York City chief Gary Mills still hopeful of Jonathan Smith move

11:49am Wednesday 4th July 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

YORK City manager Gary Mills is still hopeful of bringing Jonathan Smith back to Bootham Crescent - and confirmed the player is enthusiastic about a return.

Talks continue with the 25-year-old, who has been transfer listed by League One Swindon Town, and Mills said the club has had "numerous discussions" with his agent.

"We are trying to do the deal," he said. "We are waiting for Jonathan and his agent to come back to us and say they are happy and that it will be done.

"A couple of other clubs are interested in him. I have had a chat with Jonathan, who is keen to come back and enthusiastic about coming back.

"I am hoping it will be before Friday, when our season starts. Whether that happens or not - they have been back for ten days already - we are just waiting."

Mills added that there were be "discussions to be had" with Adriano Moke, whose move to Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Cambridge United collapsed after he failed a medical.

Mills previously said he had been "shocked" by the midfielder's rejection of a contract with the Minstermen and, when asked whether there would be talks with Moke, said: "The situation is that they (Cambridge) have come back and said he has failed his medical.

"He has made it clear to me that he wants to go out and play. There was a chance to be a Football League player and force a way into my side and I was looking forward to him moving on from last season and being excited about being in League Two.

"That wasn't the case. He said he wanted to go somewhere and play - as if you are going to be guaranteed to be playing.

"There are discussions to be had and, at this stage, we will have to see."

Comments(39)

Southern Exile says...
12:35pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Not sure I would be taking Moke back to be honest. Nothing to do with his decision to talk to Cambridge but we now have better options available and it's not a priority area for us. For me Moke whilst having some skill and speed came with a lack of composure and poor decision making, he was already behind Blair and Chambers and would likely end up behind Coulsen and Johnson in the pecking order...

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KAT1965 says...
12:57pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Southern Exile wrote:
Not sure I would be taking Moke back to be honest. Nothing to do with his decision to talk to Cambridge but we now have better options available and it's not a priority area for us. For me Moke whilst having some skill and speed came with a lack of composure and poor decision making, he was already behind Blair and Chambers and would likely end up behind Coulsen and Johnson in the pecking order...
Totally agree - can't understand what the fuss is about.

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OLD - HEAD says...
1:00pm Wed 4 Jul 12

I am not sure if we should take Moke back, he seemed determined to leave. I think that City may get round it by waving the fee that they are entitled to for Moke. They could always try for a share of any sell on instead. Reading between the lines I can not see him coming back to Bootham Crescent, for he has obviously got on the wrong side of Gary Mills.

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The Legend Of Keith says...
1:08pm Wed 4 Jul 12

KAT1965 wrote:
Southern Exile wrote:
Not sure I would be taking Moke back to be honest. Nothing to do with his decision to talk to Cambridge but we now have better options available and it's not a priority area for us. For me Moke whilst having some skill and speed came with a lack of composure and poor decision making, he was already behind Blair and Chambers and would likely end up behind Coulsen and Johnson in the pecking order...
Totally agree - can't understand what the fuss is about.
Slow news days possibly...

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ian923 says...
1:12pm Wed 4 Jul 12

If we get Jonathan Smith there will be so much quality competition that Adriano is unlikely to get a kick all season so a contract is dead money. He wants to play but failing a medical at Watford didn't prevent Meredith signing for Bradord .Surely some BSP CLub would take Moke but we may lose out on the reported five figure fee. Good job we now have Benenden Healthcare eh!

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Mickey T says...
1:13pm Wed 4 Jul 12

I like Moke, he has very quick feet, good skills and I for one would have no problem him staying at the club. The problem for him is he needs to scrap for a place in the starting line up, does he have that side to his game?

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ycfc4ever says...
1:21pm Wed 4 Jul 12

We've signed smith!!

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Wilyorkuk1983 says...
1:35pm Wed 4 Jul 12

ycfc4ever says...
1:21pm Wed 4 Jul 12

We've signed smith!!”

Care to share your source to give your statement some gravitas?

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YCFC115 says...
1:42pm Wed 4 Jul 12

ycfc4ever wrote:
We've signed smith!!
Where have you got this from??

