York City boss Martin Foyle finally gets his man as Michael Gash signs for £55,000 (From York Press)
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York City boss Martin Foyle finally gets his man as Michael Gash signs for £55,000
7:50am Saturday 25th July 2009 in Sport
By Tony Kelly, Deputy sports editor
Michael Gash watches his new team-mates in action against Hartlepool after signing for York City last night
DONE and dusted – York City finally got their man as the £55,000 signing of Michael Gash was confirmed after last night’s 2-0 friendly win at home to Hartlepool United.
The 22-year-old Gash travelled to York for a medical and to agree personal terms. He was at Bootham Crescent for the game, settled by second-half strikes from Levi Mackin and Jimmy Jackson, but the move was not sealed until after kick-off because a vote of Ebbsfleet’s cyberspace owners, MyFootball Club, was not concluded until late on.
And in a further boost rugged defender Djoumin Sangare has also agreed the contract offered by the Minstermen.
However, the capture of Gash, favoured by a 94 per cent vote by the Ebbsfleet electronic following, brought to an end one of the longest pursuits of a player in the Minstermen’s recent history.
City boss Martin Foyle was thrilled the chase spanning more than six weeks was now over and that the former Ebbsfleet United marksman could start his link-up with City in the countdown to the Blue Square Premier kick-off at Oxford United a fortnight today.
Said a relieved Foyle: “It’s been a saga, a real saga. It’s been one of the longest transfers I have ever been involved in and likely to be.
“But it’s done now we have got Michael here and I am so pleased because I really rate the lad.
“His hold-up play is excellent, he’s the right age and the most important thing is he wants to play for York City.”
The pursuit of front-man Gash has proved one of the most arduous deals to seal for the Minstermen.
It was back in June that it was first revealed City had tabled an £80,000 bid for Gash, defender Darius Charles and midfielder Neil Barrett.
Only Barrett arrived after the joint cash offer for Gash and Charles stalled when centre-back Charles announced at the 11th hour he did not want to move north.
Foyle though was determined to revive a deal for Gash, whom he views as the final jigsaw to complete City’s attacking armoury for the new campaign.
An offer of £55,000 – some £30,000 up front followed by a second payment of £25,000 due on New Year’s Day, 2010 – was resubmitted to Ebbsfleet and finally sanctioned by an overwhelming vote on the internet by the Kent club’s fans.
However, those barriers have now been cleared for Gash to become City’s first big money signing since the capture of Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Alan Fettis.
While money has not changed hands for defender Sangare, City boss Foyle was also delighted at getting the defender to sign terms.
“He’s another one for the future. He’s got a lot of strength and that’s going to be important once we get the new season underway.”
Of last night’s win, Foyle reckoned that while the second-half was a huge improvement, he rated his side’s overall performance as worth six or seven out of ten.
“We started a bit slow and we can’t afford to do that when the season starts. There were some good things about the second half especially but we can, and we must do better.”
Comments(29)
velcro
says...
9:32am Sat 25 Jul 09
jimmyfivebellies
says...
11:09am Sat 25 Jul 09
Imp
says...
11:17am Sat 25 Jul 09
jimmyfivebellies wrote:How much do you actually think the belt has been tightened?
i can honestly say this is the 1st time i have felt so confident at the start of a new season since we were relegated.we finally have a 'strong' squad,which is defo capable of challenging at the top.every team needs to be strong in every department.we now have that,thanks to the chairman,who has released the cash to do it.the majority of lower clubs are tightning their belts,so it's good to see us being positive.
The wage budget is no different to last year and the cash for Gash comes from the Boyes sale.
Basically, Wembley, Woolford etc has all just gone on servicing debt. The budget is the same as last year, it's just we have a manager who seems to have used it much better.
Imp
says...
11:18am Sat 25 Jul 09
It takes time for players to settle and gel, and this season we have a lot of players who have had to move to play for us. It may well be that the best from this squad doesn't come till next season, and anything around 10th will be progress.
paul stancliffe
says...
