoured by Port
Talbot for his services to football.
The new stand
at the Remax has been named after Gerald.
Liam led Afan
Lido to a Welsh Cup quarter-final win at Port Talbot – and to a 1-0 victory
against Goytre United in the MacWhirter Welsh League Shamrock Travel Cup final,
also at the Remax.
“It’s
been fantastic to earn two memorable victories in front of a stand named after
my father,” said Liam.
“We’ve
had a good season at Lido, but it was important to finish with a trophy. We
achieved that by winning the Shamrock Travel Cup and now we start to plan for
next season.
“Our big
goal is to regain our place in the Welsh Premier League.
“Reaching
two cup finals this time was a big achievement, but that meant a pile-up of
fixtures which made things difficult for us.
“We really
need to push on next season and step up our challenge for promotion.”
South Wales
Echo
|
|
MAY-20 |
|
Fire
Strikes At Farrar Road
|
|
The
main stand at Farrar Road has been damaged by a fire which struck in the early
hours of Saturday morning.
Emergency
services attended the blaze shortly after midnight and managed to restrict the
damage to the area above the main players entrance. Reports suggest that
the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the tannoy (PA) system in
the commentary box - although this is unconfirmed.
The
worst affected areas are said to be the commentary box and the directors seating
area.
A more detailed assessment of the damage will take place during the week.
It is not clear what the implications are for Bangor City next season.
Citizens
Choice
|
|
MAY-20 |
|
Glyncorrwg
keep hold of the silverware
|
|
GLYNCORRWG
Hall retained the South Wales FA Intermediate Cup following an incident-packed
4-3 win over FC Martyrs at Taffs Well.
Aside from
the seven goals, the final, which was eventually settled in extra-time, also
produced four red cards with each side picking up two apiece, while Martyrs’
Chris Brogden suffered a broken ankle.
The Martyrs
took the lead through Chris Owen’s eighth minute goal, only for Glyncorrwg to
be gifted an equaliser when Martyrs’ goalkeeper Gary Flye was unable to hold
the ball in greasy conditions.
Flye soon
made amends with a superb save, but disaster struck again when defender Ryan
Evans headed the ball into his own net.
On the hour,
Owen was again involved as his cross was turned into the net by a Glyncorrwg
defender, while the Martyrs’ Nathan James was sent off just before the match
went into extra time.
Glyncorrwg
then took a 3-2 lead prior to Martyrs’ Sean Quirk and a Glyncorrwg man being
dismissed.
Glyncorrwg
added a fourth goal before they too suffered a second dismissal, while Owen
completed his hat-trick in the final minute.
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-20 |
|
Martinez
looks north for new blood
|
|
ROBERTO
Martinez hopes a double Scotch will help Swansea City toast promotion next
season.
The Liberty
Stadium boss is close to confirming a link-up between Swansea and Scottish
rivals Hamilton Academicals and Motherwell.
The ambitious
League One club has already agreed tie-ups with Swedish Third Division club
Ostersund and Dutch side Den Haag.
Now Martinez
wants to tap into the bargain Scottish market after insisting he will not be
held to ransom for over-priced English-based players. The Spaniard is already
chasing St Johnstone's Trinidad and Tobago striker Jason Scotland and St Mirren
pair John Sutton - younger brother of ex-England striker Chris Sutton - and
David van Zanten, an ex-Celtic full-back.
And he's
weighing up the possibility of sharing playing resources with Motherwell,
despite watching his former club lose to St Mirren at Fir Park last weekend.
Hamilton Accies, for whom Swans' assistant boss Graeme Jones is a former
favourite, are also on his radar as he looks to take the Swans' influence north
of the border.
"I have
a special relationship with Motherwell, while Graeme is close to Hamilton, but I
wouldn't class the link as an official tie-up, more like a footballing
friendship," said Martinez.
"The
Scottish market is thriving and more affordable than the English league and it's
something the club should tap into.
icWales
|
|
MAY-20 |
|
Purse
won't be off say City
|
|
CARDIFF City
have rejected suggestions that they will sell captain Darren Purse.
Wigan
Athletic - who survived in the Premiership after the last-day dramas -
apparently want Purse to replace released defender Arjan de Zeeuw.
Centre-back
Purse - who has 12 months remaining on his Ninian Park contract - has also
courted attention from Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United.
But Cardiff
chairman Peter Ridsdale insisted yesterday: "Don't believe anything you
read - silly season has started where every player is linked with almost every
club."
icWales
|
|
MAY-19 |
|
Cambrian
& Clydach win youth cup
|
|
Last night the youth's of Cambrian
and Clydach won out the MacWhirter youth cup, played at the Marston Stadium.
They easily brushed aside the
challenge of Pontardawe Town winning 5-2, this is the 2nd final in a row that Cambrian
and Clydach have reached, last season seeing them beaten in the final by
Haverfordwest, it brings an end to a successful season for the side who also
finished runners up in the East division behind champions Cwmbran Town.
Cambrian & Clydach
have proved to be the most consistent youth team over the last 2 seasons, as
they won their Youth central division last season ahead of Merthyr, runners up
this season and playing in two finals, well done to the team, whose senior team
have won their 2nd promotion in a row since joining the welsh league, and will
now play in division 1 next season, the clubs future looks bright on the field,
with their up coming stars from the youths pushing for a place in the first
team.
Tony
|
|
MAY-19 |
|
Young
Swans fly off to Sweden
|
Swansea City youngsters Scott Evans and Kerry Morgan have flown out to Sweden for a five-week spell with third division side Ostersund.
The move ties up a link with Swansea and the Swedish amateur club which will culminate in the Swans flying out to Scandinavia to officially open their new 5,000-capacity stadium. It will form part of a Swansea's one-week pre-season training camp in Sweden from July 8 to 15. "It will help their development and be great experience for both players,'' confirmed Swans boss Roberto Martinez. "It will also give me a great chance to track the home-grown talent in Sweden. "Their season runs from April to the end of June and then August to October. It's perfect for both Scott and Kerry because the two young pros need to play more competitive football.
"The club is very professional; the pitches are good quality and the training facilities are fantastic. "They are 1,000 metres above sea level, so fitness wise it will give them a great platform to go into our pre-season. Being so high up, they will have to work harder to get more oxygen into their blood. "Even the skiing World Champions train there; so they'll certainly feel the fitness benefits when they drop back down to our sea level.''
Swans official website
|
|
MAY-19 |
|
Local
Derby at last claim City
|
|
The official Cardiff City website
yesterday claimed Bristol City's promotion to the Championship, has at last
given us a real 'local derby' for the first time in years. I can't help but
think is there a little dig at Swansea City's failure to make the Championship
for the 2nd season in a row, probably not but some Swans fans might see it that
way?.
Bristol City clinched promotion
on the final day of the season beating relegated Rotherham 3-1 in front of over
19,000 fans. Next season will see City play Bristol in the league for the first
time since the 2002-03 season, and having met twice in league games they faced
each other in the promotion play off semi-finals, when City took a 1-0 lead to
Ashton Gate with a Peter Thorne goal, and progressed to the play-off finals by
securing a 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate. And as every City fan knows Cardiff went
onto win the final by beating QPR.
The last time the two clubs met
in the 2nd top division of English soccer was back in the season of 1980-81, in
that season Bristol were relegated to division 3.
Tony
|
|
MAY-18 |
|
Martinez
waiting on answers
|
Roberto Martinez hopes to have the
future of Swansea City's six out-of-contract players settled early next week.
And the Swansea boss is optimistic Garry Monk, Izzy Iriekpen, Bayo Akinfenwa,
Kris O'Leary, Kevin Austin and Steve Watt will all commit their futures to the
club.
The Evening Post understands certain players are not happy with the terms they
have been offered.
But while Martinez concedes they may be considering interest from other clubs,
he believes they could all end up staying at the Liberty Stadium.
"Everyone has had an offer now and the negotiations are still
ongoing," he said.
"Hopefully, between now and next Tuesday we will have some concrete news.
"All the players are on frees now, but I have made it clear to all of them
what I expect from them next season.
"I hope they all realise how important they are going to be for me and how
important they are going to be for Swansea City.
"Of course the financial side is a separate matter. Normally when a player
is out of contract he looks at the financial side of things and normally he will
look elsewhere as well.
"That's where we are at the moment, but I hope we can come to an agreement
with all of them very soon."
Martinez, meantime, has had positive reports from Sweden after youngsters Scott
Evans and Kerry Morgan began loan spells with Ostersund.
The duo, who could be followed by Watt or Shaun MacDonald depending on their
fitness, flew out to Sweden earlier this week as part of a new link-up between
Swansea and the Swedish third division side.
"The experience has started working from day one," Martinez said.
"Both Scott and Kerry have done very well in training and already they are
starting to come out of their shells a little bit.
"That's exactly what we wanted."
Evening Post
|
|
MAY-18 |
|
Price spot
on as Neath win cup
|
An 89th-minute penalty from Jarrod
Price completed a late smash-and-grab raid by Neath Athletic over Garden Village
in the Tony Nakonecznyj West Wales Senior Cup final. The newly crowned Welsh
League champions were forced to come from behind to win the cup for a first time
after Village rose to the occasion, and made it a competitive final.
Unbeaten at home this season, the Llandarcy Park side created precious little
during the opening half, and fell behind to a 43rd-minute goal. Dave Rimmer
pumped a free-kick into the box that Gary Davies helped on, and Lee Rastatter
headed home at the far post.
That brought a rare frank discussion between Neath manager Andrew Dyer and his
troops during the break, but little changed on the resumption.
Village seemed capable of hanging on to the one-goal lead until misfortune
struck in the 76th minute.
From a Mattie Rees corner, a header from Neath captain Andy Hill seemed to be
drifting wide until Rastatter turned it past Stuart Lloyd in the Village goal.
That led to the champions redoubling efforts to head off extra time, and close
to time Neath's livewire performer Rees was brought down on the edge of the
penalty area by Gary Davies.
Jarrod Price sent goalkeeper Lloyd the wrong way with a perfectly executed
penalty, allowing Neath to follow twice winners BP Llandarcy and return the cup
to the club.
"At the end of a memorable season this was the perfect way to round things
off, but hats off to Garden Village, they took us all the way," said Neath
boss Dyer.
Village manager Robert Lloyd said: "We have shown what we are capable of
against both Neath and Carmarthen in this competition, and must now repeat these
performances regularly in the league."
Attendance: 250
Evening Post
|
|
MAY-18 |
|
Saints and
Llanelli confirmed of European Spots
|
|
The New Saints have been confirmed
as Wales' UEFA Champions League entrants for the third consecutive season after
their Club Licensing Appeal was upheld at a meeting of the FAW Club Licensing
Appeals Body this morning. The club were asked to provide further Financial
information to the Appeals Body today, and they have subsequently been awarded a
Club Licence for the 2007/08 season. The Licence is a pre-requisite for
competing in UEFA Club Competition, so this decision was essential for the side
from Llansaintffraid.
Llanelli AFC are also confirmed
as UEFA Intertoto Cup entrants after their Appeal was also upheld at the meeting
held in the FAW Headquarters in Cardiff. Their appeal was of a similar nature to
the Champions and both clubs were wished the best of luck in their respective
competitions by the five person Panel.
Welshpremier.com
|
|
MAY-18 |
|
Powell always
wanted to Manage the Bangor
|
|
Neville Powell revealed last weekend to the
loyal Supporters of Bangor City that after his successful playing career with
City, he always had aspirations to one day Manage the club.
Members of the Bangor City Football Club
Supporters Association welcomed back the new Manager last Saturday in the
Regency Hotel in Bangor at an event to re-introduce the former Connah's Quay
Nomads boss back in to the club. Neville and his family were given a warm
welcome by over 30 Supporters and they were touched by the efforts of the
supporters who attended the meet and greet meeting.
A large part of the get together was spent reminiscing on the good old days
when Powell graced Farrar Road in some of the most important games in the
Club's history including the European Cup Winners Cup games against opposition
Fredrikstad and Spanish giants Athletico Madrid in 1985.
The new manager also spoke about his determination to make the Club successful
once again and when asked what attracted him to join the Club he was quick to
point out that he has always had aspirations about one day managing the Club
he loved playing for in the 80's. He announced that he will be looking for
players from the local area as well as from the North Wales Coast.
The new manager is looking forward to the new season as manager of Bangor City
and can't wait for pre season to begin. As announced yesterday, Powell will be
joined at the club by his Number 2 at the Nomads Alun Morgan. Meanwhile, their
former club continue to look for a new Manager after Morgan turned the post
down.
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-18 |
|
Mark backing hot-shot Rhys to
keep on scoring
|
|
Former Llanelli striker Mark
Dickeson has backed Reds star Rhys Griffiths to continue his amazing goalscoring
record at Stebonheath Park. Dickeson, now playing his football for
Carmarthenshire League champions Trostre, saw his six-season-long record of 21
league goals for Llanelli ended by Griffiths this season.
Griffiths only arrived from Port Talbot last summer and went on to score a
remarkable 46 goals in 48 games, 30 of those coming in the league.
That saw him retain the Golden Boot award, and Dickeson can only see him
continuing his goal spree.
"Rhys was brought in during the summer to score goals and he has done
that," said Dickeson, who made 143 appearances for the Reds, scoring 56
goals.
"He is quite quick and strong and holds the ball up well and to have a
goal-per-game ratio like he has in his first season is fantastic.
"Service is an important
thing to strikers and when I was at Llanelli I had Andy Hill supplying some
great crosses, and Rhys has got the same around him.
"His record speaks for itself, and hopefully he will be at the club next
season."
Dickeson, whose career was blighted by a terrible cruciate ligament injury while
at Newport County, was highly thought of by Llanelli fans for his hard work.
While Griffiths has been the top scorer in the Welsh Premier League by a huge
margin, he has still had his critics.
But Dickeson had comforting words for Griffiths, and rubbishes any form of
negativity from the touchlines.
"He has had criticism this season, which is out of order," said
Dickeson.
"You won't find another striker in the league that has a record that Rhys
ended up with this season.
Llanelli Star
|
|
MAY-18 |
|
Wrexham snap up keeper Williams
|
|
Wrexham have signed former
Wales Under-21 goalkeeper Anthony Williams on a two-year contract.
Williams made nine appearances
on loan for the Dragons from Carlisle at the end of the season, keeping five
clean sheets as the club avoided relegation.
The 29-year-old was out of
contract at League One side Carlisle so moves down a division on a free
transfer.
"The club is geared up for
success and hopefully we can get out of this league next season," Williams
told BBC Sport.
"That's what I want - I
haven't joined to make up the numbers.
"I was looking to join a
club which would give me more opportunities to play and the fact that Wrexham is
a Welsh club was also a factor.
"The training ground and
improvements they are making convinced me this is a big club and one that's
going forward."
Wrexham boss Brian Carey told
the club website: "He made a big contribution and we are delighted that he
is staying."
BBC
|
|
MAY-18 |
|
'City
had to get rid of Thommo'
|
|
DAVE
Jones had no choice but to show the door to misfiring Cardiff City striker Steve
Thompson.
That’s
the verdict today of Echo columnist David Giles after the Bluebirds boss began a
mass player clear-out in readiness for next season.
Of
all the impending departures, it’s Thompson’s placing on the transfer list
that set tongues wagging most.
But
Giles insisted nobody should be surprised.
