York City fight off competition to sign Alex Lawless (From York Press)
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York City fight off competition to sign Alex Lawless
10:15am Thursday 18th June 2009 in Sport
By Dave Flett, Sports reporter
YORK City fought off the challenge of two Football League clubs to make Forest Green utility man Alex Lawless their seventh summer signing.
Lawless, 26, has signed a one-year deal for the Minstermen after coming to the end of his contract at the New Lawn, where he has spent the past three seasons.
The former Fulham trainee, who has also played for Torquay United, netted a spectacular goal past ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll for Forest Green against FA Cup opponents Derby in January before later getting sent off in the 4-3 defeat.
He also suffered a hairline fracture to his leg in the Gloucester club’s 2-1 April defeat at Bootham Crescent but has made a full recovery.
The former Welsh Under-21 international can play in a variety of different positions and City manager Martin Foyle said: “Alex is an Andy McWilliams type who can do various roles.
“He’s played most of his career at right-back but also had a lot of games on the right side and centre of midfield.
“He’s competent in all three positions and I would have no hesitation playing him in any of them.
“He’s a good footballer and a strong Conference player who will be a good asset for the club.
“I’ve been keeping tabs on him since I was coaching at Wrexham and we’ve beaten off a couple of League clubs for his signature.”
City right-back Ben Purkiss, meanwhile, has been selected for Great Britain’s World Student Games football team.
The competition, which sees GB pitted against Serbia, Mexico and Ghana in the group stages, is from June 30 to July 12.
Purkiss goes with Foyle’s blessing despite missing the start of pre-season training and the club’s first friendly at home to Leeds United.
The City boss added: “Hopefully this will make up for the fact Ben missed out on an England ‘C’ appearance due to injury last season.”
Foyle is also optimistic an amicable agreement can be reached with Barnsley over the transfer of striker Onome Sodje.
Despite offering Sodje a new deal in April, the Minstermen are expected to miss out on a compensation fee for the 20-year-old forward because he was playing for the club on a non-contract basis due to his lack of a work permit.
That has now been resolved, allowing Championship club Barnsley to acquire the Nigeria-born frontman’s services for free.
City are hoping, however, the FA will still consider an appeal for compensation.
Foyle added: “There will be no falling out with Barnsley. I did my ‘A’ licence with their manager Simon Davey.
“He is a decent lad and a good friend who will deal with things properly at his end. The two chairmen have a good relationship as well and everybody wants everything done the right way.”
Following Sodje’s departure, Foyle added he may recruit another striker to join Richard Brodie, Michael Rankine, Richard Pacquette, Adam Boyes and Michael Emmerson on the roster.
He said: “We are still hoping to bring in two or three players and there’s scope to strengthen.”
Comments(28)
rogue84
says...
10:48am Thu 18 Jun 09
I'd still like to see Holmes arrive, but can't argue with what we've seen so far in the transfer market. Especially after the bumbling, and quite honestly, random selection process of Colin Walker last summer.
Imp
says...
1:32pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Foyle has obviously spent the last 6 months assessing the league we are in, identifying the weaknesses in the squad, identifying solutions to those deficiencies, and has then gone out to put a complete, balanced squad together before pre-season begins. He's already made it clear there's another mdifielder and another defender to come, and may add another striker too.
Just as important, if not more so, he’s got a clear tactical plan in mind and it’s not some over-complicated masterplan that players at this level won’t be able to execute. Good defence, ball-winners in the middle, two proper wingers, physical presence up front. Not necessarily pretty, but potentially effective.
Pacquette and Rankine may not be 20+ a season men, but if the three forwards can get 45 goals between them, another 15 from midfield, and maybe a few from the back, we’ll be progressing.
I’d also hope that even Foyle’s staunchest critics would acknowledge that comments about his scouting network and contacts back in January have proved unfounded.
Imp
says...
1:43pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Since Onome Sodje signed for Barnsley as part of its new development strategy there have been a lot of column inches spent questioning the manner in which it all happened. It was reported that York City had fought hard for Onome not to be deported and to be allowed to stay in the UK, but Eseyoma Sodje, who dealt with Barnsley on behalf of Onome has rejected that statement.
"Onome never recevied a letter to be deported. When we first applied for residency it was accepted, however that was changed because of a mistake and we were allowed to appeal. By then Onome had gone to York City and as a matter of course, because he was playing there, they continued to process for getting his residency.