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YCFC - ADRIANO says...
1:51pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Hope your right, but cant see anywhere on the internet confirming it......

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Stretch says...
2:16pm Wed 4 Jul 12

This comment has been placed on a Swindon newpaper site about Connell - "If its York, perhaps they could be persuaded to part-ex their highly rated young forward Liam Henderson, who once scored bagfuls of goals for Watford reserves." Could well be some astute business there.

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Brodes says...
2:29pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Highly rated haha!! Not sure which stats they are looking at.
Couldnt score in a br....
3 goals in 28 last season and 3 in 70 odd games of senior football overall. Not great.
If they want him please take him!!

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ian923 says...
2:38pm Wed 4 Jul 12

In the Swindon press Di Canio says Jonathan Smith is speaking to 2 of 3 interested clubs(Oxford, Cheltenham and York) Looks like his agent looking for best deal. Connell has been urged by Di Canio to sign for an unnamed League 1 side who are in for him.

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duffy says...
3:08pm Wed 4 Jul 12

ycfc4ever wrote:
We've signed smith!!
Have we ?

Ok

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YoRkIe59 says...
3:09pm Wed 4 Jul 12

why would we want to entertain talking to moke again?,a massive part of Gary Mills succesfull squad last season was having players who are wiling to fight for york city all the way,moke isnt prepared to even stay and fight to get in the team,no matter how good he might be or potentially be id rather have someone prepared to work for his place and success for York city.Im really badly wanting to see who this striker Gm is thinking to sign too,and if the rumours about ready going are true having also siad goodbye to ashikodi Blinkhorn and possibly henderson could there be another one coming too?.

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Tug job says...
3:25pm Wed 4 Jul 12

If Moke had passed his medical we wouldn't even be discussing this - he's made his choice, time to move on!

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OLD - HEAD says...
3:28pm Wed 4 Jul 12

I would be surprised if Connell came to York. There is bound to be a few clubs willing to pay him silly money, it will be tough for City to compete. Jonathan Smith knows a lot of our players, so we must be in with a sporting chance there.

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arsene.about.york says...
5:31pm Wed 4 Jul 12

ycfc4ever wrote:
We've signed smith!!
Not yet, still tying up a few loose ends. Connell looks less likely as he wants to stay down south and more money.

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Andy Provan 2012 says...
5:56pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Good news is Jamie Reed could not agree terms with Wrexham and staying at city to fight for his place,we need Smith on board deal done from what ive heard at the ground,and a striker by fri as well.

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ycfc4ever says...
6:01pm Wed 4 Jul 12

duffy wrote:
ycfc4ever wrote:
We've signed smith!!
Have we ?

Ok
Radio York!
We've got him back for less than we sold him for too :-)

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sharper says...
6:43pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Swindon fan here...

Has Radio York confirmed the Smith signing?

Given Smith has played for you before, I won't go into detail about him as a player. All I will say, is that I'm sure you will see an improved player when/if he returns to you. For the first half of our championship winning season he was a real integral part of our midfield. Superb work rate, broke up play well and scored some decent goals with some lung busting runs. He picked up a ankle injury in about January and then struggled to return to the level he showed earlier in his time with us.

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duffy says...
6:58pm Wed 4 Jul 12

ycfc4ever wrote:
duffy wrote:
ycfc4ever wrote:
We've signed smith!!
Have we ?

Ok
Radio York!
We've got him back for less than we sold him for too :-)
Are you sure ?

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robiniorocks says...
7:03pm Wed 4 Jul 12

just listened to RY 7'clock news - nothing reported. Think ycfc4ever is winding us all up and is probably a Luton supporter :-) but Murray leading 2 sets to 1 in the quarter final at Wimbledon

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ycfc4ever says...
7:07pm Wed 4 Jul 12

That's what it said
1 o'clock news

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tips says...
7:26pm Wed 4 Jul 12

As I understand it a fee has been agreed with Swindon payable over 2 years but the deal is not yet completed.Hopefully tomorrow as he would be a great addition to our midfield.
Just need another striker now and that should be business done.
Think Moke has burned his bridges he had his chance but blew it !!!!

