Bristol City

Heffernan seals move to Doncaster
Bristol City striker Paul Heffernan has completed a £125,000 move to League One rivals Doncaster Rovers. The Robins had accepted offers from Doncaster and Oldham and gave the 23-year-old a free choice over which club to choose. The signing of Marcus Stewart means that Heffernan is unlikely to feature in City's front line next season. The Irish striker made 13 starts and 18 substitute appearances for City last season, scoring seven goals. City chief executive Colin Sexstone told the club's website that Heffernan was unfortunate not to play more games for the club last season. "He never complained and always had a professional attitude," he said.

Lita is relishing Stewart link-up
Bristol City's Leroy Lita is looking forward to forming a lethal striking partnership with new signing Marcus Stewart next season. "It can only improve my game playing with him," he told the Evening Post. "Marcus is someone who's played at the highest level, and he's been the top scorer in the Premiership. "It's good that there'll be competition for the forward places with Marcus, Steve Brooker and myself. Hopefully we will get the goals we need."

Bristol City cancel Scotland trip
Bristol City have cancelled their pre-season trip to Scotland. The Robins were scheduled to play against Patrick Thistle on 21 July and Clyde two days later but the club want a more lucrative set of fixtures. "We are looking for something closer to home that will provide larger returns and better opposition," chief executive Colin Sexstone told City's website. "The costs involved in the proposed trip have escalated recently and the guaranteed sums are minimal."

Bristol City to talk to Akinfenwa
Bristol City have confirmed their interest in Torquay United's unsettled striker Adebayo Akinfenwa. The 23-year-old's future at Plainmoor has been in serious doubt since talks over a new contract broke down. City chairman Steve Lansdown said: "We are always interested in good players and Akinfenwa played well against us last season. "We are grateful to Torquay for allowing us to speak to him and will do so at the earliest opportunity." "They are welcome to talk to him. I just want this matter closing one way or the other," Torquay coach Leroy Rosenior told the club's website. City have already signed Torquay midfielder Alex Russell on a free transfer earlier in June. Akinfenwa has been involved in a long-running saga over his future which prompted Gulls chairman Mike Bateson to say the striker's career is finished. The Gulls chairman claimed Akinfenwa reneged on an agreement to hold further talks on a new deal. Bateson told Torquay's website: "There's a limit to the amount of messing about we will tolerate. "Having burned his bridges for a second time I cannot now see any circumstances in which he will return to Torquay."

Gulls and Akinfenwa in deadlock
Adebayo Akinfenwa could remain a Torquay player after Bristol City failed to agree a deal with Gulls' chairman Mike Bateson. Swansea pulled out on learning Torquay will command a fee for out-of-contract Akinfenwa, who is under 24. Bateson told Torquay's website: "I had a chat with the Bristol City chairman and there's no deal on the table. "They're neither prepared to pay cash or risk a tribunal decision, and I'm not aware of any other interest." The development is the latest twist in a long-running saga over the unsettled striker who had been told by Bateson he has no future at Plainmoor. Both Akinfenwa and his agent were criticised by Bateson and Gulls boss Leroy Rosenior. Torquay have offered Akinfenwa - who scored 16 goals last season as the Gulls were relegated - a new deal which he has refused to sign.

Connor stays loyal to boss Hoddle
Wolves reserve-team coach Terry Connor has turned down Bristol City's offer to become the club's first-team coach. Connor played for City for one season in the early 1990s and he later went back to Ashton Gate to work as a coach. He opted against the City move after talking to Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey and boss Glenn Hoddle. Connor told the Wolves website: "I've been a coach at City before but I didn't feel it was right thing for me to do to return at this time."

Ashes Test forces Forest switch
Nottingham Forest's August Bank Holiday game with Bristol City has been put back by 24 hours on police advice - because of a clash with the Ashes. The match, at Forest's City Ground, was originally scheduled for Monday, 29 August at 1500 BST. However, England's fourth Test against Australia is due to conclude at nearby Trent Bridge in Nottingham on that day. The Robins will now face Gary Megson's side on the following day, Tuesday, 30 August - with a 1945 BST kick-off.

Wrexham land Liverpool friendly
Wrexham have arranged a glamour pre-season friendly with Liverpool on Saturday, 9 July (1500 BST). The Racecourse match has been organised hastily as Liverpool open the defence of their Champions League title against TNS on the same ground (13 July). Liverpool have waived a match fee and Wrexham get the gate receipt balance. Wrexham also have a home friendly with manager Denis Smith's old team Bristol City on 23 July (1500 BST). Smith's contract at Wrexham ends on Thursday, but he will continue at the troubled club at the request of the administrators. "They are not in a position to offer me a new deal, but the administrators have asked me to stay and it's my choice to carry on," Smith told the Daily Post.

