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Annual Released Thread 17:26 - Apr 28 with 53631 viewsmacro

Ex Players on the Move
Jason Taylor signs for AFC Fylde
Jonny Diba signs for Ashton United
Joel Taylor signs for Kidderminster Harriers
Kevin Amankwaah signs for Bath City
Samni Odelusi signs for Colchester
Joe Pigott signs for Dundee United
James Hooper signs for FCUM
Ben Wilson signs for Oldham
Billy hassler-clegg signs for glossop
Harry bunn signs for bury
Jamie Jones signs for wigan
Matty Pearson signs for barnsley
Jack Redshaw signs for Salford
Donal McDermott signs for Swindon
Josh Thompson signs for Macclesfield
Joel Logan signs for FCUM
Terry Gornell signs for Chorley
Jack Muldoon signs for Fylde
Stephen Darby signs for Bolton
Joe Widdowson signs for Orient
Will Buckley - signs for Bolton
Chris O’Grady - signs for Chesterfield
Kelvin Etuhu - signs for Carlisle
Ashley Grimes - signs for Edinburgh City
Scott Tanser - signs for St Johnstone
Ollie Lancashire - signs for Swindon Town
Matt Gilks - signs for Scunthorpe
Tom Kennedy - signs for Bangor City
Ryan Edwards - signs for Plymouth
Adam LeFondre - signs for Bolton
Lewis Alessandra - signs for Notts Co
Stephen Dawson signs for bury
Nyal Bell signs for Chester
Phil Edwards - signs for bury
Scott Wiseman signs for Chesterfield
Danny Livesey Barrow AFC to Salford C
Neill Byrne - signs for Gateshead
Will Atkinson signs for Mansfield
Rory McCardle signs for Scunthorpe
David Ball signs for Rotherham

Available
Grant Holt, David Owusu,


League 1

AFC Wimbledon
in
Kwesi Appiah (Crystal Palace), Cody McDonald (Gillingham), Adedeji Oshilaja (Cardiff), Deji Oshilaja (Cardiff), George Long (Sheffield United), Jimmy Abdou (Millwall), Liam Trotter (Bolton)

out
Danny Bulman (Crawley), Tom Elliot (Millwall), Chris Robertson (Swindon), Sean Kelly (Ross County),
George Oakley, James Shea (Luton), Tom Beere, David Fitzpatrick, Johnville Renee-Pringle, Dan Gallagher, Toyosi Olusanya, Dominic Poleon (Bradford), Jake Reeves (Bradford), Tyrone Barnett (Port Vale), Chris Whelpdale (Stevenage)

Blackburn Rovers
in
Bradley Dack (Gillingham), Ben Gladwin (QPR), Richie Smallwood (Rotherham), Peter Whittingham (Cardiff), Dominic Samuel (Reading), Paul Caddis (Birmingham), jason Leutweiler (Shrewsbury)

out
Adam Henley, Jason Lowe, Wes Brown, Gordon Greer (Kilmarnock), Joshua Askew, Hope Akpan, Danny Guthrie , Ramirez Howarth, Conor Maloney (Bournemouth), Jason Steele (Sunderland), Anthony Stokes (Hibernian)

Blackpool
in
Mark Davies (Bolton), Nick Wilmer Anderton (Barrow), Max Clayton (Bolton), Ollie Turton (Crewe), Peter Hartley (Bristol Rovers), Curtis Tilt (Wrexham), Ben Williams (Bury), Jimmy Ryan (Fleetwood), Callum Cooke (Middlesbrough) Ryan Allsop (Bournemouth), Christoffer Mafoumbi (Free State Stars), Sean Langstaff (Newcastle), Viv Solomon-Otobor (Birmingham)

out
Ian Black, Henry Cameron, Luke Higham, John Herron, Dean Lyness, Eddie Nolan (Crewe), Jack Payne, Jack Redshaw Macauley Wilson, Sam Slocombe (Bristol Rovers), Tom Aldred (Bury)

Bradford
in
Dominic Poleon (AFC WImbledon), Shay McCartan (Accrington), Adam Chicksen (Charlton), Jake Reeves (AFC Wimbledon), Alex Gilliead (Newcastle)

out
Stephen Darby (Bolton), James King, Joe Cracknell, James Meredith (Millwall), Billy Clarke (Charlton), Mark Marshall (Charlton), Rory McCardle (Scunthorpe)

Bristol Rovers
in
Liam Sercombe (Oxford), Sam Slocombe (Blackpool) Adam Smith (Northampton), Marc Bola (Arsenal), Tom Nichols (Peterborough), Tom Broadbent (Hayes & Yeading)

out
Will Puddy, Bob Harris, Danny Greenslade, Cristian Montano (Port Vale) Dominic Thomas, Jermaine Easter, Jamie Lucas (Bath) Jake Gosling.

