Canadians in UK

[Joe MacCarthy]

Keegan Ayre signs with Hibernian

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/4430136.stm

Meanwhile, Hibs have beaten off rivals Hearts to the signature of Canadian teenage midfielder Keegan Ayre.

The 17-year-old, who was also said to be interesting Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday, had a trial with Hearts last season.

But the Canada Under-20 international, previously with British Columbia, has signed a two-and-a-half year contract after impressing in training with Hibernian.

Agent Alex McLaughlin said: "Hearts tried to rekindle their interest in Keegan at the eleventh hour.

"But, by that time, he had already made up his mind that he wanted to go to Hibs.

"Keegan has enjoyed his time at Hibs and feels it is the best move for his career at this stage.

"Everybody has seen how the young players have been given their chance at Easter Road."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Ace Ayre was sold on joining Hibs' list of new talent
BARRY ANDERSON
http://sport.scotsman.com/football_spl.cfm?id=2231632005

THE arrival of 17-year-old Keegan Ayre at Easter Road has caused plenty of ripples across the pond in Vancouver, but it is the impression made in Edinburgh by the player that will cause the greatest stir.

The midfielder, a Canadian Under-20 internationalist, signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Hibs on Thursday in an attempt to move his burgeoning career on to the next level after making his name with his native club, British Columbia.

Alec McLaughlin, Ayre's agent, is currently basking in delectation at securing a place for his player at what he sees as one of the most reputable clubs in the country for developing youthful footballing talent.

Despite his tender years, Ayre is likely to appear more for Hibs' reserve side than the youth team, such is his advanced technical ability, but McLaughlin expects his client's accomplishments to excel well beyond that.

"I'll be surprised if Keegan is not in the first team by this time next year," said McLaughlin. "He's very highly rated in Canada and plays in the middle of midfield. He's a Paul Hartley type who is very creative. He used to be a striker but when I first came across him two years ago his technique stood out so we moved him back into midfield and it worked.

"From our conversations with Hibs, the plans seems to be to get him into the reserves as soon as possible.

"He is on a professional contract, not a youth contract, and Hibs regard him very highly. Within two training sessions they had decided to sign him and then it was just a matter of us getting together with Mr Petrie to sign the contract.

"I've been an agent for ten years now and Keegan is certainly the best young player I've had the fortune to come across. In my opinion he could develop into the best player ever produced by Canada."

And the best bit, for Hibs anyway, is that Ayre has been procured from the relative obscurity of the Canadian league for absolutely nothing as a result of the game's amateur status in his homeland.

If McLaughlin's early proclamations act as evidence for assuming his potential, then it seems that Tony Mowbray and Mark Venus, pictured, below, have secured themselves yet another considerable coup at no cost to their club. This is an area in which they are increasingly excelling.

"Mark Venus has been very impressed by Keegan, and Hibs to me seem like a very good club and they have everything in place to help a young player progress," continued McLaughlin.

"In Canada they have a different mentality. They don't have the professional environment that we have so that means Hibs won't be asked for a fee. We would be very disappointed if British Columbia tried to pull a stroke like that and I don't think they will.

"There is such a buzz about Keegan back in Canada, the whole of Vancouver is talking about this. He has already had a personal recommendation from Frank Yallop, the full national team coach of Canada."

Yallop was, of course, an old colleague of Mowbray and Venus from their time with Ipswich, and coincidentally the Suffolk club were another who harboured an interest in signing Ayre.

That the player has been taken under the wing of two of Yallop's friends within the game will have pleased the Canadian coach considerably as he considers the likelihood of being able to promote Ayre to the full side in the not too distant future.

Ayre believes he has secured a favourable deal for his player in Scotland which can help put him in the frame for international recognition.

"There is a sell-on clause in his contract if he moves on, and there is a re-negotiation clause that kicks in pretty early if he breaks into the first team. The appearance money on top of his salary would make more than a decent wage for the boy if he makes a first-team appearance."

Other suitors for Ayre's signature included some of England's more luminary clubs, but the opportunity and the environment presented by Hibs was one that McLaughlin and Ayre were together edging towards.

"He has been given a decent contract for a 17-year-old. If we weren't happy with it he wouldn't have signed because we had West Bromwich Albion in the background, we had Ipswich in the background and he has already been to Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday.

"Sheffield Wednesday didn't sign him because of their financial position. They only offered a contract until the end of the season. Ron Bowen, the youth development officer at Middlesbrough absolutely loves the kid, but Dave Parnaby, their academy director, makes the final decisions on youngsters and said that Keegan wasn't physically aggressive enough.

"That has nothing to do with the player's footballing ability."

Edit: Article is a little over the top and contains a few factual errors but great news nonetheless

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Sigma at Vs for headsup

19 November 2005
IT'S CRASH, BANG YALLOP FOR CALEY STAR HASTINGS
By Alasdair Fraser

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=16387934&method=full&siteid=66633&headline=it-s-crash--bang-yallop-for-caley-star-hastings--name_page.html

RICHARD HASTINGS admits his international career may be dead but he isn't ready to give up his battles on the home front.

