News from around League One
We continue our weekly look at what’s happening elsewhere in League One…BRADFORD CITY
This week saw the first summer signing at the Coral Windows Stadium with former Rochdale midfielder Jason Kennedy arriving. The 26-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Bantams which followed the expiry of his contract at Spotland.
He was quickly followed by winger Mark Yeates who joined on a two-year deal following his release by Watford. The 28-year-old played 30 games in the Championship last season, netting four goals.
Republic of Ireland Under-21 international defender Carl McHugh and midfielder Nathan Doyle have both penned new one-year deals with the Bantams.
BRENTFORD
Northern Ireland international striker Will Grigg has moved to Griffin Park on a three-year deal after his contract at Walsall expired. The clubs are still in talks over a fee as The Saddlers are due compensation for the 22-year-old due to his age.
Midfielder Adam Forshaw was penned a new three-year deal with the Bees, the 21-year-old signing made 53 appearances, scoring three times, last season.
BRISTOL CITY
Experienced defender Louis Carey has signed a new one-year contract with the club. He has made 642 appearances in two spells for the Robins since signing as a professional in July 1995.
There are rumours that the club have been in talks with Ipswich Town over a player swap involving Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Paul Anderson. Tractor Boys forward Emmanuel-Thomas has a year left on his contract but has been placed on the transfer list by Mick McCarthy while winger Anderson also has 12-months remaining on his deal at Ashton Gate.
COLCHESTER UNITED
Sanchez Watt has joined the Essex club on a permanent basis following his release by Arsenal, signing a two-year deal. The 22-year-old had an injury blighted loan spell with United last season scoring twice in seven games.
CRAWLEY TOWN
Former WBA right-back James Hurst, who has been playing in Iceland for IBV this summer, has signed a one-year deal with the Sussex club. The 21-year-old former England youth international only made three first-team appearances during his time with the Baggies but was loaned out five times including Birmingham City and Shrewsbury Town last season.
CREWE ALEXANDRA
Huyton-born winger Lee Molyneux has joined Alex on a two-year deal after his contract at Accrington Stanley expired. The versatile dead ball specialist scored nine times in his 43 appearances last season.
The Crewe coffers received a boost this week following the sale of midfielder Luke Murphy to Leeds United. The 23-year-old, skipper at Gresty Road, moves for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be around the £1m mark, on a three-year deal.
LEYTON ORIENT
England Under-19 international Shaq Coulthirst could be the next arrival at Brisbane Road. The 18-year-old is apparently set to move on loan from Tottenham Hotspur where he has played in their NextGen Series games.
MK DONS
Chelsea’s 19-year-old striker Patrick Bamford has this week signed a six-month loan deal with MK Dons. He had two loan spells at stadium:mk last season.
Goalkeeper Ian McLoughlin has agreed a new two-year contract with the Dons with the option of a further 12 months.The 21-year-old Dublin-born shot-stopper, a former Republic of Ireland international, made 19 appearances for Karl Robinson’s outfit last season, most of which came after an injury to David Martin.
NOTTS COUNTY
Sierra Leone international Mustapha Dumbuya joined County this week in just enough time to travel with the squad on the Finnish pre-season tour. The 25-year-old ended last season at fellow League One outfit Crawley Town but was identified by Magpies boss Chris Kiwomya as a key transfer target this summer.
Also arriving is winger Andy Haworth has joined the Magpies on a six-month contract. The 24-year-old was with Scottish club Falkirk at the start of the season before moving to Rochdale in January but was released in the summer.
Meanwhile both left back Alan Sheehan and midfielder Joss Labadie have agreed new one-year deals at Meadow Lane.
OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Experienced striker Charlie MacDonald has signed a one-year contract with the Latics having an option on a further 12-months. The former Gravesend & Northfleet forward was released by Leyton Orient in the summer.
Hull City’s 23-year-old keeper Mark Oxley, with one senior appearance for the Tigers behind him, has joined the Latics on a season-long loan this week.
The versatile Carl Winchester, a Northern Ireland international, has signed a contract extension at Boundary Park.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Northern Ireland international Grant McCann has signed a two-year player-coach deal at London Road. The experienced midfielder will work with the under-15 team as well as alongside Gary Breen with the Posh reserve side.
PORT VALE
Out of contract skipper Doug Loft has turned down other offers to pen a new one-year deal with the Valiants.
