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July 30, 2010

Smith joins Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Town have announced that they have signed former Rovers goalkeeper Ben Smith, who was released by Sean O'Driscoll at the end of last season. Smith has been in trials at the newly named Greenhous Meadow for the last two weeks and has impressed boss Graham Turner, with Turner apparently having "fought off competition from rival clubs in higher divisions for Smith's signature". Turner told Shrewsbury's official web site: "He is a good character and wants to play for the club and help to push us on to success. It's good news that he has chosen to join the club and I look forward to continuing the hard work with him on the training field. With Ben joining that gives us good competition in the goalkeeping position, with him pushing Chris Neal and Hakan Duyan all the way." Smith left Rovers after failing to dislodge first choice keeper Neil Sullivan, and spent part of last season out on loan at Morecambe.

July 30, 2010

Dangerous Dave's dream of European glory is over

Ex-Rovers defender Dave Morley may have been the hero of Bangor City's second qualifying round match in the Europa League a couple of weeks ago when he scored one of the goals that gave them victory over Finnish side FC Honka, but the dream of further glory looks to be over. Bangor City travelled to play Maritimo in last night's third qualifying round game, and were duly thrashed 8-2 by their Madeiran hosts. Bangor's cause was not helped by having Jamie Brewerton sent off just after half time for a second bookable offence, and Maritimo took full advantage, scoring six of their eight goals after Bangor were down to ten men. However, always remember that this was the first leg, so there is always the return leg back in Wales to score at least six goals to get through to the next round! The part-time Bangor squad had to travel out on Monday, as the flights were cheaper that day, with the players having to take time off work to be able to play in the game.

July 30, 2010

Southend back out of move for Bayo

Whilst former Rovers striker Adebayo Akinfenwa may be weighing up his options of which club to play for next season, he won't be turning out for Southend United. Boss Paul Sturrock has scrapped any idea of the muscular striker joining his squad after meeting the player recently. He said: "Adebayo came in to see me recently and he is a player I would have loved to have brought in, but when we discussed his wage demands it was just too far stretched as far as our budget is concerned. He would have been a great signing on the pitch, but we simply couldn't afford to match his wages."

July 30, 2010

Armstrong coaching in Hartlepool

Former Rovers striker Alun Armstrong has begun coaching in Hartlepool as part of a nationwide project to integrate people back into society through sport. Armstrong has opened his own soccer school in nearby Tow Law, but the project in Hartlepool is aimed at helping a number of disadvantaged groups in the area. Alun explained: "I got a phone call about the scheme and came to have a look and got involved from there. The lads had previously just been coming and having a game of football but I started doing fitness work and different drills with them instead of just having a game. I would love them all to be able to do what I have done all my life, but you have to appreciate they can't. But we need to just try and keep progressing them on." "It's a really good group we have here, some of the lads will come and it won't be their thing, but for others it can change their lives." He played six games for Rovers whilst on loan from Rushden & Diamonds in the 2005/06 season - five of them as substitute - but his career began as a trianee at Middlesbrough before moves followed to Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town, Bradford City, Darlington, Rushden & Diamonds, Doncaster Rovers and a return to Darlington in 2006 before leaving the professional game in 2007.

July 30, 2010	Quinton back out of United move
	Ex-Rovers midfielder Quinton Fortune has backed out of moving to South African club SuperSport United after talking to the club last month. It now seems that he has changed his mind about playing for the club after confirming that he would travel to their ground to discuss a move. Fortune has been without a club since being released from Rovers at the end of his short-term contract in January.