St.Johnstone complete signing of former Leeds star Duberry

Posted by football writer on February 6, 2010 - League One

Scottish Premier League side St.Johnstone have completed the signing of defender Michael Duberry. Duberry, 34, was a free agent after terminating his contract with League One side Wycombe Wanderers. The move reunites the veteran defender with current Saints vice captain Jody Morris, who was his team mate at Chelsea and Leeds.

Enfield born Duberry started his career with Chelsea and had a short spell on loan at Bournemouth before signing for Leeds United in 1999 for £4.5m. He struggled to break into the first team at Elland Road and was provided an escape route by Stoke City in 2004. He had a fantastic time with the Potters, becoming a regular starter and club captain before transferring to Reading in January 2007. He joined Wycombe on a free in July 2009.

Duberry could make his debut for St.Johnstone this weekend in the Scottish Cup against Dundee United.

Transfer Deadline Day Movements

Posted by football writer on February 1, 2010 - Championship

With the transfer window behind us, we take a look at the last minute deals that have taken place in lower divisions of England. Manchester City have swooped for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson. The fee is rumoured to be around £7 million and the England Under 21 international has signed a four and a half year contract at Eastlands. Boro themselves have secured the services of Celtic striker Scott McDonald and Aberdeen’s Lee Miller.

Ipswich have completed the double signing of David Healy and Daryl Murphy from Sunderland on loan till the end of the season while Preston have moved quickly to sign Paul Coutts from Peterborough United. Preston have also signed Keith Treacy from Blackburn for an undisclosed fee.

Michael Tonge has moved to Pride Park for the remainder of the season on loan as he was not getting enough playing time with Stoke while Jonathan Lund has joined League Two side Rotherham on loan for the rest of the season from Burnley. Leicester City striker Paul Dickov has had his contract terminated with the Championship side on mutual consent. And finally, Wigan Athletic have won the race for the signature of Crystal Palace striker Victor Moses. The 21-year old has signed a three-and-a-half year deal at the DW stadium.

FA CUP Round Up - Football League teams

Posted by football writer on January 24, 2010 - FA Cup

We take a look at the performance of the football League teams in the fourth of the FA Cup. A huge “cupset” was avoided by Premier League team Wigan Athletic as they came back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw away at Meadow Lane. Lee Hughes and Ben Davies scored for Notts County but second half goals from Jason Scotland and Ben Watson restored parity.

Aston Villa were made to sweat it out but qualified with a 3-2 success at home against Brighton. Tommy Elphick and Nicky Forester scored for the away team with Villa scoring through Delfouneso, Young and Delph. Accrington Stanley were level at the break against Fulham but slipped to a 3-1 defeat. Michael Symes had cancelled out Erik Nevland’s goal but with Darran Kempson sent off, Accrington succumbed to Fulham pressure. Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera made certain of the win for the Cottagers.

Second half goals from Steinsson and Elmander gave Owen Coyle his first win as Bolton manager at the expense of Sheffield United at the Reebok Stadium. Cardiff completed a dramatic comeback to win 4-2 at home against Leicester City. Chris Burke and Ross McCormack scored in final minutes to put the Welsh team through to the next round. In another game at Pride Park, Derby County progress thanks to late winner by Jay McEveley.

Chelsea made light weather of the challenge mounted by Preston North End. Goals from Sturridge and Anelka were enough to see the Blues through. Ronald Zubar’s 84th minute goal helped Wolves earn a 2-2 draw against Championship side Crystal Palace.

Leeds came from behind twice to salvage a draw at White Hart Lane. Jermaine Beckford was the hero again as he scored both the goals and sent the tie into a replay. Reading continued to their impressive cup run by knocking Burnley out of the competition. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s late strike made the difference for the Royals.

Coca Cola championship leaders Newcastle were knocked out of the competition by a resurgent West Brom side. Elsewhere, Southampton marched into the fifth round of the competition with a 2-1 win over Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town.

Coca Cola Championship Results Roundup - Jan 16

Posted by football writer on January 17, 2010 - Championship

Alan Irvine and Darren Ferguson had contrasting starts as new managers in the Coca Cola Championship. Irvine got off to a winning start as his Sheffield Wednesday side defeated Barnsley 2-1. Tommy Spurr and Jermaine Johnson came up with the goods for the Owls.

Darren Ferguson’s first game in charge though ended in a disappointing 4-2 loss for PNE against Bristol City. Haynes, Fontaine, Carey and Sno scored for Bristol and left Ferguson still looking for his first points as PNE boss.

Nottingham Forest moved up into the automatic qualification spots with a 2-1 win against Reading. Paul Anderson and Robert Earnshaw scored for Forest in a game that saw Nicky Shorey sent off against his former club. Crystal Palace’s in-demand forward Victor Moses was the hero as his first half strike proved to be the winner against Plymouth. Derby overcame Peterborough 3-0 at London Road. The Posh ended the game with nine men on the pitch. Gorka Pintado’s first goal for over ten months gave Swansea City a much needed win over playoff rivals and moved them to the fourth position in the League.

There were also a couple of draws in the League with QPR coming from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw against Blackpool. The game between Scunthorpe and Cardiff also ended in a timid 1-1 stalemate.

English Championship Transfer Roundup

Posted by football writer on January 12, 2010 - Championship, League One

Championship leaders Newcastle United are stepping up their chase for transfer targets. Boss Chris Hughton remains confident of striking a deal for Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford who scored the all important winner at Old Trafford in the third round of the FA Cup. Newcastle also aim to extend Danny Simpson’s loan deal till the end of the season with a view to a permanent transfer. The Magpies are also actively looking for defensive reinforcements after their bid for Sheffield United centre back Matthew Kilgallon was rejected. Hughton has also rejected any claims that the club is closing in on a deal with Southampton striker Rickie Lambert.

On the other end of the table, Reading have managed to sign Stoke defender Andy Griffin on loan till the end of the season. Griffin has struggled to establish himself at the Britannia Stadium and a move to the Championship may well help him get some valuable playing time. Heidar Helguson who played for Watford for over five years has rejoined the Hornets on loan from fellow Championship side Queen’s Park Rangers. QPR have also been buoyed by the news that tenacious midfielder Mikele Leigertwood has extended his deal with the club.

After losing Owen Coyle to Bolton, Burnley are actively hunting for a manager. Their main targets are reportedly Doncaster boss Sean O’Driscoll and Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws who started his playing career at Turf Moor. Leicester City have extended the loan deal for Manchester City defender Ryan McGivern till the end of the season. And finally, Southampton are pushing for a move for Coventry City’s defender Elliot Ward. Southampton are offering the lad a 18-month deal to make a move to League One.

Southampton sign Portuguese central defender Jose Fonte

Posted by football writer on January 10, 2010 - Championship, League One

Southampton have signed Portuguese central defender Jose Fonte from Championship side Crystal Palace. Fonte, put pen to paper on a three and a half year deal to keep him at St. Mary’s until 2013. The fee is undisclosed, but rumours have it to be somewhere near the £1.2m. Fonte has been a first team choice for Palace since joining them in 2007 from Benfica making 22 league appearances for Palace this season.

Jose Fonte said:

“I’m really happy to be at St Mary’s,”

“Don’t get me wrong , I was happy at Crystal Palace and I had a good spell there. I have only good things to say to the fans and everybody I have worked with at the club.

“But I’ve made a decision and I’m very happy with it. I’ve come here with a purpose which is to help this club move to the top divisions.

“I’m very happy with this contract, and with how Southampton have treated me, so it’s a happy day for me and I just want to help the club…..”

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