Confusion as York City striker Daniel McBreen ‘signs’ for North Queensland Fury (From York Press)
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Confusion as York City striker Daniel McBreen ‘signs’ for North Queensland Fury
9:46am Wednesday 18th February 2009 in Sport
By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter
Daniel McBreen
DANIEL McBreen’s York City future is shrouded in doubt after the striker reportedly signed for Australian A-League side North Queensland Fury.
The “move” came as a surprise to the Minstermen’s board – with club chiefs issuing a statement saying they were “not aware” he had signed a pre-contract agreement with any other club.
Australian media reported that North Queensland Fury boss Ian Ferguson had recruited McBreen, who has hit the net six times for City this season, for the new franchise’s debut season.
Ferguson, who was a key part of the Rangers side which won nine successive Scottish league titles, sees the 31-year-old striker as another “attacking threat” after the club swooped to sign former Liverpool and Leeds striker Robbie Fowler.
The A-League season usually gets under way in August and, if McBreen has signed, he could well spend the rest of this season at City before linking up with his new Australian team-mates.
Ferguson was quoted as saying: “He played a few seasons at Falkirk and St Johnstone and really made a name for himself as a player who could score goals.
“He gives us yet another attacking option – he’s over six foot, so that provides a big, physical target for us up front on the set plays.
“Daniel brings the height I was missing and he’s an aggressive player who’s been playing in some tough competitions and that’s what I want in the team – a player who will give centre-halves a hard time.
“One of the great things about Daniel is he’s an Australian boy who’s played in the UK for a few seasons and he can bring that experience back to the A-League.”
McBreen kicked off his professional career with the Newcastle Jets and Adelaide City before moving abroad. Former York manager Colin Walker brought McBreen to City in the summer following a brief, but successful, loan spell at KitKat Crescent last year.
City were unaware of developments but Sophie Hicks, the club’s communications and community director, said: “Daniel McBreen is contracted to York City until June 30, 2009. We are not aware he has signed any pre-contract agreement with any other football club.
“He has not discussed his position with the first team manager, the chairman or any director.”
Comments(29)
Sir Alex
says...
10:14am Wed 18 Feb 09
He should have told the manager and board though, but its no big deal for us that he won't be here next season as the only hunger he displayed was for his next meal.
That's why I still like Farrell - he's always been honest and seemed hungry for football - problem is with his confidence which he may win back at Oxford.
AndyK
says...
10:45am Wed 18 Feb 09
But you would think our current manager, an ex striker, would be able to bring the best out of players like Craig Farrell. He may well do so yet, we will see.
I hope Faz does well at Oxford and wins himself a contract there or better still, at York.
Drew Peacock
says...
10:46am Wed 18 Feb 09
That's funny! (and true)
Monkey2
says...
11:09am Wed 18 Feb 09
OLD - HEAD
says...
11:29am Wed 18 Feb 09
Sir Alex
says...
11:47am Wed 18 Feb 09
OLD - HEAD wrote:We are at the very lowest level of fulltime football. The better players probably don't want to be tied into longer contracts as we are just a stepping stone for them. Nearly half our new signings don't work out so the 1 year deal plus option deal gives us protection for players in the last chance saloon in case they are not good enough.
I do not think that Daniel McBreen will be a great loss to York City, for he has not really set the place on fire. But I am also concerned that York City players do not seem to to be on tight contracts. I would not put McBreen on the same footing as Andy Bishop, Ian Bishop or Clayton Donaldson, but lessons are there to be learned, for who is to be the next?.
We would almost be better going P/T as players may then be more settled in the York area because they would not just be relying on football. This may lead to a more stable squad (eg Histon, Barrow and until recently Burton).
YORKCITYFC
says...
12:00pm Wed 18 Feb 09
What is unacceptable is that he has done this without even letting the manager know..but if selected to play I really hope he continues to give the improved performances for us that he has done over the last three months and that he doesn't just turn up and not try or care how he plays.
Basically I hope his attitude is right and he hasn't already packed his bags for Australia when he has a job to do for City if and when he is selected.
cooper
says...
12:09pm Wed 18 Feb 09
rogue84
says...
