The English Football Thread

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

It's been confirmed Guernsey FC will be playing English non-league football from next season.

A majority of clubs in the Combined Counties League Division One last night voted to let the Green Lions into their league.

It means a raft of new teams visiting the island, the prospect of Guernsey FC playing in the FA Cup within two years, and predictions that local football will be boosted across the board as a result.

Guernsey FC Director Steve Dewsnip said, "It's been a fantastic 24 hours, Gary. A huge amount of effort went into the project and we feel as though we've got to the finishing line and in some respects we're starting an exciting journey. When we set out to do what we're doing all those months ago we wanted to give our best island footballers the chance to test themselves at a higher level. And we've had this dream to bring non league football to Guernsey and it's edging even closer now."

They'll sign their first player tomorrow and will shortly announce three friendly matches before the season begins in August.

Guernsey FC Coach Tony Vance said, "Yeah it's going to be busy, I don't think my wife's going to be very happy with me. You know I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's going to be a huge ask, hopefully we can get everyone to back us and hopefully we can make some progress."

The team already has a main sponsor. Bob Dutnall from Sportingbet said, "It's a new venture, and with any new venture there's a risk but we're it will work with the right support. We hope we're providing some kind of a lead in getting local businesses to be involved and obviously the more support it gets the chance there is of being a success."

Finally I get myself a local team to go and support every Saturday in a proper league

9 promotions in a row & we'll be in the Premier League.
And the ground is about 400 yards down the road from my house

[FRED HALE SR.]

Looking forward to this match.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...rp6CrA&cad=rja

Lots of star power if Tevez, Silva, Vieira and Toure show up. Its been awhile since Man U made the trip out.

[Zaqarbal]

David de Gea signs for Manchester United.



Good goalkeeper. Congratulations.

[right-track]

Judging by the videos I've seen he looks like a very good prospect, although his age and inexperience concern me a bit.
Can't see him having much trouble settling in at Old Trafford though.

Zaqarbal. What do you make of Real Madrid putting in a 45 million pound bid for Fabregas, knowing that a hard up Barca want him for about half that price?

[right-track]

Priceless!
Manchester City stadium: Does the Arabic word 'Etihad' really mean 'United' in English? | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

[Mojo]

What does everyone think of their clubs business in the market this summer?

I'm quite pleasantly surprised by Steve Bruces level of activity in the transfer marklet so far this summer. Personally I'm very happy with the way our squad is shaping up too. It needed a shuffle given the players we lost from January onwards and he's brought in some decent players.

I'm a little tired of hearing the Geordies criticise the signings of "Man United rejects" as personally I'm happy to see both of them sign. They may be fringe players at best at United so you could argue that they are indeed United rejects but our defence is a shambles. It needs some consistency and some leadership and hopefully Brown and O'Shea can provide that. I'm surprised how many of our own fans have complained about it too. Some fans definitely need to realise that we are NOT the big club they seem to think we are now. Wes Brown isnt good enough for Sunderland? Bollocks!

Also Connor Whickham is an exciting prospect but the price tag is a little concering. Bruce has at least shown an interest in signing some good, young players who can hopefully have a future here, at least for the next few years, aswell as experience which I believe we are lacking in. Gardner and Larsson could both be fantastic signings!

I'm not getting carried away. I dont agree that finishing in the top 6 should be a goal or a priority. But still, I think it's exciting times on Wearside!

[right-track]

I think you'll see Brown and O'Shea play better than ever once they have a decent run of games under their belts.
The experience the two players have will certainly strengthen your defence.
O'Shea is a steady player and versatile too. Can play well in the centre of midfield if needed.
Wes Brown on the other hand has always made me nervous. His reaction time always seems to be a split second too late, but having said that a decent run of games should see him settle down.
It was only a couple of seasons ago when he had a lot of first team games did we see the best from him and he only looks shaky when he's left out of for a while.

To the Mackems who say he's not good enough for Sunderland;

Premier League (5): 1998–99, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08
FA Cup (2): 1998–99, 2003–04
Football League Cup (2): 2005–06, 2009–10
FA Community Shield (4): 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010
UEFA Champions League (2): 1998–99, 2007–08

[TheCunningStunt]

I'm sad to see O'shea go. He was a little bit of a cult hero.

Nutmegging Figo

Scoring the winner at Anfield

THAT chip against Arsenal

I think he would be a great signing for any club outside the top 6. Brown, not so much.
I'm pleased with what United have done thus far. But we desperately need a midfielder. Though, I'd be all for Fergie giving chances to Pogba/Morrison/Tunnicliffe but only he knows how ready they are. I'm not happy he's left the most important player/position until last.

[Alec]

We at AFC Wimbledon nearly captured a "big" name, Adam Birchall but he went to Gillingham instead, I suppose it's a blessing really, his wage demands would have been havock on the current infrastructure. We've come along way using our youth players so hopefully that'll continue.

Four youth team players have made the step up to the first team in pre-season so far and we've recently signedGareth Gwillim, Sammy Moore, Rashid Yussuf and Lee Minshull. I'm feeling confident that there'll be a top 10 finish this season, perhaps promotion the following year.

[Mojo]

Originally Posted by right-track

I think you'll see Brown and O'Shea play better than ever once they have a decent run of games under their belts.
The experience the two players have will certainly strengthen your defence.
O'Shea is a steady player and versatile too. Can play well in the centre of midfield if needed.
Wes Brown on the other hand has always made me nervous. His reaction time always seems to be a split second too late, but having said that a decent run of games should see him settle down.
It was only a couple of seasons ago when he had a lot of first team games did we see the best from him and he only looks shaky when he's left out of for a while.

To the Mackems who say he's not good enough for Sunderland;

Premier League (5): 1998–99, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08
FA Cup (2): 1998–99, 2003–04
Football League Cup (2): 2005–06, 2009–10
FA Community Shield (4): 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010
UEFA Champions League (2): 1998–99, 2007–08

Originally Posted by TheCunningStunt

I'm sad to see O'shea go. He was a little bit of a cult hero.

Nutmegging Figo

Scoring the winner at Anfield

THAT chip against Arsenal

I think he would be a great signing for any club outside the top 6. Brown, not so much.
I'm pleased with what United have done thus far. But we desperately need a midfielder. Though, I'd be all for Fergie giving chances to Pogba/Morrison/Tunnicliffe but only he knows how ready they are. I'm not happy he's left the most important player/position until last.

I am much more comfortable with signing O/Shea than Brown, and I've often been criticial of the guy as a United player but RT pretty much sums up how I feel about having him at Sunderland.

He cost, what, £1m? Who can you buy for £1m these days? I'm not sure how much he's getting in wages but I don't see it as a gamble at all. He has shedloads of experience at the highest level and really our defence does just need some experience and stability and I hope Brown, as well as O'Shea can help give us that. Bruce has a habit of shuffling our defence around every week, giving nobody but Bardsley a consistent place in the squad. Theres a reason Bardsley was our player of the season last season!

I say bring O'Shea and Brown in, start them every week and try and have a consistent back line and see if we can't tighten things up. I think they could both prove to be good signings, and we haven't had to break the bank to get them.