“Thompson
had to go in the end, simple as that,” said Giles.
“Nobody
takes any pleasure out of it, but if a striker’s job is to score goals, then
he hasn’t produced.
“I’m
not saying he hasn’t given it his best, but a return of six goals for the
season isn’t acceptable and he can’t really say he didn’t have the
chances. He’s got no excuses.
“The
bottom line is that if Thompson had scored 15 or 16 goals City would have been
in the play-offs.
“One
of the key reasons why City’s challenge fizzled out was the over-reliance on
Michael Chopra as a source of goals.
“I’m
sure Dave Jones knows full well he has to address that and he appears to be
doing so.”
icWales
|
|
MAY-18 |
|
Dragon's
set Blackburn friendly
|
|
WREXHAM yesterday confirmed that Premiership
outfit Blackburn Rovers will play a pre-season friendly at the Racecourse on
Tuesday, July 10 (7.30pm). Managed by former Wales boss Mark Hughes, the Ewood
Park club have qualified for the Inter-Toto Cup and will enter the competition
at the third round stage, which is being staged during the final two weeks of
July.
The fixture promises to be a financial
attraction for the Dragons and manager Brian Carey is thrilled by the prospect
of an entertaining workout for his players. “It’s a big honour for us to
play host to a big club like Blackburn Rovers and we are delighted they have
agreed to come,” he said yesterday. “I hope both teams will gain a great
deal from the game. “Teams like Newcastle have used the competition in the
past as a springboard into the Uefa Cup so I know Mark will be taking it very
seriously and we are pleased to do anything we can to help.” The Racecourse
date will be Blackburn’s first outing of the summer and is likely to be
marked by the return to action of Wrexham-born midfielder Robbie Savage, who
missed much of last season after breaking his leg. And striker Matt
Derbyshire, who scored 10 goals during a 16-match loan spell at Wrexham in the
2005-6 season, is also set to figure in the game
icWales
|
|
MAY-17 |
|
Pennock
makes his first new signing
|
|
Gareth
Phillips has returned to Port Talbot Town after a season at Merthyr Tydfil to
become Tony Pennock's first signing since taking over as manager.
The
former Swansea City and Newport County midfielder enjoyed two successful seasons
at Port Talbot before switching to Merthyr Tydfil last summer and his return is
a major boost for the club ahead of the new season.
Pennock
has a number of targets ahead of his first season in management but will first
lead the Wales Semi-Professional squad in the annual four nations tournament in
Scotland next week.
www.porttalbottown.com
|
|
MAY-17 |
|
Evans
helps Cwmaman clinch promotion success
|
|
CWMAMAN
Institute have earned promotion to the MacWhirter Welsh Football League for next
season.
Thunder Road
Motorcycles South Wales Amateur League champions Cwmaman beat Thomas, Carroll
South Wales Senior League winners Sully Sports 2-1 in a fiercely contested
promotion play-off in front of more than 350 spectators at Maesteg Park FC.
Sully drafted
in Mark Dodds from Carmarthen Town, while Cwmaman included Neath Athletic’s
Jarrod Price.
Both have
been on dual registration forms this season.
Chris
Banfield fired Cwmaman ahead after nine minutes, but they then missed a penalty
when Sully goalkeeper Barrie Niblett saved from Lee Williams.
Dodds
equalised with a powerful far post header from a free-kick after 40 minutes and
at half-time the teams went in level at 1-1.
Robert Evans
broke the deadlock with the winning goal when he shot low into the net after 66
minutes.
Cwmaman will
now play in Welsh League Division Three next season.
South Wales
Echo
|
|
MAY-17 |
|
No
Crowing over clubs new boss
|
|
CWMBRAN
Town were today remaining tight-lipped about any appointment of a new manager
and whether it has recruited a main sponsor.
The
club held a committee meeting last night to discuss both matters, although an
expected statement never materialised The Crows' managerial hot-seat has been
vacant since Sean Wharton quit at the end of last season, when relegation spelt
the end of the club's 15-year-old Welsh Premier League status.
And
Cwmbran has been without a main financial backer since local businessman John
Colley retired from football before the start of the 2005-06 campaign.
One
of the favourites to replace Wharton is Coed Eva FC's Steve Grey, who was a
member of his back-room staff, while it's understood a Gwent-based sports-kit
supplier is to provide financial clout.
A
quick managerial appointment, however, would appear to contradict the club's
recent statement that it would advertise the vacancy in the local press and on
its web-site.
But
with Cwmbran now joining four other sides from the county in next season's Welsh
League Division One, it's obvious the need to install a new man to crack on with
player recruitment over-rode that original plan.
South
Wales Argus
|
|
MAY-17 |
|
Special
meeting called by FAW on £10M deal
|
|
WELSH
football bosses have called a special meeting for next week to discuss whether
to accept a £10m BBC bid to cover John Toshack’s team over the next four
years.
The Western
Mail understands BBC Wales have tabled the bumper offer in a bid to win back TV
rights from Sky.
Secretary
general David Collins has written to the 27 FAW council members to ask them to
attend a meeting to debate the matter in Wrexham a week tomorrow.
There is only
one item on the agenda, headlined ‘Sponsorship.’
It is unclear
whether Sky, who currently hold the rights to televise Wales games at the
Millennium Stadium, have put in a similar offer to the one tabled by the Beeb.
Sky recently
announced a £10m deal to cover Northern Ireland matches and, it is understood,
the agent who put together that package is also working for the FAW on theirs.
Sky will be
loathe to lose a Wales team that, unlike Northern Ireland, contains genuine star
names like Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and up-and-coming sensation Gareth Bale.
But we
understand BBC Wales have put together a tempting package to the FAW, which
includes a pledge to screen a number of Welsh Premier League, Welsh Cup and
women’s international matches.
Asked about
the looming TV deal, Collins would only say, “I’ve no comment to make.”
He continued,
“You know I never comment on contractual matters.”
Western
Mail
|
|
MAY-17 |
|
Morgan
Turns down Nomads job
|
|
Alan Morgan has informed
Connah's Quay Nomads Chairman, John Gray, that he will not be taking the
Manager's post at the Deeside Stadium. The position was vacated last week by
Nev Powell, who left the club to join Bangor City and Morgan has decided that
he will follow him to Farrar Road.
In a club statement on their
official Website the Nomads said,
"Morgan
said that he does not feel quite ready to step into management and feels that
a move to Bangor City as Assistant Manager will enable him to continue to fill
the gaps in his experience.
"The
Chairman thanked Alan for all the excellent work that he has done since
joining Nomads and wished him good luck in his new post. Secretary Bobby
Hunter, is contacting several potential experienced applicants who have
expressed an interest in the post, later today and will ensure that the
players and fans are kept fully informed of any further developments via this
(the club's) website."
Despite Morgan's reasoning
behind his decision, the 'B' Licence coach has previously been in charge of a
Welsh Premier League club when he took the hot seat as Player/Manager of NEWI
Cefn Druids. He took over from current Caernarfon Town boss, Steve
O'Shaughnessy in May 2004, but he was replaced at Plas Kynaston in December
2005 by their current incumbent Dixie McNeil.
The Nomads are now back to square one and with the departure of both their
Manager and his Assistant and today's other news that midfielder Craig Garside
has also departed to join Rhyl, the Nomads Board of Directors will have to act
quickly to ensure that there are no more departures at the Deeside Stadium.
Welshpremier.com
|
|
MAY-17 |
|
Jones
chases £250k winger
|
|
CARDIFF
City are keen on winger Martin Devaney.
The
lively and dangerous Barnsley player was watched by Bluebirds’ scouts a number
of times this season.
Manager
Dave Jones wants a wide midfield player who can deliver accurate crosses into
the strikers and Devaney is that type of player.
Barnsley
manager Simon Davey wants to keep Devaney at Oakwell and the player has signed a
new contract.
But
it would only take a small fee, probably around £250,000, to tempt the
cash-strapped club to part with Devaney.
Cardiff
City are to name their official retained list later today and with many players
on their way out manager Dave Jones will be working flat-out to strengthen his
squad over the next few weeks.
With
striker Steve Thompson facing a Ninian Park exit, New Zealand international
hitman Chris Killen is a major target along with a goalkeeper to take over from
the departing Neil Alexander.
Devaney
is another on Jones’ wanted list, although Cardiff have not yet made a bid for
the player. Devaney has scored 12 goals in 92 first team appearances for
Barnsley over the last two seasons.
He
started his playing career as a trainee with Coventry City and moved on to
Cheltenham Town and Watford before joining Barnsley in 2005.
He
has netted 57 goals in more than 300 first team appearances during his career.
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-17 |
|
Thompson
heads Cardiff clear-out
|
|
Cardiff City have placed striker
Steve Thompson on the transfer list as boss Dave Jones begins a mass clear-out.
Scotland international Thompson
has paid the price for a poor season where he managed to score just 6 goals.
Defender Chris Barker, who has
been on a loan for a season at Colchester, and midfielder Kevin Cooper are the
others under contract to be transfer-listed.
Neil Alexander and Kevin
Campbell are among 12 players out of contract who have been allowed to leave
Ninian Park.
The others are Gregg Coombes,
Michael Corcoran, Luigi Glombard, Mark Howard, Curtis McDonald, Nick McKoy, Jeff
Whitley, Scott Allison, Jamal Easter, Scott McCoubrey.
Arsenal's Kerrea Gilbert,
Willem II's Iwan Redan and Charlton's Simon Walton have returned to their clubs
after the end of their loan deals.
Jones warned before the end of
the season he would need to sell some of the current squad members in order to
raise funds to sign new players.
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-17 |
|
Keeper
Alexander says his goodbyes to supporters
|
|
NEIL
Alexander was saying his goodbyes to Cardiff City supporters at Ninian Park last
night.
Scottish
international goalkeeper Alexander, 29, is out of contract this summer and
leaving the Bluebirds after six years with the club.
All senior
professionals attended a sponsors evening at Ninian Park and they mixed with
fans who had backed individual players.
City players
remain in training until the end of the month as fitness coach Alex Armstrong
conducts tests.
The fitness
of every player will be measured before they leave for a one month break and
again when they return for the start of pre-season training at the end of June.
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-16 |
|
Llangefni look to say Alliance farewells
|
|
CHAMPIONS Llangefni Town can expect a rousing ovation from
their fans tonight when they stage their Cymru Alliance farewell.
In their final match of the campaign, manager Adie Jones’
team play Holyhead Hotspur, who contributed to the title triumph by restricting
Cefni’s rivals Flint and Bala to costly draws.
Llangefni’s summer objective is to seek confirmation of
their promotion to the Welsh Premier at the league’s annual meeting at Llandudno
on June 16.
The club’s general manager Bryan Owen said: “We have all
sorts of things to do, getting the ground finished, organising the funding, the
squad of players, plus all the other preparations.
“It will be a case of rolling up our sleeves and getting on
with the job. It is an exciting challenge”.
All of Llangefni’s regular players will be on standby
tonight but a goalkeeper change is planned, with 16-year-old Liam Ewing having
an outing in place of regular choice Farai Jackson.
Holyhead also plan a keeper swap, recalling Mike Doutch,
who has not played since February, as replacement for the injured Liam Shanahan.
Mike Kelly and Nigel Moore are also out injured and
assistant manager Mark Williams will be in contention to play.
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-16 |
|
Nomad Garside joins Lilywhites
|
|
Craig Garside has become the first player to leave
Connah's Quay Nomads in the post Nev Powell era. The former Everton Youth
teamer has joined John Hulse's Rhyl as the Lilywhites boss continues to
add to his squad, who will embark on another European adventure on
Thursday 19th July.
He's just had an excellent season for Nomads and a
lot of clubs were interested in him, so I'm delighted to sign a player
who I'm sure will be a great asset to Rhyl
Garside, 22, featured in the same Toffees team as
Wayne Rooney in the 2002 FA Youth Cup final before going on to play for
Caernarfon Town, Airbus UK, Bangor City and Colwyn Bay prior to joining
the Nomads. The Chester born Garside had an excellent record as a Young
International after captaining Wales at under-15, under-16 and under-19
level. He featured 30 (+1) times for the Nomads last year, scoring four
times.
The capture of Garside is the second for the Belle
Vue club in the close season after signing winger Craig Jones from
Aberystwyth Town last week. The Rhyl boss says he has his eye on one or
two other players and a couple more signings are expected soon. Hulse also
reported the majority of last season's squad have re-signed, with just two
players currently on holiday still to put pen to paper.
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-16 |
|
Swansea's
Jones close to a return
|
|
Swansea City
youngster Owain Tudur Jones says he is finally over the knee injury that
plagued him throughout last season.
The talented Wales Under-21
midfielder was limited to just three league appearances for the Swans last
season.
But Jones, who recently
returned from Colorado to see US surgeon Dr Richard Steadman, says he is close
to a return.
"I recently flew out to
America for a scan on the knee and everything seems to be OK," said Jones.
"I was lucky enough to
see the doctor Richard Steadman again and things went well.
"Due to everything that
has happened and the weakness in the muscles around the knee I've developed a
bit of tendonitis.
"But generally it is good
news I think. The tendonitis is quite curable and I have to work hard now in
the summer months and work on my thigh muscles so that they are strong enough
to support the knee."
Jones also revealed his
frustration at missing out on most of Swansea City's 2006/07 campaign - a
season that saw them fall just short of the League One play-off zone.
He said: "I can't stress
how difficult it has been but the important thing is not to let it affect you
too much.
BBC
|
|
MAY-16 |
|
Premier
hopefuls pass ground test
|
|
Llangefni Town and Neath Athletic
are set to be promoted to the Welsh Premier after passing final ground
inspections.
The league's board has
recommended that both clubs' application be approved at next month's Annual
General Meeting.
With only Cwmbran Town
relegated, the league will return to a full compliment of 18 clubs next season.
Cymru Alliance champions
Llangefni and Welsh League champions Neath will be competing for the first time
Wales' top-flight league.
Neath almost made it a year
ago, but their application was rejected after failing to meet the league's
required ground criteria.
But the south Wales club, who
won the MacWhirter Welsh League Division One title with a record 92 points,
have made the necessary upgrades and .
Llangefni pipped Bala Town to
the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance title by just one point.
BBC
|
|
MAY-16 |
|
Wales
Misses out on Extra UEFA Cup Place
|
|
The winner of the Wales Fair Play
list has missed out on a UEFA Cup 'Wildcard' entry through the Fair Play Draw,
which was held in Hampden Park, Glasgow this afternoon.
The top eleven Nations, who
throughout the season, reached a high enough Fair Play co-efficient are
rewarded for their efforts towards the value of Fair Play by gaining an
opportunity to enter the UEFA Cup 1st Qualifying Round. The overall winners who
were Sweden are automatically awarded a place, whilst in today's draw Finland
and Norway were the lucky beneficiaries, as two further teams were drawn out of
a possible ten.
This is the second consecutive
year that Wales has entered the draw, but unfortunately, we have again missed
out, so we will be represented with the normal two entries in 2007/08, who will
be Rhyl (Principality Welsh Premier League Runners-Up) and Carmarthen Town
(Welsh Cup Champions).
Sweden finished top of the
UEFA Fair Play ranking for the second consecutive year, and their nomination
last year, Gefle IF faced Llanelli in the UEFA Cup 1st Qualifying Round last
year, in which the Reds won 2-1 on aggregate to progress in their first ever
European match.
