Thetownend.com

signed, for 6 figures from grimsby

official text as source

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10341~2393531,00.html

Holy crap, that was left field.

Stats look good, can't honestly say I'd ever heard of him though.

Was anyone expecting that one?

To be fair he sounds like an ideal player for us!! 29 in all competitions last season, and has "has won promotion to League 1 on three separate occasions".

Fingers crossed we can agree terms with the player himself, and PDC like his attitude and wants him!  :pint:


Hang on - have terms with player been agreed also? or is this subject to terms still?

25 goals last season. Can't be bad.

It's not a "bid accepted" thing, it's a signed, sealed, delivered. Fair play to Jeremy Wray for keeping this under wraps!

...Well, subject to a medical. Someone distract Huddersfield for a weekend...

His name has been mentioned recently.

A Bournemouth supporting friend of mine really rated him years back. Had a cracking season in the Conference.

Cracking news... if it's only subject to medical etc, then PDC must rate him. 29 goals last season & previous experience of getting out of league 2. Roll on the season... :D

Meh

miserable c u n t

Touche

If he doesnt score 6 on tuesday against marine and im going to throw shit at him

Nice... a striker with L2 experience at last!

Wow, a bit of a surprise. Very nice to have signed a striker who's consistently scored goals at or around this level.

Would still like to see us bring in a bigger, more physical striker as well but one step closer to getting the squad sorted - can't complain.

Likewise, impressive scoring record last year.

Didn't see this one coming at all.

Good news.. sounds like he did the business last year. Grimsby fans seem to be gutted.

His age could work in our favour too- if he has a good season with us this season then less likely to be poached next summer.

well thats one signing today. now we need one more to be really happy

Is this the same Ralphy that was crestfallen at not signing Adam Birchall?

This signing was mentioned a while back by Grimsby fans but kind of forgotten with all of the other strikers that have come and gone.

Paolo did say that when signings were made there could be 2 or 3 in quick succession.

Hang onto your hats?

Better record than Birchall... in better leagues.

His numbers look comparable to Birchall in truth all be it slightly older. Wait and see i guess but not one thats gets me particularly excited, guess it depends if PDC thinks this is one of his squad players or a starting XI player

goal scoring stats wise he's fluctuated between excellent and not so excellent.

if he is in the middle of that range next year thatll be good enough with another striker doing the same!

more importantly we can shout aaaaalan at him for no good reason.

excellent.

Good point 8)

Dover fans saying Birchall is still their player as Gillingham played him in a friendly the other night and the transfer is not complete. Gillingham have not payed for him and no money has been received, perhaps they are struggling to find it!

More importantly its a name you can pronounce and probably spell!!!

Are we sure it's not Cannelloni ?

Oh if only forums had a "like" button...  :clap:

Can't argue with the fact he has a lot of experience at this level and scored 25 goals last season in the Conference. Should be decent enough at this level.

Interesting to note that the Grimsby Evening Telegraph is reporting they only agreed to a six-figure fee from us after he had handed in a transfer request!!  Also they reported on Wednesday that an offer for him from Luton had been turned down - also reported interest from Scunthorpe, Wimbledon, Stevenage . . . . . . and the fucking pikeys!!!!

Mentioned by System a fair few weeks back.

a rumour on that same site suggesting bodin in the other direction on loan...

I personally think that would be a good move, a 6 month loan to get some 1st team games and get stronger.

Excellent!

We were rumoured to be after Connell back in the day when King was boss, think that was when he signed for Torquay.

Happy enough with this,suggests we have a bit more money to play with on a first choice striker

Birchall > Connell

Genuine question - based on what?

Absolutely nothing.

Ralphy's just being Ralphy again.

He just seems an all round more complete player. Don't get me wrong, Connell's scoring record last season speaks for it's self but I'd have been happier with Birchall.

Hope I'm proved wrong.

Connell's football league record is actually better than Birchall's.

Wasn't expecting a signng until atleast next week so this was a surprise. Had a good record at Grimsby so let's hope he will be able to replicate it a league higher.

Don't think anyone has any basis to say one or other would be better unless they've watched both players regularly. Both good records at non-league level. Connell at a higher level, even if his record in league football isn't quite as prolific (although from reading about him he's had injury problems and played as a second striker, not the main frontman, previously).

Connell wanted to come, so fuck Birchall I say!

i think it's a good signing. Lot of money to spend on him, but strikers ain't cheap.

The fact is, if the season started tomorrow, we have two proper strikers. That's a start...

I am well chuffed with this - a player who knows the level we are playing at and will work hard. Still need a big man really.

