League 2 Thread 2008/2009

[andy preece]

Hah just read that we offered Gowling more money than Carlisle. Must've offered a chunk more to Cooper than Crewe as well, **** knows where this money is coming from

think he is going to be a first teamer next season.not sure whether murphy's head will be right after recent events.

[nickpvfc]

Originally posted by bill b:

Cheers for the help. We're staying in Leek, anything good about it?

Erm, no. Spend as little time there as possible.

[Higgzy]

Cheltenham also after Richard Walker according to reports down here. You'd think we'd be in a position to sign him up (Location and a higher League), but knowing us we'll offer half what L2 teams offer and he'll follow the cash.

[Rob1981]

So, for what it’s worth… here’s a recap of the ins and outs at Saltergate so far. I posted some of this news in the dying embers of last season’s thread, but probably worth restating:

CHESTERFIELD

Only seven senior players were still under contract at the end of 2007/08: Barry Roche in goal, Aaron Downes and Gregor Robertson in defence, Jamie Lowry and Jamie Winter in midfield, and the potentially formidable strike partnership of Jamie Ward and Jack Lester.

Alan O’Hare, Kevin Gray, Josh Law, Jamie Jackson and Adam Smith were all released, along with Kevin Cooper who we had had on loan for the closing stages of 2007/08.

Since then, Derek Niven and Phil Picken have both re-signed on renewed terms, while Sheff Utd’s Lloyd Kerry has joined us on a permanent deal after playing 13 games during a loan spell last season.

Steve Fletcher was offered a new deal but wanted to relocate back to the south coast and has joined Crawley Town. Peter Leven rejected a new deal and is going to sign for MK Dons. Janos Kovacs has been offered a new deal, hasn’t signed it, and looks like he’s going to join Lincoln City. I thought he was decent enough, but apparently he’s been told we can’t guarantee him regular football. This week it has emerged that despite being under contract Barry Roche will be fucking off too and joining Morecambe, and that actually leaves us without a goalkeeper altogether.

We have made three signings though:

Robert Page should be a familiar enough name – he’s been at Huddersfield most recently, and apparently we looked at him during the January transfer window and didn’t get him because he decided to go up there. He’s 34 in September, but should still be a good addition for our back four – anyone with 42 international caps is OK in my book, even if they were for Wales.

Midfielder Paul Harsley has joined us from Port Vale. Apparently he won their Player of the Season award last year (albeit in a campaign where they were relegated), and he’s supposed to be decent. Can a Port Vale fan confirm or deny?

Kevin Austin has also signed from Swansea. Another defender, he’s 35 – but we’ve offered him a two-year deal. He seemed to play quite a lot for Swansea last season though, and he’s even been recognised at international level. Yes, that’s right. He got one cap for Trinidad & Tobago – against Panama in 2000.

So I think I’m right in saying we only have twelve players on the books at the moment. We have a Ben Algar, a Dan Gray and a Dan Whatsize listed on the website and I think all are youth players that have been offered pro terms. But at the moment they’ve only got two substitute appearances between them.

So that’s it so far. Hope you all found that useful.

[Malicious Penguin]

Ok, so it's not (yet) a points deduction, but still...

The Football League has placed a transfer embargo on Chester City for failing to pay some players' wages.

The Professional Footballer's Association confirmed on Friday that the restriction on signing new players had been placed on the club.

The PFA website states: "The PFA has given financial assistance to the club to assist with players' wages.

"The majority of the players at the club have not received any payment for two months, or more."

It continued: "The PFA have advised the Football League of the monies outstanding, and the Football League has placed an embargo upon the transfer of any registration by the club until the payments due to the current playing staff are made."

The embargo means that Chester's recent signing of 22-year-old Yeovil midfielder Anthony Barry may now be in doubt.

The club were unavailable to make any comment on Friday.

[Jonny Kaufman]

Zebrovski agreed to sign for us today, good signing, will be intresting that Taylor said he wanted 4 strikers and he has gone and signed 2 strikers to go along with the 3 we already have.

But we shall see, at least it is better we actually have some wingers who can take on players. We seem to have alot of pace in our team.

Looks like Holt is probably staying with us aswell, all about how well Taylor can get the current lot going if we can go up this year.

[Martin Allen]

Originally posted by Richard Lowe:

Ok, so it's not (yet) a points deduction, but still...

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> The Football League has placed a transfer embargo on Chester City for failing to pay some players' wages.

The Professional Footballer's Association confirmed on Friday that the restriction on signing new players had been placed on the club.

The PFA website states: "The PFA has given financial assistance to the club to assist with players' wages.

