Cheltenham Town

Cheltenham Town
Swansea cool interest in Devaney Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett says a move for Cheltenham winger Martin Devaney is now "doubtful". The 24-year-old winger is available on a free transfer in July after he rejected a new deal at Whaddon Road. But Jackett does intend to recruit ahead of next season as he builds for the step up to League One. "We will take players who are better than the ones we have or who complement our squad," he told BBC Sport. "We won't take them for the sake of it." Jackett says he still wants to sign Grant Holt, Andy Burgess and Marc Goodfellow. Swansea had bids rejected for all three during the course of the season. Meanwhile, youngsters Stuart Jones and Antonio Corbisiero have been told they have no future at the club, but they are likely to be the only players released. While the fate of out-of-contract Kevin Austin, Leon Britton, Izzy Iriekpen, Kristian O'Leary, Brian Murphy and James Thomas has yet to be decided, Jackett is keen to keep the first five and Thomas will be given a chance to prove his fitness at the start of next season. Teenagers Mark Pritchard and Chad Bond will also be offered professional terms at the club. "Negotiations with the out-of-contract players are going well," said Jackett, following his side's 2-1 FAW Premier Cup final win over Wrexham. "We've got to build for next year. The last time Swansea went up from this division they came straight back down. "We've worked hard this season and we haven't done that just to throw it away next year. "A good summer of planning and preparation will make sure we're geared up for League One."

Lambs snap up ex-Cheltenham man
Tamworth boss Mark Cooper has made midfielder Graham Ward his first new signing of the summer, following his release by Cheltenham. Ward, 22, has agreed a 12-month deal with the Lambs. The former Wolves youngster made just a couple of first-team appearances for Cheltenham, after joining them from Kidderminster last summer. Ward has previous Conference experience after spending a month on loan at Burton at the end of this season. He found the net once in four games for the Brewers.

Spencer and Odejayi extend deals
Strikers Damian Spencer and Kayode Odejayi have both signed new 12-month deals at Cheltenham - with boss John Ward hoping for more from them. "Both players know that they have to start more games next season and we will be working hard to achieve that aim," Ward told his club's website. Spencer, 23, has scored 26 times, including 10 last season, since signing from Bristol City three years ago. Nigerian-born Odejayi, 23, has scored just six times in 25 starts.

Cheltenham arrange two friendlies
Cheltenham have added two friendlies to their pre-season programmes. They will visit local non-League side Ellwood on 6 July in a memorial game for ex-Ellwood player Peter Edwards, who died in a road accident in March. On 3 August, the Robins go to Southern League Western Division side Cinderford Town - managed by Town's Football in the Community officer Mike Cook. Cheltenham also have home games in July against four League sides - West Brom, Burnley, Bristol City and Yeovil. Their other pre-season game is at non-League Bishop's Cleeve on 13 July.

Brough seeks Forest Green deal
Cheltenham Town's John Brough is hoping for a move to Forest Green Rovers after ending talks with Weymouth. The 32-year-old has not been offered a new deal for next season by the Robins but he is keen to stay in the area. "I'm still talking to Forest Green, but until they sort their new manager out, nothing will happen," the defender told the Gloucestershire Echo. "I've had a few conversations with the chairman Trevor Horsley and it's just a matter of waiting."

Brough makes switch to Aldershot
Aldershot have completed the signing of veteran former Cheltenham Town defender John Brough. The 32-year-old had also interested Conference rivals Forest Green after ending a seven-year stay with Cheltenham at the end of last season. The Shots have also agreed a new deal with midfielder David Lee, 25. The former Southend United and Oldham player, who joined Aldershot from Stevenage last season, has signed a two-year contract.

Redditch complete Murphy signing
Redditch United have completed the signing of former Cheltenham Town midfielder Chris Murphy. The 22-year-old was released by the Robins at the end of last season after making four League Two appearances in 12 months at Whaddon Road. Murphy had joined Cheltenham from Telford United after starting his career as a trainee at Shrewsbury Town. He has put pen to paper on a one-year deal at Redditch, who finished ninth in the Conference North last season.

Hornets sign up Cheltenham winger
Watford have followed up the signing of Jordan Stewart by recruiting Cheltenham winger Martin Devaney. Devaney, 25, has signed a one-year contract at the Championship club. He had rejected a new deal at Whaddon Road in February, and also saw a possible move to Yeovil on transfer deadline day in March fall through. Meanwhile, a restructuring of Watford's coaching staff has seen long-serving Hornets coach and former player Nigel Gibbs leave Vicarage Road. "After careful consideration, I have decided that it is best to make this change and go forward with a management team of three (rather than four)," manager Adrian Boothroyd told the club website.