"The York manager was informed before Onome put pen to paper on a deal to go to Barnsley and he wished him the best.
"Of course we are grateful for the opportunity Onome has had at York City, but going to a Championship club is something you cannot turn down.
"During the two years Onome played at York he received expenses, but was unpaid as a player. It has been mentioned that York paid £5,000 towards fees in getting the residency issue sorted out, but Onome is owed much more from the club.
"During that time at York City it is his family that have helped out financially towards his costs in pursuing a football career and York City themselves signed him for free.
"He had been offered a contract at York City and was given 28 days to sign. That period ended on the 8th June so it was clear from that he was not going to be signing it.
"It is sad that there has been so much made of the deportation issue when that clearly had not been threatened. On top of that people saying they are York fans have somehow got hold of Onome's mobile number and he has had quite a lot of abusive phone calls.
Some commentary has been made on disreputable agents being involved, but Onome signed without the use of an agent.
No doubt much of the fuss has been because York City will not be getting a fee for Onome Sodje, but hopefully the matter will be put to rest and Onome can look forward to playing for Barnsley."
speaks99
says...
1:52pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Alan Fetish
says...
2:00pm Thu 18 Jun 09
PDH
says...
2:00pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Meggaz
says...
2:07pm Thu 18 Jun 09
The most important thing is to recognise the efforts of the York City Management and Board to make us a bit of a force in this division and to give us a real chance of success. I find that rather exciting personally.
Positions where we were vulnerable last have been strengthened by the signing of quality players and there's still more to come we're promised. I can't wait for the new season to start!
cityforthepremier
says...
2:12pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Turnstile_Yorkie
says...
2:31pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Alan Fetish
says...
2:40pm Thu 18 Jun 09
cityforthepremier wrote:With respect, Ebbsfleet - a very comparable team these days - were already giving him that opportunity before we took him off them for free.
unfortunately tho i have to disagree with the statement of york city owing onome so much more, was it not they who gave him an opportunity to play football and put himself in the shop window? i think the least he could do knowing the position and the finanacial situation of the club he should or barnsley put something our way.
Imp
says...
2:43pm Thu 18 Jun 09
The point about wages is sort-of true, the York statement said as much, but what constitutes "expenses"? I bet it's not just rail fare and a packed lunch.
And as for “deportation”, that was not in the club statement, just the Press version of it. The club just said his appeal for ILR was turned down. Which would actually raise the possibility of deportation. But nobody said it was threatened.
So on all those points, Sodje’s representative seems to be being economical with the truth.
As for communication between Sodje and the club, basically, someone is lying. It's either us or them, and right now I'm afraid I suspect them, for the points above.
There is another possibility. Maybe both statements are true, and it all depends how you read it. What Sodje’s “not-at-all-an-age
nt” has said is that Sodje spoke to Foyle before he “put pen to paper”. But he doesn’t say when that occured.
Maybe he posed for pictures, Barnsley made their announcement etc. York and Foyle hear about it. At that point York speak to the player at last, and then he signs. No-one actually lying, but Sodje’s representative being a little economical with the truth for the fourth time in the same statement?
g-se4lby
says...
3:03pm Thu 18 Jun 09
So lets put all this behind us and get behind the club the team and the manager for the coming season
calders
says...
3:31pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Romfordpele
says...
3:40pm Thu 18 Jun 09
On the signing of Lawless I think it's a useful squad addition most importantly with Conference experience. A big commanding centre half and a skillful centre midfielder are now needed to complete the squad.
In reply to Imp, I have to pull you up about Foyle spending six months getting used to his league at City. He was assistant at Wrexham before arriving here, and the Welsh club are still trying to clear out some of the players he helped bring in last summer who turned out to be flops.
Punk_Ian
says...
3:57pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Big Fella wrote:Snap Big Fella, that's the same as me
I was one of Martin's 'knockers' and did not want him to keep the job but I must admit, all I am getting from him are positives. He seems to know what he's doing on the scouting front so let's hope that it carries on to the managerial front.
Good news that we've beaten 2 league clubs.
I hate to say it but I've got a good feeling about this season......
Alan Fetish
says...
4:17pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Alan Fetish
says...