"The majority of the players at the club have not received any payment for two months, or more."

It continued: "The PFA have advised the Football League of the monies outstanding, and the Football League has placed an embargo upon the transfer of any registration by the club until the payments due to the current playing staff are made."

The embargo means that Chester's recent signing of 22-year-old Yeovil midfielder Anthony Barry may now be in doubt.

The club were unavailable to make any comment on Friday.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

unless they can find some cash and soon can't see them staying out of admin for long

another team to join us on -25 maybe if they do and can't get a CVA

[Red_Arrow]

Originally posted by bill b:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Red_Arrow:

Right, not knowing a huge amount about many of the League 2 teams...

Champions: Stockport

Runners up: Port Vale

Third: Bradford

Playoffs: Wycombe, Gillingham, Darlington (winners), Chesterfield

Relegated; Accrington, Dagenham

Leading Scorer; Brett Pitman

Overachievers: Exeter

Underachievers: Brentford

First Manager to be sacked: Mark Stimson

And just for flavour, Aldershot to finish 10th, which, in my view, isn't a huge over achievement

Stockport aren't in League 2. They got promoted last season. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

So they did, watched that match as well Rocdale then, they have to get out someday

[Tin the RocketMan!]

Originally posted by Jonny Kaufman:

Zebrovski agreed to sign for us today, good signing, will be intresting that Taylor said he wanted 4 strikers and he has gone and signed 2 strikers to go along with the 3 we already have.

But we shall see, at least it is better we actually have some wingers who can take on players. We seem to have alot of pace in our team.

Looks like Holt is probably staying with us aswell, all about how well Taylor can get the current lot going if we can go up this year.

Now sure about PT signing a player once sacked for bottling his club captain after signing a player once charged for murder.

Lee Hughes next maybe?

[nickpvfc]

Originally posted by Rob1981:

Midfielder Paul Harsley has joined us from Port Vale. Apparently he won their Player of the Season award last year (albeit in a campaign where they were relegated), and he’s supposed to be decent. Can a Port Vale fan confirm or deny?

He's pretty limited, but always tries hard. I guess that was the reason he was PoTR. He keeps things simple really, he doesn't offer much in the way of assists or goals. He's just steady.

[Rob1981]

steady \o/

that's the dream

[bill b]

Originally posted by nickpvfc:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bill b:

Cheers for the help. We're staying in Leek, anything good about it?

Erm, no. Spend as little time there as possible. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Balls. Oh well, just have to see what its like.

[Jonny Kaufman]

Originally posted by Tin the RocketMan!:

Now sure about PT signing a player once sacked for bottling his club captain after signing a player once charged for murder.

Lee Hughes next maybe?

Hey if he leads us to the title i don't care if he killed 20 people.

[Rob1981]

initial b365 odds fwiw. couldn't see these posted anywhere:

Bradford 9/1

Darlington 10/1

Wycombe 10/1

Bournemouth 10/1

Gillingham 10/1

Chesterfield 12/1

Port Vale 12/1

Rochdale 12/1

Brentford 16/1

Rotherham 16/1

Barnet 16/1

Aldershot 18/1

Grimsby 20/1

Lincoln City 20/1

Exeter 22/1

Shrewsbury 22/1

Notts County 28/1

Morecambe 33/1

Luton 33/1

Chester 40/1

Macclesfield 40/1

Bury 40/1

Dag & Red 50/1

Accrington Stanley 50/1

[Valiant Richie]

12/1 hmmm, worth a cheeky one!

[nickpvfc]

Originally posted by Rob1981:

steady \o/

that's the dream

I was going to pose a question about your current midfield and where you'd envisage Harsley would fit in actually. Predominantly he's a central player but can also play on the right (midfield or right back). Do you think he will be a starter? I don't have any idea about your team tbh, so it's not a loaded question.

[bill b]

Bury 40/1

That has to be worth a punt as we definately have a chance of going up this year.

[Mr Villa]

Originally posted by bill b:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Bury 40/1

That has to be worth a punt as we definately have a chance of going up this year. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Are you being serious?

[displaced_seagull]

Tempted to have a bet on Zebrowski as top Scorer for Wycombe next season (BHA Bet lets you do these things IIRC). Good player.

[merry_miller]

i'll bet on us when/if we get a penalty odds will be more value then.

[Martin Allen]

Administration costing Hatters £271 an hour

BY JAMES CUNLIFFE

Luton Town's joint administrators have cost close to a million pounds in fees in the six months since taking control of the club.

