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Post by Finnish Gas on Jun 1, 2014 14:13:32 GMT
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Post by Finnish Gas on Jun 1, 2014 14:06:03 GMT
According to a bloke on twitter who has spoken to Sweeney's father-in-law, he's off to Carlisle and not us! The madness of summer is upon us. haha here we go then! Have you got the link please?
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Post by Finnish Gas on Jun 1, 2014 13:55:03 GMT
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 31, 2014 19:21:32 GMT
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 30, 2014 19:19:32 GMT
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 30, 2014 19:02:15 GMT
Get real guys, we are gonna smash this leagues back doors in and win the title. Will that be via the judicial review and injunction route? Seriously I think we will find some of the Conference administrators to be very small-minded.
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 30, 2014 18:30:56 GMT
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 30, 2014 18:17:54 GMT
Eastleigh spending should send shudders through Conference clubsBy mikebakerwmn | Posted: May 29, 2014 Just in case anybody had forgotten how tough the competition will be for Torquay United in the Conference Premier next season, Eastleigh have certainly delivered an emphatic reminder. Grimsby Town, Wrexham, Lincoln City, Kidderminster Harriers and, of course, Bristol Rovers – we could all have got our heads round the likes of them having a go. But Eastleigh? Yes, the Hampshire club has just lifted the Conference South title But they were still a Wessex League club 11 years ago, and it has taken them nine seasons to get out of the Conference South. A town with a population of 125,000 has to compete with traditional local loyalties to nearby Southampton and Portsmouth. So, although they pulled in a thousand fans for a key game at their Silverlake Stadium against promotion rivals Dover Athletic in April and 1,500 against local rivals Basingstoke Town a few days later, their normal gates hover around the 650-700 mark. None of that has stopped them sending a shudder through the Conference over the past couple of weeks, signing strikers James Constable from Oxford United and AFC Wimbledon’s Jack Midson on two-year contracts. The comparisons between Eastleigh and Fleetwood Town, who have come from even more modest beginnings to reach League One on the back of six promotions in ten years, are as obvious as they are inevitable. Midson had been one of Torquay’s top summer targets. Manager Chris Hargreaves was prepared to make the former Histon and Oxford United forward one of the best-paid players at Plainmoor, and the Gulls were close to concluding a deal. Northampton Town, who stayed in the Football League on the last day of last season, were also in for Midson, and the Cobblers have been splashing the cash a bit of late. So for Midson and Constable – who turned down a new deal at Oxford – to opt for Eastleigh shows what sort of packages the new boys were prepared to offer. Eastleigh, do not forget, are not full-time – they train twice, sometimes three times, a week – but they are sponsored by an Oxfordshire-based insurance company, Bridle, which also has links with Oxford United. The warning to be heeded is that, for every Crawley Town, there’s a Stockport County. For every Fleetwood, there’s a Darlington. Read more at www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Eastleigh-spending-send-shudders-Conference-clubs/story-21162861-detail/story.html
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 30, 2014 18:08:20 GMT
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 30, 2014 14:02:41 GMT
The little clubs in the FA Trophy that I can take my dog to - such as Concord Rangers and Billericay Town. He was not very impressed with their "stadiums" on his last visits! Attachment Deleted
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 30, 2014 13:52:28 GMT
I suppose what I am questioning is whether our scouting system for senior players is "fit for purpose"?
Darrell must have a very good knowledge at the moment of the higher echelons of the Non League Game - and that is solely what we are relying on. I have this horrible feeling that he does not have a proper scouting system to support him.
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 30, 2014 13:29:22 GMT
How does Rovers scouting system operate?
How does Rovers scouting system operate? Who is Head Scout? Who takes and assesses recommendations? Are there Regional Scouts? What happened for example to Paul Tait in the North-East? Are Scouts Assessments the property of the Scout or the Club? Is there a danger that when a Scout "walks" he takes all his assessments to the new club? How is Darrell Clarke monitoring and overseeing the scouting set-up? Could the Club engage better with its key resource - the fans- on scouting recommendations? Was the Yeovil Town initiative - fans to make player recommendations - a success? Is there a Club email address / telephone no. for player recommendations?
Why cannot the Club engage with the fans on the issue of scouting?
