Treble joy as Blanchett, Challinor and Doig sign up for York City (From York Press)
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Treble joy as Blanchett, Challinor and Doig sign up for York City
12:10pm Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in News
By Dave Flett, Sports reporter
Danny Blanchett is York City’s fifth new signing of the summer
YORK City manager Gary Mills has added former Burton left-back Danny Blanchett to his League Two squad and is still hoping to bring midfielder Jonathan Smith back to Bootham Crescent.
Mills also remains in the market for another striker to finalise his summer recruitment drive ahead of Friday’s return to pre-season training and has agreed terms with out-of-contract pair Chris Doig and Jon Challinor.
But Scott Brown, Matthew Blinkhorn and Eugen Bopp have all been released and are free to find new employers.
Blanchett, 25, is Mills’ fifth close season signing following the captures of Lee Bullock, Oli Johnson, John McReady and Michael Coulson with the City boss moving quickly to provide competition for Jamal Fyfield at left-back following James Meredith’s decision to join Bradford City.
Harrow-born Blanchett played for his home-town semi-professional team, as well as Hendon and Cambridge City, before a trial at Liverpool brought him to the attention of a number of suitors.
He went on to sign for Peterborough in 2007 but, three years later, moved on to Crewe after loan spells at Hereford and AFC Wimbledon.
Blanchett played 44 matches during the 2010/11 campaign for the Railwaymen but was then released and joined Burton after a trial with Derby. He made only 16 appearances for the League Two outfit last term but Mills believes Blanchett will thrive on his new side’s preference for attractive football.
The City chief said: “Danny’s a player I have always liked and watched on numerous occasions. It’s important to have competition for places all over the park so everybody has to be on their game to keep their shirt.
“That was the case last season and it will be no different next season. We’ve got Jamal who can play left-back and we needed another good player who’s played at League Two level and even higher to fight for that place and Danny’s that player.
“He played a lot of games for Crewe and a lot of clubs were chasing him then. Things have not worked as well as he would have liked at Burton but, no disrespect to them, they play direct football, whereas Crewe play very similarly to how we do.
“I’m sure our fans will see he’s my type of player. He’s got a great left foot, likes to get forward and is a good defender too.”
With Blanchett and Fyfield on board, Mills is now unlikely to sound out Middlesbrough about the possibility of bringing last season’s loan signing Ben Gibson back to the club but admitted that could be an option if both players do not fulfill expectations.
“I can’t go into a season thinking that we might get Ben Gibson back,” Mills explained. “He wants to get into Middlesbrough’s team and those matches at Wembley for us will have given him a massive lift in confidence in that respect.
“If Danny and Jamal are not doing their jobs as they should be then we always know Ben is there if it’s not working out for him at Middlesbrough and he wants to come back but, at this moment, I’m not thinking we need him here because we’ve got two good left-backs now.”
On the prospect of bringing Smith back to North Yorkshire, after he was made surplus to requirements by last season’s League Two champions Swindon, Mills added: “I would love to bring him back to the football club. We are working on that and trying very hard to make it happen. I’ve also got one other target – a striker.
“We are virtually there with him but, if we cannot get him, we will be fine with the strikers we have got. We come back for training on Friday and, as I like to be, we are just about there now in terms of our squad for next season.”
Challinor and Doig will be part of that squad having committed to the club for another season and Mills expressed his pleasure at retaining the services of both experienced professionals, saying: “It’s sometimes easy to disregard players and think you can get better because we’ve gone into the Football League but I don’t think that’s the case with Jon and Doigy.
“They are very good players who suit my style of playing. They were part of the spirit we had in the dressing room last season, which was important and will be again.”
Challinor and Lanre Oyebanjo will both contest City’s right-back role again, although Mills pointed out that both were serious candidates for a midfield berth too.
He said: “There will be a great challenge between Jon and Lanre for the right-back position but they are both capable of playing in midfield as well and can play in the same side together. What I do know is I don’t need to go looking for another right-back, as they have both done superbly for me there.”
Comments(43)
joejamestom
says...