Brendan GuilfoyleIn a report to the club's creditors, the time costs of Brendan Guilfoyle, Christopher White and John Russell of P&A Partnership amount to £967,540 from November 22 May 22 - £750,000 of which has come out of the straining coffers of the club and prospective owners LTFC2020.

That works out at £271.47p an hour.

Long-term season ticket holder Steve Morris said: "I think it's scandalous. An obscene amount of money. The longer it drags on and they're still there, it seems the more money that is going out."

Deputy chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, Jon Keen, said: "It's a lot of money and it's a shame that it's got to go out of the game because essentially that's the fans' money.

"I'm sure Luton Town could use that money and if they had that in the first place they might not be in the situation they currently find themselves.

"It's a shame when any club goes into administration and their fees on top of that don't help."

Since going into administration the Hatters have been relegated to League Two and been docked ten points by the FA.

On top of that 2020 are currently waiting on a decision by the Football League on their exit from administration which could carry a financial penalty or a further points deduction for not following the League's insolvency rules.

Morris said: "I think the Football League are responsible as well. I don't see why they're taking so long.

"It feels like they're punishing the fans and the longer they take the longer the administrator will be there.

"The sooner that 2020 come on board the better because I think they've got the club at heart and are not just interested in the ground.

each day the football league keep us in admin we lose more and more money over this and reduces funds to turn the club around

[bill b]

Originally posted by Mr Villa:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bill b:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Bury 40/1

That has to be worth a punt as we definately have a chance of going up this year. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Are you being serious? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, in Wayne Brown we have possibly one of the best keepers in the division. If we sign Sodje then we have two good centre backs and the partnership of Futcher and Sodje was very solid last season. Buchanan was a revelation at left back and Haslam is solid at right back.

We are looking at getting Elliot Bennett back from Wolves and he looked very good last year on the right. Scott and Barry-Murphy are very good together in centre mid. We are losing Adams so it will be interesting to see who replaces him. We've also been linked with Dawson from Mansfield.

Up front, we have Andy Bishop who is settled and doesn't seem to want to move clubs. He guarentees 20 goals a season. Glyn Hurst chips in with a number of goals and is a perfect partner for Bishop. We've been linked with Shaw of Halifax and we have Domaine Rouse coming through is a very good prospect.

We'll have a bit more money to spend on players after the tribunals for Adams and Stephens and that should allow us to bring in some decent loan players.

Also, look at our form at the end of last season. Knill guided a squad who had looked relegation certainties into a solid mid-table position. He can add to and improve that squad now so if we can carry that form into next season then we definately have a chance of play-offs.

[Rob1981]

Originally posted by nickpvfc:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rob1981:

steady \o/

that's the dream

I was going to pose a question about your current midfield and where you'd envisage Harsley would fit in actually. Predominantly he's a central player but can also play on the right (midfield or right back). Do you think he will be a starter? I don't have any idea about your team tbh, so it's not a loaded question. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nah, I would imagine he'll start most games. we've got a decent defensive-minded central midfielder in Derek Niven, so hopefully he can forge a decent partnership with him. The only other midfielders on the books at the moment are guys who were in and out of the side last season and not really regular starters.

[Rob1981]

Oh, and apparently we're looking at 35-year-old Russell Hoult to solve our exciting new goalkeeper crisis. Wouldn't be a bad signing if it comes off - apparently he's without a club since leaving Notts County at the end of last season.

[Mr Villa]

Originally posted by Rob1981:

Oh, and apparently we're looking at 35-year-old Russell Hoult to solve our exciting new goalkeeper crisis. Wouldn't be a bad signing if it comes off - apparently he's without a club since leaving Notts County at the end of last season.

We had him on loan from Stoke, don't you dare sign him we want him back, awesome keeper for this level

[Krost]

We might be interested in him. Our first choice is perma-crocked and our backup is an 18 year old who isn't exactly a wonderkid. Plus Bond has a taste for signing old fellas.

[Rob1981]

Hoult, a married man, has on a number of occasions been the subject of public revelations concerning his sexual conduct. In 2000 he was fined £300 for kerb crawling. He was also cleared of sending indecent letters to a 15-year old girl after his lawyer told magistrates that they were "no worse than saucy seaside postcards".

In 2005 he was revealed to have sent 10 nude photographs of himself to his mistress and in January 2007 he was suspended by West Bromwich Albion after footage of him involved in an orgy was leaked onto the Internet allegedly with him wearing a club polo shirt.

brilliant

[Gricehead]

Originally posted by bill b:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mr Villa:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bill b:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Bury 40/1

That has to be worth a punt as we definately have a chance of going up this year. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Are you being serious? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, in Wayne Brown we have possibly one of the best keepers in the division. If we sign Sodje then we have two good centre backs and the partnership of Futcher and Sodje was very solid last season. Buchanan was a revelation at left back and Haslam is solid at right back.