The other seven National
Associations, which missed out in today's draw were - Denmark, Germany,
Estonia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Aston Villa from England and France, who all
gained a coefficient equal to, or higher than, 8.0 in the rankings.
The 2006/07 Fair Play
competition began on 1 June 2006 and finished on 30 April this year. This
competition is based on Fair Play assessments made by official UEFA delegates
at all UEFA competition matches for club and national teams. The coefficient is
founded on a number of criteria such as positive play, respect for the
opposition, respect for the referee, and behaviour of the crowd and team
officials, as well as cautions and dismissals.
Welshpremier.com
|
|
MAY-16 |
|
Swans
close to Scotland capture
|
|
SWANSEA CITY
were last night closing in on the capture of Trinidad and Tobago striker Jason
Scotland.
Though Swans
boss Roberto Martinez poured cold water on a possible deal last week, sources
in Scotland are claiming that the St Johnstone striker could arrive in South
Wales by the end of the week.
It is
understood that Swansea would pay a nominal fee for the 28-year-old who is
contracted to the Perth club until the end of August.
Martinez
insisted he had “only been getting information” about the player when
Swansea’s interest in Scotland was revealed last week.
Scotland
scored 26 goals last season and would provide the extra pace up front that
Martinez is seeking.
“He is a
player that we have been watching for quite a while and I’m still to make my
mind up as to whether he would be a good Swansea City player,” said Martinez.
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-16 |
|
Merthyr
Cup win has its 20th birthday
|
|
Yesterday
Merthyr Tydfil celebrated the 20th anniversary of a Welsh Cup success which
sparked a massive upsurge in fortunes.
The
Martyrs won the 100th Welsh Cup final on May 15, 1987, beating Newport County
1-0 thanks to a Chris Baird penalty.
That
centenary victory was just the start for a Merthyr Tydfil team rated the
club’s best for 30 years.
They
won the Beazer League Midlands Division a year later and then lifted the
Premier Division title.
That
earned promotion to the Conference where Merthyr Tydfil finished fourth – the
highest they achieved in the club’s history.
“That
team who won the Welsh Cup were outstanding, there was quality in every
position,” said Merthyr Tydfil FC historian David Watkins.
“From
Gary Wager in goal, the best ‘keeper in non-League football at the time,
through David Tong who played for Blackpool and Cardiff City to number 11.
“It
was such a well balanced team. And it was virtually that cup winning side who
went on to earn league successes.
“One
or two were added along the way, but it was basically the same line-up.”
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-16 |
|
Bluebirds
are still Joe’s priority
|
|
CARDIFF City
are searching throughout Britain and Europe for a left-back, but they could yet
have the answer close at hand.
And Wales
under-21 international Joe Jacobson, currently on loan with Bristol Rovers, is
keen to be given a chance.
“I am
learning and gaining experience with Rovers and I’d love to think I can do
well when I go back to Cardiff,” said Jacobson.
“My aim,
of course, is to break into the first team with Cardiff and help them to
promotion.”
A number of
Coca-Cola League clubs are keen on Jacobson, who has made only two first-team
appearances for the Bluebirds. He is in the Bristol Rovers team along with two
former Cardiff club-mates, Byron Anthony and Ryan Green.
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-15 |
|
Martinez
sets up Swedish link for Swans
|
|
Swansea City
will send players on loan to Sweden this summer before spending a week training
there themselves in pre-season. Teenagers Scott Evans and Kerry Morgan are to
have spells with Swedish third division side Ostersund, while Steve Watt or
Shaun MacDonald could follow them depending on their fitness.
And boss Roberto Martinez, who is friendly with the club's chairman, has
revealed that Swansea's squad will travel to Scandinavia as well as Holland as
part of their preparations for the new League One campaign.
''The season runs differently to ours in Sweden, with matches from April to the
end of June and then August to October,'' Martinez explained.
''These players will go out there because they've not had enough football.
''They will be above the standard out there, but the club is very professional,
the pitches are beautiful and it will be a great experience for our young
players.
''Going abroad will help their progression and the competitive football will
get them ready for our pre-season.''
After reporting back on June 29, Swansea will jet out to Sweden for a training
camp in early July.
The trip will culminate with a friendly against Ostersund to mark the opening
of their new 5,000-capacity stadium.
Swansea then return to Wales before playing four friendlies in Holland in late
July and early August.
''The place where we're going is where Sweden's skiing world champions are
based and the facilities are fantastic,'' Martinez added.
''It's also 1,000 metres above sea level, so it will be great for our players
to train out there.''
Gareth Vincent
|
|
MAY-15 |
|
Dave
Jones wields the axe
|
|
CARDIFF
City’s end-of-season clear-out starts today.
Manager Dave
Jones was holding one-on-one meetings with Bluebirds players throughout the day
– and 15 will be leaving the club.
The big
names in that group, all out of contract, are Neil Alexander, Kevin Campbell
and Jeff Whitley.
Chris
Barker, who had an outstanding season on loan at Colchester United, Kevin
Cooper, whose loan spell with Walsall was a factor in their promotion, Paul
Parry, Steve Thompson, Willo Flood, Jason Byrne and Joe Jacobson, currently
earning rave reviews on loan with Bristol Rovers, could all come into that
category.
Cardiff are
aiming to have a senior first-team squad of 23 players for 2007-2008, including
youngsters Darcy Blake and Chris Gunter – two for each position plus three
goalkeepers.
And
today’s clear-out will leave Jones needing to bring in at least five players
to go straight into the first-team squad.
A goalkeeper
is a top priority with Neil Alexander on his way out. City have identified
three who would be ideal – and all of them are with Premiership clubs.
City are
also keen on Hibs’ striker Chris Killen, who Jones feels could help answer
goal-scoring problems.
Following
today’s clearout there will be 18 senior players left at Cardiff for next
season and Jones is intent on bring new signings in over the next few weeks.
Those who
are under contract through next season are: Darren Purse, David Forde, Joe
Ledley, Kevin McNaughton, Glenn Loovens, Roger Johnson, Peter Whittingham, Paul
Parry, Willo Flood, Stephen McPhail, Riccy Scimeca, Darcy Blake, Chris Gunter,
Steve Thompson, Warren Feeney, Jason Byrne, Matt Green
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-15 |
|
Austin
on verge of signing
|
|
Kevin Austin
hopes to tie up his new deal at Swansea City by the end of the week. Liberty
Stadium boss Roberto Martinez has told the 34-year-old defender that he would
be offered a new contract this summer.
And the former Bristol Rovers player is hoping that talks won't drag on for too
long.
"Things are still ongoing at the moment but it is looking good," said
Austin.
"There are couple of last-minute things to sort out and hopefully I will
be meeting with the gaffer later this week."
The powerhouse defender had an impressive campaign this term, making 34
appearances.
But Austin is under no illusion that it is going to be even tougher next season
once skipper Garry Monk is fit again, and there will be competition too from
Izzy Iriekpen and Dennis Lawrence.
"That has always been the way here," the 34-year-old added. "But
I want to stay.
"For me personally this season has gone very well, although there is still
room for improvement - even at my age."
Austin is one of six players who have been offered new contracts this summer.
Both Monk and Iriekpen are looking to tie up a new deal at the Liberty Stadium,
along with Kristian O'Leary, Steve Watt and Bayo Akinfenwa.
Evening Post
|
|
MAY-14 |
|
Final
Saturday round up for Gwent clubs
|
|
YMCA finished the season 14th of
19, Caerleon have the chance of coming ninth if they beat Afan Lido at home on
Wednesday (ko 6.30pm) while Croesyceiliog were eighth.
Caerleon played on Friday
night when they were held to a 1-1 home draw by already-relegated Ely Rangers,
with Mark Williams grabbing an equaliser.
"It's been a learning
curve this season for us and we're very happy with the position we've
achieved," said Caerleon chief Brendan Dowd. "You always look back
and think you should have won more games, but in general we're satisfied and it
goes without saying that we'll try and better it next season."
Caldicot travelled to face
Merthyr Saints locked level on points with promoted rivals Bettws, with the
Gwent club having the better goal difference.
However, the issue of who goes
up never came down to that scenario because Caldicot won 3-1 while Bettws could
only draw 2-2 at Caerau Ely.
"It's been a long, hard
season and to be honest I thought we were out of contention about a month ago
when Bettws had three games in hand," said Caldicot boss Jason Pritchard,
who saw David Lloyd miss a penalty while it was 0-0 before he made up for it by
getting on the scoresheet alongside Gareth Cullimore and Mark Williams.
"But Bettws kept losing
and we started to pick up points and I'm delighted at the way every player has
responded to the challenge.
"But we've an even bigger
challenge next season and we'll keep the bulk of the squad we have at the
moment."
In Division Three, Aberbargoed
Buds finished their debutant campaign in a highly respectable sixth position
following a 2-1 home success over Porthcawl Town with both goals coming from
Ross Fowler - although Ross Murzczak was straight red-carded.
"It's been a very
satisfying first season for us and now we'll hope to build on it," said
Buds' assistant manager, John Randall.
But while the Buds celebrate,
Chepstow Town must now wait to discover if they are to be relegated back to the
Gwent Senior League after finishing second from bottom of the division -
despite Saturday's 4-2 home win over Ystradgynlais.
"We've been told
unofficially that three teams have applied to come up, but that none will be
able to, so it's a case of waiting now for the official verdict," said
Chepstow manager Ian Davies. "To be fair, if we do go down then it'll be
right because we've finished second bottom. But if there is a chance of us
staying up, then that would be great and we'd take it."
South Wales Argus
|
|
MAY-14 |
|
Coldrick
out to catch Gwent's top dogs
|
|
THE curtain had only been brought
down on Newport YMCA's 2006-07 MacWhirter Welsh League campaign for a matter of
minutes following a 0-0 home draw against relegated UWIC, when manager Mark
Coldrick revealed he's already looking forward to next season.
However, he has every reason
to because with Cwmbran Town coming down from the Welsh Premier League and
Caldicot Town being promoted from Division Two of the WL, there will be no
fewer than five Gwent teams in Division One in 2007-08.
"We're already looking
forward to July and pre-season, so bring it on really and let's go again,"
said Coldrick, who is assisted by Darren Bidgood. "The less travelling the
better, obviously, because we've a few lads on shift work and all that helps -
plus having that many Gwent clubs will make it far more intense.
"You want to be the top
dog in Gwent and credit to Croesyceiliog this year for becoming just that and
finishing top of the tree, but we'll be looking to catch them next
season."
YMCA began the match with the
students at Mendalgief Road knowing they were safe from the drop and that their
opponents had been relegated following a 4-0 mid-week defeat at ENTO Aberaman.
But despite there being no
pressure, the match was a pretty drab affair and was punctuated only by a
couple of fine saves from home goalkeeper Kieron Blackburn and a late,
point-blank miss by substitute Faris Yafi.
"It could have gone
either way in the end and I suppose it would have been unfair if a team had
lost," reflected Coldrick. "This game gave us a great opportunity to
get some of our youth-team boys in the squad and Rico Zulkarnain and Mark
Greenfield came on the second half and did a fantastic job for us.
"We're always looking to
the future and trying to strengthen behind the scenes with the youth structure
and the junior section and the future is bright. As far as the first team is
concerned, I've told the players we have to put our faults to bed and build on
the good things in the summer.
"We've had a few walking
wounded for five or six weeks and no doubt they'll be looking forward to a rest
and getting a bit of treatment - ready for pre-season, of course."
South Wales Argus
|
|
MAY-14 |
|
Steelmen
strike duo could be on their way
|
|
Port Talbot
could be without their two top strikers come next season. Martin Rose (Port's
tops scorer with 10 goals) and Chad Bond (8 goals) could both get their chances
to join league division 1 sides Doncaster Rovers and Swansea City respectively.
Rose went on
a weeks trial with Doncaster and made enough of an impression with the Rovers
boss that he was asked to join up again for pre-season training.
While Chad
Bond was involved with Swansea City before being released and joining up with
Port Talbot, he spent time back with Swansea and has also been asked back for
pre-season training.
The loss of
either striker to new manager Tony Pennock would be a big blow ahead of a new
season, and have him looking desperately to fill the voids, and hopefully if it
were to happen he would be looking at strikers from outside the Port Talbot
area for replacements.
Tony
|
|
MAY-14 |
|
Peter's
pledge to Bluebirds
|
|
PETER
Ridsdale will be remembered as the man who did more than anyone to help realise
Cardiff City's dreams of a new home.
But in a
week when the £58m stadium project achieved 'unconditional' approval, the City
chairman admits he may have ridden off into the sunset by the time the
25,000-capacity arena opens for business in March 2009.
"People
are trying to make out the stadium project is something I've done," said
Ridsdale.
"It is
not being built for me or by me, I just happen to have had the responsibility
of making the stadium happen.
"The
stadium is being built by Cardiff City FC for the city of Cardiff. The football
club is about the supporters, not about individuals like me. I'm simply doing a
job for the supporters.
"If I
was to go, why would it matter?
"I
might not be here when the stadium opens. I can't give any guarantees about
that.
"Even
if I left tomorrow the club wouldn't be affected as it is owned by a broad base
of shareholders."
icWales
|
|
MAY-14 |
|
Final
welsh league round up for 2006-07
|
|
Neath's
triumph over Dinas Powys meant they overtook the long-standing points record
for a season of Briton Ferry taking their tally to 92, notching up 100 goals in
the process with only two losses.
Neath
had clinched the title 10 days previously but wanted to complete their season
with a bang and did so, Carl Jenkins netting two of the goals and Andy Hill
getting the other.
Goytre,
last season’s champions finished as runners-up, pipping Pontypridd on goal
difference with both on 80 points.
Elsewhere
in the top flight, Newport YMCA fought out a goalless draw at home to the
students of Uwic, while Bryntirion scored through Matthew Price in the seventh
minute of injury-time to secure a 2-2 draw with Bridgend, who had opened up a
2-0 advantage through Raith Plant and Gethin Jones.
Bryntirion
pulled one back with Andrew Lyddon netting before Price struck.
Barry,
Ely Rangers, Grange Quins and Uwic will go down from the first division.
Two
wins in a week made sure of Caldicot’s promotion from division two along with
champions Garw and Cambrian and Clydach.
AFC
Llwydcoed overcame Morriston in a battle between two relegated clubs.
Luke
Davies, Jonathan Biggins and Matthew Doherty were on target for Llwydcoed,
while Gary Taylor, from the penalty spot, and Rob Hidle scored for Morriston.
Western Mail
|
|
MAY-13 |
|
Williams
parting shot at Swansea
|
|
Former Swansea City player Tom Williams has criticised the decision to
consistently leave him on the bench towards the end of the season. The defender or midfielder is currently looking for new employers after
being released by the south Wales club. And he feels his appearance in the side could have led to the Swans making
the League One play-offs. "I knew I was leaving at the end of the season, but still felt I should
have been playing," Williams said. "I don't know if the fact I was leaving was a contributing factor, but
I was playing well and deserved to play. "There were a few occasions where I would be brought on and we were
losing or drawing. "I'd have to make something out of nothing and I was doing it, but
kept on being left out.