Bury
in
Phil Edwards (Burton), Jermaine Beckford (PNE), Joe Skarz (Oxford), Chris Humphrey (Hibernian), Jay O’Shea (Chesterfield), Eoghan O’Connell (Celtic), Callum Reilly (Burton), Tom Aldred (Blackpool), Tom Heardman (Newcastle), Nicky Ajose (Charlton), Chris Maguire (Oxford), Alex Whitmore (Burnley), Chris Sang (Wigan)

out
Anthony Dudley (Salford), Kelvin Etuhu (Carlisle), Hallam Hope (Carlisle), Jacob Mellis (Mansfield), Niall Maher, Chris Brown, Paul Rachubka, Rob Lainton (Port Vale) Reece Brown (Rochdale) Jermaine Pennant, Ishmael Miller, Tom Pope (Port Vale), Leon Barnett (Northampton), Anthony Kay (Port Vale), Ben Williams (Blackpool), James Vaughan (Sunderland), George Miller (Middlesbrough)

Charlton Athletic
in
Tariqe Fosu (Reading), Mark Marshall (Bradford), Billy Clarke (Charlton), Jay DaSilva (Chelsea)

out
Dimitar Mitov (Cambridge), Terrell Thomas (Wigan), Adam Chicksen (Bradford), Cristian Ceballos (St Truiden)

Doncaster Rovers
in
Ben Whiteman (Sheffield United), Alex Kiwomya (Chelsea), Danny Andrew (Grimsby), Niall Mason (Aston Villa)

out
Paul Keegan, Gary McSheffrey, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair (Plymouth), Joe Pugh, Joey McCormick, Cedric Evina (Crawley), Mitchell Lund (Morecambe)

Fleetwood
in
Conor McAleny (Everton), Harvey Rodgers (Hull), Kyle Dempsey (Huddersfield), Lewie Coyle (Leeds), Jordy Hiwula (Huddersfield), Aiden O’Neill (Burnley)

out
Joe Davis (Port Vale), David Ball (Rotherham), Conor McLaughlin (Millwall), Jimmy Ryan (Blackpool)

Gillingham
in
Luke O’Neill (Southend), Gabriel Zakuani (Northampton), Tom Eaves (Yeovil), Conor Wilkinson (Bolton), Alex Lacey (Yeovil), Connor Ogilve (Tottenham), Billy Bingham (Crewe), Liam Nash (Maldon & Tiptree)

out
Emmanuel Osadebe (Cambridge), Cody McDonald (AFC Wimbledon), Bradley Dack (Blackburn), Ryan Jackson, Mitch Dickenson, Rory Donnelly, Chris Herd, Oliver Muldoon, Billy Knott (Lincoln), Ryan Jackson (Colchester)

MD Dons
in
Ousseynou Cisse (Tours), Conor McGrandles (Norwich), Wieger Sietsma (Heerneveren), Ethan Ebanks-Landall (Wolves) Gboly Ariyibi (Notts Forest), Ryan Seager (Southampton), Aaron Tshibola (Aston Villa)

out
Daniel Powell (Northampton) George Baldock (Sheffield United), Darren Potter (Rotherham) Dean Bowditch (Northampton), Nicky Maynard (Aberdeen)

Northampton Town
in
Daniel Powell (MK Dons), Dean Bowditch (MK Dons), Billy Waters (Cheltenham), George Smith (Gateshead), Sam Foley (Port Vale), Leon Barnett (Bury), Yaser Kasim (Swindon), Ash Taylor (Aberdeen), Regan Poole (Manchester United), Matt Crooks (Rangers), Aaron Pierre (Wycombe), Chris Long (Burnley)

out
Zander Diamond (Mansfield), Gabriel Zakuani (Gillingham) Harry Beautyman (Stevenage), Adam Smith (Bristol Rovers), Neal Eardle, Paul Anderson (Mansfield) Emmanuel Sonupe, Rob McDonald (joins Coventry)

