Doherty completes QPR move

Tommy Doherty has been given the chance to get his career out of a rut after finally signing for QPR. Doc has been linked with QPR for 2 years now, and finally signed a 3 year contract today.
He said:
“I’ve known of QPR’s interest for a while”
“Ian Holloway tried to bring me here on loan last season, but for one reason or another it didn’t happen – but I’m here now and delighted to sign.”
“It’s great to be wanted. I know Ian Holloway wanted me and I’ve come here to play for a team who have ambitions to be in the Premiership.
“I’m stepping up from League One but have no doubts about my ability to play at this level and higher.
“Ian Holloway is ambitious and so am I.”
And manager Ian Holloway:
“He’s a player I’ve admired for some time now.”
“He’s an energetic midfielder, a really good passer of the ball and he will add quality to our midfield areas.
“I wanted to ensure that we took a stronger squad into next season and that we continue to improve and the addition of a player like Tommy shows that we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”

Davis looks back on great season

In an interview with the Bilfast Telegraph, Steve Davis speaks about he broke into the Aston Villa first team and the Northern Ireland squad in one amazing season:

“When we started pre-season last year I just hoped to get the chance to make a breakthrough into the first-team, maybe get on to the bench and see what happened from there,” Davis told the Belfast Telegraph.
“In the end I played more than 20 games which was much more than I expected and things went really well for me, considering I spent most of the previous season out injured.
“Things just progressed for me as the season went on, I made my debut coming off the bench, then I made my first start, got called up into the international squad and finished the season by playing against England and Germany so I couldn’t have asked for much more.
“Now I have got a taste for it I want more, but I don’t consider myself an established first-team player just yet, I need another season before I can think of myself in that bracket.”
“This season is just as important for me as last season was,” he said.
“There is going to be a lot of hard work for me again because there is stiff competition for places at the club.
“I hope to get a good pre-season behind me and everyone wants to be involved in the first game of the season.
“After that it’s up to myself to perform well enough to keep my place in the team.”
“Scoring my first goal in the game away to Southampton was probably the best thing over the season,” he said.
“We were 2-0 down and came back to win 3-2 with me scoring the winner.
“Hopefully now I can go on and score more goals next season and can help the team progress up the table.”

McCartney to quit international football?!

That’s a rumour that surfaced at the weekend, although NI assistant manager Gerry Armstrong isn’t convinced. From the News Letter:
<img src="http://www.shallwesingasongforyou.co.uk/aws/georgemccartney_vgermany.jpg"
George: Started against the Germans
“Northern Ireland assistant manager Gerry Armstrong was “surprised” by speculation that defender George McCartney was set to end his international career.
According to a weekend report, a McCartney source suggested the Sunderland star had already informed Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez of his intentions to stand down.
Gerry Armstrong said he spoke with McCartney following Northern Ireland’s recent friendly against Germany at Windsor Park and had got no indication that the player was unhappy. Armstrong also said he last spoke to Lawrie Sanchez four days ago and believes the manager would have told him had there been a problem with the 24-year-old player.
“It comes as news to me that George McCartney is reported to be quitting international football and so I cannot make much comment about it,” said Armstrong. “George did not tell me this when I spoke to him recently and the Lawrie didn’t mention it either.” A source is quoted as saying:”George has not been happy-in the international set-up for some time, which is no secret, but now he has decided to come clean and tell the manager he no longer wants to be part of the set-up. At this point it seems unlikely that George will want to play for Northern Ireland as long as the current management is in place.”
McCartney is understood to suffer from a fear of flying and has played a mere bit-part in the nine away games Lawrie Sanchez took charge of Northern Ireland just over a year ago.”

Quinn leaves Wednesday

In a very strange piece of business, James Quinn hasn’t taken the contract he was offered with newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday. Quinn did well to get a new contract offered to him when so many other players were released, but now he has apparently got fed up waiting for them. Has he something else lined up?
From their Official site:
Sheffield Wednesday have spoken of their disappointment that James Quinn looks set to leave Hillsborough, but have given their best wishes to the departing striker.
The Northern Ireland international has told the Sheffield Star that an apparent delay in the club offering him a new deal is the reason behind his decision.
However Wednesday have revealed their efforts to keep Quinn at Hillsborough and have thanked the frontman for his role in last season’s promotion.
“The manager told James on the Monday after the play-off final that he would be offered a deal,” Owls Chief Executive Kaven Walker EXCLUSIVELY told swfc.co.uk.
“Paul Sturrock and myself then went on a break and, on returning, it took a further week for us to get in contact with James and make an offer to him.
“It is an unfortunate situation but we would like to place on record our thanks to James for his contribution last season and wish him all the best for the future.”