Despite grabbing a regular SPL starting place with Inverness, it is 18 months since the 37-times capped Canada defender fell off coach Frank Yallop's radar.

Now enjoying his second spell in the Highlands, after adventures in Austria and Holland, the full-back has re-evaluated his priorities.

He is no longer waiting by the telephone for the chance to add to his international haul and is instead pouring all energies into Caley Thistle's survival bid.

With competition for places now reaching fever pitch within Craig Brewster's squad, Kilmarnock will today encounter no one more committed than Hastings.

The 28-year-old said: "When Yallop came in as national manager, all the British-based players were invited to a training camp in Manchester.

"I felt I'd done quite well but I obviously don't fit into his plans because the call never came.He had his own ideas about the players he wanted and my face didn't fit. If he did want me, I'd still grab the opportunity but it's not something I'm dwelling on too much.

"What matters to me most now is doing well here and playing regularly. If something else happens, then great."

Hastings was speaking after a training session manager Brewster admitted took his breath away.

With every first-team player barring Liam Keogh now fit, the competition for places is now red hot.

Hastings said:"There was a real edge to it today - nothing dirty but a healthy competition.

"Everyone knows how important it is to impress to get a place in the team

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Sigma at Vs for headsup

Keegan getting his kicks
By Larry PrunerThe Tri-City News
Dec 02 2005

http://www.tricitynews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=74&cat=40&id=547489&more=

http://tinypic.com/i40npx.jpg
Keegan Ayre
CRAIG HODGE/THE TRI-CITY NEWS

Coquitlam's Keegan Ayre has scored on some long shots in his distinguished youth soccer career. He bagged undoubtedly his biggest goal thus far on a recent blast overseas.

Ayre, 17, attended a tryout camp in Middlesbrough, England on Nov. 1 and, nine days later, signed a professional contract with Hibernian of the Scottish Premier League.

The deal runs through the 2008 season and begins as soon as Ayre can arrange for a work visa, which should be accelerated by the fact his great grandparents were from Scotland, and his grandparents hold British citizenship
"They [Hibernian] want me to come back there before Christmas," Ayre, a crafty midfielder, said Wednesday. "But I do get to come back home for Christmas.

Included in Ayre's package with Hibernian -- based in Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh -- are room and board and pocket money paid on a weekly basis, which is set to increase annually. He also gets two fully paid trips a year to return home to visit.

"I have everything I need to get by," said Ayre, who toiled for Coquitlam's Metro-Ford club through age 14 and has spent the last two years on Canada's national Under-17 squad.

Ayre said playing soccer professionally has been his ambition ever since he can remember. That could well be because his dad, Garry, was a rugged defender in the old North American Soccer League.

Garry's NASL career started in 1977 with the Vancouver Whitecaps. He then played two seasons with the New York Cosmos and three more with the Portland Timbers before knee problems eventually forced his retirement.

Garry, who owns 21 caps playing with Canada's national team, was inducted earlier this year into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.

"Ever since I was little, I wanted to play pro," Keegan said. "I was probably always looking to follow in my dad's footsteps.

Garry's certainly proud of Keegan, although he chides that his son has a long way to go to match his Hall of Fame accomplishment.

"The one thing he has to work on, and others have said it too, is the aggressive side of the game," Garry said. "[European coaches] are looking for physical mucker-type players and [Keegan's] a finesse player. But he reads the game well and is very quick.

Garry, 52, admits many of Keegan's deft moves on the pitch have little to do with him. Keegan's mom, Darla, was a standout in her day with the former Blue Mountain soccer club of Coquitlam.

"He gets his skill from his mom," Garry said insistently.

Willi Azzi of the Metro-Ford club coached Keegan as a youngster for two seasons. Azzi recalls it was 2000 when Keegan led U-12 MF Juventus to the Coastal Cup provincial crown with "an absolutely wonderful performance" in the final versus Wesburn.

Keegan subsequently became the youngest player ever to win B.C. Soccer Boy of the Year, an award that no longer exists.

"He was always skillful and very mature for his age," Azzi said
Keegan remains mature, Azzi added, and he must be to thrive as a professional soccer player in the United Kingdom.

"If you're not, you're doomed," Azzi said.

Keegan said his experience with the national U-17 side helped him realize where he stood at his age level on a global basis. While with the squad, he travelled for competitions in Germany, Ireland, Italy, El Salvador and Mexico. He also played with a top-level Vancouver men's club team, Columbus, to make him tougher on the ball and keener away from it.

"Playing at that level at my age, it made me stronger and quicker," Keegan said. "It elevated my game.

Hibernian currently sits third in the 12-team Scottish Premier League table, behind only Celtic and Hearts and ahead of the heralded Rangers from Glasgow. Keegan very much likes something else he sees with Hibernian.