Oldham Athletic
in
Craig Davies (Scunthorpe), Dan Gardner (Chesterfield), Rob Hunt (Brighton), Courtney Duffus (Everton)

out
Lee Croft, Josh Law, Jamie Reckord, Michael Ngoo, Lee Knight, Charles Dunne

Oxford United
in
Fiacre Kelleher (Celtic), Charlie Raglan (Chesterfield), Scott Shearer (Mansfield), Jordan Obika (Swindon), James Henry (Wolves), Dwight Tiendalli (Swansea) Xemi (Barcelona), Mike Williamson (Wolves), Jack Payne (Huddersfield)

out
Liam Sercombe (Bristol Rovers), Joe Skarz (Bury), Chey Dunkley (Wigan), Chris Maguire (Bury), John Lundstram (Sheffield United)

Peterborough
in
Jonathan Bond (Reading), Jack Marriot (Luton), Michael Doughty (QPR), Ricky Miller (Dover), Daniel Lloyd (Stockport), Jordan Tibbets (Birmingham), Alex Penny (Nuneaton), Steven Taylor (Ipswich)

out
Lee Angol (Mansfield), Jerome Binnam-Wlliams (Chesterfield), Paul Taylor (Bradford), Brad Inman (Rochdale), Michael Smith (Hearts), Luke James (Forest Green), Tom Nichols (Bristol Rovers), Harry Anderson (Lincoln), Michael Bostick (Lincoln), Shaquille Coulthirst (Barnet)

Plymouth Argyle
in
Joel Grant (Exeter), Ruben Lamerias (Coventry), Ryan Edwards (Morecambe), Jamie Ness (Scunthorpe), Robert te Loeke (Achilles), Gregg Wylde (Millwall), Aaron Taylor-Sinclair (Doncaster), Lionel Ainsworth (Motherwell)

out
Nauris Bulvitis, Ryan Donaldson (Hartlepool), Jordan Slew, Connor Smith (Yeovil)
Jimmy Spencer (joins Mansfield) ,Ryan Brunt (Exeter), David Ijaha, Louis Rooney, Vincent Dorel

Portsmouth
in
Nathan Thompson (Swindon), Tareiq Holmes-Dennis (Huddersfield), Luke McGhee (Tottenham), Brett Pitman (Ipswich)

out
Michael Doyle (Coventry), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Liam O’Brian (Coventry), Conor Smith (Yeovil), Amine Lingzani (Swindon)

Rochdale
in
Reece Brown (Bury), Jordan Williams (Barrow), Brendon Moore (Torquay), Brad Inman (Peterborough), Jordan Williams (Liverpool), Donervan Daniels (Wigan), Kgosii Nthle (Stevenage), Matt Done (Sheffield Utd)

out
David Owusu, Jonny Diba, Conrad Logan (joins Mansfield), Matty Lund (joins Burton),
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (joins Cardiff), Peter Vincenti (joins Coventry), Donal McDermott (Swindon), Jamie Allen (Burton)

Rotherham
in
David Ball (Fleetwood), Ryan WIlliams (Barnsley), Darren Potter (MK Dons), Michael Ihiekwa (Tranmere), Jamie Proctor (Bolton), Kiefer Moore (Ipswich), Josh Emmanuel (Ipswich)

out
Lee Camp (Cardiff) Stephen Kelly, Joel Ekstrand, Kelvin Wilson, Tom Thorpe, Richie Smallman (Blackburn) Chris Dawson, Danny Ward (Cardiff), Kirk Broadfoot (Kilmarnock)

Scunthorpe Unied
in
Rory McArdle (Bradford), Matt Gilks (Wigan), Cameron Burgess (Fulham), Funso Oje (Willem II)

out
Luke Daniels (Brentford) David Mirfin (Mansfield), Stephen Dawson (Bury), Scott Wiseman (Chesterfield) Joe Anyon (Chesterfield) Jamie Ness (Plymouth) Scott Laird (Forest Green) Craig Davies (Oldham Athletic)

