Lincoln City sign Toner

Former Under 21 captain Ciaran Toner has signed for Lincoln City after being released by Leyton Orient at the end of last season. Toner, who has 2 caps to his name following substitute appearances against Italy and Spain, has signed a one year deal with the club.
The Craigavon-born midfielder who turned 23 last month started his career as a trainee with Tottenham Hotspur but failed to break into the first team and, after loan spells at Peterborough United and Bristol Rovers, made the switch to Leyton Orient on a free transfer in May 2002.
He quickly established himself as a regular and influential midfielder for Orient in his first season, but missed the first 3 months of last season due to injury. Martin Ling then became Leyton Orient manager and didn’t rate Toner as highly as his predecessor, and subsequently released him. Toner was sent off in his last game for Orient so will miss the first 3 games of the new season for Lincoln City due to suspension.
Ciaran will join countryman Paul Morgan at Lincoln – a 25 year old defender who was named in two full international squads by Sammy McIlroy and has played for us at U16, U18 and U21 level. The City captain, he is described by their official website
as “one of the most talented defenders in the lower leagues”

Feeney offered new contract / Toner released

Warren Feeney is one of a number of soon-to-be out of contract Bournemouth players who has been offered a new deal to try and keep him at the club. Feeney has already said that he would be keen to join to Stockport County, where he could meet up with Sammy McIlroy and Danny Griffin again. Surprisingly, Feeney has not yet been included in a Northern Ireland squad by Lawrie Sanchez.
Cherries boss Sean O’Driscoll admitted that it could be difficult to keep hold of some of the club’s top players:
“The problem is that the vast majority of them could earn a lot more at other clubs. We have a bunch of players who are highly regarded by other clubs and are in many respects easy pickings. We could lose three or four.”
Former captain of the former U21s Ciaran Toner was released by Leyton Orient yesterday, despite having established himself as a first team regular this season. Orient boss Martin Ling said: “With Ciaran Toner I would say that there is a quality player in there but he has not performed on a consistent basis for this club.” Toner has 2 full caps, including one for the last 10 minutes of the 0-0 draw with Spain almost a year ago.

Saturday Scene

Stuart Elliot scored a superb chip from outside the area today as Hull City beat Bristol Rovers 3-0. Elliot’s move from the Scottish Premier League to the English Nationwide could be mirrored by his fellow International, Andy Kirk, who may be forced to leave Hearts because of their continued financial problems.
Rovers’ dismay at the defeat would have been brightened however as the news that Tommy Doherty’s Bristol City missed out on automatic promotion to the First Division despite a 2-1 win today. Northern Ireland fans will now have to anxiously watch on as they try to achieve promotion via the play-offs.
In a shocking development, Chris Baird wasn’t even on the bench for Southampton as they drew 1-1 with Aston Villa. The Northern Ireland right back was recalled this week by Saints manager Paul Sturrock due to an injury crisis at the club. Chris spoke this week about how, despite liking it at Southampton, he would not hesitate to move if he had to in order to gain regular first team football.
Ciaran Toner will have done his chances of getting a new contract with Leyton Orient no good at all by getting himself sent off today for a ‘wild challenge’ in the 65th minute of Orient’s 1-0 defeat by Cambridge United.
Finally, Steve Lomas spoke again about his return from injury, ahead of West Ham looking to seal a play-off place as they aim for promotion straight back to the English Premiership, however to do that they will have to get past a Sunderland side containing two of Lomas’ Norn Iron colleagues:
“I am just glad to be back; when you are watching every week it is hard – and I wanted to get last year out of my system as well after moping about for a while. Not being able to play this season has been a right nightmare for me, so to get back and be able to play any part is fantastic. And, hopefully, we can take it into the playoffs and we might be able to do something.”