12:29pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Alan Fetish
says...
12:36pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Imp wrote:I'm not sure Jimmy was saying our belt had been tightened, rather the belts of those around us.
jimmyfivebellies wrote:How much do you actually think the belt has been tightened?
i can honestly say this is the 1st time i have felt so confident at the start of a new season since we were relegated.we finally have a 'strong' squad,which is defo capable of challenging at the top.every team needs to be strong in every department.we now have that,thanks to the chairman,who has released the cash to do it.the majority of lower clubs are tightning their belts,so it's good to see us being positive.
The wage budget is no different to last year and the cash for Gash comes from the Boyes sale.
Basically, Wembley, Woolford etc has all just gone on servicing debt. The budget is the same as last year, it's just we have a manager who seems to have used it much better.
speaks99
says...
1:12pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Got to agree with Imp though, it does take time to settle players into a club. Don't expect overnight miricles, although saying that, most of the other clubs are in the same position aren't they??
A quick word on james Meredith - where was he last season??!!!?!?
No.4-IanHolmes
says...
1:12pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Romfordpele
says...
1:17pm Sat 25 Jul 09
While Rankine is a sizeable target he's still a little raw, as too is Brodie. Pacquette, on the other hand, is yet to suggest he's little more than a back-up.
It would be interesting to hear what others have to say about the new faces...
speaks99
says...
1:32pm Sat 25 Jul 09
speaks99
says...
1:37pm Sat 25 Jul 09
speaks99 wrote:Wikipedia just says a 5 figure fee was paid - is this a "big money transfer".
Didn't we also pay a fee for Darren Kelly the year before last? I was under the impression that £10k was paid...
Is quoting your own post the same as talking to yourself???
speaks99
says...
1:40pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Besides, MG is recovering from an ankle injury. Perhaps needs a bit more training.
Imp
says...
1:52pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Alan Fetish wrote:Yes, didn't actually mean to say tightened, meant to say "loosened". Noticed the mistake after I'd posted, but hoped people would just get the point.
Imp wrote:I'm not sure Jimmy was saying our belt had been tightened, rather the belts of those around us.
jimmyfivebellies wrote:How much do you actually think the belt has been tightened?
i can honestly say this is the 1st time i have felt so confident at the start of a new season since we were relegated.we finally have a 'strong' squad,which is defo capable of challenging at the top.every team needs to be strong in every department.we now have that,thanks to the chairman,who has released the cash to do it.the majority of lower clubs are tightning their belts,so it's good to see us being positive.
The wage budget is no different to last year and the cash for Gash comes from the Boyes sale.
Basically, Wembley, Woolford etc has all just gone on servicing debt. The budget is the same as last year, it's just we have a manager who seems to have used it much better.
For those who didn't, the point was, the chairman hasn't actually released anything more than last year.
Imp
says...
1:58pm Sat 25 Jul 09
paul stancliffe wrote:It never fails to amaze me how so many people are incapable of grasping subtlties. I'm not being negative, not saying I'm not looking forward to the season and not being overly cautious.
Imp have you ever thought of being happy for the club and looking foreward to the season,and stop being so negative and cautious.Live a little ! Come on City.
The problem at York is that fans blow up their expectations far too much every year, then turn very quickly when they are not met. I just want people to have a healthy expectation, that will be even sweeter when it's surpassed. I've been saying since April that we should see Foyle's job as a 2 year project, and the fact is it would still be an amazing acheivment if we finish 10th or better. Nothing negative about saying that.
I am very happy for the club, and as I said earlier I think we've made a good signing and have a much stronger side.
That's the last time I'm responding to some idiot calling me negative, I've had enough of it this week.
OLD - HEAD
says...
2:00pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Alan Fetish
says...
2:09pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Imp wrote:I see. Quite right.