Shrewsbury Town
in
Ebou Adams (Norwich loan), Lenell John-Lewis (Newport), Jon Nolan (Chesterfield), Zak Jules (Reading), Daniel Jones (Swansea), Arthur Gnahoua (Kidderminster), Craig MacGilvery (Walsall), Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Carlton Morris (Norwich), James Bolton (Gateshead), Niall Ennis (Wolves)

out
Mark Halstead, Kaiman Anderson (Southport), Callum Grogan, Ethan Jones ( Southport)
Gary Deegan (Cambridge), Ollie Lancashire (Swindon), Adam El-Abd (Wycombe), Jim O’Brien (Ross Co), Callum Burton (Hull), jason Leutweiler (Blackburn)

Southend
in
Michael Turner (Norwich), Stephen Hendrie (West Ham), Michael Kightly (Burnley), Amadou Ba (France)

out
David Mooney, Luke O’Neill (Gillingham), Frank Nouble, Zavon Hines, Jason Williams, Jordan Williams, Will Atkinson (Mansfield), Adam Thompson (Bury)

Walsall
in
Nicky Devlin (Ayr), Mark Gillespie (Carlisle), Jon Guthrie (Crewe), Luke Leahy (Falkirk), James Wilson (Sheff Utd)

out
Theo Vassell, Craig MacGillivray (Shrewsbury), Isaiah Osbourne, Franck Moussa, Bradley Caswell, Lezion Cela, Ashley Maddock, Neil Etheridge (Cardiff)

Wigan Athletic
in
Terrell Thomas (Charlton), Chey Dunkley (Oxford), Gavin Massey (L Orient), Christian Walton (Brighton), Lee Evans (Wolves), Callum Elder (Leicester), Ivan Toney (Newcastle)

out
Stephen Warnock (Burton), Gabriel Obertan, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Jack Hendry (Dundee) Andrew Taylor (Bolton), Jack Buxton (Burton) Mikeal Mandron (Colchester), Donervan Daniels (Rochdale), Sam Cosgrove (Carlisle)

[Post edited 4 Oct 2017 2:13]
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Annual Released Thread on 12:10 - May 4 with 5236 viewsscarrow

Tom Kennedy released by fylde

Poll: Final position

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Annual Released Thread on 14:27 - May 4 with 5074 viewsmacro

Walsall added
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Annual Released Thread on 14:02 - May 5 with 4824 viewsToffeemanc

Bury
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39820344

wonder if Keith may go for Mellis when Lund leaves?

Poll: Now the club has refused to move on sesaon ticket prices what will you now do?

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Annual Released Thread on 16:38 - May 5 with 4694 viewsThacks_Rabbits

Notice bURY have retained a youth team player called wealth da silver. Must be the nearest thing to money they have left. Soon they will have no Hope but at least they kept Tutte!!!!!

Every Team Needs A John Ryan - The Winger Who's a Ringer!!!!!
Poll: Which player would you rather have if Twitter rumour is correct (unlikely)

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Annual Released Thread on 16:47 - May 5 with 4675 viewsdavidab2202

Matt Done transfer listed by Sheff united,could we afford him ?
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Annual Released Thread on 17:06 - May 5 with 4639 viewsaleanddale

Annual Released Thread on 16:47 - May 5 by davidab2202

Matt Done transfer listed by Sheff united,could we afford him ?


Yes!!!!!!
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Annual Released Thread on 17:12 - May 5 with 4618 viewsTommy

Annual Released Thread on 16:38 - May 5 by Thacks_Rabbits

Notice bURY have retained a youth team player called wealth da silver. Must be the nearest thing to money they have left. Soon they will have no Hope but at least they kept Tutte!!!!!


Don't give up the day job mate.
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Annual Released Thread on 17:38 - May 5 with 4572 viewsShun

Annual Released Thread on 16:47 - May 5 by davidab2202

Matt Done transfer listed by Sheff united,could we afford him ?


Released: Stefan Scougall and Marc McNulty
Transfer listed: Matty Done, Chris Hussey and James Wilson
Offered a new contract: Jay O'Shea

I'm assuming Done's eventual transfer will be one of those 'zero fee involved, take him off our hands' deals. Quite a few on the Blades forum assuming he might return to Dale.

