Swindon Town

Swindon Town
King faces wait over player deals Swindon boss Andy King could have to wait for a month before finding out whether his remaining out-of-contract players will sign new deals. King had thought the deadline for Rhys Evans, Sammy Igoe, David Duke and Grant Smith was at some point this month. But the club now says they have until 15 June before giving the Robins their final decision on contract offers. Defender Matt Heywood has turned down a new deal, while Brian Howard will be offered one if Smith declines his.

Howard's regret over Swindon exit
Swindon winger Brian Howard says a potentially promotion-winning team is being broken up because of finances. Howard is set to leave, Matt Heywood has rejected a new deal, and four other players have expressed disappointment about the terms they have been offered. "If the club had offered me the deal I'm on now I would have signed it," Howard told BBC Radio Swindon. "The money situation is such a shame because we're only a couple of players short of something really special." Howard, who has been linked with Bournemouth, added: "I thoroughly enjoyed my two years there. "They were a great bunch of lads and the supporters were great to me the whole two years, I enjoyed playing for them."

Bournemouth confirm Howard talks
Boss Sean O'Driscoll has confirmed that Bournemouth have held talks with Swindon midfielder Brian Howard. Howard, 22, is out of contract after making 70 League appearances in two seasons with the Robins, and has not been offered a new deal. The former Southampton trainee, born in Winchester, is also reportedly a target for another League One side. The Cherries are keen to strengthen their midfield after Wade Elliott and Garreth O'Connor moved to Burnley. They still have a further 10 players out of contract.

King is interested in ex-QPR pair
Swindon boss Andy King has admitted his interest in strike pair Jamie Cureton and Tony Thorpe, who have both been released by Queens Park Rangers. Thorpe, 31, and 29-year-old Cureton are free agents and King told the Evening Advertiser: "They've got a lot of experience between them. "We have Rory Fallon and Christian Roberts, but I'm always looking for extra goals. "I'm no different to any other manager in that sense." King has previously admitted that he expects star striker Sam Parkin - who is still under contract for another year - to move on this summer.

King awaits response from players
Swindon Town manager Andy King has told his out-of-contract players they must make up their minds quickly about whether they want to sign new deals. King told BBC Radio Swindon: "The contractual situation is that once you have made them an offer in writing they have one month from that date. "If they don't reply we have can refuse the contract or change our mind. "They think they have until the end of June to decide but they have to get back to us before that in most cases."

Swindon hope to hold on to Smith
Swindon hope to reach an agreement with midfielder Grant Smith over a new contract at the County Ground. The 25-year-old is out of contract and has interested other clubs - but wants a two-year deal with the Robins rather than the one year he has been offered. Town director Sandy Gray told the club's website: "We have been in talks with his agent, and he is looking for another year on his contract. "The board are prepared to offer that extra year. We would like to keep him."

Howard keen on Bournemouth switch
Swindon Town midfielder Brian Howard has admitted that he would prefer to join Bournemouth although Barnsley have shown an interest in signing him. Howard, 22, will be out of contract with the Robins at the end of the June. He told the Swindon Evening Advertiser: "There has been some interest from Barnsley and other clubs. "I quite fancy Bournemouth if I can get down there because they are a good footballing side and living down south would be perfect for me."

Evans expects to stay at Swindon
Swindon keeper Rhys Evans looks set to sign a new deal at the County Ground. "I've had some positive feedback from my agent about what the manager said. It's not a done deal but there's a willingness on both sides it seems. "As I understand it, there have been some amendments, although I have yet to see what is on the table. "If it is down right then it is likely I'll sign. I'm proud to have spent the best part of two years as the number one keeper," the 23-year-old said.

Swindon snub bids for star Parkin
Swindon have rejected bids from Crewe and Watford for striker Sam Parkin. The Hornets have already had one offer turned down for the prolific 24-year-old and returned with what they called a "substantial" second bid. But that and a verbal offer from Alex boss Dario Gradi have both been snubbed by the Robins, who hope to keep Parkin. The ex-Chelsea trainee has a year left on his current contract and the Swindon board are planning to speak to him when he returns from holiday in Australia.

Smith rejects Swindon deal offer
Grant Smith is almost certain to leave Swindon Town after turning down the club's offer of a new contract. Midfielder Smith, 25, was one of the few bright points in the second half of the Robins' season, scoring 10 goals after being given a run in the team. The club this week added the incentive of a further year in the 12-month deal they had offered him initially. But it did not work and Smith could now end up with local rivals Bristol City who have also been after the Scotsman.

Barnsley not making move for Igoe
Barnsley manager Andy Ritchie says there is no truth in speculation that he wants to sign Swindon Town midfielder Sammy Igoe. Ritchie told the club's official website: "There is no interest at all from us in Sammy Igoe. "I think it is more to do with other parties trying to drum up some interest in the player." Igoe, 29, has been at Swindon since the summer of 2003 but is now out of contract at the County Ground.

Expect Town exodus warns Howard
Brian Howard has warned Swindon fans to expect more players to leave the County Ground following his move to Barnsley. The 22-year-old winger rejected a new contract at cash-strapped Town to sign a two-year deal at Oakwell. He told the Gazette and Herald: "Even if Swindon had matched Barnsley's offer I don't think I would have stayed. "And I won't be the last to leave - up to seven others could be on their way out and the club hasn't got the money to attract quality players."

Heywood agrees Bristol City deal
Bristol City have agreed personal terms to sign Swindon Town defender Matt Heywood, reports BBC Radio Bristol. Heywood, 25, passed a medical at Ashton Gate and will put pen to paper on a three-year contract on 1 July after his County Ground deal expires. It is City's third Bosman-free capture of the week, following the signings of Grant Smith and Alex Russell. They still hope to sign former Bristol Rovers striker Marcus Stewart next week and have held talks with him.

Igoe seeking better Swindon offer
Swindon midfielder Sammy Igoe says an improved contract offer will keep him at the County Ground. Boss Andy King has lost Brian Howard, Grant Smith and Matt Heywood but Igoe is not desperate to follow suit. He told Robins' website: "I wasn't happy with Swindon's original offer, and it's not a case of being greedy. "Other clubs have shown an interest but I want to stay at Swindon and if they budge just a little I'll sign and stay I'll sign without a doubt.".

Lapham signs contract at Swindon
Young Swindon defender Kyle Lapham has signed a one-year deal - his first professional contract with the club. The 19-year-old made his Robins debut in the penultimate game of last season, a 4-0 defeat at Huddersfield. Lapham impressed manager Andy King enough to earn a deal as back up to Steve Jenkins, and joins fellow former youth teamer Michael Pook in signing. King has returned to work to step up his efforts to boost his squad with six players having left the County Ground.

View Full Version: Swindon Town