I looked at his record and assumed he was more of a target man but having seen some his goals i'd say he's the opposite of that. He's a bit lighweight apparently but some of his goals for Grimsby were class.

hereford fan here just said as much, said he always scored good goals but must have added tap-ins to his game.

So him and Raffa both a little bit lightweight. One more striker to come then I reckon, plus a potential loanee nearer kick-off

Reckon you could be right there.

 Connell is actually a bit shit....ended up at Conference level as a consequence.  Don't expect the new Cox or Austin here, maybe the new Jimmy Gilligan.

Nice impression of a Thisis poster Reg  :toocool:

I was a bit meh when i first saw we had signed him, But just watched that video of some of his goals and can see that with decent service he could certainly notch a few

Don't really know much about him to be honest.  If he is as light weight as people are saying we'll need a good target man for him to work off of

There's no question he's lightweight...just take a look at a picture.

[url width=203 height=270]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Bv1n0yWwEj8/SJS8UVS8uUI/AAAAAAAABYg/ubU9dbmnnOc/s320/_40776274_alanconnell_emp270.jpg[/url]

But it's a striker we need, not a prop forward.  As others have said, with the right partner he'll be just fine.

Always look on the bright side, eh?!

Is that a supposition, or have you seen him play?

Reg knows everything

I wasn't having a pop BTW Reg, just wondered on how the conclusion was reached.

Tbf that picture is about 5 years old. And he's only just reached his physical peak now.

Just watched some of the goals he scored and im struggling to work out if hes left or right footed he scored the majority of his goals with his left foot but the free-kick he scored he took with his right.

Looks a good signing to me

Is that what Google told you?

Reg could be right of course, only time will tell. But to say he's shit before he's even dotted the i's and crossed the t's!!!

Well the Grimsby fans are gutted to lose him, so I wouldnt have thought he was THAT shit and has scored many more goals at league level than Birchall.

And hes been scoring goals in sides that aren't very good so witha  good service I am confident he will score goals, and he has strengthened up a lot since that picture, was well regarded at Boremuff and Hereford too and scored goals for Brentford as well.

I reserve judgement until i've seen him play a few times. He may turn out alright.

Roll on tuesday.

Connell has been around for a good 10 years...in his early days at Bormuff, he was well regarded, but got a very nasty injury, which set him right back.

It then looked like he mighty be finished, but came back, not as good.  He's played against us a fair few times usually off the bench, to no discernable effect.

Fair play to the fella for a good season in the Conference.....but this strikes me as a panic buy.

but your judgement was "meh".

https://twitter.com/#!/alconnell83

A player with that amount of goals last season is not a panic buy. Its buying someone who clearly knows where the goal is.
Let's hope he continues last seasons form here.

He could be a player who has finally shrugged off injury problems, changed his position/role in attack, has just found some form/confidence or even has something settled in his private life. Either way, going on last season's form... if he has a similar season and produces 15+ goals, i'll take that.

How can you have a panic buy on July 15? a few days before the first game then maybe.

Yes meh.

Meaning not excited at all but will wait and see.

All we can do Ralphy...

unless you are impatient and blind.

The way I feel about it is that Connell will be an excellent signing if we create chances for him, none of this pass side ways midfield lark from last season (douglas).

Grimsby town fan here, just wanna say your getting a good striker and as a mariners fan we are gutted to see him go but wish him all the best. Good luck next season :)

Reg, Given our status in the world, I thought that Connell was a sensible target for us. I was a bit suprised we had not gone for him sooner.

I'm not having a pop - just interested - who do you think we should be going for if he is not right?

I'd have been happy with Marvin Morgan...

Don Rogers or Ernie Hunt obviously, Can't see how the hell anyone can moan, we are L2 ffs.

He looks like a decent signing. I've not seen him play for us yet, so don't know whether he's shit or not. ;)

I've heard he spent a lot of time in midfield and, according to Wiki, at 'muff made many appearances from the bench - which may go some way to ease the concerns of those who are miserable cunts.


Seems like a good signing and is clearly the owner of 2 good feet. He scores a nice lob in that Grimsby vid with his right as well. Anyone notice how many of his goals were created by The Peaconator?

What's he like, can you describe him for us? Hard worker, natural finisher, predator? Merci beaucoup.

And Good luck to you too.

You've got yourselves  gem there lads. I'm gutted to see him go but he's got my best wishes and I hope he scores you a bagful of goals next season. The first Grimsby player to score 30 goals in a season since god knows when (his 30th goal was scored in an abandoned game so didn't officially count).