McNulty was a good striker if I remember my fitzo musings correctly.
[Post edited 5 May 2017 17:48]
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Annual Released Thread on 17:50 - May 5 with 4523 viewsmacro

updated
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Annual Released Thread on 17:54 - May 5 with 4512 viewsbocadave

The thought of Jacob Mellis and Stephen Darby is to horrible to contemplate.Two wheelie bins would be a better option.
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Annual Released Thread on 19:25 - May 5 with 4376 viewsfitzochris

Annual Released Thread on 17:38 - May 5 by Shun

Released: Stefan Scougall and Marc McNulty
Transfer listed: Matty Done, Chris Hussey and James Wilson
Offered a new contract: Jay O'Shea

I'm assuming Done's eventual transfer will be one of those 'zero fee involved, take him off our hands' deals. Quite a few on the Blades forum assuming he might return to Dale.

McNulty was a good striker if I remember my fitzo musings correctly.
[Post edited 5 May 2017 17:48]


He is but Scougall is miles better. If there is any chance we could get him we absolutely must! Lund and then some he is.

EDIT: I posted the below almost a year ago, when I was clearly feeling enthusiastic:


I can point to players such as Robert Snodgrass, Graham Dorrans and Leigh Griffiths as those I rated who have gone on to do well in England (and Scotland again).

Yes there are players who I have rated, that have moved down to England and, for whatever reason, have not shone as brightly as they should.

I’m looking at you, Stevie May.

To be fair, I think Sheffield Wednesday was the wrong club for him at the time. When he moved to Preston, I thought, that’s more him. Then he did his knee and hasn’t played since Christmas. Honestly, though, when he was on form, he was an absolute complete forward. Great feet, fast, powerful, cuts in or drives forward and has a terrific shot. A complete nightmare to play against. An ideal Rochdale AFC forward, for me. Sadly, beyond our reach now, I reckon.

Stefan Scougall is another one. Absolute talent, that lad. A really gifted young footballer. Started brightly enough at Sheffield United, who clearly saw the same potential in him, but then he ended up on loan at Fleetwood last season. Same goes for Bob Harris, and Marc McNulty, who the Blades farmed out to Portsmouth.

Scougall, though, is the best of them. When I saw him at Livingston he could receive the ball with his back to goal and not necessarily have to revert to passing backwards to keep it. His first touch, dexterity when turning and acceleration over five yards were such that he was beyond his opponent within milliseconds of trapping the ball. He did this countless times. The only weakness I could see is that he was tiny.

I sometimes wonder if it’s the step-up in coaching that does for these lads. I’m not saying the coaching in Scotland is bad (I know it’s not as I’ve seen what my lad does even at youth level), but I reckon it’s more intense in England. Hilly’s regime, for example, seems hard enough for established English-league players, never mind those who were maybe once part-time footballers etc.

What surprises me more is some of the Scottish-based players English clubs do take a punt on. Leeds taking on Lee Erwin for example. I never saw anything in him to suggest he would make it in England — and so it’s proved so far.

Bury taking a punt on Nicky Clark is an odd one, too. He had one good season in League One with Queen of the South, but the feeling was that having Derek Lyle there next to him was key. From what I saw of him at Rangers, he’s a hard worker but displayed very little talent. He's a one goal for five chances type. He's not physically imposing, and I think the guys in our division will run over the top of him. My Rangers-supporting pal points out he scored 1 in 4.7 for Rangers. In the lower leagues. “Our fookin' full-backs score more than that,” he says. Watch him have a stormer now and score a hat-trick against us.

So we’ll see how Hemmings does for Oxford this coming season. Perhaps his talents are better utilised in Scotland, or he needs a forward like Greg Stewart alongside him — but he certainly isn’t “not much cop”. I've seen enough of him to know that.

Another lad I saw last season who did well in Scotland was Jackson Irvine. Burton have taken a punt on him, so, again, it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on at Championship level. Perhaps he’ll flourish, perhaps he won’t, but at least he’s been given the chance. Rotherham have signed Will Vaulks, who I also rate highly. Blackburn are also giving a trial to Faissal El Bakhtaoui to see if he can cut it at a decent standard.

I don’t think we, as Dale supporters, should be dismissive of the Scottish leagues. As Hilly has said, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to compete with other clubs for established English-based players and so, thinking outside the box — looking at Scotland, non-league and “lesser leagues” abroad — should always be an option for us. That’s what I think, anyway. The practicalities of that are no doubt more complex.

