Barrel of Fun
Abort, retry, fail
In a town where I was born...(Former Dutch Marine Re-signs).
Albion keeper signs new deal
By Brian Owen
Michel Kuipers has agreed to stay with Albion for at least another season.
But the Seagulls are still looking to bring in a senior goalkeeper to rival him for top billing between the sticks.
Kuipers, one of 11 out-of-contract Albion players who were offered the chance to stay, has agreed a one-year deal with the option of a further season.
He will start his eighth campaign for the club in August.
The big Dutchman was in and out of the first team last season as he battled for the starting spot with first Wayne Henderson, then impressive loanee Scott Flinders.
Dean Wilkins insists the 32-year-old is ready for similar competition next season.
The Albion manager said: "We had a private conversation during last season. It was honest and frank on both sides.
"It's now down to Michel to re-establish himself as first choice. He is prepared to meet the challenge.
"We want strong competition in all areas of the pitch, then it's down to the players themselves."
Kuipers is the second Albion player to agree a new contract, after Guy Butters, and Wilkins expects more to follow in the next few days.
However, the Albion boss admits he might have to be patient as he tries to bring Andrew Whing back to the club.
Whing, a success on loan last season, has been released by Coventry and the Seagulls hope to bring him back on a more permanent basis.
Wilkins said: "He knows we are interested and he has been made an offer.
"I'm not sure too much business gets done at this time of the year and that's not ideal for us but the players are in a strong position to negotiate and they don't feel any rush to make a decision."
Meanwhile, Hull City insist they have had no approach from Albion for striker Nicky Forster.
Chairman Dick Knight has revealed the Seagulls have agreed terms with another club for a striker.
But his Hull counterpart Adam Pearson has suggested that man is not Forster although he would not be surprised if the Seagulls made a move as they look to beef up their attack.
Pearson said: "Nicky lives ten minutes from their ground and his family and kids are down there.
"There has not been a move yet but I would not be surprised if they are having a sneaky look."
Forster has a year to run on his contract but it is believed the Tigers would be willing to do business if they received a bid in the region of the £100,000 Albion offered midway through last season.
Hull signed Forster from Ipswich for £250,000 last August but would be willing to cut their losses on the 33-year-old.
Agreeing personal terms could still be a stumbling block for the Seagulls.
Albion manager Dean Wilkins refuses to discuss tranfer targets until deals are completed.
He said: "I believe in not saying anything until the business is done but we are working very hard to strengthen the squad."
Meanwhile Joe O'Cearuill could be on the move to Wigan Athletic.
The Latics are considering signing the Arsenal defender, who made seven starts on loan to Albion in the second half of last season.
O'Cearuill was an unused substitute for the Gunners in their season-ending 0-0 draw at Portsmouth recently.
Albion keeper signs new deal
By Brian Owen
Michel Kuipers has agreed to stay with Albion for at least another season.
But the Seagulls are still looking to bring in a senior goalkeeper to rival him for top billing between the sticks.
Kuipers, one of 11 out-of-contract Albion players who were offered the chance to stay, has agreed a one-year deal with the option of a further season.
He will start his eighth campaign for the club in August.
The big Dutchman was in and out of the first team last season as he battled for the starting spot with first Wayne Henderson, then impressive loanee Scott Flinders.
Dean Wilkins insists the 32-year-old is ready for similar competition next season.
The Albion manager said: "We had a private conversation during last season. It was honest and frank on both sides.
"It's now down to Michel to re-establish himself as first choice. He is prepared to meet the challenge.
"We want strong competition in all areas of the pitch, then it's down to the players themselves."
Kuipers is the second Albion player to agree a new contract, after Guy Butters, and Wilkins expects more to follow in the next few days.
However, the Albion boss admits he might have to be patient as he tries to bring Andrew Whing back to the club.
Whing, a success on loan last season, has been released by Coventry and the Seagulls hope to bring him back on a more permanent basis.
Wilkins said: "He knows we are interested and he has been made an offer.
"I'm not sure too much business gets done at this time of the year and that's not ideal for us but the players are in a strong position to negotiate and they don't feel any rush to make a decision."
Meanwhile, Hull City insist they have had no approach from Albion for striker Nicky Forster.
Chairman Dick Knight has revealed the Seagulls have agreed terms with another club for a striker.
But his Hull counterpart Adam Pearson has suggested that man is not Forster although he would not be surprised if the Seagulls made a move as they look to beef up their attack.
Pearson said: "Nicky lives ten minutes from their ground and his family and kids are down there.
"There has not been a move yet but I would not be surprised if they are having a sneaky look."
Forster has a year to run on his contract but it is believed the Tigers would be willing to do business if they received a bid in the region of the £100,000 Albion offered midway through last season.
Hull signed Forster from Ipswich for £250,000 last August but would be willing to cut their losses on the 33-year-old.
Agreeing personal terms could still be a stumbling block for the Seagulls.
Albion manager Dean Wilkins refuses to discuss tranfer targets until deals are completed.
He said: "I believe in not saying anything until the business is done but we are working very hard to strengthen the squad."
Meanwhile Joe O'Cearuill could be on the move to Wigan Athletic.
The Latics are considering signing the Arsenal defender, who made seven starts on loan to Albion in the second half of last season.
O'Cearuill was an unused substitute for the Gunners in their season-ending 0-0 draw at Portsmouth recently.
Oh, and fixtures.