ROTHERHAM UNITED
A £50,000 fee has seen midfielder Michael Tidser join the Millers from Scottish First Division side Greenock Morton
SHEFFIELD UNITED
New manager David Weir has this week added to his backroom staff by bringing in Lee Carsley as Assistant Manager – Technical. The 39-year-old, a former team-mate of Weir at Everton, has been at Coventry City where he has held a number of coaching roles.
STEVENAGE
Boss Graham Westley has handed central defender Jon Ashton the captain’s armband following the departure of Mark Roberts.
A Manchester United XI will be visiting the Lamex Stadium for a pre-season friendly later this month. The Premier League champions will be sending a side to Hertfordshire on July 26.
SWINDON TOWN
Two Tottenham Hotspur youngsters have moved to the County Ground on season-long loan deals. They are 21-year-old defender Grant Hall and 20-year-old midfielder Massimo Luongo, the latter returning after a two-month loan spell last season in which he scored two in nine appearances.
Joining them will be Australian Under-20 international Tijane Reis, the 22-year-old midfielder has agreed a two-year deal with a further one-year option.
WALSALL
Having already lost out-of-contract strikers Febian Brandy and Will Grigg to fellow League One sides Sheffield United and Brentford respectively, winger Jamie Paterson has this week agreed terms with Nottingham Forest.
The 21-year-old hot prospect, who made 51 appearances for the Saddlers last season, scoring 13 times, has agreed a two-year deal with the option of a third. The initial fee is believed to be a six-figure sum with possible add-ons taking the total beyond £1m.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Experienced defender Sam Ricketts has become the first summer signing at Molineux after leaving Bolton Wanderers. The 31-year-old Welsh international, who has penned a two-year deal, has also been named the new Wolves skipper. He has previously played under new Head Coach Kenny Jackett at Swansea City.
OTHER PRE-SEASON RESULTS
June 26 2013 –
Celtic XI 2-3 Crewe Alexandra
Goals from AJ Leitch-Smith, George Ray and Vadaine Oliver saw Alex to a 3-2 victory over a Celtic XI behind closed doors at the Scottish sides training ground on Saturday. The game was played as part of Bhoys' manager Neil Lennon’s preparations for his side’s Champions League campaign which begin against Cliftonville later this month.
July 2 2013 –
FC Einheit Rudolstadt 0-3 Brentford
The Bees opening pre-season run-out saw them overcome the German side thanks to efforts from Clayton Donaldson, George Saville and Paul Hayes.
Notts County 0-2 Steau Bucharest
The Romanian champions scored once in each half to triumph in this behind closed doors friendly at St George’s Park.
Shelbourne 1-1 Peterborough United
Lee Tomlin’s 22nd minute free-kick put Posh ahead in their opening pre-season fixture at Tolka Park but the home side levelled matters with a late penalty.
Swindon Supermarine 1-3 Swindon Town
Luke Rooney, James Collins and Andy Williams were all on target in a friendly win against their Calor Southern League Division 1 South & West neighbours.
July 3 2013 –
Ashton & Backwell United 0-1 Bristol City
A solitary Joe Bryan strike was enough to clinch victory for the Robins over their Toolstation Western League hosts.
Greenock Morton 0-1 Sheffield United
The crowd of 709 saw Chris Porter’s second-half penalty divide the two teams at Cappielow on Wednesday evening
Pelsall Villa 1-3 Walsall XI
With the first-team squad in Trinidad & Tobago a young Saddlers side won comfortably at the Old Bush Ground
July 4 2013 -
Palloseura Kemi Kings 1-3 Notts County
Skipper Dean Leacock and a double from new signing Andy Haworth saw the Magpies win in Finland
July 5 2013 –
Banbury United 2-0 Swindon Town
The Calor League Premier Division club registered a surprise win over a strong Robins outfit at Spencer Stadium
Oakwood 1-8 Crawley Town
Town’s local rivals from the Sussex County League made them work hard but the Reds scored four in each half.
Norton United 0-9 Port Vale XI
Micky Adams side went goal crazy against their North West Counties League opposition with eight different players finding the net.
Oldham Athletic 2-2 Dinamo Bucharest
Jose Baxter and new signing Charlie MacDonald both netted in this draw against their prestigious opponents at Leigh Sports Village
Penrith 0-1 Carlisle United
Alex Salmon’s 68th minute goal proved to be the winner in this one
Truro City 1-2 Crewe Alexandra
Two goals from AJ Leitch-Smith earned Alex a narrow victory down in Cornwall