"They're average age is about 24," said Keegan, who will obviously play on one of Hibernian's youth development teams for the next while. "They give a lot of younger guys a chance to show what they can do, which is good for a guy like me down the road.

Keegan's opportunity to play pro soccer does lend to personal sacrifice. He will leave behind his friends and fellow-students at Centennial secondary and complete high school via correspondence while in Scotland.

"Hopefully, I can come back in June and graduate with my friends," Keegan said.

In the meantime, he'll be learning plenty of lessons where he's always felt he most belongs -- on the soccer pitch.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Canadian's banking on more goals

http://www.thisiswcfc.co.uk/worcestershire/worcscityfc/sport/WEN_SPORT_FOOTBALL_WORCCITY_LANE0.html

WAGING a tenner on Justin Thompson to score first for Worcester City could so easily pave the way to a swift killing.

Defender Thompson finally broke his City duck in Saturday's 1-0 win at Northwich Victoria, but not for the want of trying.

The tall Canadian threatens in almost every game, his height lending itself to cause havoc from set-pieces.

However, the 25-year-old international does not solely base his 6ft 4in frame on delivering danger in opponents' penalty boxes.

For Thompson belongs in the association of strikers-turned-defenders. And he was a good striker too back on North American territory.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Thompson was fairly prolific, often leading the scoring charts at Fairfield Stags, his University soccer side based in Connecticut.

He also led the line for Canada's youth set-ups before converting to central defence.

"I played as a striker growing up," revealed Thompson. "In my first couple of years at Fairfield, I was up front.

"They recruited me as a striker and I still fancy myself as a bit of a striker.

"I like getting into the box and I always think I can score. That's a striker's mentality.

"At about 18 or 19 I was with the youth national team and the national coach wanted an extra bit of cover at the back. So I started training in defence.

"I still played up front for them, but then I progressed to Canada's Olympic team and converted into a centre-half.

"Some of the other forwards progressed a bit quicker than me and got those spots, so I slotted in at the back."

Now that Thompson has banished a six-month wait to net his first City goal, the Maple Leafs man anticipates a flurry of more and may stake a flutter.

He added: "I've been meaning to put a bet on myself to score every week and I forget.

"I always score in bunches, so hopefully there will be more coming soon.

"I've been a bit unfortunate before now, but I've not been too disappointed. I have not really missed good chances.

"I've been putting everything on target, trying to keep it down and make the goalkeeper work.

"To be fair, goalkeepers have made some very good saves over the last couple of weeks and we've scored off some rebounds. So I have contributed offensively."

Thompson accepts that set-pieces represent one of City's attacking strengths and he, along with fellow centre-halves Des Lyttle, Chris Smith and Dennis Pearce, must help provide goals.

He added: "We've got some big bodies, so when we go up, the guys at the back are always looking to score.

"Smudger (Smith) and Des have got a couple this season. Everybody thinks they can score when they go up and that's half the battle.

"Every time I get in the box, I think I can score. I get into good positions and always get power behind the ball to head it down.

"To be fair, we have to credit Andy (Preece) and Jock (Andy Morrison) for our set-pieces. Jock spends a lot of time going over them.

"There's been a number of times this year where he's come to the training ground all excited because he has seen a new set-piece from somewhere. He's always thinking ahead."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to manutd1 at Vs for headsup

Preece looks at ex-Shaker

http://www.thisiswcfc.co.uk/worcestershire/worcscityfc/sport/WEN_SPORT_FOOTBALL_WORCCITY_NEWS2.html

FORMER Bury midfielder Terry Dunfield could kick-start his football career at Worcester City.

Dunfield, 23, will train with City as he bids to complete a comeback more than a year after breaking his kneecap.

The Canadian netted the second goal for City's reserves on Wednesday evening in a 3-1 Central Conference Cup victory at Alfreton Town.

That was his first full 90-minute outing since damaging his kneecap and sustaining ligament damage during a league match between Bury and Leyton Orient in January 2005.

During his Gigg Lane reign, Worcester boss Andy Preece signed Dunfield from Manchester City and the Vancouver-born international made 70 appearances for the Shakers.

Dunfield is hoping to clinch a Football League return and is also training with Macclesfield Town.

He may, however, ignite his career at St George's Lane, mirroring the fortunes of fellow Canadian Justin Thompson.

Preece insists the player's welfare comes first and describes any future first-team appearances from Dunfield as a bonus.

"Terry's been out for nearly a year. He broke his kneecap and is just making his way back," said Preece.

"We are giving him an opportunity to get himself fit and if anything more develops, then that would be a bonus. If circumstances are right for both parties, then something might happen.

"Once he's fit, he would like to get back into the Football League. That may well happen for him.

"It's obviously a long road back for him. That reserve game was his first game back. It's just a matter of him getting himself fit and right. I still think it's a few weeks before he will be properly fit. He's just got to take it steady."