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 30, 2014 12:27:11 GMT
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 29, 2014 21:03:35 GMT
Rickie Lambert’s sister Melanie tweets joy over Liverpool-supporting brother’s move to AnfieldThursday, May 29th, 2014 Like a fine wine, Rickie Lambert’s life just keeps getting better and better. The veteran striker, who just four years ago was playing in League 2 with Bristol Rovers, has seen his career shoot to the stars in the last few years, with inclusion in the England set-up, followed by a World Cup call-up. And tonight, it’s gone to another level: the Liverpool-supporting striker has been signed by his childhood club on a 2 year contract. Lambert actually played for Liverpool’s underage sides as a boy, from 10 to 15, before being released. It’s been a long road back, but he’s finally on his way back to Anfield, via Southampton, and his sister Melanie has tweeted her joy over the move, showing how much it means to him and the family www.101greatgoals.com/blog/rickie-lamberts-sister-melanie-tweets-joy-over-liverpool-fan-brothers-move-to-anfield/
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 29, 2014 14:13:08 GMT
Sports lawyer sees little hope of a relegation reprieve for Bristol RoversBy The Bristol Post | Posted: May 29, 2014 A LEADING sports lawyer believes any legal bid Bristol Rovers embark on to seek reinstatement to the Football League is likely to end in failure. Relegated Rovers have lodged a complaint with both the Football Association and the Football League claiming Wycombe Wanderers, who only survived due to a superior goal difference, wrongfully gained a competitive advantage by breaching rules pertaining to transfer dealings and third party ownership of players. Rovers claim Wycombe should have been subjected to a points deduction for their breach of the rules involving the sale of Matt Phillips to Blackpool in 2010, and have also suggested the winger, who now plays for QPR, may not have been the only player at the club with a contract containing outlawed third party ownership arrangements. Leading London-based sports lawyer John Mehrzad, pictured, believes Rovers' claim that the Phillips' transfer in 2010 offered Wycombe a competitive advantage last season is "speculative" and unlikely to result in a points deduction as punishment. Mr Mehrzad said: "Rovers are claiming that if these rule breaches had been discovered and investigated earlier then a points deduction would have been the expected punishment. "The big issue for me and what I have some real difficulty with is how causation can be proved. Wycombe have admitted to breaching the rules, but the issue is how Bristol Rovers are going to argue that it put them at a disadvantage last season. "I'd say the most likely outcome from here is that Rovers will look into taking their case to the High Court in a bid to make a claim for significant damages." Mr Mehrzad, who heads up the Littleton Sports Group and has represented a host of Premier League and Football League clubs and players in the past, cites similarities with the case involving Sheffield United and West Ham United in what was labelled the 'Carlos Tevez affair' in 2007. West Ham were fined £5.5 million by the FA for breaching transfer and third party ownership rules and then ordered to pay relegated Sheffield United in the region of £20 million after an independent action was pursued. "The Tevez situation is a lot clearer-cut because it was pretty easy for Sheffield United to prove causation," said Mr Mehrzad. "Tevez played a lot of games for West Ham during that season and scored the goal that kept them up on the final day. Even then a fine was handed down as a punishment rather than a points deduction. "There are more complicating issues in this case and my opinion is that Wycombe could be fined by the FA again and then Bristol Rovers will probably look at a High Court action in a bid to recoup some of their lost revenue." Rovers are likely to be out of pocket to the tune of around £1 million as a result of relegation to the Conference, and Mr Mehrzad added: "If some of those losses could be recouped through compensation it could be really significant in helping Bristol Rovers in their bid to return to the Football League very quickly. "Going to the High Court can be a costly process in that it can often run in to hundreds of thousands of pounds, but if Rovers were to win the case then Wycombe would have to cover those costs. "I think they would certainly have a fair chance of winning if they take that particular course of action, but it would take a number of months and I would also be surprised if the case would go all the way to a hearing. "It does seem like there has been a breach of the rules, so the likelihood is that there would be a settlement made out of court, as is often the way with a lot of these sorts of cases." Rovers requested a response to the allegations they made in their letter to all three parties by no later than 5pm last night. The club have yet to confirm that a response from any of the parties has been forthcoming. "I can imagine that the Football Association will want to expedite this whole situation and find some sort of resolution as quickly as possible," said Mr Mehrzad. "The fixtures for next season are scheduled to be published in a few weeks and that would have to be put on hold if Bristol Rovers were to seek an interim injunction to delay the official confirmation of their relegation." Read more at www.bristolpost.co.uk/Sports-lawyer-sees-little-hope-relegation/story-21156845-detail/story.html
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 29, 2014 14:05:05 GMT
