Brentford

Brentford
Bees exit for Salako and Burton John Salako, Deon Burton, Stephen Hunt, Jamie Lawrence, Andy Myers and Scott Fitzgerald (senior) have all been given free transfers by Brentford. Boss Martin Allen told the club website he will review Burton's situation while Hunt may train with the club in August. Captain Stewart Talbot wants to return north but could stay while Marcus Gayle has been offered a new one-year deal. Allen also appeared to confirm he is staying at the club despite rumours linking him with the Millwall vacancy. He said: "I will continue with the rebuilding programme that I set out to do 14 months ago with the help of my staff." Explaining his decisions over the playing staff, Allen added: "Talbot informed me two months ago that he would like to move back to the north of England this summer. "He has one year remaining on his contract and has been a fantastic captain. However his family life is most important and I have given him the opportunity, by giving him a free transfer, to move back to the north. Should he not find anywhere he will continue at Brentford. "I've had to make difficult decisions but must do what I feel is best for Brentford Football Club." With striker Matt Harrold also transfer-listed, Allen is left with just 13 players under contract for the 2005/06 season.

Brentford buoyed by double deal
Brentford are building for next season and have extended Marcus Gayle's deal and signed Chelsea reserve Sam Tillen. Gayle, 34, has agreed a new one-year contract, with boss Martin Allen highlighting the veteran striker's need for a good pre-season. "Marcus needs that to get back to full fitness. He'll give us versatility and experience," he told the club website. Left-back Tillen, 20, signed a one-year deal with an option for a second year. He has represented England Under-19s.

Bees bag Yeading striker Campbell
Brentford have signed Yeading striker DJ Campbell, 23, on an initial one-year contract with the option to extend. "He has been prolific at non-league level and I'm going to take a gamble in the hope that he can deliver at this level," said Bees boss Martin Allen. "He has energy, enthusiasm, self-belief, no fear and after a tricky couple of years has got himself going." Allen also revealed he had agreed a contract extension with Kevin O'Connor, 23, after an "outstanding season".

Todd is fuming over Hunt decision
Bradford boss Colin Todd is fuming as transfer target Stephen Hunt now looks set to join Reading instead of City. The 23-year-old winger has been released by Brentford. Todd told Bradford's website: "We had agreed terms, and he has gone back on his word. He even went for his medical before deciding to go elsewhere. "Even his agent advised him to come to Bradford. We could have offered him first-team football - at Reading he'll be a member of a very large squad." Hunt added: "I know I will leave a lot of people disappointed. I am truly sorry but I have to go where my heart takes me." "I came over (from Ireland) fully intending to sign for Bradford, but as soon as I stepped off the plane I received a call from Reading. "I have known Steve Coppell from when I was at Crystal Palace, and that is what persuaded me." The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international joined Brentford from Palace in 2001, scoring 25 goals in 136 league appearances in four seasons. Reading already have three players - Steve Sidwell, Lloyd Owusu and Ivar Ingimarsson - who played under Coppell at Brentford during the 2001/02 season, as did Hunt.

Brentford pounce to sign Newman
Brentford have signed released Reading utility player Ricky Newman. The 34-year-old worked under current Bees boss Martin Allen when he was assistant manager at the Royals. Brentford chief scout John Griffin told the Bees website: "Ricky comes here with a good reputation and I know he can hold the midfield together. "The signing is a good one for the club as Reading manager Steve Coppell was contemplating retaining him for another year in the Championship."

Brentford eye back-up ground plan
Brentford are eyeing a factory site as a back-up if plans to move to Lionel Road near Kew Bridge fall through. The Gillette factory on the corner of the Great West Road to the west of Brentford has been mooted. Brentford chairman Eddie Rogers told the Richmond and Twickenham Times the club was "seriously considering" the alternative proposal. "If the Gillette site could be made to work financially we would be delighted to explore that," he said. The Gillette side is 11 acres, as opposed to seven at Lionel Road and would therefore be more expensive. Rogers added: "Lionel Road remains our main target, though the progress on this project is slow." Whichever scheme Brentford choose, they are set to remain at their present Griffin Park ground for five years.

Bees bring in midfielder Skulason
Brentford have signed Icelandic international midfielder Oli Skulason. The 22-year-old Skulason, who has signed a two-year deal with Brentford, has joined on a free transfer after being released by Arsenal. "I look at this as a very important move for my career," Skulason, who played just one first-team game for Arsenal, told the Brentford website. "Knowing that manager Martin Allen had been interested in signing me for a while was a huge compliment for me." Skulason has been with Arsenal for the last four years. His only appearance for the Gunners was in the 5-1 Carling Cup win over Wolves in December 2003. Skulason has captained Iceland's Under-21 team and has also played for the full national side.

Brooker makes move to Brentford
Brentford have completed the signing of winger Paul Brooker from Reading. The 28-year-old former Fulham, Brighton and Leicester player, who made 34 appearances for Reading last season, has agreed a three-year deal. "I believe that he will add a more creative feel to our team," Bees boss Martin Allen told the club's website. "He can play on either wing, is two-footed, he has good quality in the final third and he will definitely be an asset to this club." Allen added: "There was interest from several other clubs and I'm delighted and relieved that he has finally chosen Brentford."

