The history of professional football in Great Britain is littered with examples of players who didn't start their careers in the game with their hometown clubs.
Former Scotland striker Denis Law didn't start out with his native Aberdeen, but instead made his name as a legendary goal scorer with Huddersfield Town, Manchester City (twice), Torino and Manchester United.
Trevor Francis, Britain's first million pound player, opted to learn his trade with Birmingham City at the expense of hometown club Plymouth Argyle, Alan Shearer was rejected by Newcastle United as a teenager - only to return to Tyneside for a world record £15million fee in 1996 following spells with Southampton and Newcastle United and - closer to home - Torquay United record appearance holder Kevin Hill was told by Exeter City that he was 'too small, not strong enough and couldn't win headers.'
You can also add to that list Torquay-born Kieffer Moore, whose only spell in his career with the Gulls came in the form of a loan spell from Forest Green Rovers in the 2016-17 season where he scored five goals in four appearances.
Moore had been part of the United youth set-up that was closed down by then chairman Mike Bateson in 2004. By the point he 'returned ' home to Plainmoor, he had already taken in spells with clubs as varied as Paignton Saints in the South Devon League through to Truro City and Dorchester Town before he was handed his first taste of league football at Yeovil Town by current Torquay manager Gary Johnson. In addition to this, he also had a spell in Norway with Viking FK.
It could be argued that his stint on loan with the Gulls in November 2016 - which started with a goal versus Wrexham on his debut and also included a hat-trick in Tuesday night fixture against Solihull Moors - helped to kick-start his career - the latest chapter of which has seen him called up for Ryan Giggs' latest Wales squad.
He qualifies to represent the principality through his maternal grandfather, who hails from Gwynedd.
His call-up caps off what has been a memorable season for Moore, which has seen him win promotion to the Championship with Barnsley and was one of five Tykes players to be named the League One Team of the season.
Moore heads into the Welsh squad, as one of four uncapped players, with a point to prove.
In his three previous spells in the Championship with Yeovil, Ipswich - the then Tractor Boys manager Mick McCarthy paid a fee believed to be in the region of £20,000 to Forest Green for his services in January 2017- and Barnsley, he has managed to find the back of the net only eight times in 51 appearances.
In a career which has seen him prove many of his doubters wrong, and one that took him near and far at an age where many players are cocooned in the world of Under-23 development football, an international cap will surely give him extra kudos as he aspires to establish himself at Championship level at what can regarded as his peak years.
Wednesday 22 May 2019
Friday 17 May 2019
YEOVIL TOWN LADIES DEMOTED BY TWO TIERS
At the end of what has been a difficult season, Yeovil Town Ladies have received the news that they won't be competing in the Women's Championship next season after their licence application to compete in the league was rejected.
The Lady Glovers were relegated from the Women's Super League after receiving a ten-point for entering Administration earlier this season - but avoided insolvency due to staff cuts and - which ensured that they would finish bottom of the league. Sadly, they have now been told by the Football Association that they don't meet the relevant criteria to compete in the league.
However, the club have insisted that the possess a viable business plan.
Relegation from the top tier had meant that Yeovil would be reverting to part-time status, after turning full-time to meet the requirements for the Women's Super League last summer, but the FA requested to see proof of sponsorship income before issuing a licence - leaving them in a catch-22 situation.
The FA now have to decide whether to replace the Lady Glovers or not, or whether to open up applications for a licence from another club.
Since they first entered the Women's Super League in 2014 when they competed in WSL 2, the Lady Glovers gradually improved year on year, which culminated in promotion to the top-flight in 2016 by winning the WSL 2 title.
Now they have joined the likes of Sunderland Ladies, who dropped down from the Women's Super League to the Women's National League North, who were also unsuccessful in their bid for a licence.
Sheffield FC and Doncaster Rovers Belles also withdrew from the Championship last summer and Notts County Ladies were forced to fold in 2017.
The Lady Glovers were relegated from the Women's Super League after receiving a ten-point for entering Administration earlier this season - but avoided insolvency due to staff cuts and - which ensured that they would finish bottom of the league. Sadly, they have now been told by the Football Association that they don't meet the relevant criteria to compete in the league.
However, the club have insisted that the possess a viable business plan.
Relegation from the top tier had meant that Yeovil would be reverting to part-time status, after turning full-time to meet the requirements for the Women's Super League last summer, but the FA requested to see proof of sponsorship income before issuing a licence - leaving them in a catch-22 situation.