Williams, 26, who had his
season disrupted by two hernia injuries, made more than 50 appearances for the
Swans since joining from Gillingham nearly 18 months ago. And
the defender also revealed to BBC Sport that he is close to finding a club with
five or six having shown an interest in him. He said: "A club came in for
me in March but Swansea couldn't agree a fee so it didn't happen and we decided
to put it off 'til the end of the season. "To be fair I've been linked
with five or six clubs which is a nice position to be in and I'm confident a
deal can be done."
BBC
|
|
MAY-13 |
|
Bluebirds
exit saddens Alexander
|
|
Cardiff City's discarded goalkeeper Neil Alexander says he is saddened by
how negotiations went sour over a new contract to stay at Ninian Park.
"We always knew that if Cardiff didn't come back with the contract that
we agreed in January then we wouldn't be signing," said the Scotland
stopper.
Cardiff would not offer improved terms and eventually withdrew any contract.
"I've got used to the fact now that I'm leaving, but I would have loved
to have stayed," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"It's part and parcel of football, but it's going to be a sad day when
I drive away from Cardiff for the last time.
"We couldn't agree a new contract, which was unfortunate, but I'll not
be leaving with any grudges."
Asked if current manager Dave
Jones was the man to lead Cardiff into the top flight, Alexander replied:
"Who knows?
"Sometimes it's not
always about the manager, sometimes it's all about the players.
"We thought we had a good
enough squad this year but maybe we just tipped it short."
BBC
|
|
MAY-13 |
|
Neath's
Crème de la Prem
|
|
The decision
to merge two football clubs only a stone's throw apart has reaped rich rewards.
Barely two
years ago, Neath AFC and Skewen Athletic linked up to become Neath Athletic,
and the move has proved to be a fairytale. Having
had the rug pulled from under their feet by the Football Association of Wales
last season, after finishing runners-up, this really is a fantastic achievement
by the Llandarcy side. Visiting the club next season will be some quality
teams, including New Saints, Rhyl, Llanelli and close neighbours Port Talbot
Town. Now Neath Athletic secretary Tony Melding has urged football supporters
and the town's businesses to support them in the Welsh Premiership. 'Everyone
at the club is ecstatic,' said Melding, who linked up with Neath from Skewen
along with manager Andy Dyer.' We got knocked back last year, and to come out
and get automatically promoted shows the character in the club. 'We are
absolutely over the moon and I hope people come along and support us in the
Premiership. 'These are exciting times for the club and we are looking forward
to playing in the Welsh Premiership.'
Melding
claims the FAW made an error last year by not accepting the club into the top
league after finishing runners-up. Neath were adamant that they had carried out
the necessary works, but their pleas fell on deaf years. There will be no
repeat of the fiasco this season as Neath have made absolutely sure that all
the FAW's requests have been met.
'We had a
re-inspection by FAW chairman John Deakin and his colleagues,' said Melding.
'Every box will be ticked and rubber-stamped - there won't be any problems.'
You can't put a price on Neath's progress and sponsors are expected to be
queuing up to be affiliated with a successful club and possible exposure on
selected match days on S4C. Melding, said: 'It has been phenomenal progress in
two years and shows what can be done with the right people.
'We do not
have a sugar daddy at the club and some people do not believe that our manager
Andy Dyer does not take a penny out of the budget for himself, which is
extremely rare in Welsh League Division One, let alone the Premiership. 'The
money goes on players and we are really grateful to Andy and his coaches
Raymond Pennock and Simon Dyer.' Melding confirmed that every current Neath
player will be retained, but it was inevitable that they would be adding
players to the squad through the summer.
|
|
MAY-12 |
|
Aber's
Craig Jones signs for Rhyl
|
|
Craig Jones has swapped Park
Avenue for Belle Vue after one season to become Rhyl's first signing of the
close season.
Craig's career started at
Buckley Town before progressing into the WPL with Airbus UK. At the start of
the 2006/2007 season after impressing manager Brian Coyne he switched alligence
to the Black and Green cause. During that time became popular both with the
players and the fans and scoring some top quality goals in the process.
He has made 22 league starts
for the Seasiders last season and has so far scored 14 goals from 65 Welsh
Premier appearances.
www.atfc.org.uk
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MAY-12 |
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Garden
Village ready for the champs
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Garden
Village may have ended their league campaign in disappointing fashion but they
now have the chance of winning some silverware for the first time in five
years. They take on Welsh League champions Neath Athletic in the final of the
Tony Nakonecznyj West Wales Senior Cup at Llandarcy Park on Wednesday (7.30).
A 4-1 reverse at neighbours Ammanford in midweek brought the curtain down on
their second division campaign, but three defeats in their final 15 games gives
Village manager Bob Lloyd plenty of positives.
"This is a very prestigious game for the club, it will be our first
appearance in the final and it will be a challenge," said Lloyd.
"Our ultimate aim is to get back into division one and
there is no better way to prove ourselves than to play against the Welsh League
champions.
"I am a little disappointed that the game won't be played on neutral
ground, but it will still be a great day for the club."
Village started off the season as promotion favourites and they lived up to
those odds by taking 12 points from a possible 18, but a bad string of results
sent them into a downward spiral and by January the club was flirting with
relegation.
Form picked up in March and after eight victories and four draws from their
final 15 outings they finished a creditable ninth, but Lloyd wants his side to
push forward and challenge for honours at the top next term.
"This season has been a roller-coaster ride," he said. "After
starting off as promotion favourites it all went wrong and I am so glad we came
out of it.
"We are going to work extremely hard over the summer as I want us to
progress. I don't want Garden Village to become a mid-table side."
Goalkeeper Stuart Lloyd returns for the final after injury and suspension.Evening
Post
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MAY-12 |
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Welsh
Lge Promotion to div 3 deciders
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SULLY
Sports and Cwmaman United go head-to-head at Maesteg Park FC on Tuesday (7pm)
– and the winners will be promoted into MacWhirter Welsh League Division
Three.
For Sully,
this is the chance to make the step up after they won the Thomas, Carroll South
Wales Amateur League title last season and were denied the chance to go up
because their ground did not reach Welsh League standards.
This time
the grounds of both clubs have already been inspected and given a thumbs up.
Cwmaman,
edged out by Llangeinor a year ago, go into the promotion play-off as champions
of the Thunder Road Motorcycles South Wales Amateur League.
There is no
nomination for a team to be promoted from West Wales this season, while Gwent
County have recommended Monmouth Town, who finished runners-up behind Newport
Civil Service.
Monmouth, it
is felt, have the ground facilities to play at Welsh League level, while
Newport CS do not.
South Wales Echo
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MAY-12 |
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Cambrian
go for under-19 cup glory
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CAMBRIAN and
Clydach go for under-19 cup glory tomorrow when they play Pontardawe Town in
the MacWhirter Welsh League Youth Cup final at Afan Lido (3pm).
This is a
second season Cambrian have reached this final, slipping 1-0 to a Haverfordwest
County goal scored in the last minute of extra time a year ago.
Cambrian,
who have strong links with former England coach Terry Venables, are a well
organised club who are making progress at junior and senior level.
Their first
team have been promoted to MacWhirter Welsh League Division One for next
season.
The junior
section at Cambrian have under-nine and under-11 teams playing Rhondda
mini-football, while the under-13 and under-15 teams are in the Rhondda and
District League.
“It is a
lot of work organising a lot of teams in a small area,” says club secretary
Keith Jenkins. “But we put in a lot of effort to maintain progress.”
Dean Payne
is Cambrian’s top scorer, while Darryl Phillips is captain.
South Wales Echo
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MAY-11 |
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Swansea
target Dutchman Bodde
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|
Swansea City have revealed an
interest in signing Dutch midfielder Ferry Bodde.
Bodde is believed to be
looking for a move from Den Haag, who have just been relegated from Holland's
top flight.
The 25-year-old is still under
contract with Den Haag but Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins says he hopes to
negotiate a cut-price transfer fee.
"We tried to get him last
season, but with them going down it might make it easier," said Jenkins.
BBC
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MAY-11 |
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Crows
will carry on
|
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CWMBRAN Town have sent a clear
"we carry on" message to those of their players worried the
cash-strapped club may be folding, writes Terry Daley.
The Crows were recently
relegated after finishing rock bottom of the Welsh Premier League, over two
years after a financial meltdown proved a catalyst for the club to turn to
amateur status in a semi-professional league containing two full-time clubs.
In an exclusive interview with
the Argus last week, goalkeeper Gareth Wesson called on the club to confirm its
intention one way or another.
With the one-player-one-club
rule to be implement across the whole of Welsh football next season, Wesson
said he and his team-mates needed to know if they had to make a decision to
move on to other clubs.
However Crows secretary Ian
Greaney confirmed that the club: l Is to continue l Is to advertise for a new
manager to succeed Sean Wharton, who recently resigned l Is to carry on playing
at Cwmbran Stadium l Is to explore two possible avenues of money-making "I
can 100 per cent confirm that Cwmbran Town will be carrying on next
season," said Greaney.
"We will be soon be
advertising the post of manager for what is now our Welsh League side, in local
papers and on our website.
"We obviously need to
make a quick appointment because there is much for the manager to do during the
summer months.
"I'd also like to dispel
the rumour which has been doing the rounds in the town that we haven't got a
home ground.
"Cwmbran Town will
definitely be playing at Cwmbran Stadium in the 2007-08 season and we are not
looking for a new home and it's never been our intention to do so.
"Also, we've not made any
contact with the local council for a reduction in the rent. However dependant
on what's happening in the background at this club, a decision on that will be
made as and when.
"In terms of where is the
money going to come from, we are looking to go down a couple of avenues.
"There may be two
possible sources of income on the table, but I can't disclose either of them at
this point.
"As a committee, we are
looking now to set out an AGM for the club, so that officers can be elected.
"We are compiling our constitution ready for that AGM in the next two or
three weeks.
"We're looking at
introducing a membership scheme in order to give people voting rights, so that
this club is run fairly for all."
The Crows will start the
2007-08 season in the MacWhirter League Division One alongside Gwent rivals
Caerleon, Croesyceiliog, Newport YMCA and possibly Caldicot Town if they gain
Division Two promotion.
Daily Post
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MAY-11 |
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Morgan
to be offered Quay role
|
|
CONNAH’S
Quay Nomads are to hold talks with assistant manager Alan Morgan early next
week after Neville Powell took over as Bangor City boss.
Despite an
improved offer from Nomads to continue his reign into a 14th season, Powell
decided the lure of his old club Bangor was too great to resist.
“We were
shocked by what happened and went as far as we possibly could to keep Neville,
but after a three-hour meeting, in the end the pull of Bangor was the deciding
factor," said Nomads secretary Bobby Hunter yesterday.
"My
phone hasn't stopped ringing with people enquiring about the situation but
there is nothing settled at all and that's what I've told everyone."
Based on the
Wirral, the highly-rated Morgan, 34, had a brief spell as player-manager with
Druids and continues coaching at Tranmere Rovers.
Powell is
also such an admirer of Morgan that he is understood to have invited him to
continue the partnership at Bangor in a similar role.
"We
hope to sit down with Alan and see what his thoughts are, and if nothing comes
of it we'll have to move on," Hunter said. “Plenty of people are showing
great interest in the manager's job.
“We are
really sorry to lose Neville, who has done a tremendous job for us, and we can
only thank him and wish him well."
Daily Post
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MAY-11 |
|
Llanelli
make UEFA plea
|
|
Llanelli
have applied for special dispensation from Uefa to stage their Intertoto Cup
match at Stebonheath Park. The Reds hope support from the Football Association
of Wales will persuade Europe's governing body to relax their rules and allow
them to play their European match with Lithuanian side Vetra Vilnius at their
home ground.
The
appeal is likely to be rejected, but the club remain hopeful they can bring
European football to the ground for the first time in its 111-year history.
"At the moment we will be playing at Carmarthen's home ground," said
Llanelli's business development manager Nigel Richards.
"We feel that we have a better ground than Carmarthen and we even staged
the Welsh Cup final last week so we want to have our European game here.
"Our fans deserve to see their club play at their home ground, and the FAW
have applied to Uefa on our behalf."
They were given special dispensation by Uefa last season to play at Stradey but
were told the ground would not be good enough for their second round qualifying
match.
That saw them head to the Liberty, but on reflection, the cost of playing at
the Liberty proved too expensive, despite a crowd of more than 2,500.
While Carmarthen's home ground boasts a 1,000-seater stand - a key component in
Uefa's criteria - the Reds plan to use their own stand at Stebo.
That would mean just 650 fans at Stebo, as European competitions do not condone
terracing.
With the club having run out of time to erect an extra stand, their hopes rely
on a kind response from Uefa.
"We feel we could have only 400 fans going up to Carmarthen," added
Richards.
"We would have more at Stebo and although it will only be 650, at least it
would give the town the added financial bonus of staging European football.
"We have been told not to expect much in the response, but we can only
try."
Chris Barney
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|
MAY-11 |
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£45k
a week players are out of our league
|
|
CARDIFF
City boss Dave Jones has declared the Bluebirds will not splash the cash this
summer.
The
club announced yesterday the much-awaited £58m new stadium project had gone
‘unconditional’ and chairman Peter Ridsdale told the Echo money will be
available for new players.
But
the Bluebirds’ manager quickly sent out a message to fans not to get carried
away at the thought of joining the Championship’s big spenders.
He
was shocked by the salary demands of his targets last January, including
Birmingham striker Mikael Forrsell who was rumoured to be earning £45,000 a
week.
“We
cannot be stupid in the market this summer,” Jones told the Echo. “We
can’t go looking for players costing £2m to £3m – just forget it. Some of
those we were looking at in the January transfer window were on £45,000 a week
and we just can’t and won’t compete with that sort of money.
“At
the other end of the scale we are not looking at bargain basement either as the
club has gone forward – it is more a case of getting players that we can
afford.
“I
have given Peter a list of players who are currently playing in the Premiership
and the Championship and every playing position at this club needs to be
improved.”
And
Jones has revealed next Tuesday will be D-Day for the current squad when he
tells them what their future holds at Ninian Park.
South Wales Echo
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|
MAY-11 |
|
Lithuania
a trip for Euro ace Lloyd
|
For a man that already has 26
European matches under his belt, it is hard to find a niche in Gary Lloyd's
impressive CV on the Continent. But next season's Intertoto Cup trip to
Lithuania does possess a first for Lloyd, who has played in some of the top
nations across Europe.
Lloyd, 35, makes his first trip to Lithuania next month as the Reds bid to
become the first Welsh club to progress beyond the opening round of the
Intertoto Cup.
It's a case of venturing into the unknown for the club, who enjoyed their first
ever European experience last July with groundbreaking trips to Sweden and
Denmark.
A-Lyga side Vetra Vilnius are the opposition - a club that has plenty of
experience in the competition before.
The experienced left-back, though, is looking forward to the trip, especially
when you consider the Reds looked likely to miss out on a top-three finish
following a miserable mid-season run.
Eight wins and two draws in the remaining 10 games solved that problem,
however, and a final day 5-0 hammering of Porthmadog sealed successive seasons
in continental competition.
"We started the season with an 18-game unbeaten run and we gave it up with
a really bad run," said Lloyd, who is second in the Welsh Premier League's
all-time appearance list with 450.
"In that slump we didn't look like we were going to win at all but, in
fairness to the boys, they turned it around with a great finish.
"That was enough to get us into Europe again which was important, but we
really wanted to be challenging for the title.
