Former Blues In The News - May 2008

Last updated : 17 June 2009 By Thetashkentterror

Long-serving Gretna winger Ryan Baldacchino is hoping to rebuild his career in Australia. Baldacchino, who joined Gretna during their Scottish Division Three days from neighbours Carlisle United, flew out this morning to join Victorian Premier League side Altona Magic. The Melbourne-based club are currently fifth in the table after ten games, and the 27-year-old will link-up with his new team mates this weekend.



York City striker Craig Farrell has signed a new contract with the Blue Square Premier club. The 25-year-old has been with the Minstermen for two years after spells with Leeds, Carlisle and Exeter. Farrell scored 14 goals in 30 appearances last season despite missing part of the season with injury.



Crawley Town have confirmed three players will leave the Blue Square Premier club when their contracts expire this summer. Full backs Paul Watson, 33, and JAMES KRAUSE, 21, are moving on, along with midfielder Lee Blackburn.

Krause joined from Rushden in August 2007 and Watson followed him from Nene Park in January 2008. Blackburn, 22, arrived from Cambridge United in 2005 but has struggled to hold down a first-team place this term.


Sammy McIlroy has announced his retained list. Defender SIMON GRAND, midfielders Neil Sorvel and Jamie Burns and striker Jon Newby are the quartet released by the Morecambe boss. Youngsters Paul Jarvis, Andy Langford and Jamie Davies have also been released.



Second Division champions Ross County have signed three new players as they make preparations for next season. Inverness midfielder Richie Hart, Dunfermline left-back Scott Morrison and Livingston striker STEVEN CRAIG have joined the Dingwall outfit.



Hucknall Town today appointed MICK GALLOWAY and Andy Miller as the pair to take on the task of trying to get Hucknall back into the Conference North next season. Mick has been playing for the club for the last couple of months, and impressed the club during interviews for the job. Andy worked with Paul Cox at Eastwood, and brings a wealth of knowledge of football at Unibond level.



Leicester City have completed the permanent signing of Harry Worley from Chelsea on a three-year deal. The 19-year-old defender joined on loan in March and made his first start in the 0-0 draw at Stoke on Sunday.



UniBond League Division One North club Newcastle Blue Star have been rocked by the decision of boss Paul Baker to take up a scouting role with Coca-Cola Championship side Norwich City. Baker rejuvenated the Kingston Park team's fortunes when he was appointed manager a couple of months ago, but feels he has no alternative other than to link up with former Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder, now manager of the Canaries.



With Altrincham's fate now virtually confirmed, Graham Heathcote has begun planning for the new season by releasing three players. Jake Sedgemore, CARLOS ROCA and Pat McFadden have all left the club after the Robins boss decided they would not be part of his plans. There could also be two more departures by the end of the week but Heathcote claimed those particular decisions have been left in the players' hands.



Aldershot manager Gary Waddock has confirmed that he has made his first signing of the close season with the arrival of Dean Howell from Rushden and Diamonds on a two year deal.


Sheffield Wednesday have released seven players including first-team regulars RONNIE WALLWORK, Burton O'Brien, Rob Burch and Lee Bullen. First-year professionals Jason Bradley, Dave McClemments and James Kay have also been let go.



York City have signed Burton's Mark Greaves, 33, and 28-year-old Hereford goalkeeper MICHAEL INGHAM. Greaves can play in either defence or midfield, while Northern Ireland international Ingham has previously been on loan at Bootham Crescent.


Bolton out of contract, terms offered:

Ricardo Gardner
Jussi Jaaskelainen
James Sinclair
Ian Walker

Out of contract, no terms offered:

Andranik
Ivan Campo
Stelios
Mark Ellis
JOHANN SMITH
Les Thompson



Unfortunately manager DEAN HOLDSWORTH has left the club, Dean is to move to Worcester and obviously the travelling would be too much. Myself and everyone connected with Redbridge FC would like to thank Dean for the work he has done here over the past season and would like to wish him well for the future.


Former Bolton and Wimbledon striker DEAN HOLDSWORTH has been named as the new manager of Newport County. He succeeds Peter Beadle, Newport's failure to reach the Blue Square South play-offs having cost FAW Premier Cup winner Beadle his job last month.



Walsall defender Paul Boertien has agreed to sign a new contract at the Banks's Stadium. The former Derby County left-back struggled with injury during his first season with the Saddlers. "I am pleased to get my contract sorted. I was very keen to stay here," Boertien said. "It's a good club with some very talented young players coming through who will only benefit from their experiences over the past season."



Rushden & Diamonds defender Phil Gulliver has signed a new contract with the Northamptonshire club. The 25-year-old central defender will now stay at Nene Park at least until the end of next season.



New Newport County boss DEAN HOLDSWORTH last night released five members of the first team squad, but has offered contracts to 13 players, the Argus has learned. Leaving the Exiles are defenders DAMON SEARLE and Lee Jarman, midfielder Andy Gurney, goalkeeper Tony Pennock (who has signed for Neath) and striker Julian Alsop.



UniBond League Division One North club Newcastle Blue Star has unveiled their new management team for next season. The Kingston Park outfit opted for the route of continuity, meaning that Dean Gordon and MARK BIRCH have been promoted to senior coaches and will be in charge of team selection and tactics. The pair will also continue their playing duties and will be assisted in the dug-out by director of football Bob Morton.



Blue Square North club Blyth Spartans have lost New Zealand international midfielder Adie Webster after less than one season at Croft Park. The former Darlington and Workington player has joined a First Division club in Finland on a two-year contract, leaving Blyth looking for a midfield playmaker.

Manager Harry Dunn, an admirer of Newcastle Blue Star striker Lee Novak, has sounded out a few players, and could re-sign former Newcastle United schemer JAMIE MCCLEN. The 29-year-old played the first half of last season at Gateshead before he joined Blue Star on loan, and has played at Blyth before. "Jamie did a great job for us the last time he was here," said Dunn.




Bristol City have released five players following the conclusion of their 2007/08 campaign. Top scorer Darren Byfield heads the list after just one season with the club, and is joined by another striker, Enoch Showunmi. Midfielder Alex Russell - the man who bagged City's final goal in the 2006/07 promotion campaign - has been released.

And Tamas Vasko, following the conclusion of his one-year loan deal from Ujpest, has returned to Hungary. Youngster Martin Slocombe completes the list of departees. Five players have been offered new deals: Chris Weale, Scott Murray, Stephen Henderson, RICHARD KEOGH and Jordan Walker.



Influential Oxford United midfielder Adam Murray has signed a new two-year contract at the Kassam Stadium. The 26-year-old started 21 games after joining from Macclesfield in January and was wanted by several league clubs.



Southend United have placed three strikers on the transfer list boss Steve Tilson has confirmed to southendunited.co.uk. Matt Harrold, RICHIE FORAN and Charlie MacDonald have all been told that they can leave Roots Hall if the offer is right for the Blues.



Southampton have appointed ex-Holland international Jan Poortvliet as a replacement for manager Nigel Pearson.




Ebbsfleet United have released five players from last season's squad as Liam Daish continues to shape his team for 2008-09. The five to leave Stonebridge Road are strikers RAPHAEL NADE and Chukki Eribenne as well as Ronnie Bull, Lee Maskell and Liam Coleman. Nade joined the club last summer after being released by Carlisle United and played 40 times for the Fleet, scoring four goals.