Preece added: "But there's players I'm hoping to get back in the next couple of weeks, especially Jai Stanley and Graham Hyde. They are important midfield players for us."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Steve B at Vs for headsup

Simpson has work permit fears
Mar 21 2006
By Toby Porter
http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/0500millwall/0100news/tm_objectid=16837538&method=full&siteid=50100&headline=simpson-has-work-permit-fears-name_page.html

http://pictures.footymad.net/upload/369/273681-2.jpg
JOSH Simpson hopes to be ready to play in a week - but fears Millwall's six remaining games may not be enough for him to be allowed to stay in Britain.

The Canadian international has not played for the Lions this year. But he must prove he has made a significant contribution to their season to qualify for another work permit.

The winger's deal ends in the summer - so he also has to prove to boss David Tuttle that he is worth another contract.

The 21-year-old said: "I hope I can do enough to earn a new deal. The signals coming from the club have been good.

"But I am more concerned at the moment about getting a new work permit.

"I have to prove I have made a significant contribution to the team before the Home Office allow me to stay and that will be tough because I have been out for such a crucial period. It has been very frustrating.

"Playing for Millwall next season would be fantastic, but without a work permit, I can't play for anyone here.

"It is never going to be great getting injured, but it could not have come at a worse time."

Simpson last played in the 2-1 home victory over Derby. He then suffered three separate knee injuries in two-and-a-half months.

He was ready to come back in mid-January but then suffered damage to both knees in a training ground tackle which has kept him out ever since.

He started running and doing ball work last week, and hopes to be available for the crunch home game against Brighton on April 1. "It will take a bit of time for both knees to get back to full strength," he said.

He welcomed the signing of fellow left-winger Lloyd Dyer - and was sorry he left.

"With two of us, the boss would be more likely to use a 4-4-2 formation all the time - so I'd have more chance," said Simpson. "And it's always good to have competition for places."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Sigma at Vs for headsup

Jim Brennan (Southampton) Interview
http://www.givemefootball.com/interviews.html?interviewID=1139&method=full

http://www.givemefootball.com/images/jim_brennan_int.jpg
Jim Brennan - Southampton

It's been a difficult campaign for Southampton, and Saints' fans are now keeping their fingers crossed that the club can get to the end of the season with their Championship status still in tact. Last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United leaves Southampton languishing in 20th place in the table, just six points above the drop zone, and manager George Burley admitted his side are now firmly embroiled in a relegation battle. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with Canadian international full back Jim Brennan, a member of the PFA's ever-expanding Player Management Agency, who joined the St Mary's outfit from Norwich a couple of months ago.

Q YOU MUST BE DISAPPOINTED WITH LAST SATURDAY'S RESULT?

A Yes, it wasn't a good result for us, although the final scoreline probably flattered them. Bramall Lane is never an easy place to go and the first goal was always going to be crucial. But to concede twice on the stroke of half time was a huge blow and it gave us a mountain to climb in the second half.

Q WOULD YOU SAY SURVIVAL IS NOW THE SOLE TARGET FOR THE CLUB?

A Most definitely, with both Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall winning at the weekend it leaves us in a precarious position. But it's important that we remain positive and I'm convinced we have enough quality at the club to get ourselves out of trouble.

Q HOW DID YOUR MOVE TO SOUTHAMPTON COME ABOUT?

A It came out of the blue really. My agent called me and told me that Southampton were interested in signing me until the end of the season and I jumped at the chance. My opportunities to play regular first-team football were becoming increasingly limited at Norwich and I felt I needed a fresh start.

Q ARE YOU HOPING TO STAY AT THE CLUB BEYOND THE END OF THIS SEASON?

A I'd like to, but we'll just have to wait and see what happens. I'm only contracted until the end of this season, so it's down to me to show everyone at Southampton what I can do. I'm grateful they've given me the opportunity to play some first team football again and I hope I can repay them by helping the club stay in the Championship.

Q HOW ARE YOU ENJOYING WORKING WITH GEORGE BURLEY?

A I'm enjoying it very much, his training sessions are excellent and he seems to know the game inside out. His record speaks for itself – he got Ipswich into Europe, took Derby to the play-offs and was top of the league with Hearts before he left.

Q YOU CAN PLAY AS A LEFT BACK OR A WINGER, WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED POSITION?

A I suppose I view playing at left back as my best position but, to be honest, I don't really mind. I always like to get forward because the attacking part of my game is one of my strengths. Having said that, I did have a lengthy spell playing at right back earlier in my career at Bristol City, which was not easy because I'm predominantly left footed.

Q YOU MUST BE DISAPPOINTED THAT CANADA FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THIS SUMMER'S WORLD CUP FINALS?

A It was frustrating because we went pretty close. Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, along with USA, qualified from our section and it will be interesting how they get on this summer. The Canadian squad is going through a bit of a rebuilding stage at the moment and I'm sure we'll be much stronger within a year or two because more and more of our squad are now playing their football in the major leagues around Europe.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Jim support for skipper Jason
http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~822323,00.html

http://i3.tinypic.com/wlekas.jpg
Jim Magilton has backed Jason De Vos to take over the captain's armband and become an excellent skipper for Town.