The FA now have to decide whether to replace the Lady Glovers or not, or whether to open up applications for a licence from another club.
Since they first entered the Women's Super League in 2014 when they competed in WSL 2, the Lady Glovers gradually improved year on year, which culminated in promotion to the top-flight in 2016 by winning the WSL 2 title.
Now they have joined the likes of Sunderland Ladies, who dropped down from the Women's Super League to the Women's National League North, who were also unsuccessful in their bid for a licence.
Sheffield FC and Doncaster Rovers Belles also withdrew from the Championship last summer and Notts County Ladies were forced to fold in 2017.
Sunday 12 May 2019
THE CONTENDERS TO SUCCEED DEREK ADAMS
With Plymouth Argyle currently searching for a successor to former manager Derek Adams, we will now take a closer look at five names who have been linked to the post.
Ian Holloway (Unattached)
- If time is a great healer, then could know be the right time for Ian Holloway to return to Plymouth Argyle? Since leaving Home Park in the 2007-08 season for Leicester City, Holloway has led Blackpool and Crystal Palace to the Premier League and has also had a spell in charge of Millwall. He has since expressed his regret at leaving the Pilgrims in the way in which he did and has also admitted he is keen for a return to full-time management.
Graham Coughlan (Bristol Rovers)
- Current Bristol Rovers manager Graham Coughlan, who played a key role in helping Argyle win the Division Three and Division Two titles in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons, has made a promising start to his managerial with the Pirates by steering them away from the League One relegation zone. Coughlan has emerged as the bookies' favourite to succeed Adams, but has insisted he is focused on the task in arm at the Memorial Stadium.
Ryan Lowe (Bury)
- It is believed that Bury manager Ryan Lowe has already held talks with the Pilgrims board after a successful season which saw him lead the Shakers to automatic promotion from League Two - the division that Argyle have recently been relegated into. Last season, Bury were amongst the highest scorers in the Football League with 82 goals and the style of play implemented by Lowe drew admiration from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp following a pre-season friendly with the Reds.
Michael Flynn (Newport County)
- Newport County manager Flynn - who hails from Pillgwenlly in Gwent, the same town as former Argyle manager Tony Pulis - is another name who could be of interest the Pilgrims. Since keeping the Exiles in the Football League in the 2016-17 season, he has enjoyed a number of fine FA Cup runs and is currently involved in a play-off duel with Mansfield Town. Whether the potential of a bigger club is something that would interest Flynn at this stage of his career.
Keith Hill (Unattached)
- Hill spent four years at Home Park as a player between 1992 and 1996 after joining the Pilgrims along with midfielder Craig Skinner from Blackburn Rovers, in a deal that saw Nicky Marker join Rovers. As a manager, he has made his name in two spells with Rochdale (2006-2011 & 2013-2019) where he won two promotions from League Two - in 2009-10 and 2013-14 - and assembled several sides which were pleasing on the eye. He also oversaw a number of big money sales whilst in charge of Dale, including Glenn Murray, Adam Le Fondre, Craig Dawson and Scott Hogan and he also had a brief spell in charge of Barnsley in the 2011-12 season.
Ian Holloway (Unattached)
- If time is a great healer, then could know be the right time for Ian Holloway to return to Plymouth Argyle? Since leaving Home Park in the 2007-08 season for Leicester City, Holloway has led Blackpool and Crystal Palace to the Premier League and has also had a spell in charge of Millwall. He has since expressed his regret at leaving the Pilgrims in the way in which he did and has also admitted he is keen for a return to full-time management.
Graham Coughlan (Bristol Rovers)
- Current Bristol Rovers manager Graham Coughlan, who played a key role in helping Argyle win the Division Three and Division Two titles in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons, has made a promising start to his managerial with the Pirates by steering them away from the League One relegation zone. Coughlan has emerged as the bookies' favourite to succeed Adams, but has insisted he is focused on the task in arm at the Memorial Stadium.
Ryan Lowe (Bury)
- It is believed that Bury manager Ryan Lowe has already held talks with the Pilgrims board after a successful season which saw him lead the Shakers to automatic promotion from League Two - the division that Argyle have recently been relegated into. Last season, Bury were amongst the highest scorers in the Football League with 82 goals and the style of play implemented by Lowe drew admiration from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp following a pre-season friendly with the Reds.