Swansea close on Goodfellow deal
Swansea have agreed contract extensions with six players and are close to signing long-term target Marc Goodfellow from Bristol City. Kevin Austin, Kristian O'Leary, Izzy Iriekpen, Leon Britton, Brian Murphy and player-assistant manager Kevin Nugent have all agreed new deals. Left wing Goodfellow impressed on loan last season and an improved bid seems set to prise him away from Ashton Gate. Goodfellow, 23, will undergo a medical on Wednesday before signing. Swansea are to take over Goodfellow's Bristol City contract, which has a year to run, while he will earn a further 12 months based on appearances. But manager Kenny Jackett may have to do without his other main midfield target, Andy Burgess, despite Swansea agreeing a fee of £90,000 with Rushden & Diamonds. The club has so far failed to agree terms with the 23-year-old, who is also thought to be a target for Oxford United.

City's Doherty completes QPR move
Queens Park Rangers boss Ian Holloway has signed Bristol City midfielder Tommy Doherty for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old Northern Ireland international has agreed personal terms on a three-year deal at Loftus Road. He said: "I've known of QPR's interest for a while. They wanted to sign me on loan last season, but it didn't happen. "I'm stepping up from League One, but I have no doubts about my ability to play at this level and higher. Ian Holloway is ambitious and so am I." Bristol-born Doherty made 226 senior appearances for City and skippered the side which won the LDV Trophy in 2003. However, he was relieved of the captaincy midway through last season, and transfer-listed in May. City chairman Steve Lansdown told his club's website he was "naturally sad" to see Doherty leave. But he added: "I stand by the comments I made at the end of last season when I said it was time for both Tommy and the club to move on."

Swansea complete Goodfellow deal
Swansea have signed long-term target Marc Goodfellow on a 12-month deal. The 23-year-old Bristol City left wing, who impressed on loan at the Vetch last season, said: "I can make a big impact and help the club into the play-offs." The Swans have agreed contract extensions with Kevin Austin, Kristian O'Leary, Izzy Iriekpen, Leon Britton, Brian Murphy and Kevin Nugent. But manager Kenny Jackett may have to do without his other main midfield target, Andy Burgess. Swansea agreed a fee of £90,000 with Rushden & Diamonds for the 23-year-old. But the club has so far failed to agree terms with the player, who is also thought to be a target for Oxford United.

Lansdown eyeing further signings
Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown says he is keen to bring more players to Ashton Gate ahead of the new season. "We'll keep our eyes and ears open. If somebody else comes along we'll look at them" Lansdown told BBC Radio Bristol. "I don't know what's happening with (Torquay striker) Ade Akinfenwa. The last I heard he was looking like he was on his way to Swansea." Tom Doherty joined QPR on Wednesday, while youngster Joe Anyinsah could leave after stalling on a new contract.

Preston sign up winger Anyinsah
Preston have signed Bristol City winger Joe Anyinsah on a three-year deal. Anyinsah, 20, moves to Deepdale after rejecting an inproved contract offer from the Ashton Gate club. Preston will have to pay compensation although the amount has not been agreed but it is hoped a Football League tribunal will not be needed. Anyinsah told Preston's website: "I have been at Bristol since I was nine years old and I thought it was time for a change."

Alsop training with Forest Green
Striker Julian Alsop is training with Forest Green Rovers, who are keen to sign him for a second time. Alsop, 32, played three times for Rovers last season before a lengthy FA ban imposed for an incident while he was at Oxford curtailed his stay. The former Swansea and Cheltenham target man is also wanted by Tamworth. Rovers boss Gary Owers is also looking at former Bristol City pair Sekani Simpson and Craig Loxton, and ex-Yeovil duo Chris Giles and Jamie Gosling. Alsop's last competitive game was for Forest Green against Aldershot on New Year's Day - during which he was sent off.

Wilkshire set for training return
Bristol City boss Brian Tinnion is sure Luke Wilkshire will not have any problems with his fitness when he joins pre-season training next Monday. The midfielder was training with the Australia squad after the other players had left for their summer vacation. Tinnion told the club website: "He did not get the same break as the rest and deserves some time to switch off. "There will be no problem with his fitness and plenty of time for him to get involved with our pre-season."

View Full Version: Bristol City