Jim will say goodbye to the Club after Sunday's final game of the season at Plymouth with Jason in line to replace the former Northern Ireland international as skipper at Portman Road for next term.

"I have a lot of respect for Jason and if he takes over the captaincy - which looks likely - I know he will go on and prove to be an excellent skipper for this football club," Jim told the Club website.

Jim - backing for Jason

"He has always been vocal and is an outstanding individual who has impressed me since he first arrived at the Club.

"I know he will carry on the fine traditions of Ipswich Town and be an inspirational skipper.

"This is a magnificent football club and being made skipper here is a huge honour. I certainly saw it that way when Joe gave me the job.

"I've had many highs in my seven years at Ipswich Town but being made skipper was the highest. Knowing the manager has put his faith in you to be his spokesperson in the dressing-room was a wonderful feeling."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Some not so kind words below. Considering how Serioux made what Millwall fans described as the greatest debut ever and the potential Simpson showed while playing against Spain, I'd take the comments below with a grain of salt. Ughhh!

Simpson released
Story by Neil Andrews 2 May 2006
Canadian returns home to ponder future

http://pictures.footymad.net/upload/369/281101-2.jpg
Josh Simpson

Millwall have released Canadian international Josh Simpson
http://www.herefordunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadgnrl.asp?id=281101&teamno=369

The 22-year-old winger, who was signed by former manager Dennis Wise in the summer of 2004 along with fellow international Adrian Serioux, has been out of action since the beginning of the year with a knee injury and with his contract up next month the club took the decision to let him go.

Simpson, who has been capped 13 times by Canada, was a first-team regular under Wise but has struggled with fitness and form this season, failing to gain the necessary number of appearances required to renew his work permit.

"Josh gave us his best shot" said Ray Wilkins. "Unfortunately things have not worked out for him. We appreciate very much everything he has done for us. But, given the number of games he played, it was going to be extremely difficult to get a work permit for him."

*************************************************************
Simpson gets the chop
Josh Simpson has been told he won't be given a new contract.
http://www.millwall.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=17748

http://www.millwall.vitalfootball.co.uk/resource/teams/millwall/10_b.jpg

Canadian winger Simpson will return home before considering whether to persue his career elsewhere in Europe.

He struggled to make an impact during his two years at The Den and was unlikely to be eligible to stay anyway as he hadn't made enough appearances to earn a new work permit.

Simpson's team-mate Mark Phillips is likely to be offered a new contract.

Ray Wilkins believes Phillips deserves another chance to impress after suffering an injury-hit campaign.

Youngsters Ross Gaynor, Michael Bostwick and Alan Brooks have all signed new deals as well.

Irish striker Gaynor agreed a two-year contract and Bostwick and Brooks both signed for another season.

VITALVIEW

It was hardly a surprise that Josh Simpson wasn't given a new deal. Reg Burr got it right when he described Simpson and his fellow Canadian Adrian Serioux as 'Conference players at best'.

There's no doubting Simpson's commitment but he just wasn't good enough.

As for giving new contracts to the youngsters, that's fair enough but you have to wonder about a club that hands out a new deal to a senior player like Mark Phillips without having a manager to OK the decision.

[Joe MacCarthy]

De Vos looks after his future
By MORRIS DALLA COSTA -- London Free Press
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/06/09/1622760-sun.html

Preparation has always been one of Jason de Vos's strongest assets.

He always prepares hard physically, mentally and emotionally, wherever his soccer boots have landed.

And while the 32-year-old Appin native probably has a lot more good years left as a professional, he's preparing for the time when eventually he'll stop playing and take on whatever other challenges come his way.

De Vos, his wife, Rachael, daughter, Ella, and son, Jake, are splitting time between his parent's home in Appin and the house he's building in London.

He'll head back to England after this weekend to watch the World Cup and prepare for another season, this one as captain of Ipswich in the English Championship League. Two months ago, he signed a two-year contract extension with Ipswich.

He co-captained last year's team with Jim Magilton, who has become Ipswich's manager.

"We bought a house in Vancouver and our intention was to live there, because that's where Rachael's from," de Vos said yesterday.

"I told her I would happily live wherever she wanted if she would follow me wherever I played football."

But as they talked about life after soccer, plans changed. De Vos is working on an economics degree.

"I put it on hold when we had kids. There's lots of down time in football, but it's a pretty demanding career," he said.

"I wanted to use all my free time to be with the kids, so I put my academic career on hold for a while and use all my free time to be with the kids."

He thought about completing his degree at the University of British Columbia.

"But in rush hour, it's a two-hour drive from my home. So we looked at our other options and London came up," de Vos said. "It's a great place to raise a family and it's a big city now. Western has always been my preferred choice of university."

The six-foot-four, 200- pounder will continue to patrol the middle of the defence, hoping he can lead Ipswich to a place in the English Premiership.