Michael Flynn (Newport County)
- Newport County manager Flynn - who hails from Pillgwenlly in Gwent, the same town as former Argyle manager Tony Pulis - is another name who could be of interest the Pilgrims. Since keeping the Exiles in the Football League in the 2016-17 season, he has enjoyed a number of fine FA Cup runs and is currently involved in a play-off duel with Mansfield Town. Whether the potential of a bigger club is something that would interest Flynn at this stage of his career.
Keith Hill (Unattached)
- Hill spent four years at Home Park as a player between 1992 and 1996 after joining the Pilgrims along with midfielder Craig Skinner from Blackburn Rovers, in a deal that saw Nicky Marker join Rovers. As a manager, he has made his name in two spells with Rochdale (2006-2011 & 2013-2019) where he won two promotions from League Two - in 2009-10 and 2013-14 - and assembled several sides which were pleasing on the eye. He also oversaw a number of big money sales whilst in charge of Dale, including Glenn Murray, Adam Le Fondre, Craig Dawson and Scott Hogan and he also had a brief spell in charge of Barnsley in the 2011-12 season.
Sunday 5 May 2019
ARGYLE DOWN DESPITE FINAL DAY HEROICS
Despite beating fellow relegation candidates Scunthorpe United on the final day of their League One campaign, Plymouth Argyle were unable to escape relegation to League Two as results elsewhere went against.
Results in the games involving Southend United and AFC Wimbledon saw the Shrimpers and the Dons survive at the Pilgrims' expense - the Shrimpers beat Sunderland 2-1 and the Dons drew 0-0 with already relegated Bradford City.
Plymouth-born Lloyd Jones, on loan from Luton Town, gave the Pilgrims the lead on eight minutes when he headed home after Iron keeper Jak Alnwick had denied Argyle's Ruben Lameiras.
Top scorer Freddie Ladapo then doubled their lead in the 35th minute - after being teed up by Antoni Sarcevic.
Three minutes before half-time, Kyle Wootton pulled one back for Scunthorpe after Lee Novak's overhead kick had been blocked.
On the hour mark, the Iron equalised in the most controversial of circumstances when Argyle keeper Matt Macey, on loan from Arsenal, attempted to roll the ball out of play so he could receive treatment.
Scunthorpe's Josh Morris had other ideas and chipped the ball back towards goal and into the back of the net to level matters.
The week before Leeds United had scored a goal in similar circumstances against Aston Villa and Leeds manager Marco Bielsa allowed Villa to walk through and score an equaliser. However, on this occasion, no such gesture was forthcoming from the Iron.
It was then left to the Pilgrims' talisman Graham Carey to restore Argyle's lead in the 70th minute and everything seemed to be going to plan as it was announced that Southend were drawing 1-1 with Sunderland. But the Shrimpers grabbed a late winner in the 88th minute which broke Pilgrims' hearts.
The challenge now for Derek Adams' successor to build a team that could take Argyle back to League One at the first attempt, and they will need to act quickly and swiftly to find said person.
Results in the games involving Southend United and AFC Wimbledon saw the Shrimpers and the Dons survive at the Pilgrims' expense - the Shrimpers beat Sunderland 2-1 and the Dons drew 0-0 with already relegated Bradford City.
Plymouth-born Lloyd Jones, on loan from Luton Town, gave the Pilgrims the lead on eight minutes when he headed home after Iron keeper Jak Alnwick had denied Argyle's Ruben Lameiras.
Top scorer Freddie Ladapo then doubled their lead in the 35th minute - after being teed up by Antoni Sarcevic.
Three minutes before half-time, Kyle Wootton pulled one back for Scunthorpe after Lee Novak's overhead kick had been blocked.
On the hour mark, the Iron equalised in the most controversial of circumstances when Argyle keeper Matt Macey, on loan from Arsenal, attempted to roll the ball out of play so he could receive treatment.
Scunthorpe's Josh Morris had other ideas and chipped the ball back towards goal and into the back of the net to level matters.
The week before Leeds United had scored a goal in similar circumstances against Aston Villa and Leeds manager Marco Bielsa allowed Villa to walk through and score an equaliser. However, on this occasion, no such gesture was forthcoming from the Iron.
It was then left to the Pilgrims' talisman Graham Carey to restore Argyle's lead in the 70th minute and everything seemed to be going to plan as it was announced that Southend were drawing 1-1 with Sunderland. But the Shrimpers grabbed a late winner in the 88th minute which broke Pilgrims' hearts.
The challenge now for Derek Adams' successor to build a team that could take Argyle back to League One at the first attempt, and they will need to act quickly and swiftly to find said person.
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