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Even AndyD says...
7:31pm Wed 4 Jul 12

The fee may have been agreed, but personal terms are something else altogether. Still wait-and-see-land I think.

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yorkonafork says...
7:44pm Wed 4 Jul 12

ycfc4ever wrote:
That's what it said
1 o'clock news
Well it didn't did it or The Press and/or the Official website may just have mentioned it by now. Numpty.

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ycfc4ever says...
7:59pm Wed 4 Jul 12

yorkonafork wrote:
ycfc4ever wrote:
That's what it said
1 o'clock news
Well it didn't did it or The Press and/or the Official website may just have mentioned it by now. Numpty.
Why would I lie?
Only said what I heard
If I'm a numpty what does that make you?

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yorkonafork says...
8:09pm Wed 4 Jul 12

ycfc4ever wrote:
yorkonafork wrote:
ycfc4ever wrote:
That's what it said
1 o'clock news
Well it didn't did it or The Press and/or the Official website may just have mentioned it by now. Numpty.
Why would I lie?
Only said what I heard
If I'm a numpty what does that make you?
No, you heard them say a fee had been agree'd.
You didn't hear "We've signed Smith!!" so why put it?

It makes me the person calling you a numpty. Thanks for asking.

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Even AndyD says...
8:16pm Wed 4 Jul 12

In fairness, you might hear that a fee had been agreed and think it was a done deal. As it is, of-course, personal terms are something else and there might be more than one party interested.

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henleazeyorkie says...
8:47pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Come on guys. What will be will be. No need getting on each others backs. **** this heatwave........

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KAT1965 says...
9:15pm Wed 4 Jul 12

henleazeyorkie wrote:
Come on guys. What will be will be. No need getting on each others backs. **** this heatwave........
Is it me or is the "I want it now culture getting worse". I agree with you - "what will be will be".

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henleazeyorkie says...
9:19pm Wed 4 Jul 12

henleazeyorkie wrote:
Come on guys. What will be will be. No need getting on each others backs. **** this heatwave........
Wow. Expleted out for using the first bit of the dambusters word. Welcome to the 19th century

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long distance depressive says...
11:40am Thu 5 Jul 12

ian923 wrote:
In the Swindon press Di Canio says Jonathan Smith is speaking to 2 of 3 interested clubs(Oxford, Cheltenham and York) Looks like his agent looking for best deal. Connell has been urged by Di Canio to sign for an unnamed League 1 side who are in for him.
Can understand Oxford..but Cheltenham???? must be a decent wage offer there then!

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robiniorocks says...
12:43pm Thu 5 Jul 12

Seems like Scunny and Stevenage are leading the chase for Connell so the BIG question is if we do announce a striker today who will it be? And will Smithy join us?????
http://www.thisisswi
ndontownfc.co.uk/new
s/headlines/9800705.
Two_clubs_lead_Conne
ll_chase/

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Sir Alex says...
12:47pm Thu 5 Jul 12

'Smith transfer moving closer'

Radio York 1300.

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KAT1965 says...
2:22pm Thu 5 Jul 12

robiniorocks wrote:
Seems like Scunny and Stevenage are leading the chase for Connell so the BIG question is if we do announce a striker today who will it be? And will Smithy join us?????
http://www.thisisswi

ndontownfc.co.uk/new

s/headlines/9800705.

Two_clubs_lead_Conne

ll_chase/
I see Diego Forlan is available LOL!!!!

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duffy says...
2:26pm Thu 5 Jul 12

robiniorocks wrote:
Seems like Scunny and Stevenage are leading the chase for Connell so the BIG question is if we do announce a striker today who will it be? And will Smithy join us????? http://www.thisisswi ndontownfc.co.uk/new s/headlines/9800705. Two_clubs_lead_Conne ll_chase/
We won't be signing a striker today.

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YoRkIe59 says...
3:30pm Thu 5 Jul 12

well G.M seemed pretty certian he was signing a striker by friday so if it dos,t look like its connell wonder who the heck it is eh? where did his rumour i was connell start in the first place.

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