"(Two years ago) we came within two points on the last day of the season to promotion. Last year was tough. We finished mid-table, an underachievement in my mind. We should have finished in the Top 8. But we used a lot of young players and the experience will help this year.

"I was pleased from a personal standpoint. I feel like a grandfather at times. I'm by far the senior spokesman with all the 18- and 19-year-olds we have. I played 40 of 46 games. But the first game I played, I broke three ribs and missed the next six games . . . I played the rest of the games through some injuries."

De Vos is a soccer warrior. He captained Canada's national team for many years before retiring from international competition in 2004 to give younger players a chance.

He's the consummate professional. Teams need that type of player to bring the younger players along and to help through difficult times.

De Vos has lived through difficult times in his profession. He's travelled to some of the nastiest places in the world to help Canada gain a World Cup berth. His last attempt was heartbreaking. Two losses to Honduras when they were leading late in the game, including a phantom penalty call against Canada, spelled the end of the dream for Canada and de Vos.

He's played in 49 full internationals, scoring four goals. He was named a tournament all-star for the 2000 and 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments. He scored the winning goal in the final of the 2000 Gold Cup, a 2-0 win over Colombia.

He'll be watching the World Cup when it begins today and, like many, believes it's Brazil's to lose.

"The last qualifying campaign was very hard emotionally for me," he said. "We know we have a good enough team to qualify and if we did, we're capable of playing at that level. We have so many players in Europe and playing at a high standard, there's no reason why we can't expect to compete.

"But it's a question of experience. The two games against Honduras we were up 1-0 at home and away from home and when you have a bit of experience under you belt, you know when you're up 1-0 with 10 minutes to go, you get 11 men behind the ball and defend for your life.

"We had a terrible penalty call against Honduras in Edmonton, but truth be told, we never should have been in a situation to give up that penalty."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to marktci at Vs for headsup

Gyaki caught up in Sheffield surge
Calgarian hopes to crack roster in Premiership
Todd Kimberley, Calgary Herald Published: Tuesday, July 18, 2006
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=ef051685-1b68-4be5-b985-03486f048cb0

http://i2.tinypic.com/20awfvk.jpg
Ryan Gyaki signed with Sheffield United two years ago.
Photograph by: Dean Bicknell, Calgary Herald

It's surreal in Sheffield.

So says Ryan Gyaki -- and the 20-year-old Calgarian should know.

The attacking midfielder is vying for a job with Sheffield United, which is celebrating its return to English Premier League soccer for the first time in 13 years.

"Brilliant," murmured Gyaki on Monday from the industrial burg. "More interest, more media . . . there's just a different feel to everything.

"Things have a different look to them. Everyone's a bit sharper. That type of stuff," said Gyaki, now in his third season in the Blades organization.

"It'll be interesting to see when the season kicks in (Aug. 19 versus Liverpool at Bramall Lane), because every person that knows you in the city, now, is gonna be asking for your tickets. It'll be hard to decide who gets 'em."

For Gyaki, the former Calgary Storm wunderkind, now's the time to show his mettle in the British steel city.

During the 2004-05 season, he rebounded from torn abdominal muscles to score all four of Canada's goals during qualifying for the FIFA World Youth Championship.

Those heroics essentially earned him a two-year extension. But while '05-06 was a banner season for the Blades -- second overall to Reading in the League Championship, and belated promotion to the Premiership -- it was a disaster for Gyaki.

After just one game with United's reserves last August, he ripped up knee ligaments and was gone for the entire campaign.

"A nightmare," said Gyaki, the Canadian Soccer Association's top male youth of 2005. "That was a year when when I wanted to step up and get my name out there.

"Now, I'm kind of a year behind in a tougher league, so it becomes even harder to make an impact. So, yeah, this is a huge season for me."

The big question -- can Gyaki crack the United roster and make his Premiership debut?

The young Calgarian takes a realistic approach. He knows that heading out on loan to a Championship or Division One squad is far more likely.

"I'd love to be playing that first game against Liverpool in the Premiership, but I see that being very difficult with the amount of talent there is at the club right now," said Gyaki.

"We've got (32) professionals on the roster . . . someone needs to get injured, or go away on international duty, to give me that opening. I'll need a little bit of luck."

Tommy Wheeldon, the Calgary coach who helped get Gyaki signed to Sheffield United, figures a loan arrangement is nearly imperative.

"Strange things happen in soccer. He's the fittest he's been for a long, long time, and he's got a great attitude," said Wheeldon. "But he needs league experience before he gets thrown into the fire.

"That's what I'd like to see, and I believe (United manager Neil Warnock) would like to see that too."

It's been five years since Gyaki was discovered by a Sheffield United scout in Cuba while touring with a Calgary selects team.

"At least being put out on loan gets you playing in front of people. After being out for a year, I've missed the excitement of playing a game that means so much to so many people.

"But it's a long season. One minute you don't know where you're going, and the next minute you can be on top of the world. In football, things can change in a week, right?"