Alan Fetish wrote:Yes, didn't actually mean to say tightened, meant to say "loosened". Noticed the mistake after I'd posted, but hoped people would just get the point.
Imp wrote:I'm not sure Jimmy was saying our belt had been tightened, rather the belts of those around us.
jimmyfivebellies wrote:How much do you actually think the belt has been tightened?
i can honestly say this is the 1st time i have felt so confident at the start of a new season since we were relegated.we finally have a 'strong' squad,which is defo capable of challenging at the top.every team needs to be strong in every department.we now have that,thanks to the chairman,who has released the cash to do it.the majority of lower clubs are tightning their belts,so it's good to see us being positive.
The wage budget is no different to last year and the cash for Gash comes from the Boyes sale.
Basically, Wembley, Woolford etc has all just gone on servicing debt. The budget is the same as last year, it's just we have a manager who seems to have used it much better.
For those who didn't, the point was, the chairman hasn't actually released anything more than last year.
Dan_ycfc
says...
4:15pm Sat 25 Jul 09
PDH
says...
4:32pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Head of Bomber Command
says...
4:34pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Imp wrote:I agree totally with you imp. It will be a wonderful bonus if the side is seen to be challenging to get up come next April.
Just to add a note of caution for everyone: It takes time for players to settle and gel, and this season we have a lot of players who have had to move to play for us. It may well be that the best from this squad doesn't come till next season, and anything around 10th will be progress.
The team was on it's hands and knees last term, so it is next to crawling and then walking.
Evolution chaps.
Good sensible Post as usual imp.
HOBC
Head of Bomber Command
says...
5:21pm Sat 25 Jul 09
speaks99 wrote:speaks99 I believe it was 30K that Billy had us pay for Darren. He was being chased by a couple of teams from across the border, Gretna being one of them.
Didn't we also pay a fee for Darren Kelly the year before last? I was under the impression that £10k was paid...
Brodes
says...
6:05pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Welcome Michael good luck!
Was there last night excellent showing. Mackin was great in midfield, defence very solid, strikers mixed with Rankine good with flick on's if little else!
Im very positive for the new season, especially in the middle of the park much improved!
born&breed
says...
10:15am Sun 26 Jul 09
calders
says...
12:04pm Sun 26 Jul 09
calders
says...
2:54pm Sun 26 Jul 09
Dan_ycfc wrote:I thought Father Dougal/ Thermoman. Let's hope the latter
One Gary Barlow, theres only one Gary Barlow
RickyC
says...
8:21pm Sun 26 Jul 09
Alan Fetish
says...
11:48pm Sun 26 Jul 09
shirl.ycs
says...
12:19am Mon 27 Jul 09
born&breed wrote:Well said....500 on each home gate would compensate for the loss of Setanta money(though I still think there will be some form of Conference coverage but to what degree I don't know)The KKC sponsorship runs out in January 2010.so.. back to BC or Pryers Park?????
Officially - the result of the vote was confirmed at 8-35pm - until then Gash was unable to agree terms and put pen to paper. I know the Chairman and the manager have worked extremely hard to secure the deal - thanks to both of them. The club is in a far better position due to the Wembley trip, the sale of Wolly and Boyes - remember if these hadn't taken place we would have lost over 250k - we broke even for the season - the Chairman is very passionate about the club, and taking it forward, regaining our league position, but his pockets are not bottomless. We need to get behind the club, feet on the terraces and bums on the seats will give the club more money to take us to the next level. Looking forward to greeting 'Pirate Pete' on his rare visit to KKC - next step let's get rid of the KKC - back to BC
speaks99
says...
4:49pm Mon 27 Jul 09
Alan Fetish wrote:You should kerb your subversive behavior...
Newshawk, have you seen that all of our posts have been removed? I could keep this cat and mouse game up all day! Still haven't corrected the 80k Barrett deal comment. Haven't they got some news to report?
cityfan08 says...
8:05am Sat 25 Jul 09