Talbot to leave Bees for Boston
Boston United have clinched the signing of Brentford captain Stewart Talbot. The 32-year-old midfielder has agreed a two-year deal at Boston after being allowed to leave Griffin Park by Bees manager Martin Allen. "Stewart spoke of his desire to be successful next season and that matches what we are trying to achieve," said Boston boss Steve Evans. Talbot leaves Brentford after starting 50 league games for them, following spells with Rotherham and Port Vale. The midfielder had told Bees boss Martin Allen earlier this year that he wished to return to the north of England. Allen said at the time: "He has one year remaining on his contract and has been a fantastic captain. "However his family life is most important and I have given him the opportunity, by giving him a free transfer, to move back to the north." The Football Association have closed their investigation into Brentford's game with Tranmere at Griffin Park on 12 April. Referee Grant Hegley's report mentioned "aggressive and threatening behaviour" by Bees fans, and alleged racist comments made by fans to a Tranmere player. However, a statement on Brentford's website reports that "the club's stewarding measures, both during the game and since that time, were deemed more than satisfactory by the FA".

Owusu agrees return to Brentford
Former Brentford striker Lloyd Owusu has agreed to return to Griffin Park from Reading. The 28-year-old, who left Brentford for Sheffield Wednesday in 2002 after scoring 73 goals in 195 league and cup games, has agreed a two-year deal. However, Bees boss Martin Allen told the club website: "I am well aware he was popular here before, but that is of no interest to me. "I am taking him because of what he can do, and not what he has done." Owusu scored 10 goals in a total of 46 appearances for Reading after joining them from Wednesday in December 2003, initially on loan. He joins several other players to have moved between Reading and Brentford in recent weeks. Winger Paul Brooker and utility man Ricky Newman have both moved to Griffin Park during the close season, while winger Stephen Hunt is set to move the other way after being released by the Bees.

Hunt completes switch to Reading
Reading have completed the signing of former Brentford winger Stephen Hunt on a one-year contract. The 24-year-old was released by the Bees at the end of last season - and angered Bradford boss Colin Todd after choosing Reading over the Bantams. "Stephen is a player I've known since he was 15 or 16, but he has something to prove at a higher level," Royals manager Steve Coppell said. "The Reading public will see how much effort and determination he puts in."

Gottskalksson gets FA suspension
Former Torquay keeper Oli Gottskalksson has been suspended indefinitely by the Football Association for refusing to take a drugs test. The 37-year-old former Iceland international disappeared after failing to take the test in January. He is the first footballer to be officially named by UK Sport for breaking anti-doping regulations since new rules came into force last year. An FA spokesman said Fifa had been asked to extend the ban worldwide. He is also the first player to be banned for refusing to comply with a drugs test since Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand was given an eight-month suspension. Meanwhile, the FA has also suspended indefinitely another footballer following a third positive for cocaine. Under the rules, the player is not named because he returned a finding for recreational rather than performance-enhancing drugs. Gottskalksson, a former Brentford and Hibernian keeper who had had a contract with Torquay until the end of June, is thought to have returned to Iceland. Torquay chairman Michael Bateson said: "The players were at the training ground at the end of January when the drug testers turned up. "He asked to look at the list of banned substances and asked what would happen if he had taken one of them. "He was told that the test would be positive and the FA would be informed and he said 'I'm refusing to take the test' and packed his things, left the training ground and we never saw him again. "We tried to phone and write but couldn't get in touch. He moved out of his flat and just vanished - he had a cracking girlfriend but he even left her behind too. "In fairness, I am sure he had not taken any recreational drugs. He had had a shoulder problem for several years and if he had taken anything then it was probably linked to that. "His disappearance left us in the lurch - we had a nightmare season for goalkeepers and I think it was that incident that eventually led to us being relegated to League Two because we only went down on goal difference." The FA has imposed an indefinite suspension on Gottskalksson until he appears before a disciplinary hearing and asked Fifa to extend the ban internationally. An FA spokesman said: "Gottskalksson was charged on 8 April with a breach of FA regulations for his willing and knowing refusal to submit to drug testing. "He failed to reply to the charge and his case was dealt with in absentia by an independent disciplinary commission."

Yeovil sign Bees striker Harrold
Yeovil have signed Brentford striker Matt Harrold after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed "small fee". The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract at Huish Park. "I see huge potential in him. I think he could be the striker I have been looking for for a while now," manager Gary Johnson told Yeovil's website. Harrold scored five times in 40 outings for the Bees after joning from Harlow in 2003, and also had loan spells at Dagenham and Grimsby last season.

Wycombe look at Salako and Myers
John Salako and Andy Myers are training with Wycombe with the view to earning permanent contracts. Salako, 36, and Myers, 31, are looking for a new club after finishing last season with Brentford. Wycombe manager John Gorman told the club website: "It's great because they're two experienced players who want to join us for training. "They are willing to put themselves to put themselves up with a view to maybe getting a contract." "John is so fit and is such good footballer and it looks as though he may come to Ibiza with us."

Hargreaves completes Oxford move
Oxford United have signed Brentford midfielder Chris Hargreaves. Hargreaves, 33, has passed a medical at the Kassam Stadium and has accepted a two-year contract. "I would have been happy for him to stay, but I must look to improve and Chris must look for security," boss Martin Allen told the Bees' website. However, Oxford have terminated the contract of defender Terry Parker, 21, after he was handed an 18-month custodial sentence for affray. Parker was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court following a serious incident in a bar in the city. He joined the U's from Portsmouth last summer but made only eight League appearances, and was loaned out to Farnborough in March.

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