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Can. in UK at Vs for headsup

Decision to make on United's young guns
http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=59&ArticleID=1659016

http://i7.tinypic.com/21amon5.jpg
Canadian skills: Ryan Gyaki could get a run out at Millmoor

THEY mustered less than a match between them but Stephen Quinn and Ryan Gyaki were two of Sheffield United's biggest success stories in Scotland.

Their progress, in terms of reputation if not minutes, has left their manager wrestling with a welcome but nonetheless taxing problem.

How best to further the careers of a midfield double act clearly destined for bigger things but unlikely to be risked during the opening skirmishes of United's battle for Premiership survival?

The answer would appear to lie away from Bramall Lane, where other graduates of the Shirecliffe academy have prospered during spells on loan.

Both Gyaki and Quinn, the younger brother of Republic of Ireland international Alan, can look forward to being let off the leash this weekend as United's pre-season preparations go into overdrive.

Quinn should enjoy a hero's welcome at Rotherham this evening after helping to guide Alan Knill's side to safety last term while Gyaki, who could yet feature at Millmoor, will almost certainly enjoy an outing at S****horpe where United travel tomorrow. Likewise Rob Hulse and Ian Bennett, who arrived at United this week from Leeds - although Li Tie, who completed his much-anticipated move on Thursday, is expected to continue his search for full fitness at the training ground.

But if United are to prosper at the highest level, they need their tried and tested favourites to perform and there were encouraging signs north of the border.

Paul Ifill has obviously benefited from a rigorous exercise regime, and his creativity down the flanks should create plenty of chances for Warnock's forward line and the barnstorming Hulse in particular.

Derek Geary has also added an extra dimension to his game having delivered a steady stream of crosses into the opposition box at Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Greenock Morton.

In midfield, Phil Jagielka and Michael Tonge appear to have slipped effortlessly back into the groove and although some rough edges remain in defence, Keith Gillespie could offer an interesting option at full-back.

Coaching staff were mightily impressed with his energy levels at Worksop Town before injury forced him to miss both of United's outings north of the border.

Caley Thistle, who have made noises about spiriting Gyaki away to the Highlands, have become embroiled in a bad-tempered spat with Dundee United, accusing officials at Tannadice of using the media to unsettle their players.

Craig Brewster, now in charge of the Tayside club, has publicly declared an interest in Darren Dods, Ian Black and David Proctor, much to the annoyance of his former colleagues at Caledonian Stadium.

Brewster has also attracted criticism from Motherwell's Maurice Malpas for revealing details of an approach for Scott McDonald.

"United enquired about our players at the end of last season, made an offer and this was rejected," said Caley Thistle chairman David Sutherland.

"That should have been the end of the matter, but what has happened this week is they make a fresh verbal offer and then their manager discloses this to the media saying he will be contacting our club to see what is happening.
"I can tell him what is not happening.

"Caley Thistle will not be solving any player problems United may have."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Sigma at Vs for headsup

Kitchener 'kid' cracks Scottish Premier League
Former Resurrection student signs deal with Inverness team
Josh Brown (Aug 5, 2006)
http://www.therecord.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=record/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1154728218304&call_pageid=1024322085460&col=1024322199505

http://i3.tinypic.com/23th2zb.jpg
Jake Inglis (right) chases down a player from Woodbridge at the Phoenix Cup this past spring. The former Resurrection student has signed a one-year contract with Inverness Caledonian Thistle. (Peter Lee/Record Staff)

Jake Inglis is keeping his family's soccer tradition alive.

The former Resurrection Catholic Secondary student signed a one-year contract with Inverness Caledonian Thistle of the Scottish Premier League late last month. The speedy midfielder, who captained the Phoenix to the District 8 final this past spring, will begin the season with the club's Under-19 team.

"I'm loving it," the 18-year-old said. "I'm learning lots and getting better as the days progress."

Inglis is the third member of his clan to hit the pitch. Second cousin Jim played for the Caley Thistle in the 1970s while grandfather John was active with big company teams back in the 1950s in Canada.

In fact, it was cousin Jim who helped Inglis break into the Scottish soccer scene. Last year, he arranged a tryout with Ross County. The First Division club was so smitten that it offered Inglis a two-year development deal. Inglis opted to return to Kitchener to finish high school but returned to Scotland this past June for another go. This time, the audition was with ICT. And after a few weeks of training, management signed him up.

"I was so happy and going crazy," said Inglis.

The deal includes room and board and about $215 Cdn a week spending money and runs until next May. He's living in a guest house with a couple of teammates in Inverness, a mid-size city dubbed the "Gateway to the Highlands" in northern Scotland. Inglis is settling in nicely and even developing a faint hint of an accent.

"It's pretty much the same as Canada except that all the cars are on the other side of the road."

Though, he was quick to note the soccer is vastly different.

"I'm not sure how to explain it. They play better as a team. It's less individual and more team-oriented. Everyone is professional and getting paid for what they do."