"That wasn't to be, though, and we are now looking forward to this trip to
Lithuania. I've not played there before and we don't know anything about them,
but we will give our best and see what happens from there.
"We will go into it with a professional approach and, hopefully, we will
have the same success as last year."Llanelli
Star
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MAY-11 |
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Swansea
target Dutchman Bodde
|
|
Swansea City have revealed an
interest in signing Dutch midfielder Ferry Bodde.
Bodde is believed to be
looking for a move from Den Haag, who have just been relegated from Holland's
top flight.
The 25-year-old is still under
contract with Den Haag but Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins says he hopes to
negotiate a cut-price transfer fee.
"We tried to get him last
season, but with them going down it might make it easier," said Jenkins.
BBC
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MAY-11 |
|
Brough:
I’ll miss County - big time
|
|
FORMER captain fantastic John
Brough is vowing to return to Spytty Park to say a proper goodbye to the
supporters who adored him.
Brough, 34, was one of five
players released by manager Peter Beadle after County failed to make it into
the playoff positions in the Conference South.
In a further cruel blow to the
skipper who was instrumental in helping the Exiles to avoid the drop a year
ago, Brough's final appearance for County didn't even last half an hour as
injury forced him off in the decisive loss to Cambridge City.
It is no secret that Brough
was hugely disappointed with Beadle's decision to let him leave after being
such an integral part of the side for 14 months.
He made 47 first team
appearances this term and is adamant he'll say a proper farewell to the Spytty
Park faithful.
He explained: "I had two
of the best years of my career at Newport and for me the club is a Conference
outfit or above in every respect other than league position.
"The fans were always
fantastic to me and I feel bad that I didn't get to say a proper goodbye to
everyone.
But I guarantee I will, be it
as an opposing player, manager, coach or simply a supporter, I will make sure I
return next season and say farewell to everyone.
"Newport County is a very
special club, it's a real shame from my perspective that I won't be involved
next season."
South Wales Argus
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|
MAY-10 |
|
Cwmbran
Celtic go up as champions
|
|
Cwmbran
Celtic were crowned Division Three champions with a dramatic 2-1 victory over
Risca United in a hard but exhilarating game at Ty-Isaf Park, writes Ray
Parker.
Celtic,
in only their second Welsh League season, whipped the trophy away from watching
Llanwern with two stunning late goals after Risca had taken the lead.
Celtic ended the season in
perfect style, gaining the title and extending their unbeaten league which
began in mid-September after losing to Llanwern.
In their first season of
Welsh League football, Celtic escaped a swift return to the County League by
the skin of their teeth. Manager Mickey Copeman has achieved a remarkable
turnaround.
It was something special for
Celtic coach Del Cheedy to celebrate because he was previously the manager at
Risca.
Ray Parker
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MAY-10 |
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The
big £58m go-ahead for City
|
|
CARDIFF
City chairman Peter Ridsdale today announced the final go-ahead for the
club’s new stadium – but promised it will not affect Dave Jones’ summer
transfer kitty.
The
Bluebirds were today celebrating the final piece of the stadium jigsaw going
into place as they deposited £58m into a Cardiff council bank account ready
for the new development to begin.
The
funds come from Cardiff City’s land deals, new investments and commitments
from retail park tenants.
It
marks the end of years of uncertainty over whether the project – which has
now been deemed “unconditional” – would ever become reality.
“We
have paid £58m into the council project bank account – for the whole
scheme,” a delighted Ridsdale told the
“That
£58m will fund the new multi-purpose stadium, a new athletics stadium, a house
of sport, road improvements and money for the regeneration programme under our
business plan, plus money for allotment holders.
“This
truly is the final piece in getting the work started, there is no more talking
to be done.
“This
is now a funded project which will start in the next few days.”
And
Ridsdale allayed fans’ fears that the stadium will drain money away from
vital squad strengthening.
“Any
money that has been raised for the stadium has not been diverted from Dave
Jones’ transfer pot,” he insisted.
Ray Parker
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|
MAY-10 |
|
New
deal on the table for Swans six
|
Swansea City are set to offer
fresh terms to their six out-of-contract players by the end of the week.
Chairman Huw Jenkins met with manager Roberto Martinez yesterday to discuss
summer rebuilding plans.
And Jenkins admits tabling offers to Garry Monk, Izzy Iriekpen, Kris O'Leary,
Steve Watt, Bayo Akinfenwa and Kevin Austin is their first priority.
"Roberto has made his thoughts clear to the players and it now comes down
to whether we can agree financial terms," he said.
"He has a budget to work to, and you have to bear in mind that Roberto
wants to bring a few new faces in this summer.
"There's only so much money to go round, but our aim is to give everyone a
fair offer.
"We will try to do as much as we can this week. It's only fair that we
talk to agents as quickly as we can to make sure everybody knows where we are.
"After that it comes down to the players.
"They have to look after their interests, we have to look after ours and
we have to see if there's any common ground."
Jenkins, meanwhile, has defended the club's policy in the wake of criticism
from Martinez.
The Spaniard said Swansea should not have been in a situation where eight
players saw their contracts expire after last weekend's crucial game with
Blackpool.
"I can understand Roberto's viewpoint," he added.
"It's not ideal having that uncertainty from a player or manager's point
of view.
"But on the other hand, if the manager wants to bring in new faces in the
close season, there's got to be room for manoeuvre.
"If you look around the country, there are hundreds of players out of
contract because sometimes the only way clubs can change things round is by
allowing it to happen.
"It's worth remembering, too, that the players forced the issue in the
first place with freedom of contract."
GARETH VINCENT
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MAY-10 |
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Carey
opens door to bring in new blood
|
|
WREXHAM
manager Brian Carey has signalled his intention to keep former Wales Under-21
goalkeeper Anthony Williams at the Racecourse after telling former No 1 Mike
Ingham his services are no longer required.
In
his first act after agreeing a two-year rolling contract as successor to former
boss Denis Smith, Carey released the Northern Ireland international together
with defender Lee Roche, who is also out of contract.
But
the big Irishman has decided against a major clear-out, despite the fact that
Wrexham avoided relegation to Conference football by the skin of their teeth
after winning a final day decider 3-1 against Boston United to send the
Lincolnshire club down instead.
Regular
first team players Shaun Pejic and Simon Spender have been offered new deals,
while youngsters Marc Williams, Gareth Evans, Michael Carvill, Jamie Reed, Levi
Mackin and Andy Fleming have also been offered new contracts.
And
midfielder Matty Crowell, whose season was restricted to 15 appearances because
of injury, has been given a six-month deal in which to prove his fitness.
Carey,
whose position and that of his assistant Steve Weaver will be confirmed at a
press conference this morning, said he was looking to bring in three or four
new faces during the course of the close season.
"All
the younger lads have been kept on because they didn’t let us down when we
needed them to come into the team, so they have earned this chance," he
said.
"We
have invested a lot of time and effort in them over the years in terms of their
development and hopefully we will reap the benefits in the season ahead.
"We
are also actively engaged in trying to bring in a few fresh faces, but exactly
how that develops will be clearer when we have finalised our budgets for next
year."
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-10 |
|
Flint
secure Coast Cup
|
|
A GOAL by
Jay Forlan four minutes into the second half was enough for Flint Town United
to get their hands back on the North Wales Coast FA Amicus Challenge Cup.
Flint’s
victory in a competitive final at a rain-swept Colwyn Bay, was their first in
the competition’s showpiece for 17 years.
Looking for
their first victory in this top domestic competition battling Prestatyn were
always in the hunt.
But despite
having beaten Rhyl's Welsh Premier League side in the quarter-finals couldn't
get the better of the Silkmen on the night.
Starting
strongly, Prestatyn's Neil Gibson was only an inch too high with a rising drive
on eight minutes.
At the other
end Flint were thwarted by two outstanding saves by Prestatyn goalkeeper John
Dunt before John Davies scooped the ball off the Flint goalline with keeper
Andy Hughes stranded just moments before the break.
The only
goal of the game came soon after the restart when opportunist Forlon rolled a
rebound past three Prestatyn defenders and into the net from 22 yards out to
the surprise of just about everyone.
Prestatyn
again suffered misfortune when a blistering shot from Ian Griffiths thudded
against a post with ten minutes to go.
Prestatyn’s
only consolation on the night was the award of man-of-the-match to their
central defender Jamie Duffy.
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-10 |
|
Dragons'
players will know fate in two days
|
|
WHO
goes and who stays as Wrexham begin planning for next season should be more or
less sorted out by tomorrow evening, manager Brian Carey said yesterday.
But
the Dragons boss, whose position was confirmed verbally by club owners Geoff
Moss and Neville Dickens on Saturday evening, is first hoping to reach a formal
agreement on his terms and conditions before entering into talks with his
out-of-contract players.
“Despite
what’s been said on Saturday, it’s a bit presumptuous of me to be deciding
on players until there is written confirmation that I’m in charge,” he
said.
“I’ve
got to sort out my own position first – hopefully in the next 24 hours or so
– and we’ll then move on to everything else that needs to be done.
Hopefully everyone will know where they stand on Thursday.”
The
Racecourse boss, who plans to stick with the current Colliers Park coaching
staff, has not ruled out the prospect of other clubs looking to cherry-pick
some of his players during the close season.
He
added: “Let’s not forget where we finished in the league this season.
“There
are areas of the team we will be looking to strengthen and that means we have
to consider any and every situation.
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-10 |
|
Ex
WPL star Eifion Williams released
|
|
Eifion Williams is one of 10
players to be released by newly promoted Hartlepool Utd. 32 yr old Williams
helped Pool to promotion with 6 goals this season, and could be a target for
Wrexham, along with another released Pool player Michael Proctor.
He started his WPL career with
Caernarfon Town playing 71 games for the north Wales outfit scoring 63 goals,
he then joined professional WPL side Barry town where 59 games over almost 2
seasons and scored a terrific total of 68 goals.
His scoring record was noticed
by Torquay Utd in the 98-99 season and was then transferred to Hartlepool. He
joined them in 2002 and netted for them 50 times.
Tony
|
|
MAY-9 |
|
Bangor
appoint Nev Powell as boss
|
|
Bangor City have appointed Nev
Powell as their new manager.
Powell, a former Bangor
midfielder, ends a 14-year reign at Connah's Quay Nomads to replace Steve
Bleasdale, who quit at the end of the season.
He becomes Bangor's 14th
manager since the Welsh Premier's inception in 1992, and will be assisted at
Farrar Road by Alan Morris.
"There is no doubt that
Neville is the right man for the job," said Bangor City chairman Ken
Jones.
"He has taken Connah's
Quay to the brink of Europe despite financial constraints.
"He has an undoubted
commitment to, and knowledge of, the Welsh Premier League, and importantly has
historic roots with Bangor City FC, who have always held him in high esteem.
"The last two managerial
appointments have, on reflection, been mistaken.
"Clayton Blackmore,
although a good player and servant to the club over many years, had no
managerial experience, and this quickly revealed itself in the club's dismal
performances under his leadership.
"Steve Bleasdale, whilst
bringing in professionalism sorely needed after Blackmore's reign, could not
adopt to the WPL system."
BBC
|
|
MAY-9 |
|
Ground
inspections for WPL hopefuls
|
|
Neath Athletic
and Llangefni Town, are both champions of the feeder leagues to the WPL, and
this week comes the test of whether their grounds are up to WPL standards.
But both Neath and Llangefni
are said to be confident of passing the criteria. But if either club fails,
both runners up in the two divisions Pontypridd and Bala Town have also applied
to join should it pass down to them.
So it is hopeful that the WPL
will next season revert back to an 18 team league.
Good luck to both teams in the
quest to join the top of the welsh pyramid.
Tony
|
|
MAY-9 |
|
Lethal
Bowes to miss final
|
|
PRESTATYN
look like being without record-breaking goalscorer Steve Bowes for tonight's
final of the North Wales Amicus Coast Challenge Cup against Flint Town United
at neutral Colwyn Bay (7.30pm kick off).
Bowes,
scorer of 56 goals to top the Cymru Alliance League charts by a distance, has
told club officials that he has work commitments and is extremely unlikely to
be available for Prestatyn’s final match of the season.
"He's
still trying to see if it's possible to play but it's not looking very
hopeful," said Prestatyn's assistant manager Martin Jones.
The absence
of key man Bowes adds to Prestatyn’s woes as they are already without
player-manager Dave Fuller and striker Jon Fisher-Cooke, who are both still
injured.
Brighter
news is the expected return of Steve Hoult after six weeks out with a fractured
foot bone, together with the versatile Dale Milne.
Andy Hoyle
has completed his suspension and is also included.
The two
finalists have one home win each to show from their league meetings this
season, with Flint shading third place in the final table three points ahead of
fourth-placed Prestatyn.
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-9 |
|
Bala
aim to bounce back
|
|
BALA Town
will be looking to bounce back from missing out on the Cymru Alliance crown
when they take on Gresford Athletic in the final of the NE Wales Cup at
Wrexham's Racecourse tonight (6.30pm).
“It was
disappointing to miss out on the title, but people should remember what we’ve
achieved in a short space of time,” said manager Colin Caton.
“Gresford
will be a tough game. We beat them 2-0 in the league a few weeks ago, but the
only difference was that we took our chances and they didn’t.”
Gresford
hope to have striker Craig Williams back following a shin injury, while Alex
Game will also be included following his appearance for Wales under-18s.
Bala will
take on Holyhead Hotspurs in the final of the League Cup at Llandudno on
Saturday.
Daily Post
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|
MAY-9 |
|
Blackmore
hits out at Bangor fans
|
|
Newly appointed Porthmadog
manager Clayton Blackmore has taken a swipe at former club Bangor City.
Blackmore, 42, spent almost
10 months as player-manager at Bangor before quitting last November and then
joining Porthmadog
as a player.
"The fans had too much
to say at Bangor and I didn't think the club was run well," Blackmore
told BBC Wales Sport.
"I'm glad I'm not
involved in that again. It's not as ruthless at Port and the fans are a bit
more sensible."
Blackmore was appointed Porthmadog
manager on Monday to replace Osian Roberts, who has recently become the new
technical director at the Football Association of Wales.
The former Manchester
United and Wales star played 15 games for Port since arriving at Y Traeth
last November, helping the north Wales club to finish 11th in the Welsh
Premier.
They reached the
semi-finals of the Loosemores Challenge Cup and lost to eventual winners Carmarthen
in the Welsh Cup quarter-finals, beating league champions the New Saints in
both competitions.
But Port have been a
mid-table side since regaining their Welsh Premier status in 2003 and
Blackmore has made improving their league results his priority for next
season.
"If we can beat teams
like TNS in the cup, we should be able to do better in the league,"
said Blackmore.
"But we need to sort
out our goalscoring, we didn't score that many goals last season."
Despite his strong links
with Manchester United and Football League clubs, Blackmore fears the lack
of funds at Porthmadog
will mean he will struggle to tempt young professionals to join the club.
But the former Wales
Under-16 coach says he is keen to continue Port's recent tradition of giving
local players their chance.
"It's all about money
in our league and there's not a lot about," said Blackmore, who is
considering playing again next season.
"TNS and Rhyl can
spend a bit, and even a team like Bangor will have a much bigger budget than
Port.
"I'd love to be able
to be able to go back to Manchester United and prize away a few players on
loan, but I don't think we'll be able to afford them.
"It's a pity but what
it means is that it gives the local talent more chance to break into the
first team.
