Summer Transfer Thread

[Grecian2K]

Not sure best place to put this (mods feel free to move as appropriate) but a very thoughtful piece here by Hereford's Josh Bowling.

Non-league standards are high but our academy players are poached for nothing | Josh Gowling

Hereford’s manager argues football’s financial divide demands a rethink to protect non-league clubs that produce talent

www.theguardian.com

Although pitched at non-league level I feel it has particular resonance with City too, not only about the poaching of academy prospects but also, to an extent, in general transfer dealings for clubs of our size.

 

[Memphis09]

Flacky was and is a city legend. Loved flacky, me.

Good servant just not a good player

 

[Grecian in Guzz]

Not sure best place to put this (mods feel free to move as appropriate) but a very thoughtful piece here by Hereford's Josh Bowling.

Non-league standards are high but our academy players are poached for nothing | Josh Gowling

Hereford’s manager argues football’s financial divide demands a rethink to protect non-league clubs that produce talent

www.theguardian.com

Although pitched at non-league level I feel it has particular resonance with City too, not only about the poaching of academy prospects but also, to an extent, in general transfer dealings for clubs of our size.

More than a resonance - this is our Grecian experience from the "bullying big boys" eg Ampadu, Jay Stansfield etc.
Academy clubs like us need support / protection to continue providing international stars of the future for the good of football generally

 

[Hants_red]

More than a resonance - this is our Grecian experience from the "bullying big boys" eg Ampadu, Jay Stansfield etc.
Academy clubs like us need support / protection to continue providing international stars of the future for the good of football generally

What was the deal for Jay Stansfield?

 

[Pete Martin (CTID)]

Good servant just not a good player

Yet he averaged around 10 goals a season over a 10 year period. Not that bad either.

 

[Red Devon]

What about goalkeeper Alex Smithies set to be released by Cardiff at 32 years old, only a suggestion?

 

[Ash]

Yet he averaged around 10 goals a season over a 10 year period. Not that bad either.

In a team that was mostly, absolute *****.

 

[Bridgy 81]

I see Charlie Austin has been released by QPR.
He was halfway through a 2 year contract there but the second I understand was dependent on him playing over a specific number of matches this season, which he didn’t do.
That said he did feature in over 30 league games, quite a few of those from the bench though I think.
He’s obviously been paid Premier League and Championship wages for many seasons but he’ll be 33 in July and if he has any interest in developing a coaching/managerial career he maybe up for a role passing on his experience to Sam and our other incoming striker/s whilst being more than handy as a player still, either with or occasionally instead of Sam or maybe coming on as a sub for 30 minutes or so.
I realize this is unlikely but he seems to have had a fairly nomadic career in terms of playing for various clubs in different parts of the country including, albeit a while ago, Poole, Swindon and more recently Southampton, so let’s hope he also enjoyed living in South and West and fancies a return for a year or two on reasonable terms!

 

[Cowshed Grecian]

I see Charlie Austin has been released by QPR.
He was halfway through a 2 year contract there but the second I understand was dependent on him playing over a specific number of matches this season, which he didn’t do.
That said he did feature in over 30 league games, quite a few of those from the bench though I think.
He’s obviously been paid Premier League and Championship wages for many seasons but he’ll be 33 in July and if he has any interest in developing a coaching/managerial career he maybe up for a role passing on his experience to Sam and our other incoming striker/s whilst being more than handy as a player still, either with or occasionally instead of Sam or maybe coming on as a sub for 30 minutes or so.
I realize this is unlikely but he seems to have had a fairly nomadic career in terms of playing for various clubs in different parts of the country including, albeit a while ago, Poole, Swindon and more recently Southampton, so let’s hope he also enjoyed living in South and West and fancies a return for a year or two on reasonable terms!

He’s good mates with Barton. I reckon Bristol Rovers might be more of a shout. I couldn’t see him coming to City,but it’s an interesting take, I reckon he would certainly bang in some goals at L1 level.

 

[sign of the chimes]

I see Charlie Austin has been released by QPR.
He was halfway through a 2 year contract there but the second I understand was dependent on him playing over a specific number of matches this season, which he didn’t do.
That said he did feature in over 30 league games, quite a few of those from the bench though I think.
He’s obviously been paid Premier League and Championship wages for many seasons but he’ll be 33 in July and if he has any interest in developing a coaching/managerial career he maybe up for a role passing on his experience to Sam and our other incoming striker/s whilst being more than handy as a player still, either with or occasionally instead of Sam or maybe coming on as a sub for 30 minutes or so.
I realize this is unlikely but he seems to have had a fairly nomadic career in terms of playing for various clubs in different parts of the country including, albeit a while ago, Poole, Swindon and more recently Southampton, so let’s hope he also enjoyed living in South and West and fancies a return for a year or two on reasonable terms!

He's from Hungerford I think, Bridgy. You'd hope that the fact he started in the pro game quite late would make him hungry to carry on playing for a bit, as often seems to be the case. He looks like a Karl Robinson for Oxford type signing to me - but no idea if they're in the market for a striker (or whether KR will be in charge at the Kassam next season)...