We are looking at getting Elliot Bennett back from Wolves and he looked very good last year on the right. Scott and Barry-Murphy are very good together in centre mid. We are losing Adams so it will be interesting to see who replaces him. We've also been linked with Dawson from Mansfield.

Up front, we have Andy Bishop who is settled and doesn't seem to want to move clubs. He guarentees 20 goals a season. Glyn Hurst chips in with a number of goals and is a perfect partner for Bishop. We've been linked with Shaw of Halifax and we have Domaine Rouse coming through is a very good prospect.

We'll have a bit more money to spend on players after the tribunals for Adams and Stephens and that should allow us to bring in some decent loan players.

Also, look at our form at the end of last season. Knill guided a squad who had looked relegation certainties into a solid mid-table position. He can add to and improve that squad now so if we can carry that form into next season then we definately have a chance of play-offs. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry, but with all due respect, Alan Knill doesn't have what it takes to get a team promoted.

He's a great guy, but his motivational skills are literally zero. As soon as things start going wrong, confidence within the team will collapse unrecoverably. Very few teams make it through the whole season without some sort of dip of confidence, and a lot of it is about how that dip is managed and recovered.

Meanwhile, Bradford at 9/1 favourite is a joke and shows just how open this division really is this year.

[Krost]

Krasner press conference at 12.30. Mon some astounding news about a mystery billionaire backing Mostyn \o/

In reality he'll probably add another couple weeks onto the expected completion date of exiting admin

[Rob1981]

SPIREITES REVEAL FRIDAY FIXTURES

Chesterfield have switched three of next season's Saturday home fixtures to Friday nights.

The home game against Shrewsbury Town will be played at Saltergate on Friday, 14 November.

Chesterfield's fixture against Macclesfield Town which will now be played on Friday, 12 December.

And the match against AFC Bournemouth, who were relegated from League One last season, has been brought forward a day to Friday, 20 February.

down with this sort of thing

[Tin the RocketMan!]

Could be a shrewd bit of business if completed but how can the shrews pull off the signing of Grant Holt? Would have to be quite a bit of money not only on the fee but on wages too. He was on loan to Preston last season and hasn't done too bad in L1.

[hjfh]

Paul Furlong has left Luton.

Bit disapointed but suppose it gets the number of players and wage bill down.

[Martin Allen]

Originally posted by hjfh:

Paul Furlong has left Luton.

Bit disapointed but suppose it gets the number of players and wage bill down.

Furlong

[Mr Villa]

Originally posted by Tin the RocketMan!:

Could be a shrewd bit of business if completed but how can the shrews pull off the signing of Grant Holt? Would have to be quite a bit of money not only on the fee but on wages too. He was on loan to Preston last season and hasn't done too bad in L1.

On loan at Blackpool, They got 500k from Hart playing for England iirc. L2 Holts level tbh

[Rob1981]

apparently we're going to a tribunal tomorrow to fix a price with Lincoln for Janos Kovacs

i think we can safely say he won't be re-signing for us

[Mr Villa]

Originally posted by Rob1981:

apparently we're going to a tribunal tomorrow to fix a price with Lincoln for Janos Kovacs

i think we can safely say he won't be re-signing for us

Can't for the life of me understand why he would leave you for Lincoln

[Mr Villa]

Bournemouth are set to begin life in League Two with a 15-point deduction, according to Gerald Krasner.

The Cherries' administrator believes the club will be punished like Leeds United were last year for breaking insolvency rules.

No decision will be made until the consortium headed by chairman Jeff Mostyn has had its bid for the club approved by the Football League.

But financial expert Krasner, who worked with Leeds during their financial troubles, believes the Cherries will suffer a similar fate to the Whites.

He said: "There are no hard and fast rules and it is all under consideration by the Football League.

Penalty

"I believe, subject to a 16-point plan being accepted by the Football League, that Bournemouth will indeed start next season with a 15-point penalty."

But in more positive news, Krasner also announced that he has received finances from the consortium.

"I'm due to get some money this week and hopefully the balance of it next week.

"At this point, we will be a lot further forward in submitting the 16-point plan needed by the Football League to get the share back."

[hjfh]

Luton are apparently in talks with Jamie Tolley from Maccelsfield. Anyone know if he is any good?

