Fan up the ladder

According to the BBC Transfers page, Paul Gerrard has joined Stockport County.

There's one player I didn't think we would see against us again. I thought he had retired and was satisfied with Masters Football!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8125943.stm

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/...1697658,00.html

Just been sent this. The article mentions compensation so maybe the Porter rule doesn't apply and we do have to pay a fee for some reason?

I'm not sure we're in a position to pay any compo but maybe, according to Bradford fans, he's worth it?!

Does anyone know if we are looking at trying to sign this guy on a permanent basis or season long loan?

Good question. I think he is a free agent so it would be a permanent signing. Bradford had him on a season-long loan last season, doesn't sound as if he's got much of a future at Rangers.

I know he's been mentioned in other posts, but I have a Bradford City-supporting friend who says that according to their message boards we are battling it out with Bradford to sign Dean Furman, and that currently we are the favourites.

The Bradford website itself mentions it at the bottom of an article about Peter Thorne signing a new contract:

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/...1689440,00.html

My friend says: "Furman is f ing awesome! Hes just a no-nonsense central midfielder that chases people down, never pulls out of a challenge, never complains, runs for 90 mins and wins his fair share of headers for a smaller player. hes the best young player we’ve had in years."

So it sounds like he would be a useful acquisition even if not neccessarily a like-for-like replacement for Taylor....

Just a rumour with a tiny bit of back-up, nothing more...

Incidentally, and this is no word of a lie, I saw Neil Trotman looking fit and well in Sainsburys Oldham Car Park on Saturday afternoon. If that's not a telling clue that he's signing for us on loan, then I don't know what is(!)

Alan Knill is the Bury manager. I think he did a reasonable job at Rotherham too.

If Big Joe didn't stay (and like a previous poster said, we don't know what's going to happen this season yet!!) then I think Paul Ince could be the one they might go for. He has proved himself in the lower leagues and would demand respect from the players. He didn't get enough time at Blackburn. Having said all that, I doubt he would agree to come. He's probably holding out for a club at a higher level.

Whilst Gannon, Hill and Knill are doing decent work at local clubs, there are plenty of other managers around the leagues doing good jobs from further afield, Paul Simpson at Shrewsbury for example. I'll throw in Mark Robins as a wildcard too!

I saw Josh Bell in a few FA Youth Cup games last season and there was nothing from his performances then to suggest that he couldn't handle one league game at this stage of his career. He made a number of good saves and even saved a couple of pens in a shoot-out. With Gregan and Hazell to protect him I don't think it would be a major problem.

Name? Michael Leyland

Location? Littleborough

How Long Supporting the Tics? Since 1990

Best away match you've been to? Two City away matches spring to mind. The 3-3 draw in the first season in the Premier League, and the 2-1 win when they came down to the old Division 2.

All Time Greatest Player? Roger Palmer, with Lee Richardson a close second.

Biggest Rivals (in your eyes)? Last season it was Blackpool but this year we'll say Leeds!