Workouts run five to six days per week and begin early in the morning and last until late afternoon. Inglis, who played rep soccer in Kitchener before joining the Etobicoke Energy of the Ontario Youth Soccer League, also helps train ICT's youth squads when time permits.

So far, he's fitting in on the field. He's the only Canuck on the Under-19 squad but has received words of encouragement from Richard Hastings, a former Canadian national team member who plays for ICT's Premier side.

Inglis has set a goal of cracking the senior squad by next season. He dreams of playing for a top European club and Canada's national team one day.

"He was my captain and an outstanding player, leader and motivator on the field," said Rez coach Ivan Persin. "He has some tremendous skills and surprising speed.

"I'm very pleased that this has happened for him. It's tough for a Canadian kid to crack a lineup. Most of the kids in Scotland grow up with a soccer ball on their feet and are in a system."

ICT's Under-19 squad kicks off its schedule next Saturday.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Glovers will not sign Blades trio
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/y/yeovil/5411210.stm

Yeovil will not be signing any of the three Sheffield United players who have been on trial at Huish Park.

Ryan Gyaki, Colin Marrison and James Ashmore all played against Welton Rovers in the Somerset Premier Cup.

"They did okay but we are not going to look for a loan or signing at this moment in time," Glovers manager Russell Slade told BBC Somerset Sound.

Yeovil are likely to allow Bradley Thomas and Gavin McCallum to spend a second month on loan at Tamworth.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Veteran fullback Richard Hastings back on Canadian soccer duty
By NEIL DAVIDSON
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2007/03/23/3814344-cp.html

http://i12.tinypic.com/4i6n50l.jpg
Canada's Richard Hastings celebrates after scoring the winning goal for Canada over Mexico, Feb. 20, 2000 in San Diego. (CPimages/AP, Denis Poroy)

(CP) - Richard Hastings is back in the Canadian soccer fold after an absence of more than three years and 23 internationals.

The veteran defender from Scotland's Inverness Caledonian Thistle doesn't know why he fell out of favour.

"It had nothing to do with me. I didn't get called up," Hastings told The Canadian Press on Friday from Bermuda where the Canadian team plays its first game of the year on Sunday.

"Every coach has their different ideas on players. It's not the first time it's happened in my career. You just have to get on with it, concentrate on your own domestic football."

"It's football, that's what happens," he added. "Everybody's got their own opinions. And obviously when Frank Yallop took over (as manager), my face didn't fit."

Hastings won 36 caps from 1998 to 2003, scoring the decisive overtime goal in the 2000 Gold Cup quarter-final win over Mexico. Canada went on to win the CONCACAF championship.

"No one can take that away from me," he said of the Mexico goal. "That's one of the highlights of my international career. But I've got a lot of good memories. That's why I would never turn my back (on Canada)."

His last game in a Canadian uniform was against Ireland in November 2003. Yallop, now coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy, took charge of the team from the next game on until he stepped down last summer.

Yallop, reached Friday in Puerto Rico where the Galaxy were training, said there was no ill-feeling against Hastings and no conscious decision to avoid using him.

Hastings, a no-nonsense, stoic individual whose sense of humour is not readily on show to strangers, is not the type to complain. Or hold a grudge.

So when the Canada call finally came again, the 29-year-old was happy to oblige.

"I don't think it would ever cross my mind to turn Canada down," he said.

Hastings is happy to be back with some familiar faces. He kept up with Canadian teammates Paul Stalteri and Kevin McKenna during his time away from the squad, and always kept an eye on how the team did.

Hastings' parents are English but moved to Canada. Hastings was born in Prince George, B.C., and spent his early years in Vancouver. The family left Canada for Middlesbrough, England, when he was seven, and now live in Scotland.

At 17, he started with Inverness. It has remained his soccer home others than stints with Scotland's Ross County in 2001-02 and Austria's Grazer AK in 2002-03.

Inverness made it to Scotland's top flight three years ago and currently stands ninth in the 12-team Premier League. He is a fixture at left back with 33 starts this season.

He lives in Inverness, in northeast Scotland, with his wife, whom he met while visiting friends in Vancouver, and one-year-old son Cruz and two-year-old daughter Sienna.

"It's quite nice," he says of life in Inverness. "Not too big, not too small. Nice scenery."

But his Canadian roots run deep.

"When I come back to Vancouver every summer, it feels like a home to me. Obviously I've lived in Scotland for a long time, but I would never feel Scottish."

Come Sunday, Hastings looks forward to demonstrating that loyalty again.

Notes: Bermuda is ranked 116th on the world compared to No. 113 for Canada ... Goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld, who has only played twice for Canada since the end of 2003, returns to where he made his national team debut, coming on in the 72nd minute for Craig Forrest, in a 2-0 win in Bermuda in January 2000 ... Interim Canadian coach Stephen Hart has had to make do without defender Gabe Gervais and forward Iain Hume (both injured) and defender-midfielder Tam Nsaliwa (passport issues). The squad now stands at 17 with the additions of defender Adam Braz, midfielder Josh Simpson and striker Olivier Occean.