Inspiral_Carpet Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Versatile Hills a Latics target by MICHAEL YARWOOD ATHLETIC are weighing up a move for versatile former Blackpool star John Hills. The 30-year-old is set to become a free agent, and a member of the Boundary Park coaching staff has already sounded him out about joining for next season. An unfortunate run of injuries has troubled Hills in the last few months, a factor in his release by Blackpool after they avoided relegation from the Championship. He only played eight games last term but is a man who could cover two positions for Athletic on their troublesome left-hand side. It’s no secret that manager John Sheridan has made left-sided players a top priority as he looks to mould a squad capable of winning promotion. And Hills fits the bill – he has played as both a midfielder and full-back during his five-club career and also boasts the experience which would suit Sheridan. The Chronicle understands he is in contact with Athletic and may be offered a deal if he can prove his fitness levels are up to standard. The Lancastrian has made just under 100 league appearances in the last five seasons, all of which were spent at Championship level. Hills began his career with hometown club Blackpool before Everton manager Joe Royle snapped him up as a much-vaunted teenager in 1995. He briefly broke into Everton’s Premiership squad but was loaned out to Swansea on two separate occasions. He returned to Blackpool in 1998 and helped the Seasiders earn promotion to what is now League One, winning the play-offs in a team which also included Richie Wellens, Mike Milligan, Paul Simpson and Brett Ormerod. Next came a switch to Gillingham, followed by two seasons at Sheffield Wednesday and a return to Blackpool – his third spell at Bloomfield Road – in July of last year. Athletic are trying to conclude their transfer dealings as early as possible, although tying down players can be difficult as many free agents want to keep their options open. Ironically, the Boundary Park club recently turned down Blackpool’s bid for left winger Chris Taylor. ATHLETIC have been drawn away to local rivals Rochdale in the first round of next season’s Carling Cup. The Spotland clash will take place in the first week of the campaign, with Tuesday, August 12 set as a provisional date. Rochdale narrowly missed out on promotion to Athletic’s division when they lost to Stockport in the recent League Two play-off final at Wembley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean 1984 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 decent player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyl@tic Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 We have enough sicknotes at the club no thanks.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaticsPete Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 We have enough sicknotes at the club no thanks.. Hence the phrase "may be offered a deal if he can prove his fitness levels are up to standard.". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoytonBlueLad Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Hence the phrase "may be offered a deal if he can prove his fitness levels are up to standard.". Yep. Draft him in, have a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie_m'gurk Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 decent player He only had problems last season, before that he has been a regular 40 game a season man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch_KTF Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 He only had problems last season, before that he has been a regular 40 game a season man. Who has made, and I quote, "just under 100 league appearances in the last five seasons". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 He only had problems last season, before that he has been a regular 40 game a season man. A regular just under 23 games a season man by my reckoning, although possibly selection could have been an issue. Could still be a good signing if Superphysio gives him the all clear, I wouldn't have thought his wage demands would be ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean 1984 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 could be a decent team gk crossley lb hills cb gregan cb hazell rb eardley lw lee rw taylor cm allott cm stephens/experienced man st hughes st davies sub fleming lomax lidds o grady smalley i would be very happy an optimistic with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BESASTIAN11 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 You missed allesandra out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean 1984 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 exactly he prob wont make the bench it will show good squad depth for once Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaticsLegend Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I reckon we'll end up taking him on trial, and opting against signing him. But if he proves his fitness, and does sign, he could be a good consistant performer for the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsslatic Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 could be a decent team gk crossley lb hills cb gregan cb hazell rb eardley lw lee rw taylor cm allott cm stephens/experienced man st hughes st davies sub fleming lomax lidds o grady smalley i would be very happy an optimistic with that Stevens will not be in the first XI this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean 1984 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 he probably wont be if we sign another midfielder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsslatic Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 he probably wont be if we sign another midfielder He probably won't because the club have said he won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldhamSheridan Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 He probably won't because the club have said he won't. I'm willing to lay a cyberpint that he starts at least one league game next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaddy the owl Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Didnt Tommy say somewhere last week that the way he has been playing when they watched him last season he wont have any problems walking into the starting line up at the start of the season? I know i read it somewhere so it was either the chron, the official site, or Tommy came round my house and told me. I vote for option number two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie_m'gurk Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 A regular just under 23 games a season man by my reckoning, although possibly selection could have been an issue. Could still be a good signing if Superphysio gives him the all clear, I wouldn't have thought his wage demands would be ridiculous. Work out that ratio for Stam, and everyone thinks he is worth a contract every year??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie_m'gurk Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 could be a decent team gk crossley lb hills cb gregan cb hazell rb eardley lw lee rw taylor cm allott cm stephens/experienced man st hughes st davies sub fleming lomax lidds o grady smalley i would be very happy an optimistic with that No Stam? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Work out that ratio for Stam, and everyone thinks he is worth a contract every year??? Not everyone, I for one have always been able to see past his lovely locks and Dutchness. That said, Hills has started a lot more games over the past 5 years than Crossley had, statistics rarely tell the whole story (and indeed I'd get sacked if mine did). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean 1984 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 i even forgot about stam we seem to have a few options with 1 or 2 more signings, i can actually see us signing hills a midfielder and another player on loan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lags Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 He probably won't because the club have said he won't. Could also be sayin that as the tribunal looms! cynical me?.............................never. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oa_exile Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Stevens will not be in the first XI this year.........especially when Yantarno signs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsslatic Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I'm willing to lay a cyberpint that he starts at least one league game next season. I meant it in the sense that he won't be in the first choice XI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsslatic Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 (edited) QUOTE(jsslatic @ Jun 13 2008, 14:50 PM) Stevens will not be in the first XI this year.........especially when Yantarno signs Edited June 13, 2008 by jsslatic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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