4:28pm Thu 18 Jun 09
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=jObsBUpP4
Es
OLD - HEAD
says...
4:29pm Thu 18 Jun 09
barmbymoorminstermen
says...
4:33pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Imp
says...
4:36pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Romfordpele wrote:Big difference between being assistant and being the manager. Ask anyone. As assistant, you are trying to make recommendations based on what the manager wants. And at that point he'd no experience of the league. Oh, and players don't only fail because of lack of ability. A good player may just find his face doesn't fit.
I think the Sodje situation is being blown a little out of proportion. You get the impression Foyle had no real desire to keep him and plenty of fans seemed to be fed up with him by the end of last season. On the signing of Lawless I think it's a useful squad addition most importantly with Conference experience. A big commanding centre half and a skillful centre midfielder are now needed to complete the squad. In reply to Imp, I have to pull you up about Foyle spending six months getting used to his league at City. He was assistant at Wrexham before arriving here, and the Welsh club are still trying to clear out some of the players he helped bring in last summer who turned out to be flops.
Oxford would be a good example, pre-Wilder. Good players, managed badly = flops.
Managed properly - success.
So, Foyle has had six months as a MANAGER getting used to this league and it's requirements. Is that clearer?
clueless
says...
8:33am Fri 19 Jun 09
Imp wrote:somebody's lying then, either at Sodje's end or City's . . .
Just read this: Since Onome Sodje signed for Barnsley as part of its new development strategy there have been a lot of column inches spent questioning the manner in which it all happened. It was reported that York City had fought hard for Onome not to be deported and to be allowed to stay in the UK, but Eseyoma Sodje, who dealt with Barnsley on behalf of Onome has rejected that statement. "Onome never recevied a letter to be deported. When we first applied for residency it was accepted, however that was changed because of a mistake and we were allowed to appeal. By then Onome had gone to York City and as a matter of course, because he was playing there, they continued to process for getting his residency. "The York manager was informed before Onome put pen to paper on a deal to go to Barnsley and he wished him the best. "Of course we are grateful for the opportunity Onome has had at York City, but going to a Championship club is something you cannot turn down. "During the two years Onome played at York he received expenses, but was unpaid as a player. It has been mentioned that York paid £5,000 towards fees in getting the residency issue sorted out, but Onome is owed much more from the club. "During that time at York City it is his family that have helped out financially towards his costs in pursuing a football career and York City themselves signed him for free. "He had been offered a contract at York City and was given 28 days to sign. That period ended on the 8th June so it was clear from that he was not going to be signing it. "It is sad that there has been so much made of the deportation issue when that clearly had not been threatened. On top of that people saying they are York fans have somehow got hold of Onome's mobile number and he has had quite a lot of abusive phone calls. Some commentary has been made on disreputable agents being involved, but Onome signed without the use of an agent. No doubt much of the fuss has been because York City will not be getting a fee for Onome Sodje, but hopefully the matter will be put to rest and Onome can look forward to playing for Barnsley."
Who's The TW*T in the Black ?
says...
9:25am Fri 19 Jun 09
Turnstile_Yorkie wrote:Joe, come on, we are relying in Ingham staying strong in goal and the goal scorers scoring. and the 'Twinkle Toes' wingers are a bonus if we can get them going and get some good service to the strikers.
Be a good squad member. Will be relying more on 'twinkle-toes' Adam Smith and Nelthorpe for next season with the big lads upfront
Turnstile_Yorkie
says...
11:05am Fri 19 Jun 09
Imp
says...
11:34am Fri 19 Jun 09
Yorkie_123456789
says...
11:38am Fri 19 Jun 09
Yorkie69
says...
12:28pm Fri 19 Jun 09
yorkshirecalling
says...
7:03pm Fri 19 Jun 09
Yorkie69 wrote:Shall we ask Purkiss if he can represent us at the Sodje tribunal as well?
i too am impressed with the signings so far and heartened that there may be a ciuple more coming in. Regarding Jon Maloney. Four years as a sports science student at the University of Montevallo should make him a prized asset as he can help off the field as well as on it. He did well when he was at York before so I hope we can give hima trial.
What a weak case for taking a player on.
Big Fella says...
10:36am Thu 18 Jun 09
Good news that we've beaten 2 league clubs.
I hate to say it but I've got a good feeling about this season......