[super_imps]

Originally posted by Mr Villa:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rob1981:

apparently we're going to a tribunal tomorrow to fix a price with Lincoln for Janos Kovacs

i think we can safely say he won't be re-signing for us

Can't for the life of me understand why he would leave you for Lincoln </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Two words.

Peter. Jackson.

[Dean Gripton]

Originally posted by hjfh:

Luton are apparently in talks with Jamie Tolley from Maccelsfield. Anyone know if he is any good?

The answer to the 'is he any good?' question is always...

If he is considering signing for your club, than that shows how good he is, doesn't it? Better clubs would want him if he was better than your club, and they wouldn;t if they didn't think he was good enough to play at that level. Simple.

[Tin the RocketMan!]

Originally posted by Gripper:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hjfh:

Luton are apparently in talks with Jamie Tolley from Maccelsfield. Anyone know if he is any good?

The answer to the 'is he any good?' question is always...

If he is considering signing for your club, than that shows how good he is, doesn't it? Better clubs would want him if he was better than your club, and they wouldn;t if they didn't think he was good enough to play at that level. Simple. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

having a bad day?

[Martin Allen]

oh ffs sounds like Luton might not be out of administration till late July according to the Luton news , FL want more paperwork they haven't asked for until now

god knows what we're going to do, can only hope we are talking to players and have next seasons squad all sorted before then and just a matter of contracts being signed before season starts. Wonder if there is anything stopping us taking them on as trialists so they can play in pre season matches together before signing them when we come out of admin.

In other Luton news they had quite an awsome interview with Underwood, so hope he can come back from injury next season, some shoddy research saying he hasn't kicked a ball for 2 years when he played 45 minites for reserves in a come back attmept which failed about 12 months ago

me >>>>>> Luton news tbh

[darren1983]

Right well had a couple of ins and outs at brentford.

Signed Adam Newton from peterbrough we badly lacked any sort of pace down the right last season so this should be a step forward.

Agreed a fee with southend for charlie macdonald. This gives us 5 strikers for next year! 2 youngsters and 3(Elder, Connel and macdonald(fingers crossed)) so should have fire power

Lost matty heywood to grimsby. Not to upset by this, he was our player of the year last year but we were pretty poo then. Plenty more like him about, good luck to grimsby! For a tall cb he cant head the ball.

As long as we get in another cb with experince and agree terms with macdonald then i think we've as much chance as any other team of getting promoted

[Mr Villa]

Notts have Signed Adam Nowland an a free, Not sure what to make of thst signing, rememebr him being quite highly rated at one point. Anyone know anything about him?

[Valiant Richie]

Vales new kits!

[Mr Villa]

Originally posted by Valiant Richie:

Vales new kits!

Same kit maker as Notts. Will be chuffed if our home kit is as nice as that. Why are you playing in black and white stripes now?

[Rob1981]

Originally posted by Mr Villa:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rob1981:

apparently we're going to a tribunal tomorrow to fix a price with Lincoln for Janos Kovacs

i think we can safely say he won't be re-signing for us

Can't for the life of me understand why he would leave you for Lincoln </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

To be honest, I think our manager simply didn't rate him that highly. We've already gone out and signed two new central defenders since the end of the season, so I think Kovacs would have played fewer games in the coming season if he'd stayed. Still I'm a bit disappointed to see him go.

Either way it's been confirmed now. Don't know what fee has been set by the tribunal, but I've heard a rumour that it's £20k.

[Rob1981]

in other news...

SPIREITES APPOINT NEW VICE-CHAIRMAN

Chesterfield have appointed David Jones as their new vice chairman.

Jones has been a club director for the last four years and takes over from Jason Elliott, who stood down as a board member at the end of last season. "I am really looking forward to the future with great anticipation," Jones told the club website.

"Once we have moved to a new stadium I don't think it will be long before we are knocking on the door of the Championship," he added.

Jones, an insurance broker, has been a regular sponsor of Chesterfield and played a key role in building up the Spireites Business Club from 30 members to a record 140 members from local businesses.

Chairman Barrie Hubbard said: "We are delighted that David has agreed to take on the vice chairman's role at a time when the club is about to embark on the most exciting time in its history.

"We welcome David's hands-on support as there is now plenty to do as we implement the plans for our new football stadium."

never heard of him btw

[merry_miller]

Alex Rhodes anyone ? signed him after his contract at Bradford expired - sounds promising as he's pretty pacey apparantly

[Rob1981]

name rings a bell... did he used to be at Brentford? if so, I'm pretty sure he scored against us at Saltergate a few seasons back.