12:39pm Tue 3 Jul 12
TerryYork
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12:43pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Great business to as we haven't blown the extra money promotion, at all. I'm sure the wage bill will be higher, but we have a change of going up again without it being sh-t or bust.
About perfect now with the McGills and Millsy.
Now if we can sort out that crap fourth stand at Monks Cross......
TerryYork
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12:45pm Tue 3 Jul 12
ian923
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12:54pm Tue 3 Jul 12
tomwillo1
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1:17pm Tue 3 Jul 12
robiniorocks
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1:23pm Tue 3 Jul 12
upthecity
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1:23pm Tue 3 Jul 12
robiniorocks
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1:24pm Tue 3 Jul 12
brahma
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1:58pm Tue 3 Jul 12
tomwillo1 wrote:Highly unlikely to be Brodie as Crawley have said that he is staying there this season. Martin Foyle has already been onto them to see if he could get him in at Hereford, but got nowhere.
Hope it's Connell, could be Brodie though ;)
This is from Vital Football "Former York City manager Martin Foyle appears set to miss out in his efforts to reunite with ex-City marksman Richard Brodie.
"Martin probably got the best out of him when he was at York and he's asked to be kept informed" - Sean O'Driscoll
Foyle is now in charge at relegated Hereford United and had hoped to take Brodie with him to Edgar Street. But according to Crawley Town's recently-appointed boss Sean O'Driscoll, the Gateshead-born striker and scorer of 58 goals in three seasons at York is to remain with the League One newcomers this season."
Sir Alex
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2:06pm Tue 3 Jul 12
robiniorocks wrote:Speight is Mansfailed bound I hear.
Could be Jake Speight from Wrexham? WFC official site just made a press release saying they will reluctantly let him go as he wants to be nearer his home in yorkshire and he's sick of the commute! Would prefer Connolly or Matt myself. IMWT
PhilTopping
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2:15pm Tue 3 Jul 12
The Legend Of Keith
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2:23pm Tue 3 Jul 12
PhilTopping wrote:Was there not a muttering of him being ineligable due to international clearance or a work permit issue? I seem to remember Kiddy being threatened by a points deduction towards the end of the season...
Don't know where the Jamille Matt rumours come from? I think they've just appeared from the various internet boards. If he did come to York though I would be absolutely over the moon. One of those rare players who showed glimpses of talent rarely (if ever) seen at Non League level. Pace, control, power, height, touch and a left foot. Lovely player.
COYR
PDH
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2:39pm Tue 3 Jul 12
KAI 1981
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3:27pm Tue 3 Jul 12
haxbyreds
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3:28pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Andy Provan 2012
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4:28pm Tue 3 Jul 12
for the new season,had it on good authority jamie Reed in talks with Wrexham today.
duffy
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5:16pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Andy Provan 2012 wrote:Can't say I've heard anything.
Good squad comming together
for the new season,had it on good authority jamie Reed in talks with Wrexham today.
Andy Provan 2012
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5:22pm Tue 3 Jul 12
daveymcgurk
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5:30pm Tue 3 Jul 12
daveymcgurk
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5:32pm Tue 3 Jul 12
daveymcgurk
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5:34pm Tue 3 Jul 12
W.A.Y
robiniorocks
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6:33pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy
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6:43pm Tue 3 Jul 12
robiniorocks wrote:I could see it making sense as part of a deal for Pogba as they are due compensation. However if true its a bolt out of the blue with nothing on the Reed radar.
Unfortunately Reedies possible departure could be true although I would really want him to stay. Speight from Wrexham is definately in talks with Mansfield - Cox has admitted this. Omeroyd has signed for Wrexham but he is a straight replacement for Pogba whos done a runner. This means Wrexham need a class striker and Reedy does come from the area and is ex Wrexham. Too much excitement at the moment - roll on L2.
OLD - HEAD
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7:05pm Tue 3 Jul 12
PhilTopping
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7:17pm Tue 3 Jul 12
OLD - HEAD wrote:To be fair to Daish the list of unfit, mentally deranged yet totally narcistical strikers is very short at Blue Square Premier level.