As a footnote, I don’t want to hear about Marc Twaddle. He was signed by us to play as a central defender, which he wasn’t, and he was never outstanding when playing his natural position as a full back. Kenny Arthur was a decent keeper for Thistle and, by all accounts, Accrington — dunno what had happened to him by the time he rocked up to us.
[Post edited 6 May 2017 7:57]

Blog: Rochdale 2018/19 part three: Getting points on the board

1
Annual Released Thread on 14:45 - May 8 with 3868 viewsdingdangblue

Annual Released Thread on 17:54 - May 5 by bocadave

The thought of Jacob Mellis and Stephen Darby is to horrible to contemplate.Two wheelie bins would be a better option.


Hill certainly rated Mellis in the past .......

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/7829644/hill-praises-youngster

Its a BRILLIANT goal to cap a BRILLIANT start by Rochdale - Don Goodman 26/08/10
Poll: Are fans more annoyed losing or not playing Henderson centre forward?

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Annual Released Thread on 17:29 - May 8 with 3695 viewsSaxonDale

Annual Released Thread on 14:45 - May 8 by dingdangblue

Hill certainly rated Mellis in the past .......

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/7829644/hill-praises-youngster


Hilly tried to sign him before he went to Bury.
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Annual Released Thread on 18:26 - May 8 with 3599 viewsmacro

You take the same risk with Scotland (lower leagues) as you do with the buying from non-league. For every Craig Dawson there’s a Jon Shaw lurking.

Peterborough have signed two prolific non-forwards from Dover and Stockport respectively. It’ll be interesting to see how they do. Posh do have a knack of finding the right talent from non-league historically.
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Annual Released Thread on 18:35 - May 8 with 3577 viewsfitzochris

Annual Released Thread on 18:26 - May 8 by macro

You take the same risk with Scotland (lower leagues) as you do with the buying from non-league. For every Craig Dawson there’s a Jon Shaw lurking.

Peterborough have signed two prolific non-forwards from Dover and Stockport respectively. It’ll be interesting to see how they do. Posh do have a knack of finding the right talent from non-league historically.


Is a non-forward a backward?

Blog: Rochdale 2018/19 part three: Getting points on the board

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Annual Released Thread on 20:14 - May 8 with 3471 viewsmacro

Annual Released Thread on 18:35 - May 8 by fitzochris

Is a non-forward a backward?


Or a Jon Shaw!
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Annual Released Thread on 16:38 - May 9 with 3204 viewsShun

Annual Released Thread on 19:25 - May 5 by fitzochris

He is but Scougall is miles better. If there is any chance we could get him we absolutely must! Lund and then some he is.

EDIT: I posted the below almost a year ago, when I was clearly feeling enthusiastic:


I can point to players such as Robert Snodgrass, Graham Dorrans and Leigh Griffiths as those I rated who have gone on to do well in England (and Scotland again).

Yes there are players who I have rated, that have moved down to England and, for whatever reason, have not shone as brightly as they should.

I’m looking at you, Stevie May.

To be fair, I think Sheffield Wednesday was the wrong club for him at the time. When he moved to Preston, I thought, that’s more him. Then he did his knee and hasn’t played since Christmas. Honestly, though, when he was on form, he was an absolute complete forward. Great feet, fast, powerful, cuts in or drives forward and has a terrific shot. A complete nightmare to play against. An ideal Rochdale AFC forward, for me. Sadly, beyond our reach now, I reckon.

Stefan Scougall is another one. Absolute talent, that lad. A really gifted young footballer. Started brightly enough at Sheffield United, who clearly saw the same potential in him, but then he ended up on loan at Fleetwood last season. Same goes for Bob Harris, and Marc McNulty, who the Blades farmed out to Portsmouth.

Scougall, though, is the best of them. When I saw him at Livingston he could receive the ball with his back to goal and not necessarily have to revert to passing backwards to keep it. His first touch, dexterity when turning and acceleration over five yards were such that he was beyond his opponent within milliseconds of trapping the ball. He did this countless times. The only weakness I could see is that he was tiny.

I sometimes wonder if it’s the step-up in coaching that does for these lads. I’m not saying the coaching in Scotland is bad (I know it’s not as I’ve seen what my lad does even at youth level), but I reckon it’s more intense in England. Hilly’s regime, for example, seems hard enough for established English-league players, never mind those who were maybe once part-time footballers etc.