"So it's down to them
really to roll up their sleeves and give their best shot to get into the
team."
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-8 |
|
Racecourse
eleven sweating on futures
|
|
ELEVEN Wrexham
players are sweating on their futures despite helping the club steer clear of
relegation.
Manager Brian Carey has a
nucleus of a dozen players under contract as he begins planning for a new
season in the Football League.
But following Saturday’s
crucial win over Boston that safeguarded Wrexham’s League status, 11 members
of the squad are waiting to hear what the future holds for them.
And the Dragons boss, who
graduated from a caretaker role following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat of Boston
United, is also looking to retain the services of goalkeeper Anthony Williams
and striker Michael Proctor, who have both been on loan at the racecourse.
Carey’s assistant Steve
Weaver said: “Before Saturday we didn’t dare to think about next season
because we didn’t want to tempt fate.
“Brian will talk to the
players who are out of contract and also discuss with the likes of Anthony and
Mike what their plans are.
“Anthony knows he is not
going back to Carlisle and he likes it here, but he may get a few more offers
based on his performances in recent weeks.
“Michael’s situation is
somewhat different because he’s a Hartlepool
player and will want to see what’s happening there.”
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-9 |
|
Pete
and Paul net the Principality April Awards
|
|
The final Principality Building
Society Welsh Premier League Manager of the Month for 2006/07 goes to Llanelli
boss Peter Nicholas who emulates Ken McKenna by winning the prestigious award
for the second time this season. "Nico" first won the Award in
September and after a tremendous end to the season, his Reds side have secured
an Intertoto Cup spot for next year.
The Reds certainly did it the
hard way though and had to play seven League games in April, but they managed
to win five of those and draw two to mark an outstanding unbeaten month,
claiming seventeen points on their way. After a disappointing goalless draw at
home to Caersws, the irrepressible full-timers scored thirteen goals in their
final three matches at Stebonheath, recording wins over Bangor City (3-0),
Cwmbran Town (5-1) and Porthmadog (5-0).
Their three away fixtures were all very testing encounters, but superb wins at
Carmarthen's Richmond Park (2-0) and a triumph against Connah's Quay Nomads
(1-0), as well as a 2-2 draw at Rhyl's Belle Vue were all outstanding results
and mean that the Reds boss is a thoroughly deserved recipient of the Award to
mark his team's return to European football..
Meanwhile, Caernarfon Town's
striker Paul Addo is the final winner of the Principality Building Society
Welsh Premier League Player of the Month for 2006/07 Season. The red hot
striker has been in scintillating form throughout the month and his goals have
ensured that the Canaries will be playing top flight football again next
season. The 22 year-old Liverpudlian only signed on the 2nd February this
year, but his signing has proved to be the difference for Steve
O'Shaughnessy's men in their battle against the drop.
The former Vauxhall Motors
marksman struck six goals in just five games and thoroughly deserves the award
in the month that the Cofis gained seven points. He started off in April by
scoring in the excellent 2-0 home win over Welshpool Town and then turned
brilliantly to score the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against NEWI Cefn Druids.
Next up was the match against TNS at Treflan and Addo scored two excellently
taken goals in their tremendous 3-1 win over the Champions. Caernarfon were
then beaten 2-0 by Airbus, but Addo did go closest in that game when his
25-yard effort narrowly went wide. He then rediscovered his scoring touch in
the final game of the season, by netting a brace in their 5-3 defeat to
Carmarthen, but gained the Man of the Match Award from Old Gold boss Mark
Jones, who described the striker as "Red Hot and one of the best players
we've faced all Season."
Welshpremier.com
|
|
MAY-9 |
|
Swans
face competition for Duffy
|
|
SWANSEA
CITY face competition for the signature of striker Darryl Duffy from
newly-promoted Hartlepool United.
The
23-year-old hotshot arrived at the Liberty Stadium on loan from Hull in
March and has proved a big hit, netting five goals in five starts and
taking the club to the verge of the League One play-offs in the process.
Duffy
was yesterday named Powerade player of the month for League One
following his exploits at the Swans.
Boss
Roberto Martinez has made no secret of the fact he wants to make the
deal permanent and it is believed Hull would let the player go.
But
The Tigers would want to recoup some of the £250,000 they paid for
Duffy from Scottish side Falkirk back in January last year.
The
Western Mail understands a fee of £100,000 should be enough to secure
the services of the striker who has a year left on his contact on
Humberside.
Swansea
had looked favourites to capture the ex-Rangers man, with Duffy himself
revealing he would like to sign for the club after Saturday’s final
game of the season against Blackpool.
But
that process is set to become complicated with Hartlepool boss Danny
Wilson, who is also a big fan of the striker, poised to launch his own
attempt to land Duffy.
The
Scot was on loan at Hartlepool from November to January this season and
fired five goals in 10 games.
It
is understood Wilson was keen to sign Duffy permanently in January, but
was unable to afford the money wanted by Hull at that time.
But
with promotion to League One now secured – Hartlepool finished
runners-up to champions Walsall – Wilson might have the necessary
funds provided to sign Duffy.
“But
Hull will want at least £100,000 to £150,000 to try to claw back some
of the money they paid Falkirk for him.
“He’s
been a success at Swansea, but Danny Wilson is also a big fan and with
promotion could have the money to come in with an offer. |
Welshpremier.com
|
|
MAY-8 |
|
Croesyceiliog's
cup revenge
|
|
CROESYCEILIOG returned to
Abergavenny Thursdays' Penypound Stadium to gain revenge over the Crows for
last year's Gwent Senior Cup final defeat at the venue.
This was an incident-packed
encounter between town rivals, and with matters simmering at gas mark 99, it
was no surprise that it spilled over into flashpoints before and after the
interval.
Referee Andrew Murdock was
kept busy, dishing out three red cards and seven yellows on a day when pure
football often took a back seat.
Despite carving out the
better chances and leading through a Goodridge header at a Dawe corner,
Cwmbran saw a lot less of the ball before the break.
Croesyceiliog, who also
included the Jenkins brothers, Jamie, Jody and Daniel, knocked the ball about
in some style - although Cwmbran were generally happy to see their opponents
do so in non-dangerous areas.
Striker Jody Jenkins fired
wide of a post with seconds of the second period starting before we arrived at
what many believe to be the game's turning-point.
Crows marksman Martin Houston
side-stepped his way past goalkeeper Pat O'Hagan before inexplicably missing
an unguarded goal by hitting his shot past an upright.
Doubling their advantage at
that stage would almost certainly have led to a Cwmbran win, but you could see
Croesyceiliog being visibly lifted by Houston's howler.
Just five minutes later
central defender Mike Dewar had equalised with a fine header, and soon striker
Mark Jones had the Woodland Road outfit ahead for the first time after Jamie
Jenkins had headed down a Michael Pattimore free kick.
Jody Jenkins weaved his way
past two would-be tacklers before seeing his goal-bound shot brilliantly saved
one-handed by Crows goalkeeper Gareth Wesson, but shortly before the final
whistle Jamie Jenkins swept home following a cross from younger sibling Danny.
There was no denying the
winners were deserving victors, although the battling Crows played their part
in an absorbing struggle.
South Wales Argus
|
|
MAY-8 |
|
Swan's
release Williams and Oakes
|
Tom Williams and Andy Oakes are the first casualties of Roberto Martinez's rebuilding work at Swansea City.
The pair, among eight players out of contract at the end of the season, have not been offered new deals.
Goalkeeper Oakes, who joined on a free transfer last summer has played just one League One game since Martinez took charge in February.
Defender or midfielder Williams has struggled with injury this season, but is attracting interest for other clubs.
The Cyprus international joined for an undisclosed fee from Gillingham last January, and played in 10 of the 12 games under Martinez.
"It's not exactly the nicest part of the job, but it has to be done,'' Martinez told the club's website. "It's part of football.
"I'd like to thank both players for their efforts. I know Tom already has other options, while the timing of my appointment was not ideal from Andy's point of view.
"While I've only seen him in one League game, I know he's more than a capable goalkeeper, but it's an area we need to freshen up.''
Swansea said that negotiations with the six remaining out of contract players - Kevin Austin, Kristian O'Leary, Izzy Iriekpen, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Steve Watt and Garry Monk - will continue over the next few weeks.
BBC
|
|
MAY-8 |
|
Merthyr
clinch youth title
|
|
Merthyr
Clinched the welsh league youth title on Monday night with a convincing 4-0
away win against mid table Goytre Utd.
The victory
over Goyt's see's them go 8 points clear of West End with just 2 games
remaining for both sides.
West End saw
their hopes of winning the title slip badly with a 4-1 away defeat to
Bryntirion and then a 1-1 a few days later also against Bryntirion.
A point from
our last league game of the season will see the Lido youth's clinch 3rd spot,
but that game is against Briton Ferry the only team that can catch us for 3rd.
That game takes place at Ferry on May 13th.
Ferry's
other game is against lowly Carmarthen and victories in both their remaining
games will see them pip us by a point.
View
league table
Tony
|
|
MAY-8 |
|
Former
TNS player Evans is top Dragon
|
|
AT Sunday's Player of the Season event, held at the Lion Quays, a number of awards were handed out to the
Wrexham squad following their dramatic escape from the relegation zone.
While everyone recognised that
it was not a case of celebrating finishing 19th, it was more an expression of relief that
they remain a Football League club after all the hard work that has gone into achieving the feat.
The main award for
Player of the Season was presented to former TNS player Steve Evans, who collected the trophy after just his first season at this level.
|
|
MAY-7 |
|
Blackmore
becomes new Porthmadog manager
|
|
Clayton Blackmore has
been installed as Porthmadog FC's manager following the recent appointment of current
incumbent Osian Roberts as the Football Association of Wales new Technical
Director of Football.
Roberts assistant Viv Williams, who was originally appointed as Porthmadog
manager in 2000 and then shared the managerial responsibilities for
several years with Roberts, has also decided to call it a day primarily
for personal reasons.
Making the announcement the club's
Chairman Phil Jones said that his board members had met with the current
management team over the weekend.
"This was a bitter sweet occasion as we
are all extremely pleased for Osian, his new post being one of the most
strategically important in Wales as regards the development of grass roots
football. But we were all deeply saddened as this is the end of a crucial
era in the history of the club. Over the seven years that Viv and Osian
have been at the helm we have seen the club take giant strides forward
despite the fact that we have not had the kind of financial resources that
most clubs in the Welsh Premier League have. They have moulded a squad of
talented locally based players which many a club would give their right
arm for"
"After our meeting with Osian and Viv we
met with Clayton Blackmore who, of course, has been a player at Porthmadog
since late last year and are more than glad to announce that he has
accepted the post and will be in charge as of this week"
"Clayton came with the recommendation of
our current management team, he is a qualified UEFA A Licence coach, is a
very experienced player who has vast English Premiership and Welsh
international experience and has already impressed us as a Board with his
plans for the club. Clayton will inherit a stable squad, the vast majority
of whom have already signed for next season and will also receive the
Board's support to strengthen it. The last thing we wanted was to see Viv
and Osian go but the big compensation we have is that Clayton can now take
the reins without disruption"
Welshpremier.com
|
|
MAY-7 |
|
WPL
team of the year announced
|
|
The Annual Principality Building
Society Welsh Premier League Team of the Year has been announced this
afternoon. Leading the selection's was the League's Player of the Year, John
Leah, and he is joined by three of his TNS Team-mates.
The stubborn Saints defence,
who conceded just nineteen goals all season are commended for their efforts as
the Champions supply three of the back four. Duane Courtney, who joined Ken
McKenna's side this season from Burnley makes the star team in his first year
in the League, showing exactly why he was an outstanding signing by McKenna.
Courtney is being courted by a number of Football League clubs, so hopefully
he will remain loyal to the Saints, as he is a player of real quality.
Also featuring are Phil
Baker, who is one of the unsung heroes in the Saints team. Baker shows class
and determination in every game he plays and always does the basics right,
which makes him such a consistent performer. Chris King fills in the left-back
slot, despite missing a chunk of the season through injury and Rhyl's
dependable and classy centre-back George Horan completes the defence.
Perennial selection, Lee
Kendall of Haverfordwest County is the top 'keeper after being nominated by no
less than 13 Manager's as the League's Number One, Number One. County's Left
Winger Lee Hudgell, who like his Bluebirds skipper was a Principality Player
of the Month this Year, is also selected with Rhyl's Northern Irish midfielder
Conall Murtagh selected down the other flank. Murtagh was signed by John Hulse
this season from Connah's Quay and he has proved to be an excellent signing
and is already a crowd favourite at Belle Vue.
The centre of midfield is
occupied by Leah and Llanelli's mercurial Spanish wizard Jacob Mingorance in
what would be any Manager's dream partnership, containing flair, shooting
prowess, stability, vision and mobility.
The two striking berths are
awarded to the League's top scorer Rhys Griffiths and the Phil Stanley Player
of the Year, Lee Hunt from Rhyl. Griffiths has continued his excellent scoring
form at his new home this year and celebrates his second consecutive
top-scorer award with selection to the Wales Semi Professional Team. Hunt has
overcome family bereavements and injury this season to fire the Lilywhites
into another UEFA Cup campaign, so he thoroughly deserves his selection too.
The Principality Welsh
Premier Team of the Season:
Lee Kendall (Haverfordwest
County), Duane Courtney (TNS) , George Horan (Rhyl) , Phil Baker (TNS) , Chris
King (TNS); Conall Murtagh (Rhyl) , John Leah (TNS), Jacob Mingorance
(Llanelli), Lee Hudgell (Haverfordwest County); Rhys Griffiths (Llanelli), Lee
Hunt (Rhyl)
Welshpremier.com
|
|
MAY-7 |
|
Bala bow out in second
|
|
BALA bowed out in style in midweek, overcoming
Guilsfield 4-0 to finish second to new Cymru Alliance champions Llangefni Town,
who have one game remaining, writes Chris Smart.
On target for Bala were Gethin Lloyd, Craig
Lawton, Neil Davies and Robbie Chesters.
Holyhead Hotspur who enjoyed a good run in the
Welsh Cup, reaching the quarter-finals, moved into eighth spot over the weekend
with a comfortable 3-1 win over Llanfairpwll.
Curt Williams bagged a brace – four minutes
into the second half and on the stroke of full-time – while Ian Williams got the
other goal.
Billy Evans had given Llanfair the lead after
24 minutes, but it didn’t last.
Tim Nunnerley grabbed a hat- trick as
Guilsfield bounced back from their Bala blitzing with a hard-earned 4-3 triumph
over Glantraeth.
But Llandudno finished their disappointing
campaign in tenth place after a 4-2 defeat by Flint.
Queens Park will drop out of the Alliance
after finishing at the foot of the pile with just 10 points, some 18 behind the
club ahead of them, Lex XI.
Western Mail
|
|
MAY-7 |
|
Parry so pleased for
Wrexham
|
|
LIVERPOOL chief executive Rick Parry has spoken of his
delight after Wrexham clinched League survival with a 3-1 victory over Boston
United on Saturday.
Parry, whose two sons are both involved in the Dragons’ set
up, was kept informed of the scoreline from the relegation decider during
Liverpool’s game at Craven Cottage via text message.
The former goalkeeper has been central to forging a close
relationship between the two clubs, which sees the Racecourse used for the
Merseysiders’ reserve games.