I would not be surprised if Reedy left as he will struggle to win a starting place with us in Div2. By the way I have just read that Moses Ashikodi has signed on for Ebbsfleet United. Liam Daish said "He is just the type of forward I am looking for" (I wonder how far he has looked).
ycfc
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8:29pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy
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9:01pm Tue 3 Jul 12
ycfc wrote:In other words it's rubbish.
Reed laughing at the rumour on twitter, not quite sure what that means in football terms haha
robiniorocks
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7:35am Wed 4 Jul 12
ndontownfc.co.uk/new
s/headlines/9795801.
Time_for_Connell_to_
cut_and_run_/
robiniorocks
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7:38am Wed 4 Jul 12
http://www.thisisswi
ndontownfc.co.uk/new
s/headlines/9795801.
Time_for_Connell_to_
cut_and_run_/
If he wants to stay in the south the other 2 clubs have the advantage, if he wants to play football hopefuly he will choose us.
3 very beautiful cities in the chase!
Brodes
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9:11am Wed 4 Jul 12
Have plenty of midfielders (far too many already in my opinion). Also fairly certain Potts has a 2 year deal as mentioned a while ago about staying on twitter.
Also have 2 main strikers in a 4-3-3 plus Hendo as back up. Plus at least 4 strikers/wingers in Coulson, Johnson, Blair and Chambo.
We dont need anything else!Stop encouraging stupid spending!!
Stretch
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9:15am Wed 4 Jul 12
duffy
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9:23am Wed 4 Jul 12
Brodes wrote:We don't have any real competition for the central striking to roll given Mills rarely plays Reed or Henderson, all we have other than that is wingers who can play the odd game in the centre if needed. Smith would give us the box to box midfielder we need. I think we need both to compleat the squad.
I have to say, though maybe contrversial for some, I dont think we need either Smith, Moke or Connell given our current squad.
Have plenty of midfielders (far too many already in my opinion). Also fairly certain Potts has a 2 year deal as mentioned a while ago about staying on twitter.
Also have 2 main strikers in a 4-3-3 plus Hendo as back up. Plus at least 4 strikers/wingers in Coulson, Johnson, Blair and Chambo.
We dont need anything else!Stop encouraging stupid spending!!
ycfc
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9:38am Wed 4 Jul 12
Sir Alex
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9:44am Wed 4 Jul 12
Smith has spoken to two clubs it says, so any deal for him could be close.Depends how settled he is down south. Cheltenham may just be too handy and therefore suspect he will go there.
duffy
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9:50am Wed 4 Jul 12
ycfc wrote:I honestly though Smith was far and away our best midfielder before he left for Swindon, I was gutted when he left in the same way I was when we lost Neil Bishop
Mills has said the deal is nearly done for the striker so doesn't sound like it is Connell but we shall wait and see, completely agree about needing another out and out striker for competion as mills doesnt seem to like reed and Henderson has not impressed!! Smith take it or leave it for me I thought he was a steady away player for us but not the world beater some on here are making him out to be!
ycfc
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10:07am Wed 4 Jul 12
duffy wrote:Neil bishop fair enough, Jonathan smith good player but IMO not worth worrying about if he goes somewhere else!
ycfc wrote:I honestly though Smith was far and away our best midfielder before he left for Swindon, I was gutted when he left in the same way I was when we lost Neil Bishop
Mills has said the deal is nearly done for the striker so doesn't sound like it is Connell but we shall wait and see, completely agree about needing another out and out striker for competion as mills doesnt seem to like reed and Henderson has not impressed!! Smith take it or leave it for me I thought he was a steady away player for us but not the world beater some on here are making him out to be!
sixtyfourfive
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10:10am Wed 4 Jul 12
ycfc wrote:I thought it was just me although reading above and talking to a few other fans seems I am not alone in thinking the hype over Smith is a little over the top.I never thought he was a world beater in his one season at York and if I recall he initially struggled to hold down a regular place.Yes he was a steady player but I was not too fussed when he left. We did not I recall have a particularly good season even with him in the team.Interestingly Di Canio is hinting that Swindon want to play a bit more football and Smith does not fit that style/will not find the space etc.Surprising therefore as a passing/footballing side City see a need for him.