Concord Rangers' Lewis Taaffe: Bristol Rovers trial is my last chance1:00pm Thursday 29th May 2014 in Sport By Luke Lambert Basildon Recorder: Last opportunity – for Lewis Taaffe to make it as a professiona Last opporunity – for Lewis Taaffe to make it as a professional CONCORD Rangers striker Lewis Taaffe says his upcoming trial at Bristol Rovers is his “last chance” to make it as a professional footballer. The influential Taaffe, who joined the Beachboys from Skrill North side Histon, has secured a two-week trial at the recently relegated Pirates at the end of June after some impressive performances at the Aspect Arena. The 22-year-old played an important role in the closing weeks of the season and scored vital goals against Weston-Super-Mare, Farnborough and Gosport Borough. However, Taaffe says he owes a great deal to Concord boss Danny Cowley and has agreed, in principle, to stay at the Skrill South club if the trial is unsuccessful. “This is a great chance for me,” said Taaffe. “I have had a good season and it was nice to play between 40 and 50 games and score around 15 times. “Bristol Rovers is a good chance for me and it could well be the last chance I get. I am 22 now and need to be thinking about taking the next now or it may not come around again.” Taaffe joined Histon as a scholar after he was released by League One side Leyton Orient but said joining Concord wasn’t a difficult decision. “I fancied a change and I could see Concord were a team on the up, as we have proved this season. This is the first season Taaffe has had a part-time job alongside his playing duties – he works as a 4x4 driver – and Taaffe says he has become more grounded. He added he would be pleased to stay on at Concord should the Bristol Rovers trial fail to lead to a professional contract. “My only vision is to go up. I don’t want to move sideways anymore so I am looking at the Conference National and Bristol Rovers will be favourites in that division. Concord is a club going places so I would be pleased to stay.” Boss Cowley said: “Lewis is a young and ambitious player and that is the sort we want at this club. I would never stop my players from making the step up so we will have to wait and see what happens.” www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/sport/11243888.Concord_Rangers__Lewis_Taaffe__Bristol_Rovers_trial_is_my_last_chance/www.achievemanagement.co.uk/2013/10/26/lewis-taaffe-bags-histon-winner-stockport/
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 29, 2014 13:52:32 GMT
Football authorities set to lauch investigation in response to Bristol Rovers allegationsBy The Bristol Post | Posted: May 29, 2014 Bristol Rovers have confirmed that the Football Association and the Football League are to launch an investigation into claims that Wycombe Wanderers gained a competitive advantage for breaching third party investment rules. Rovers made the allegations in a letter sent to both governing bodies and Wycombe Wanderers earlier this week. The club has now confirmed that they have received notifictaion from both the Football Association and the Football League that an investigation into the matter is underway. Rovers say the allegations made relate to payments made and agreements in existence during the last season in which they were relegated to the Conference on goal difference after finishing on the same amount of points as Wycombe. Wycombe have yet to respond, but issued a statement on their official website on Tuesday night in which they claimed they have no case to answer Read more at www.bristolpost.co.uk/Football-authorities-set-lauch-investigation/story-21159640-detail/story.html
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 28, 2014 19:53:36 GMT
Reading some of the threads on the other Forums it is clear that the Board whilst making huge mistakes (that has lead to Conference football) have at the same time made some considerable achievements which perhaps not everybody appreciates. The one constant is that the club's PR machine is an absolute disaster and the club desperately needs an an articulate voice/mouthpiece be it a Technical Director, Director of Football or Chief Executive. At the moment Nick Higgs and the Board appear to have "gone to ground" which is inexcusable.
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 28, 2014 17:15:54 GMT
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Post by Finnish Gas on May 28, 2014 14:26:57 GMT
Bristol Rovers: Wycombe legal battle advised by agentBy Chris Osborne BBC Sport Bristol Rovers have said their legal bid against Wycombe over an alleged breach of third-party ownership rules has been advised by agent Phil Smith. Last week Smith's licence was suspended and Wycombe were fined £10,000 for breaking agents' rules. In a letter, Rovers say that a deal by Wycombe to use sell-on clause money to pay a debt to former owner Steve Hayes constitutes third-party ownership. Wanderers say they believe they have no case to answer. The two clubs finished the League Two season level on points, but Rovers were relegated to the Conference Premier on goal difference and believe the Chairboys' alleged conduct put them at a competitive disadvantage. Last week Wycombe, now owned by the Wycombe Supporters' Trust, were found guilty of agreeing to pay Smith for his services through a future sell-on clause of winger Matt Phillips, an arrangement set up by the previous ownership. Smith was banned for two years, 18 months of which was suspended. Phillips joined Blackpool for £325,000 from Wycombe in 2010 and moved to QPR last year, which is when the Chairboys' current owners became aware of the offence and alerted the Football Association and Football League. During the subsequent court case in April it became apparent that the sell-on money from Phillips, and any future sale of Jordan Ibe, who joined Liverpool in 2012, had been designated to pay off debt owed to Hayes. Wycombe believe that this does not constitute third-party ownership and, because the arrangement was outlined in the takeover documentation two years ago, was made clear to the authorities. To further complicate matters, Wycombe sold their right to a sell-on fee for Phillips to Blackpool for £200,000 before the midfielder was moved on to QPR, a payment which Hayes received. Bristol Rovers, as outlined in the letter made public on their website, believe Hayes's continued interest in the players can be defined as third-party ownership. The Pirates say that the matter should have been investigated when it came to light and, had Wycombe been found guilty, could have suffered a transfer embargo and possibly a points deduction. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27602961
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