The gate money generated by pre-season friendlies also
assisted Wrexham to end their period of administration and fund the Colliers
Park all-weather pitch.
And a delighted Parry revealed that he sent a text message
to owner Geoff Moss after learning of the score which ensured Wrexham’s unbroken
League status.
“It’s great news,” said Parry. “I was worried at half time.
I’ve just sent Geoff a text now to say well done. It’s brilliant.
“I was looking at the Macclesfield score as well and hoping
they might do Wrexham a favour but obviously they have done it on their own now.
“There is a great relationship between the two clubs, there
is the reserve set up and we’ve played friendlies there and helped to fund the
Astroturf pitch at Colliers Park.
“There is a genuine friendship between the two clubs and I
am absolutely delighted.
“Two of my sons are involved there – one of them coaches,
one plays – and I reserve a strong interest in how they are doing and I must say
that was the result I was looking for first today.
“I’m over the moon for them.”
Western Mail
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|
MAY-7 |
|
Martinez angry over Swans contract policy
|
|
ROBERTO MARTINEZ believes Swansea City have been “exposed”
by letting the contracts of eight players run out.
Swansea boss Martinez fears he could lose key players as he
seeks to rebuild following the disappointment of missing out on the League One
play-offs.
And defender Izzy Iriekpen – who scored twice in the
fateful 6-3 defeat to Blackpool – says Swansea have been “disrespectful” by not
offering contracts to players they may wish to keep.
Three players who started the Blackpool defeat – Iriekpen,
Kris O’Leary and Kevin Austin – are out of contract, as is second-half
substitute Tom Williams.
Injury victims Garry Monk and Bayo Akinfenwa must also wait
to discover their fate, so too second-choice goalkeeper Andy Oakes and back-up
defender Steven Watt.
The future of the Duffy's, loan signings Darryl and
Richard, must also be determined by Martinez with all talks planned for today.
But for now, taking what appeared a hefty swipe at the
previous regime of Kenny Jackett, he is unhappy at the situation he has
inherited.
“A football club of our size should never be in a position
where we’ve got eight players out of contract,” he said.
“I believe we are the Man United or Chelsea of League One,
and if you feel that you cannot be in this situation. I have never seen Man
United or Chelsea in this situation and we need to make sure we get that right.
Western Mail
|
|
MAY-7 |
|
Cardiff target cut-price signings
|
|
Cardiff City manager Dave Jones has warned the fans not to expect any
big-money signings over the summer.
Jones, who saw his side collect just two points from their last nine games,
revealed that some 17 players will exit the club as he rebuilds his squad.
Some of those to leave will include players under contract, he said, as the
club needs to raise the funds to spend.
"It's going to be slow rebuilding, we haven't got millions of pounds to
spend," Jones told BBC Wales Sport.
"Some of the players are not good enough to do what I want them to do and will
leave, that's just football.
"Some players under contract will go on the transfer list because we have
to move some out to bring others in.
"We'll go away for a week, then the rest of the close-season has been planned.
"When the players come back, I will explain everything to those who are
staying and to those who are going.
"Hopefully we'll find the right ones to come in - people who want to come
in to this club.
"When you haven't got the right facilities, you've got to sell the dream.
"We've been able to do that on most occasions and we'll have to continue to
do that for the next 18 months."
With Neil Alexander leaving the club after rejecting a new contract offer,
signing a new goalkeeper will be one of Jones' priorities.
Western Mail
|
|
MAY-7 |
|
Carey
set to secure Wrexham job
|
|
Wrexham co-owner Neville Dickens
says caretaker manager Brian Carey is likely to get the job full time after
helping save the club from the Conference.
"He's certainly in the
front line for it after what he's done in the last month," Dickens told
BBC Sport Wales after the 3-1 last-day win over Boston.
"We'll meet shortly and
I'm sure everyone can guess the outcome.
"Everybody connected
with the club has worked hard to save it, and there are brighter days ahead at
the Racecourse."
Former Wrexham defender
Carey, 38, took over at the Racecourse following January's shock dismissal of
manager Denis Smith.
After a difficult start, the
Irishman and assistant Joey Jones helped to save the season with four wins
from the last five games.
They were staring down the
relegation barrel at half-time in Saturday's crunch game, trailing Boston 1-0
after an awful first 45 minutes.
The players have credited
Carey and Jones with giving them the "rollocking" that helped
inspire three second-half goals to send the Pilgrims down, but the manager was
keen to praise the efforts of others.
That was the biggest game in
the club's history and people will remember it for a very long time.
"But we can't really
celebrate because we haven't done anything. This is a game that we must use as
a springboard for the club.
BBC
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|
MAY-7 |
|
Martinez
plans early rebuilding
|
|
Swansea manager
Roberto Martinez says his plans for the squad in the summer will be made by
early this week.
"Eight players are out
of contract and two on loan, that's not right at a club of this calibre,"
he said after the 6-3 Blackpool loss ended play-off hopes.
"It's a situation I've
inherited and want to change, and by early this week we'll know our retain
list.
"There are many
departments we have to improve, that's always the way, and I've got a clear
idea of what we need."
Richard Duffy and Darryl
Duffy are the two loan players, and it seems that Swansea are particularly
keen to secure the services of the latter, whose loan spell from Hull ends on
Monday.
Izzy Iriekpen, one of the out
of contract players, says he is keen to stay, but also confident that he could
secure a deal at another club.
"I feel that I've done
enough," Iriekpen told BBC Sport Wales.
The defender, who was taken
off the transfer list when Martinez replaced Kenny Jackett as manager in
February, feels that the club's timing of the leadership change could have
cost them promotion.
"The new gaffer
[Martinez] changed things around and if he'd come in earlier we wouldn't have
been in this situation," he said.
"He's a brilliant
manager to work under and Swansea will push on under him, there's real hope
for next season at this club."
BBC
|
|
MAY-7 |
|
We'd
have been Prem pushovers says Jones
|
|
DAVE
JONES has admitted Cardiff would have been an embarrassment if they
had made it to the Premiership.
And
the Cardiff manager says that underlines the battle he faces to keep
the Bluebirds fighting among the big clubs in the Championship next
season.
Jones,
who has tasted top-flight life while manager at Southampton and
Wolves, refuses to hide away from the fact Cardiff would have been
shown up on and off the field if they had maintained their push for
promotion.
It
follows on from his claims that he - and others working behind the
scenes at Ninian Park - are striving to turn the club into one that
can hold its head up at the highest level.
That
is something that takes time - and Jones believes it could make next
season even harder.
As
the Bluebirds faced up to their final game of the season at Ipswich
this lunchtime, Jones looked back on the season just gone and said:
"It would have been great to have got up this season, absolutely
fantastic - but it would have been an embarrassment.
"It
would have been embarrassing to go up with what we've got, or what we
haven't got here. For instance, we couldn't even fill our stadium when
we were top of the league.
"When
you look at the others around us still fighting to go up, the managers
at Derby and Southampton are just building a team, but they have
everything else in place.
"We
are trying to build that everything else, that's why there's money
being spent elsewhere and not just on the players. We're trying to be
a new club here." |
Peter Shuttleworth
|
|
MAY-6 |
|
Flynn:
Go for it, Lido
|
|
BRIAN FLYNN
has backed his boyhood team to create history in today's Welsh Cup final.
Afan Lido
are hoping to become the first team from Welsh football's second tier to win
the cup when the Welsh League also-rans clash with Carmarthen Town in
Llanelli.
Welsh
international great Flynn believes his home-town club's youth policy has
inspired the kind of camaraderie needed to shock Town.
Lido,
relegated from the Welsh Premier last season, are focussed on securing an
unexpected European qualification from their first Welsh Cup showpiece.
Flynn, who
played for Afan Lido at under-14 and under-15 level, said: "From what I
understand Afan Lido are not a wealthy club and rely heavily on local talent
the club have nurtured themselves.
"Afan
Lido have an extremely productive youth system which has proven successful
time and again.
"Their
local-boy philosophy galvanises team spirit because the local club is in their
blood, winning for Afan Lido means everything.
"And
the players have grown-up together so they've a bond."
Flynn,
raised near Lido's ground at Aberavon, is himself a great advocate of
developing young talent.
And Lido's
honorary vice president will be an interested spectator at Stebonheath Park
today (kick-off 4.15pm) as Lido aim to bank the £25,000 winners' jackpot.
"I'm
confident Lido can cause a shock today and create a little history," he
added.
"Afan
Lido is a club close to my heart. I played for them as a youth before I joined
Burnley in 1972. Without playing for the Lido I might not have got my break.
"But I
always look out for their result on a Saturday afternoon.
"I
occasionally catch a game when I'm visiting my parents, who still live just
down the road in Aberavon."
Wales on
Sunday
|
|
MAY-6 |
|
Wrexham
joy at relegation escape
|
|
Wrexham have pulled off a
dramatic last day escape to avoid relegation from the Football League.
Thousands of fans celebrated
at their Racecourse ground after beating League Two relegation rivals Boston
United.
Joyous fans poured onto the
pitch after their 3-1 victory kept league football in north Wales.
Wrexham thought they would
need at least a draw, and were 1-0 down at half-time. But three second-half
goals condemned Boston to the Conference.
Police and stewards stood no
chance of stopping home supporters rushing onto the pitch at the final
whistle.
Fans had tried to pour onto
the pitch after Wrexham's second goal in the 86th minute, and a pitch invasion
also seemed a certainty after the third a minute from the end.
BBC
|
|
MAY-6 |
|
Swans
play-off dream shattered
|
|
Andy Morrell starred as
Blackpool ended Swansea's play-off hopes, but Bristol City's win over
Rotherham meant the Seasiders missed automatic promotion.
Izzy Iriekpen's header gave
Swansea the lead, but Morrell equalised after a good run and Keigan Parker
made it 2-1.
A fine swivel and shot from
Lee Trundle made it level and, after Trundle blew a penalty, Iriekpen put the
Swans ahead.
But Morrell struck three more
in quick succession and Parker rounded off the scoring a minute before full
time.
The defeat was Swansea's
second in 12 games under Roberto Martinez.
Slim consolation for the
sold-out Liberty Stadium crowd will be that Oldham's 1-0 win over Chesterfield
meant Swansea would have needed to have won by four clear goals to have made
the play-offs.
Blackpool will carry fine
form into the knockout stages, having won seven straight games and lost just
once in the last 14 matches.
BBC
|
|
MAY-6 |
|
Cardiff
finish season with another defeat
|
|
Substitute Jon Walters' brace
gave Ipswich the win as two mid-table teams ended their seasons with an
entertaining game at Portman Road.
Francis Jeffers gave the home
side a dream start, picking up Owen Garvan's through ball against offside
calls.
Cardiff came back strongly,
Paul Parry equalising with a brave far-post header from Warren Feeney's
whipped cross.
But Garvan found Walters who
scored with his first touch and the substitute got another from Jamie Peters'
set-up.
BBC
|
|
MAY-5 |
|
Welsh
football’s £10m bonanza
|
|
WELSH
football is set for a cash bonanza worth a minimum of £10m as BBC Wales
bosses seek to wrest TV coverage of John Toshack’s team back from Sky.
The Western
Mail understands the Beeb are poised to table the record bid in an attempt to
bring the Welsh game to terrestrial television again.
With their
move likely to be matched by Sky, who own the current rights to Wales home
matches, it means the FAW are guaranteed a bumper pay-day as they decide which
broadcaster to go with in a new four-year deal.
The revised
TV contract will coincide with new-look Wales hitting their peak under John
Toshack in time for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, following two and
a half years of painstaking rebuilding work.
Negotiations
are set to step up in earnest in the coming months as the FAW’s senior
officials meet to discuss the offers likely to be on the table.
But we
understand BBC Wales are already talking about upping the ante to £10m in an
effort to win back their historic rights to screen international matches.
Those
rights were snatched away last time following Sky’s sudden and unexpected
decision to get involved with Welsh football for the first time, a move which
netted the FAW a then record £7.5m.
But the
FAW’s decision to go with Sky caused unease among large sections of the
Welsh public who were denied the opportunity of seeing their national team
play on free-to-air television.
Among the
matches which went to Sky was Wales’ huge World Cup qualifying showdown with
England at the Millennium Stadium.
But, well
though the Irish are doing at the moment, Sky know that with players such as
Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Jason Koumas and Gareth Bale on board, Wales are an
even bigger attraction.
They will
be keen to renew their contract for a period which takes into account the next
World Cup and the 2012 European Championship qualifying campaign.
We
understand, however, that BBC Wales are putting together an impressive
four-year package in an attempt to win the day.
As well as
covering Toshack’s team home and away, they are talking about expanding TV
exposure of the Welsh Premiership and Welsh Cup.
The
immediate future of the FAW Premier Cup, which they sponsor, would also be
assured.
FAW
secretary David Collins confirmed agents had been employed to look after the
TV bidding rights process.
They are
thought to be the agents who netted the £10m TV deal for the Northern Ireland
FA.
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-5 |
|
Lido
gunning for cup glory
|
|
AFAN LIDO
seek to become the first Welsh Premier feeder club to win the Welsh Cup when
they meet local rivals Carmarthen Town in the final at Stebonheath Park,
Llanelli, tomorrow.
Relegated
from the top tier two years ago, the Aberavon club have beaten Port Talbot and
Welshpool Town in the previous two rounds and manager Phil Holmes is hoping to
make it a hat-trick of Welsh Premier scalps.
“My
players have given me everything in this competition and, if they perform to
the same level again, that’s all I can ask,” said Holmes.
“If we
lose it will be because we have been beaten by a better side. Carmarthen are a
fine side and will start favourites, but we have beaten favourites before and
can do it again.”
However,
Holmes admitted his side’s preparations had not been ideal. “We had two
league matches this week, but I have managed to involve just three first-team
players,” he said.
“We were
in contention for the title a month ago and, if we had still been in the hunt,
I don’t know what we would have done.
“But to
reach the final is a fantastic achievement for a club like ours and we are
going to enjoy the occasion and, hopefully, come home with the trophy, which
would also put us into Europe.”
Lido will
be at full strength as defender Karl Evans managed to squeeze in the fifth and
final game of his suspension period this week.
Spare a
thought for Phil Robinson, who founded Lido 40 years ago, as he will miss the
match because of commitments with the Boys Clubs of Wales under-14s team in
Scotland.
“It’s a
real shame as Phil still is Mr Afan Lido,” Holmes added.
Western Mail
|
|
MAY-5 |
|
Osian
lands big one
|
|
Porthmadog
manager Osian Roberts has been named as new technical director for the
Football Association of Wales.
He beat
former Welsh internationals Ian Rush and Barry Horne to the job. Roberts is
the most highly-qualified coach in Welsh Premier football.
He holds
the Uefa Pro badge qualification and teaches other managers from the
Premiership downwards.
South Wales Echo
|
|
MAY-4 |
|
History
in your hands say Carmarthen boss
|
|
Carmarthen
boss Mark Jones is desperate to celebrate an historic win on Sunday, and has
drummed home the message to his side.
Since their memorable 1-0 Welsh Cup semi-final win over Llanelli, the Old Gold
boss has been delivering the same talk to his side: be history makers.
Sunday's final clash with Welsh League side Afan Lido will see a new name
engraved on the trophy regardless of who wins it.
The Welsh Cup
is a real tale of the underdogs coming to fruition, although Jones, who saw
his side beaten by TNS in the final two years ago, refuses to bleat on about
the favourites and underdogs tag.