Mills has said the deal is nearly done for the striker so doesn't sound like it is Connell but we shall wait and see, completely agree about needing another out and out striker for competion as mills doesnt seem to like reed and Henderson has not impressed!! Smith take it or leave it for me I thought he was a steady away player for us but not the world beater some on here are making him out to be!
ycfc
says...
10:15am Wed 4 Jul 12
sixtyfourfive wrote:Spot on!!
ycfc wrote:I thought it was just me although reading above and talking to a few other fans seems I am not alone in thinking the hype over Smith is a little over the top.I never thought he was a world beater in his one season at York and if I recall he initially struggled to hold down a regular place.Yes he was a steady player but I was not too fussed when he left. We did not I recall have a particularly good season even with him in the team.Interestingly Di Canio is hinting that Swindon want to play a bit more football and Smith does not fit that style/will not find the space etc.Surprising therefore as a passing/footballing side City see a need for him.
Mills has said the deal is nearly done for the striker so doesn't sound like it is Connell but we shall wait and see, completely agree about needing another out and out striker for competion as mills doesnt seem to like reed and Henderson has not impressed!! Smith take it or leave it for me I thought he was a steady away player for us but not the world beater some on here are making him out to be!
duffy
says...
10:53am Wed 4 Jul 12
sixtyfourfive wrote:Thing is Smith did not have the same quality of team around him that we had last season. The fact he played most of the season for a promoted team in our league shows his worth, also one of the players most Swindon fans wanted to keep
ycfc wrote:I thought it was just me although reading above and talking to a few other fans seems I am not alone in thinking the hype over Smith is a little over the top.I never thought he was a world beater in his one season at York and if I recall he initially struggled to hold down a regular place.Yes he was a steady player but I was not too fussed when he left. We did not I recall have a particularly good season even with him in the team.Interestingly Di Canio is hinting that Swindon want to play a bit more football and Smith does not fit that style/will not find the space etc.Surprising therefore as a passing/footballing side City see a need for him.
Mills has said the deal is nearly done for the striker so doesn't sound like it is Connell but we shall wait and see, completely agree about needing another out and out striker for competion as mills doesnt seem to like reed and Henderson has not impressed!! Smith take it or leave it for me I thought he was a steady away player for us but not the world beater some on here are making him out to be!
Sir Alex
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11:03am Wed 4 Jul 12
Would complete our squad and mean competition all over the outfield.
On decent money at swindon though.
KAT1965
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11:21am Wed 4 Jul 12
duffy wrote:I agree Duffy - the doubters should watch the highlights of the Luton and Crawley home games from April 2011. Great to again see Brabin get sent off. Note the Walker miss that is identical to the one against Mansfield in the home Play-Off semi.
sixtyfourfive wrote:Thing is Smith did not have the same quality of team around him that we had last season. The fact he played most of the season for a promoted team in our league shows his worth, also one of the players most Swindon fans wanted to keep
ycfc wrote:I thought it was just me although reading above and talking to a few other fans seems I am not alone in thinking the hype over Smith is a little over the top.I never thought he was a world beater in his one season at York and if I recall he initially struggled to hold down a regular place.Yes he was a steady player but I was not too fussed when he left. We did not I recall have a particularly good season even with him in the team.Interestingly Di Canio is hinting that Swindon want to play a bit more football and Smith does not fit that style/will not find the space etc.Surprising therefore as a passing/footballing side City see a need for him.
Mills has said the deal is nearly done for the striker so doesn't sound like it is Connell but we shall wait and see, completely agree about needing another out and out striker for competion as mills doesnt seem to like reed and Henderson has not impressed!! Smith take it or leave it for me I thought he was a steady away player for us but not the world beater some on here are making him out to be!
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=AZEN4G9D7
m8
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=8aVnpbU11
Zk
YoRkIe59
says...
12:38pm Wed 4 Jul 12
Pitbull Terry says...
12:21pm Tue 3 Jul 12