Not the quickest striker but definitely a very intellingent one. I think last season was the first time in his career that he's been played as an out-an-out striker for a whole campaign which is why his goalscoring total last season was far more impressive that his early career.

He very rarely scores tap ins either which is borne out by our Goal Of The Season Competition last season which could just as easily been called "The Alan Connell Show". You can check out the link I've posted.

Good luck to you as a team and Alan personally next season, I'll be keeping an eye out for your results.

http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~2343642,00.html (http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~2343642,00.html)

Hes a striker who will give 110 per cent every game. Always shows for the ball and drops into midfield to collect it and not scared to run at defenders and shoot from long range. Some of you have seen the goals of season for us last season and all of them apart from 3 are off him. Also a good dead ball player scored a few free kicks for us last season. You are getting a good striker for league 2 and he should easily get 15-20 or more goals next season if he plays like he did last season

Ban these men with these positive tones.

Cheers lesgtfc/mariners!.

OK, so the season starts on the 6th August...so that's...let's see......22 days away...just over THREE WEEKS...and this is a panic buy :hmmm:

Well done Reg, if you're on the  :fishing: then well done. It worked ::)

Kaid Mohammed. Now there was a panic buy :nod:

I bet Townfish is happy. (the chap who used to travel from Grimsby everygame)

or Marvin Hagler

My son, born 2004, on the lob v Southport - "ooh a Matt Le Tissier".
Le Tissier retired in 2002.

Either he's been watching too much Sky Sports retro footy, or he's a closet Saint. Its the Sky Sports, its the Sky Sport. lalalalala. Can't hear you.

Now I definitely know you're a pure wind up.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Reg - do you have a bit of a man crush on Marvin Morgan? Or just like his name as he sounds like a superhero's alter ego?

What sign a big powerful target man for Div 4, at a decent age who can get you a few goals....yeah fucking madness.

After watching that video, there really is no reason for any negativity about this signing. He looks fucking ace. Two footed, confident, able to make space for himself, and a bit of flair about him. Any struggles he had earlier in his career are largely irrelevant. It's all about right now, and he looks bang in form.

That makes sense. But you said Marvin Morgan. Who is shit.

16 goals in Div 4....09/10 suggests he can do it at this level. Anyway it he's not coming...let's hope he bombs at the other STFC.

Have seen a fair few highlights for Grimsby and he's always caught the eye as being good for that level. I'm pleased with this signing

you would expect someone who scores 30 goals in a season to be more of a poacher, but he is an out and out striker, scores free kicks, outside the box and in the box. great signing me thinks can't ewait to see him in action for the town.  :beers:

You're losing it.

After watching that video, I think the Grimsby commentator's shit..............and that Rob Eagle doesn't look half bad either!

There that's better.

Like shelling peas!

He does look good in those clips.

Hope he does it for us, thanks.

It's all about Peter Bore. He looks ace.  We should sign him.

He did look good, not too sure about that fella with the dodgy hair that set a few up though! Surely the Cock's getting too old for those haircuts!

The cocks never too old for a haircut.

Anyone would wanna get out of Grimsby, the elaborate effort of making a goals of the season video with all his goals worked a treat.

He better score a shit load.

He's on trial with Bournemouth apparently.

Allegedly has the smallest penis in the football league, or so my housemate tells me. How he is party to such information I don't know.

I wouldn't go there with Bore. Has a shocking attitude. There's no doubt he's got some talent but his good games are few and far between and most games he plays as if he couldn't give a toss.

personally, I'd lock my bedroom door at night, if I were you

As would 29 goals in the Conference (as in Connell's case)

Morgan could be a handful but I hardly think 16 goals for a League 2 club and being a handful would have justified bring a petulant prima donna on good wages into the dressing room.

Conley on the other hand looks great from the clips and the mariners fans talk well of attitude.  I particularly like bringing in a player who though not pacey is "intelligent".  Although clearly left footed, a direct free kick from outside the box with his right also shows a certain two footedness

What Reg is right on is that we have to wait and see but, hey, wouldn't it be brilliant IF Conley did bang in a few for us like in the clips?

Would prefer it if Connell was scoring the goals personally...

I am glad we didnt sign Marvin Morgan, that is all.

Another piece in the puzzle then, 2 more to go strikers to go. Hopefully one of them has a bit of a presence about them.

I'm definitely happier with Connell than Morgan. I would have loved Birchall as well but we move on 8)

:doh:
I have to agree (although the Conley chap thingummy sounded pretty good too)

Makes a change, we had a lot of big pricks playing for us last season!