12:10pm Wed 18 Feb 09
it is sad that we never managed to get a fee for a bish, n bish and clayton, altogether we could have easily got £150,000 for those 3.
only problem is if City have a good season but don't finish in the play-offs, that's what will happen.
cityforthepremier
says...
12:30pm Wed 18 Feb 09
PDH
says...
12:48pm Wed 18 Feb 09
Perhaps its not his fault that the news has been leaked(not by him) before he has had the chance to let the club know what he is doing?
After all the club would not let him know that they were thinking about realising him, they would just tell him he was being released, so i dont see a problem, obviously he will have to see his contract out if city require him to, and at the end of the day he is only doing what anyone else would in any other employment.
Imp
says...
5:22pm Wed 18 Feb 09
The big worry now is, if he's that underhand about setting up his new deal, what sort of commitment will we get the next few months?
Imp
says...
5:25pm Wed 18 Feb 09
Unfortunately, at this level, it's almost impossible to have a tight contract. Most players will want to keep their options open. I think the lessons have been learned, and the club seem to be trying their best to cover themselves. But if the occasional player won't take anything else, it's hard to do much about it.
Imp
says...
5:27pm Wed 18 Feb 09
Sir Alex wrote:Part-time would be a disaster. Nearly every team in this league is full-time, and you think we should go the other way?
OLD - HEAD wrote:We are at the very lowest level of fulltime football. The better players probably don't want to be tied into longer contracts as we are just a stepping stone for them. Nearly half our new signings don't work out so the 1 year deal plus option deal gives us protection for players in the last chance saloon in case they are not good enough.
I do not think that Daniel McBreen will be a great loss to York City, for he has not really set the place on fire. But I am also concerned that York City players do not seem to to be on tight contracts. I would not put McBreen on the same footing as Andy Bishop, Ian Bishop or Clayton Donaldson, but lessons are there to be learned, for who is to be the next?.
We would almost be better going P/T as players may then be more settled in the York area because they would not just be relying on football. This may lead to a more stable squad (eg Histon, Barrow and until recently Burton).
Let's look at your three examples:
-Burton - Went full-time two years ago, as part of their succesful push for promotion to the league
-Histon and Barrow - Both going full-time next season to build on their current achievements.
The only part-time teams in this league are the ones with no greater ambition, and the ones that expect to get relegated.
yano
says...
5:59pm Wed 18 Feb 09
OLD - HEAD
says...
7:53pm Wed 18 Feb 09
new one
says...
8:59pm Wed 18 Feb 09
reserves lost - but could have been 3-0 at half time. Grimsby scored 88, 90 mins. Needless free kick for 1st and wilkinson caught in possesion for 2nd. Played well 3 "trialists" all full effort throughout. Youth players looked fine - 1 played throughout 2 on as subs.
YORKCITYFC
says...
9:52pm Wed 18 Feb 09
YORKCITYFC
says...
9:55pm Wed 18 Feb 09
Imp
says...
9:58pm Wed 18 Feb 09
I could see Pejic and Winn being signings this week. We need the defensive cover, and we could do with a natural left-winger who is ready for first team action.
U KNOW WHO
says...
11:18am Thu 19 Feb 09
Imp
says...
6:04pm Thu 19 Feb 09
I don't know who, but I'm guessing you are Liam Shepherd. Or his mum. No other reason you'd make such a passionate defence of a player who has shown nothing to merit a starting place in the first team.
Shepherd is a natural left-winger, but as I said we need one who is ready for first-team action, and Liam isn't there yet. I hope he will get there, I really do, but I've a horrible suspicion he'll go the way of Bryan Stewart and Lev Yalcin - down into part-time.
U KNOW WHO
says...
7:44pm Thu 19 Feb 09
My my my.....what a very imature way you do think. I stated what I did regarding Shepherd on the basis that I am passionate about my home city and the club who I have followed home and away for many years and to see what a mess they are now in makes me very sad. Sorry to burst your bubble but I am niether Liam Shepherd or his mum I am a person that gets rather annoyed when I see and read the unjust that is been done to Shepherd. Foyle needs to make up his mind with Shepherd going from laying down challenges to the lad and how he is a breath of fresh air and then next minute slaiting him the way that he has done for what reason none Foyle needs to take a closer look at some of the players that he does put out tends to be if you play badly you keep your place in the team. From giving him that challenge he never gave the lad a chance how can the invisable man prove himself......Shepher
d has not and will not fail it is foyle that has failed the lad. Shepherd will have the last laugh on them all as for part-time football stop talking from your back-side Imp
acomb.dan
says...
