Key Lower League Transfers- Part 2.

June 17, 2008 by Rob Scanlon

This is Part 2 of CLDSport’s look at the important lower league transfers this summer.

It has been a relatively quiet week, with some deals yet to be completed and lots of competition amongst teams meaning certain transfers are being delayed. The Championship clubs also seem to be biding their time until after Euro 2008 to see if they can purchase some of the players that catch the eye. Share your views on these and other deals and rumours by leaving a comment!

The Championship.

Player- Stuart Fleetwood
Clubs- Forest Green> Charlton
Fee- Subject to Tribunal.

Review- A live wire striker who hit the headlines last season for scoring at a prolific rate before Christmas for Forest Green Rovers. Hitting 36 goals in all competitions is bound to attract interest at whatever level you play at but with Fleetwood there has always been a note of caution attached. Firstly Cardiff and then Hereford both released him- Cardiff seemingly for disciplinary reasons and Hereford due to lack of consistent form. It seems Fleetwood, like quite a few strikers in truth, can blow very hot or very cold. He scored frequently in the early part of last season, including against league sides in the F.A Cup. In his time at Hereford, he went through an early purple patch but then became very quiet and was eventually sent out on loan before being released. So Charlton are taking a bit of a gamble on a player who has had disciplinary problems before and who seems to be very susceptible to loss of form. It is important to remember though that he is only young at 22 and the backroom staff at the Valley may be able to sculpt a more rounded performer who can score goals at Championship level. Fleetwood will want to add senior appearances to his Welsh Under 21 caps along the way. He could well be measured against a compatriot who has made a notable move within the same league- Rob Earnshaw. But Fleetwood has moved up 3 divisions and needs time to adapt.

Predicted Impact- Addicks fans are wise enough not to expect instant results from their new striker. Despite being prolific last season, the difference in quality between Conference National and the Championship is huge- a chasm. It may well be that Fleetwood is used intermittently before Christmas, as the coaches try and build him up gradually again for the increased pace and physicality of league football. However, he could well pop up with some important goals as the season goes on and will want to justify Charlton giving him the cushion of a 3 year deal. This is an opportunity for Fleetwood to put himself in John Toshack’s thinking and also to prove to his former clubs that he can cut it at League level.

League 1

Player-Jeff Hughes
Clubs- Crystal Palace-> Bristol Rovers
Fee- Undisclosed.

Review- Hughes is quite a rare commodity in the lower leagues. A naturally left footed player with an ability to take players on, Bristol Rovers quickly made him their first summer signing. He is quite tall for a winger/ full back at 6″0 and tends to glide past players, similar to Andy Monkhouse at Hartlepool. Despite injuring himself without playing for Rovers whilst on loan last season, Paul Trollope was keen enough to spend a 6 figure sum on the Irishman. This may be a bit of gamble on Rovers’ part as Hughes has only really flourished at League 2 Level. Neil Warnock quickly deemed him surplus to requirements after only 10 starts at Palace and he was sent on loan to Peterborough. He has has good set piece delivery, can play at both full back and left midfield but Lincoln fans were sometimes frustrated by his inconsistency, despite having plenty of natural ability. He impressed in the 2006/2007 play-off games against Rovers which may helped prompt the move, and will need a better pitch than the Memorial surface from last season to produce his best form.

Predicted Impact- Rovers have admitted they still need a striker and one or two more additions if they are to mount a bid for the play offs but Hughes will be a good start. A left footed player with good delivery was certainly missing from their side last term, and it gives them another option other than the right footed Stuart Campbell from set pieces. The Pirates director of football, Lennie Lawrence, has highlighted Hughes’s versatility and with Joe Jacobson the preferred option at left back, fans should see a youthful, natural and energetic left flank to the team.

League 2

Player- Wayne Brown
Clubs- Hereford> Bury
Fee- Free

Review- This transfer is considered a real coup by Bury manager Alan Knill and even the Bury official website calls the transfer a “surprise”. Hereford, promoted to League 1 last season, had offered new terms to their goalkeeper Brown, after he had kept 21 clean sheets and won the club’s player of the year award. At 31, Brown is also at an excellent age for a goalkeeper, with a good level of experience. It seems that he wanted the security of a longer contract than the one year deal Hereford offered him, but also rejected better deals from other League 2 clubs. This might be a signal that Bury are a team to look out for this coming season. After flirting with the relegation places for much of the campaign, Knill came in and revitalised the squad, securing a mid-table finish for the Shakers. The ex-Bury player was considered a good managerial prospect when the boss at Rotherham but was forced to sell two of his best players to balance the books, and was sacked after the subsequent run of poor form. It seems now he is trying to get his career back on track by building a successful period at Bury, despite again encountering limited finances.

Predicted Impact- Tried and tested at League 2 Level, at a prime age for a goalkeeper and with the security of a 2 year contract and the number 1 jersey, Brown should continue to produce some man of the match displays for his new club. This signing could also prompt other targets to sign for the Shakers as they see the ambition Knill harbours.

Player- Jamie Forrester
Clubs- Lincoln City> Notts County
Fee- Free.

Review- The veteran forward will celebrate his 34th birthday during this coming season. Joining his 12th club, the 5″6 striker has left a club that he enjoyed plenty of success with. Unable to agree a new contract, Forrester departed Lincoln after spending two years there, scoring 37 times in 101 appearances and bringing his career goals total to 161. Notts County boss Ian McParland is understandably delighted with the signature, as the club look to improve on a poor 21st position in the league last season. Forrester, despite maintaining a good level of fitness, is understandably slowing down a bit and relies more on his poaching instincts now rather than creating his own chances. A good character in the dressing room though, Forrester will no doubt become popular with the Meadow Lane faithful.

Predicated Impact- The forward hit 12 league goals last season, a few down on the previous campaign. This trend will probably continue, but the former Northampton man could well reach double figures in all competitions if he stays injury-free. The club still need to invest more in the squad if they want to achieve a better league position in 2008/09 however.

Player- Mark Burchill
Clubs- Dunfermline> Rotherham United
Fee- Free

Review- It might seem hard to believe that Burchill, who as a youngster was tipped to be the Scottish answer to Michael Owen and earned 6 full caps for the National side whilst at Celtic, is now playing in League 2 at the age of 27. The left footed striker, now at his 10th club including loan deals, has joined the Millers, who are playing at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield next season, on a two year deal. Having scored at a good rate at Dunfermline, Burchill seems to be an excellent acquisition by manager Mark Robins. Robins, an excellent striker in his time as a player, was cited as being one of Burchill’s main reasons for joining the club and will be a good coach to learn from. Burchill in turn can help out the club’s bunch of young forwards as well, after experiencing first team exposure at a young age himself. Rotherham have some talented young forwards in Ryan Taylor, Mark Newsham and Tom Cahill and it will be interesting to see if they continue to do well with Burchill in the squad.

Predicted Impact- Mark Burchill should be a very positive signing for Rotherham United. He isn’t an ageing forward, is left footed and has a good coach in Mark Robins behind him. Michael Boulding proved last season that strikers who have played at much higher levels can prosper in League 2. Rotherham were in the play off hunt until their points deduction last season and are aiming to go up this season, with Burchill a key player in the side.

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