Cheltenham pair set for comeback
Injured Cheltenham defenders Shane Duff and Michael Townsend are set to return to training on Monday. Duff has been sidelined with a back injury, while Townsend is also set to return after a knee problem. Meanwhile, manager John Ward hopes to sign an "experienced left-sided player" in the next few days. "He promised to get back to me before Monday but he has an offer from another club and has the chance to train with them," Ward told the club's website.

Cheltenham win race for Armstrong
Cheltenham boss John Ward is set to make experienced midfielder Craig Armstrong his first new summer signing. The 30-year-old has agreed terms with the Robins and will complete his move once he passes a medical after being released by Bradford last season. Armstrong, who was also a Notts County target after training with the club, can play in a number of positions. "He's a player with a number of strings to his bow and will give us a nice balance," Ward told his club's website.

Ward is waiting on striker target
Cheltenham Town boss John Ward has increased his offer to the unnamed striker he is hoping to sign. "I have spoken to the player again and he has asked for more time to consider our offer," Ward said. "I had a good chat with him and he has a number of things to consider so I hope to speak to him again before the end of Tuesday. "He has had an offer from another club and is also talking to them, but is certainly taking our offer seriously."

Cheltenham eye striker Bradshaw
Cheltenham boss John Ward wants to run the rule over North Ferriby United striker Gary Bradshaw again. The ex-Hull City man, 22, who scored 39 goals last season as North Ferriby won Unibond Division One, played for Cheltenham's reserves on Tuesday. "I'm going to speak to him and see if he can stick around a bit," Ward told the Western Daily Press. "There's no reserve game next week, which is unfortunate, but he might be able to train with us."

Cheltenham 5-0 Brentford
Cheltenham swept into the second round of the Carling Cup with a crushing win over League One leaders Brentford. JJ Melligan gave the Robins the perfect start when he prodded home but the Bees almost levelled when Kevin O'Connor forced a fine save from Shane Higgs. Gavin Caines made it 2-0 when Grant McCann's penalty was saved after Melligan was upended in the box and Jamie Victory headed home number three. Skipper McCann struck twice in three minutes late on to seal the rout. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cheltenham: Higgs, Wilson, Caines, Taylor, Victory, Melligan, Bird, McCann, Armstrong (Gill 46), Odejayi (Spencer 60), Vincent (Finnigan 68). Subs Not Used: Brown, Yao. Booked: Vincent, Melligan. Goals: Melligan 5, Caines 55, Victory 69, McCann 78, 81. Brentford: Nelson, O'Connor (Tabb 56), Turner, Gayle, Tillen, Peters (Steele 86), Osborne, Keenan, Brooker (Watts 74), Campbell, Fitzgerald. Subs Not Used: Frampton, Bankole. Booked: Osborne, O'Connor. Att: 2,113 Ref: M Fletcher (Worcestershire).

Wycombe 0-0 Cheltenham
Cheltenham's Jamie Victory headed against the bar but neither team found a way to break the deadlock at Wycombe. The home team dominated early on, with Kevin Betsy lobbing over and Roger Johnson's header missing the target. Cheltenham then threatened, Frank Talia saving from Brian Wilson and John Melligan driving narrowly wide. Grant McCann forced another save from Talia and Victory hit the woodwork, while Wycombe midfielder Sergio Torres forced a save Shane Higgs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wycombe: Talia, Senda, Johnson, Williamson, Easton, Betsy, Oakes (Anya 81), Lee (Burnell 58), Stonebridge (Torres 58), Tyson, Mooney. Subs Not Used: Williams, Dixon. Booked: Easton, Oakes, Betsy. Cheltenham: Higgs, Gill, Taylor, Townsend, Victory, Wilson (Bird 73), Finnigan, McCann, Melligan, Rose (Vincent 90), Odejayi (Spencer 68). Subs Not Used: Caines, Brown. Att: 5,244 Ref: K Stroud (Dorset).

Cheltenham chief issues warning
Cheltenham chairman Paul Baker has issued a hands-off warning to Bristol City following speculation linking boss John Ward with a move back to the club. Baker told Sir Stanley: "We have a good relationship with City, so I'd expect to get a phone call from them if they were interested in John. "The situation is that John's still got nearly two years left on his contract. "If he wanted to take another job, his new club would have to pay us quite a significant amount of compensation."

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