8:19pm Thu 19 Feb 09
i have never heard so much rubbish written in such a short comment, i guess you probably know shepherd and you dislike him, you have never once said anything possitive about the lad always negative , you should take a close look at the players that get their place every week before slating a young player who has not even been given a chance. your comments are unjustified and pathetic.
Imp
says...
12:13am Fri 20 Feb 09
Imp wrote:
i have never heard so much rubbish written in such a short comment, i guess you probably know shepherd and you dislike him, you have never once said anything possitive about the lad always negative , you should take a close look at the players that get their place every week before slating a young player who has not even been given a chance. your comments are unjustified and pathetic.Yes, I can clearly see how my saying that I think Shepherd can be an integral part of our future is being negative. Or when I said I really hope he makes a success of his career at York. Or when I said he has the potential to become a very good player. Yes, clearly those are all negatives. What a moron you are.
Let me state it absolutely clearly, since you seem to struggle to understand.
I rate Liam Shepherd. I think he has natural ability and pace and can be a very good player.
BUT I do not think he is currently ready for first-team football (based on what I've seen of him in the first team and reserves this season). And I think it's important our young players, like Shepherd, Boyes, McWilliams, Knowlson, Radcliffe, Burns and Woodall are given the time they need to develop properly so they don't end up on the footballing scrap-heap like 95% of young players do.
My feeling that Shepherd won't make it isn't something I'm happy about. It's just one of those horrible gut feelings you get.
And for the record, no, I have never met the lad.
Now, show some maturity and apologise for insulting me unnecessarily.
Imp
says...
12:15am Fri 20 Feb 09
U KNOW WHO wrote:It was a joke at the expense of your user-name. I don't actually think you are Liam Shepherd's mum.
Imp, Westhoughton
My my my.....what a very imature way you do think. I stated what I did regarding Shepherd on the basis that I am passionate about my home city and the club who I have followed home and away for many years and to see what a mess they are now in makes me very sad. Sorry to burst your bubble but I am niether Liam Shepherd or his mum I am a person that gets rather annoyed when I see and read the unjust that is been done to Shepherd. Foyle needs to make up his mind with Shepherd going from laying down challenges to the lad and how he is a breath of fresh air and then next minute slaiting him the way that he has done for what reason none Foyle needs to take a closer look at some of the players that he does put out tends to be if you play badly you keep your place in the team. From giving him that challenge he never gave the lad a chance how can the invisable man prove himself......Shepher
d has not and will not fail it is foyle that has failed the lad. Shepherd will have the last laugh on them all as for part-time football stop talking from your back-side Imp
If you are going to call yourself "U KNOW WHO", you need to have a sense of humour.
As for my opinions on Shepherd and his future, I direct you to the reply to acomb.dan, and I'll ask you too to show the maturity to apologise for insulting me.
acomb.dan
says...
5:36am Fri 20 Feb 09
cityfan08
says...
8:54am Fri 20 Feb 09
i realy do fear the worst for him and he will be released at the end of his contract.He was the only unused out field sub for the trophy game against Kidderminster,
if foyle wont give him a chance in front of 700 then when will he.
Imp
says...
10:24am Fri 20 Feb 09
acomb.dan wrote:Nothing to apologise for?
imp. apologise " there is nothing in my comment insulting you. what ive said is in reply to your comments which i stick by , and you calling me a moron lol, i'll ask you to show some maturity to apologise for insulting me.
"never heard so much rubbish written", "i guess you probably know shepherd and you dislike him", "you have never once said anything possitive about the lad always negative", "your comments are unjustified and pathetic".
All insulting, all untrue. I've demonstrated that you are wrong about my opinion of Shepherd, that's what you should apologise for.
If you do, then I'll happily apologise for and retract the comment about you. Until then, while you continue to act like it, I'll have to stand by it.
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