However, Town will go into this match as favourites, but Jones insists there
will be no such talk in the Carmarthen dressing room as they look to lift the
trophy for the first time in its 59-year history.
''It is the biggest day in the club's history,'' said Jones. ''We have never
won it before and if we win it we are history makers - I have repeated that
message to the players. It is the same for Lido, so they will have the same
attitude.
''I don't believe in the underdog and favourites tag. At the end of the day,
it's 50-50. We were given the underdogs tag against Longford Town in the Uefa
Cup and look what happened - we went on to the second qualifying round of the
Uefa Cup.
''My players won't be thinking they are favourites. Lido have beaten quality
opposition along the way in Port Talbot and Welshpool, while we knocked out
Llanelli in the semi-final, so there are no favourites and underdogs tag being
dished out."
The final, at Llanelli's Stebonheath Park, will see the winners play in the
Uefa Cup next season, and Jones is desperate for more European fixtures at
Carmarthen now that the ground meets the specific criteria.
''It would mean a lot to the people of Carmarthen to win this trophy,'' said
Jones. ''The chairman, the players, our families, the fans - they have all
been fantastic. The fans are the most gentleman-like in the league and they
have really been supportive this season.
''They deserve European football and it would be special to them to watch
their team playing at their ground.
Carmarthen Journal
|
|
MAY-4 |
|
Nicholas
to stay in charge at Llanelli
|
Peter Nicholas will lead
Llanelli into Europe next season after a remarkable late run of form secured
the Reds an Intertoto Cup spot. Nicholas, who took the club to the Uefa Cup
second qualifying round in their European debut in July, will take the reins
for the 2007-08 campaign as a reward for the club's third-place finish in the
Welsh Premier League.
In what has been a roller coaster season, the former Arsenal and Wales
midfielder steered the club to a victory over Swedish side Gefle in the Uefa
Cup before a respectable showing against Danish outfit OB Odense.
It was followed by an 18-match unbeaten run, which included a 100 per cent
record in the Challenge Cup and a 2-0 victory at champions The New Saints.
Reds chairman Nitin Parekh said he is pleased the club has again qualified for
Europe and is hoping Nicholas can carry the club forward once more.
"It is nice to be in Europe for the second year in a row, but it's a
shame we had the poor run," he said. "If we had a good run during
that period we would have been challenging for top spot.
"We may have over-achieved in our first year of professionalism, and
perhaps under-achieved in the second. Hopefully, we will get it spot on next
season.
"I am also hoping the town can really get behind us next season. The town
has not had a very successful football team for a long, long time, so it would
give the club a huge lift if we can raise our attendance.
Llanelli Star
|
|
MAY-4 |
|
Play-offs
planned for WPL UEFA spots
|
|
League
secretary John Deakin is to press ahead with a proposal – revealed in this
column – to introduce a play-off system at the end of the season for the
league’s Uefa Cup and Intertoto places. The play-offs would see the second
to fifth-placed teams next year going into two semi-finals and a final, with
the winners qualifying for the Uefa Cup and the losing finalists going into
the Intertoto. The Welsh Premier champions would still qualify for the
preliminary rounds of the Champions League.
Deakin
said: “I’m going to make a proposal to the board of directors to move into
a play-off system next season for the European places. I think it would bring
additional revenue into the clubs and would also make the end of the season
more exciting for the fans.”
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-4 |
|
Six
Welsh Prem Players in Semi Pro Squad
|
|
Incoming Port Talbot Town boss
Tony Pennock has named six players from the Principality Welsh Premier League
in his Wales Semi Professional squad for the forthcoming 4 Nations Tournament
in Inverness, which takes place between Wales, Scotland, England and Republic
of Ireland, commencing on Tuesday 22nd May and finishing on Sunday 27th.
Carmarthen Town and Caersws
both supply two players with Old Gold left-back Paul Keddle gaining selection
for a second consecutive season, whilst Defender-cum-Midfielder, Kris Thomas
also makes the squad of eighteen. Graham Evans, the most capped player at this
level, will get the chance to add to his tally as will his team-mate Chris
Venables, who were both shining lights in a poor League season for the Mid
Wales Bluebirds. The League's top goalscorer Rhys Griffiths of Llanelli is
also named as is his former Port Talbot Town colleague, Lee John who has
impressed throughout the season.
Unfortunately, Lee Kendall of
Haverfordwest, Les Davies of Porthmadog and Scott Ruscoe of TNS were all
unavailable after making the provisional squad and therefore hindered the
number of Welsh Premier players selected.
Welshpremier.com
|
|
MAY-4 |
|
Beadle
lets five go
|
|
NEWPORT County boss Peter Beadle
admits yesterday was the toughest time in his managerial career after he
informed five members of his first team squad that they are no longer
required.
Skipper John Brough, striker
Dean Holdsworth, midfielders Tyrone Topper, and Ashley Williams and defender
Stewart Edwards are those who have left.
All of the other players in
the first team picture were offered new deals.
Of those players Sam
O'Sullivan and Richard Evans have asked for more time to consider the terms
and striker Charlie Griffin wasn't able to meet with Beadle - though he is
thought to be keen on staying at Spytty Park.
The rest of the first team
squad are now committed for next season after agreeing to stay.
Midfielder Lee Fowler - who
signed for County on loan near the end of the campaign - has also agreed a
deal to join the club, the Argus can reveal.
And Beadle expects to sign a
replacement for influential skipper Brough within the next 24 hours. He says
the decision to part company with his popular captain was the hardest of all.
He explained: "Yesterday
was a long, tough day, the hardest of my managerial career. It wasn't nice to
make those decisions.
"Broughy was an
especially tough call to make. I've known him for years and consider him to be
a friend.
"He was a massive factor
in us staying up a year ago and he has given me everything this season.
"But I feel it is time
to bring in a younger player and though John was disappointed he understands.
South Wales Argus
|
|
MAY-4 |
|
Red
hot Griffiths douses his 30 goals
|
For a man that has achieved so
much this season, you would expect Rhys Griffiths to be beaming following his
first season exploits at Llanelli - but not so.Modest Griffiths has achieved
in his debut season at Stebonheath Park which most would fail to do in their
career.
The 27-year-old fireman has been one of the hottest talents in the Welsh
Premier League this season due to his goalscoring prowess.
His hat-trick in last Saturday's European clinching 5-0 victory over
Porthmadog at Stebo polished off a remarkable campaign for the former Port
Talbot striker.
Griffiths opened his Reds account with their first ever goal in Europe when he
struck the equaliser on his debut in the Uefa Cup victory over Gefle in
Sweden.
Then he targeted the club's league scoring record set by Mark Dickeson (21)
during the 1999-2000 campaign, which he beat in last month's win over Airbus
UK.
Griffiths, voted player of the month in October which shortly attracted
interest from Wrexham, went on to reach his pre-season target of 30 league
goals thanks to a last day treble against Porthmadog.
That tally easily saw him retain his Golden Boot trophy ahead of second-placed
team-mate Jacob Mingorance and recently released Bangor striker Mark
Lloyd-Williams (both 19 goals).
In all competitions - Uefa Cup, Challenge Cup, Welsh Cup and league matches -
Griffiths scored 46 goals in 48 games.
Llanelli Star
|
|
MAY-4 |
|
Deakin
aims to give League Cup an overhaul
|
|
THE
league’s Challenge Cup is set to be revamped next season with six groups of
three battling for a quarter-final spot.
League
secretary John Deakin will today put his proposal for a new cup system to
Welsh Premier directors after last year’s format was criticised by managers
for involving too many games.
The new cup
structure will see the league’s teams split into six groups of three, with
teams in each group playing each other home and away (four games each in
total). The winners of each group will then go into the quarter-finals along
with the best two runners-up, with the eight teams battling it out in a
straight knockout to reach the final.
This would
involve teams having to play less games than in the early stages of this
season’s competition, which began with three groups of four teams and one
group of five. The league’s South Walian sides claimed to have suffered
particularly from the format – as they were in the bigger pool and had to
play eight games in the group stages.
The revamp
is dependent on the Welsh Premier containing 18 teams next season, approving
the idea.
Should the Welsh Premier board
accept Deakin’s proposal today, it will be put to the clubs at the
league’s AGM, in Llandudno’s Imperial Hotel on Saturday, June 16.
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-3 |
|
Bleasdale's
parting shot at the Welsh Premier
|
Bleasdale thanked fans for their
support, and admitted that he had found it difficult to understand the Welsh
system.
"The Welsh FA have got to
take a long look at how the Premier League is run and funded," said the
former Bangor boss.
"To ask clubs to travel to Llanelli in midweek on poor roads like we had
to, and then return to Haverfordwest three days later is totally unreasonable
and expensive for part time players.
"Some of the grounds need serious financial investment and the league
possibly needs to be looking at being split into two.
"Most of all, it needs Welsh managers and Welsh players because I have
tried to bring players from over the border, but couldn't pay what they ask
and they didn't fancy the travelling."
Bleasdale said that his experience at Bangor had been educational, even though
it had been a shock to his system.
"I have met some great people, who are really passionate about their
football, but I have been offered three or four jobs within twenty minutes of
my own doorstep," he explained.
"The budgets are far more realistic and I have to admit that the English
system has been a big pull.
"I had a chat with Ken Jones and he understands my position. We part on
amicable terms and I wish Bangor City Football Club and their great fans every
success in the future."
www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk
|
|
MAY-3 |
|
Bangor
to name manager sooner than later
|
BANGOR City will be appointing a new manager sooner than later following the
shock departure of Steve Bleasdale on Monday.
Speaking in the wake of the Bangor boss's exit, Farrar Road chairman Ken
Jones said that his phone has already been ringing with people asking about
the vacancy.
"We would have liked to keep Steve, he had great ambitions, but we knew
that it was always a possibility that he would move on when other
opportunities arose," said Jones.
"We always tried to accommodate his requests, but he has had several
offers by clubs in the English system."
"Appointing a new manager is now of the essence," the City
chairman added.
"We need a good pre-season so the new manager must hit the ground
running, and I am speaking to a number of people in the next few days,"
www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk
|
|
MAY-3 |
|
Jerome
windfall boost for Bluebirds
|
|
Cardiff City have benefited from
the promotion of rivals Birmingham City to the Premiership by £500,000 thanks
to a clause in the sale of Cameron Jerome.
The England Under-21 striker,
20, left Ninian Park for St Andrews last summer for an initial £3m fee.
But the Blues' return to the
top flight has triggered a £500,000 payment, with the same to follow if they
stay up.
"Cardiff will benefit
from us going up by £500,000 now," Birmingham chairman David Sullivan
said.
"And if we stay up in
the Premiership I'll happily send another £500,000 down to Cardiff.
"The deal was done when
Sam Hammam was (chairman) at Cardiff and he always wanted extra bits and
pieces put into contracts - he drove a hard deal."
Jerome has hit nine goals for
Steve Bruce's side this season, including scoring in each of the last two wins
over Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday that clinched automatic promotion
BBC
|
|
MAY-3 |
|
Cwmbran's
keeper info plea
|
|
GOALKEEPER Gareth Wesson is
calling on Cwmbran Town officials to confirm whether the troubled club has a
future.
A lack of finances have
brought an end to the Crows' 15-years stint in the Welsh Premier League with
manager Sean Wharton and coach Matthew Bishop both quitting.
The club is scheduled to drop
down to the Welsh League Division One in 2007-08 when the one-player-one-club
ruling comes into effect across the whole of Wales.
That means players must stick
with the club they sign for at the start of the season, although transfers are
to be allowed.
"I'd just like to know
if there's going to be a club next season basically and we nee d someone to
come out and tell us where we stand and what's going to happen," said
former Newport YMCA and County stopper Wesson.
"We're looking for a bit
of communication and need to know what's going on so that we can make our
minds up in the summer.
"If we are going to have
to be playing for another club we need to know."
The club held a committee
meeting on Monday night with an official later explaining the matters
discussed were confidential.
The money problems mean the
club can not afford to pay the full rental price for hiring Cwmbran Stadium
and it's understood it is to write to the local council seeking a reduction in
the fee.
South Wales Argus
|
|
MAY-3 |
|
County
players to learn fate
|
|
NEWPORT County's players will
find out on Thursday afternoon whether they have a future at the club, the
Argus can reveal.
Manager Peter Beadle and his
assistant Scott Young have already decided which players will be offered new
terms after sitting down on Sunday to work out the plan of attack for next
season.
Only striker Craig Hughes and
academy graduate Shane Brewer are contracted to the club beyond the summer,
but the Argus understands the majority of the current group WILL be offered
new terms.
Around half a dozen players
are set to be told they don't have a future at Spytty Park, but that could
include some players who are now too old for the youth academy and haven't
broken into the first team picture.
Comment-ing after the
disappointing defeat to Cambridge on Saturday, Beadle explained: "We have
some tough decisions to make and it won't be easy telling some of the boys we
are going to let them go.
"We want to have a
better chance of promotion next season, but I am proud to be the manager of
the current players, they've all done well for me and the club.
"Letting people go for
the sake of it is pointless, we will only do that if we think we can
strengthen in a particular position."
South Wales Argus
|
|
MAY-3 |
|
Leah
gets best player award
|
|
THE
New Saints’ John Leah has been voted the Welsh Premier's player of the
season in the annual vote by the league’s managers.
The
midfielder proved a clear winner, finishing five points ahead of runner-up
Jacob Mingorance, of Llanelli.
Rhyl
striker Lee Hunt, winner of the Daily Post's Phil Stanley player of the season
award, finished in third spot with Rhys Griffiths (Llanelli) in fourth.
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-3 |
|
Toshack
backing Dragons to win dog fight
|
|
WALES
manager John Toshack feels confident Wrexham will preserve their Football
League status by winning their final match of the season against Boston United
at the Racecourse on Saturday.
And
after naming Dragons defender Steve Evans in his squad for the May 26
Racecourse friendly international with New Zealand and the European
Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic a week later, the Wales boss
is backing Wrexham to bounce back from what has been a disappointing campaign
to mount a League Two promotion challenge next season.
“I
hope that for both Wrexham and Steve that they get the right result on
Saturday,” he said.
“We
need Wrexham to be playing league football next season and I believe that, as
was the case for Swansea City a few seasons ago, this season’s
disappointment will sharpen the senses.
“Wrexham
have seen to all their problems off the field and the situation and set-up
here is geared for better things. I am sure they will win on Saturday and I
would fancy them to go up next year.”
Daily Post
|
|
MAY-3 |
|
Red
Devil's winger for the Liberty?
|
|
Manchester United
youngster Jamie Mullan could be on his way to Swansea City this summer after a
trial spell. The teenage right-winger has been told he can leave Old Trafford
in the close season and spent last week training with Roberto Martinez's
squad.
Known for his pace and crossing ability, Mullan joined United from Notts
County three years ago and has been a regular in the Premiership giants'
second string this term.
"He has a fantastic record in the United reserves," Martinez said.
"He has pace and talent and he is highly-regarded, but he is being
released so we've spent some time together.
"He's
gone back up north for now, but it's something that is going to continue and
it could well be that he comes back soon."
Mullan was joined at the Liberty by Fulham's combative midfielder Matty
Collins. The Merthyr-born 21-year-old is training with Swansea again this
week.
Evening Post
|
|
|