What surprises me more is some of the Scottish-based players English clubs do take a punt on. Leeds taking on Lee Erwin for example. I never saw anything in him to suggest he would make it in England — and so it’s proved so far.

Bury taking a punt on Nicky Clark is an odd one, too. He had one good season in League One with Queen of the South, but the feeling was that having Derek Lyle there next to him was key. From what I saw of him at Rangers, he’s a hard worker but displayed very little talent. He's a one goal for five chances type. He's not physically imposing, and I think the guys in our division will run over the top of him. My Rangers-supporting pal points out he scored 1 in 4.7 for Rangers. In the lower leagues. “Our fookin' full-backs score more than that,” he says. Watch him have a stormer now and score a hat-trick against us.

So we’ll see how Hemmings does for Oxford this coming season. Perhaps his talents are better utilised in Scotland, or he needs a forward like Greg Stewart alongside him — but he certainly isn’t “not much cop”. I've seen enough of him to know that.

Another lad I saw last season who did well in Scotland was Jackson Irvine. Burton have taken a punt on him, so, again, it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on at Championship level. Perhaps he’ll flourish, perhaps he won’t, but at least he’s been given the chance. Rotherham have signed Will Vaulks, who I also rate highly. Blackburn are also giving a trial to Faissal El Bakhtaoui to see if he can cut it at a decent standard.

I don’t think we, as Dale supporters, should be dismissive of the Scottish leagues. As Hilly has said, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to compete with other clubs for established English-based players and so, thinking outside the box — looking at Scotland, non-league and “lesser leagues” abroad — should always be an option for us. That’s what I think, anyway. The practicalities of that are no doubt more complex.

As a footnote, I don’t want to hear about Marc Twaddle. He was signed by us to play as a central defender, which he wasn’t, and he was never outstanding when playing his natural position as a full back. Kenny Arthur was a decent keeper for Thistle and, by all accounts, Accrington — dunno what had happened to him by the time he rocked up to us.
[Post edited 6 May 2017 7:57]


The more I read about this Scougall the more I want him!
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Annual Released Thread on 17:05 - May 9 with 3145 viewsColDale

There's a ex Dale certain striker out of contract at Brighton this Summer. He's clearly surplus to requirements there, and he doesn't seem to have got much of a look in at Burton recently (have googled but can't find any record of injuries recently).
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Annual Released Thread on 17:16 - May 9 with 3118 viewsdingdangblue

Annual Released Thread on 16:38 - May 9 by Shun

The more I read about this Scougall the more I want him!


He could work well with our strikers.

Its a BRILLIANT goal to cap a BRILLIANT start by Rochdale - Don Goodman 26/08/10
Poll: Are fans more annoyed losing or not playing Henderson centre forward?

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Annual Released Thread on 17:16 - May 9 with 3119 viewsfitzochris

Annual Released Thread on 16:38 - May 9 by Shun

The more I read about this Scougall the more I want him!


He's ace.

Blog: Rochdale 2018/19 part three: Getting points on the board

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Annual Released Thread on 17:21 - May 9 with 3099 viewsmacro

Crewe, Cheltenham, Doncaster, PNE and Wycombe added
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Annual Released Thread on 21:48 - May 9 with 2923 viewsmacro

Shrews added
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Annual Released Thread on 22:44 - May 9 with 2838 viewssykeboy

Annual Released Thread on 17:05 - May 9 by ColDale

There's a ex Dale certain striker out of contract at Brighton this Summer. He's clearly surplus to requirements there, and he doesn't seem to have got much of a look in at Burton recently (have googled but can't find any record of injuries recently).


Would love COG to return but can't see it with Davies & Calvin signed up
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Annual Released Thread on 12:56 - May 10 with 2660 viewsseasidedale

Annual Released Thread on 22:44 - May 9 by sykeboy

Would love COG to return but can't see it with Davies & Calvin signed up


Its ok saying that we cant see us signing COG for example as we have 2 forwards, working of that train of thought who would we sign , just assuming for a moment that all out of contract players sign up. Number wise we wouldnt sign anyone as we have enough players in all 3 areas of the field.
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Annual Released Thread on 13:12 - May 10 with 2605 viewsboromat

Annual Released Thread on 22:44 - May 9 by sykeboy

Would love COG to return but can't see it with Davies & Calvin signed up


Love to see a front three of them they'd bully most defences in LG1.

Poll: What are we more excited for?

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