brighton linked with francis

[Black Country Seagull]

Source: http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/sport/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=IpswichTownFC&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=zSport&itemid=IPED12%20May%202008%2018%3A29%3A39%3A977


Brighton run the rule over Francis
13 May 2008 | 06:50
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DEREK DAVIS

LEAGUE One side Brighton are leading the chase for prolific non-league striker Joe Francis.

The former Woodbridge Town hit-man has been tracked by a number of football league sides since signing for Southern League side King's Lynn following a ten-week stint training with Ipswich Town.

The EADT understands Brighton boss Dean Wilkins ran the rule over the player who has been switched from a striker to a left-sided midfielder with good results.

He has still scored 23 goals in 47 league games, has won four player of the year awards and attracted league scouts.

Brighton look favourites to make a move, but the arrival of Micky Adams for his second stint as the Seagulls boss has meant chairman Dick Knight has put a bid on hold and the player is unaware of any interest being firmed up.

Francis last night told the EADT: “I have heard rumours about league sides watching me but I ignore all that and just get on with my game. I let my agent deal with anything that might come up and as I'm under contract any interested club would have to go through King's Lynn anyway.”

The 21-year-old is a plasterer by trade has another year on his contract with the Linnets and is thoroughly enjoying his football, but admits he has ambitions to play higher.

Francis said: “I have had enjoyed a really good season. It has gone better than I could have expected and I have exceeded my targets.

“I am really happy here at king's Lynn playing with a wonderful bunch of guys under a terrific manager and coaches. But it is everyone's dream to play in the league. If it happens it would be brilliant and I really belief in myself.

“My time at Ipswich Town gave me a taste to be a professional and what I learned there has helped me step up.

“I always had belief in myself, but you still worry. It would be the same stepping up into the Football League if it happened, but I still belief I can do it.

“If it doesn't then I'm more than happy playing here.”

After helping the Linnets to the Southern League Premier title, top-scorer Francis's side will be playing in the second tier of the Conference next season, if he has not switched to the Seagulls.

 

[Frutos]

Another non-league striker? Oooh, goody.

 

[Black Country Seagull]

Another non-league striker? Oooh, goody.

Apparently now plays left midfield the article says - does that me westlake won't be coming back ? Or maybe as cover to westlake!

 

[Herne Hill Seagull]

Another non-league striker? Oooh, goody.

Aaron McLean (sp?) was a non-league striker Frutos, and he's looked a bargain for Peterborough. How would you have felt had we signed him?

 

[saltash seagull]

who says micky wants westlake?

 

[Black Country Seagull]

who says micky wants westlake?

very true, but if the price is right, he will be mad not to

 

[Icy Gull]

I have no idea who this guy is but on our past record with non league players I can't get too excited, one has to come good in the end I suppose if we sign enough. I just don't want to hear the one for the future bollocks if we sign him though.

I discount Revell as he was originally a league striker.

 

[BensGrandad]

very true, but if the price is right, he will be mad not to

Why would he be mad not to want to sign Westlake?

As I said on another thread he was better than we had, as we had been devoid of talent for so long, but he was not a player that would set the division on fire in the manner that BZ did or even as effective as Paul Rogers and Chippy.

 

[Blackadder]

We bought a young man called P Ward from Burton Albion, a non-league side.

 

[Black Country Seagull]

Why would he be mad not to want to sign Westlake?

As I said on another thread he was better than we had, as we had been devoid of talent for so long, but he was not a player that would set the division on fire in the manner that BZ did or even as effective as Paul Rogers and Chippy.

When he played he actually brought balance to the team, some players you don't miss until they are no longer there. The chance of a another BZ in the next 5 years is slim.

 

[logan89]

Says he is a plasterer, so maybe he will have a hand in building the stadium aswell.

 

[withdeanwombat]

We bought a young man called P Ward from Burton Albion, a non-league side.

Yes,but his performance at the Withdean proved it was a poor investment,n'est-ce-pas?

 

[Mendoza]

he plays in midfield with Steve Melton and Phil Mulryne

 

[BensGrandad]

When he played he actually brought balance to the team, some players you don't miss until they are no longer there. The chance of a another BZ in the next 5 years is slim.

I would accept that he provided the balance that we needed on the left but if as quoted his wage at Leeds was £7k per week and he would presumably expect something near that figure from us I would think that he would be a bad buy. I see him as a squad player rather than one of the first to go on the team sheet al a Murray Forster Elphick etc.

I think that Sam Rents could and should have played left midfield more often in the early part iof the season.

 

[Black Country Seagull]

I would accept that he provided the balance that we needed on the left but if as quoted his wage at Leeds was £7k per week and he would presumably expect something near that figure from us I would think that he would be a bad buy. I see him as a squad player rather than one of the first to go on the team sheet al a Murray Forster Elphick etc.

I think that Sam Rents could and should have played left midfield more often in the early part iof the season.

Well if 7k is the figure, your right, not really viable, imagine that would fragment the wage structure.

 

[BensGrandad]

I would expct the wage structure to go out of the window now that MA is in charge as he allegedly had the largest budget of any manager when he was in charge last time and I should think that he would expect similar now.

 

[Munkfish]

I would accept that he provided the balance that we needed on the left but if as quoted his wage at Leeds was £7k per week and he would presumably expect something near that figure from us I would think that he would be a bad buy. I see him as a squad player rather than one of the first to go on the team sheet al a Murray Forster Elphick etc.

I think that Sam Rents could and should have played left midfield more often in the early part iof the season.

that wage was part of the reason he went to leeds i think i read, so im sure he would be prepared to drop his wages, but im not sure weather it would be a level that we could offer, couldnt imagine us offering anymore than £3000 a week?

 

[Seasider]

As a plaster maybe they are considering bringing him in to plaster over the cracks

 

[Juan Albion]

We bought a young man called P Ward from Burton Albion, a non-league side.

We also got a few years out of Gary Hart.

 

[Icy Gull]

We also got a few years out of Gary Hart.

There was 20 odd years between Wardy and Hart and it's been 10 years since we signed Hart so if we keep signing non league players for another 10 years we might find another nugget