Whitley signs for Cardiff

Northern Ireland midfielder Jeff Whitley has signed for Cardiff City. Whitley was recommended as someone who would do a good for a Championship side by Mick McCarthy after he was released by Sunderland, and Cardiff have duly signed him, becoming Dave Jones’ first summer capture.

Taylor won’t stand in Elliott’s way

Hull boss Peter Taylor has said that he will not stand in Stuart Olyott’s way if the Northern Ireland forward wants to move to the Premiership:
“I want to say that if ever an offer was received that was good for the club and good for the player, we would always consider it.
“I would not stand in the way of a player if it was good for his future.
“If a Premier League club comes in, then it is good for his future. I would never stop anyone improving themselves.
“But you would want a good and realistic offer. If a player is injured, then he gets paid. Equally, if a big club comes in for a player, the offer has to be good.
“What would be a realistic fee? I haven’t got a clue. I haven’t thought about it. I won’t until the phone rings.
“But I can say categorically that we have not had an offer for Stuart Elliott. I am very surprised to be honest but I am delighted about that!”
And on Stuarty’s ability to make it in the Premiership:
“As a finisher, he is different class. I think he can finish at any level. He believes he is a good finisher. He has great confidence.
“He has got the potential to make it in the Premiership. He has got to improve certain things. He will work hard for you but he needs to be more consistent with his passing.”

Sign or no Portugal trip!

Colin Murdock has been issued with an ultimatum by Crewe manager Dario Gradi that he will be left behind when the club depart for a week’s pre-season training in Portugal if he hasn’t re-signed by the 30th of June.
Gradi:
“I’ve held talks with Colin and he has turned down our offer. He wants a longer deal and more money and as expected he will use the next couple of weeks trying to find another club.
“He is still training with us but we won’t be taking him to Portugal for a week’s training if he hasn’t signed the contract.
The offer is still on the table for him and we would like him to stay here.”

Mad Murdock rejects Crewe contract

However, he may yet sign a new contract with them if he can’t get anything better. Crewe boss Dario Gradi:
“He’s hoping he’ll get a better offer – a longer contract with more money – which is pretty well what we expected.
“He’s keeping his options open back here as well. I’ve said I’ll wait until we’re back training which is at the back end of next week.”

Mad. In a good way.

£3 million for Elliott

Hull chairman Adam Pearson:
“Stuart’s a fantastic player, but we are not in the business of selling our best players.”
Apparently Aston Villa, Charlton and Portsmouth are chasing him.

Carroll – fond memories of United

Roy Carroll tells the Belfast Telegraph that he has happy memories of his time with Manchester United:
“The gaffer and myself got on well. We had a very good relationship,and when the time came for me to leave we did so on good terms. Certainly there were no hard feelings between me and Sir Alex. We shook hands and wished each other all the best. I will always respect him. He is a great manager and gave me my chance at Manchester United which I will always be grateful for.
“I had four fantastic years at the club. I have a Premiership winners medal, also played in a winning FA Cup final side and took part in some massive games in England and in Europe.
“I had some amazing experiences and can use them to my advantage in the rest of my career.
“I haven’t started reflecting on my time at Old Trafford because I have only just left but when I do I will have fond memories.
“United are one of the biggest, if not the biggest club in the world, and it was a pleasure to play for them.
“The coaching was excellent and I played with lots of world class players.
“I also made some really good friends when I was there. I will stay in touch with them and am looking forward to making new friends at West Ham.
“That’s the nature of football. You move on and start again. I’ve been at Hull City, Wigan, United and am now with West Ham. It is going to be a big challenge for me and I can’t wait.
“Ultimately, I knew I had to move on for my career because I wanted to establish myself in the Premiership and because I know I need to be playing week in, week out to win my Northern Ireland place back from Maik Taylor.
“I’m glad everything is sorted out and am hoping to have a good pre-season and help West Ham do well and stay in the top flight next season.”