Having just watched the goals a couple of times again I am genuinely impressed with this signing, his long range shooting is the best since Coxy and his free kick taking is superb too.

But near the end of that video there is a corker of an overhead kick into the top corner that betters Fallons IMO.

Looks like a fantastic signing, yes his goals came at Conference level but Austins were lower than that and dont forger we got turned over by Crawley from that division last season so the gap isnt that big at all.

Anybody else notice yet that the gills have not coughed up for Birchall. Hmmmm!!! Interesting?! Surely not!!!

I wouldn't touch him with a 10foot barge pole smothered in duck faeces.

After citing a desire and ambition to return to league football the lad had three options and opted straight away for the pikeys club on the basis it was “close to home”.    Now had we been playing in Tajikistan I could have understood the decision but we're not exactly a long commute are we?

Shows all the ambition of a pickled bus ticket.  I could have lived with the fact that he opted to go "there" as it had better facilities or they were paying more but to cite that its fucking close to home is pitiful.

Would be ironic if they don't have the funds and also a little fraudulent ?! The Dover fans are a little miffed by their neighbours  to say the least!

Should also add that the FA are aware of what is going on.

pikeys are always falling out with each other.

Where are you getting this?

I don't know how it changes anything to be honest. I can't see us going back, not that I know exactly what would happen if Gillingham can't afford him. (In terms of who owns him, where he goes, what's allowed to be done.)

not since Joey Beachbum would we have signed such a mummy's boy

Its on the Dover board and the thing is he has played twice .like I said there is a lot of miffed people. Nothing on the Gills board but no suprise there!!!

Gills have always been a bit dodgy with Scally at the helm so it wouldn't surprise me.

There is a bigger picture here I believe and I feel for the supporters of both sides. I could be wrong?! Those of you interested should read what is going on behind the scenes at Gillingham . It stinks and someone is taking the piss out of all!!

According to Gills fans it's probably just bitter Dover fans. I'd love it if they are wrong. Like I said Scally is a bit of a crook. 

Who gives a shit?

I'm inclined to agree. Birchall had no interest in moving to Wiltshire and anything that happens after that is, for me, null and void.

Any disruption in Pikeyland is always a good thing-specially for me,Im surrounded by the bastards!

You chose Pikeyland and therefore you will live with Pikeyland :)

Yeah adje, you massive pikey!

Connell was not playing in the pre-season games in Italy, clips of which can now be seen under the relevant match thread.

I have to be a light amongst the darkness of Pikedom-Its my calling.

Probably because he was a Grimsby player at the time, and still is until he signs for us!

Rumblings that he's failed his medical?

He better bloody not have.

No?

Meh just checked their forum and it's mostly likely some bollocks someone decided to pass round at their friendly today.

Alan Connell tweets...


Sounds like nobody has told him that he's failed the medical  ;)

Also says on the front page that he plays for swindon

Also, the fact that he has tweeted he is training with us today, suggests he has passed his medical.

AlConnell83 Alan Connell
met gaffer today&he is very enthusiastic&demanding...came across so professional&even got me in tomorrow!The boys were great2me aswell #stfc

Or is that part of the medical?

Ive just asked Rose if he failed his medical and got this reply.


@Howellsy78 Hi Martin, all the paperwork has been completed and I have just spoken to someone at the club who said all was fine.

I know it's only words but he comes across really well on twitter. Sounds like he's genuinely honoured to be playing for us and seems to be liked by the fans of his previous clubs.

Complete opposite of leon cuntflaps.

From his Twitter he seem's genuinely up for taking this chance at league football. Looking forward to watching him.

All I want to see now is a gnarly target man that looks a bit like Deperate Dan to play alongside him/De Vita and I'll be fairly confident for next term.

delighted 2 be a swindon town player,hasn't really sunk in yet,whirlwind few days,all happened so quick! training was quality today #excited


As people have said, sounds like he's thrilled to be here. Looking forward to seeing him play.

Seems genuinely excited and happy to be here.

thats the attitude we want.

The only downside I can see so far is it says he supports Arsenal... I've taken an instant dislike to him already :D

Fatbury's new favourite player?

Why the fuck do people say stuff like this :crash:

It's okay OST, Alan Connell sent all those reassuring 'Tweets' shortly afterwards.

Almost as though he'd heard the same rumour :)

I did see that. Thanks 8) I just don't understand why people can't wait to put something like that on here with nothing to base it on whatsoever.

To be fair B3nny just passed it on and predicated it with a "probably bollocks"..

I started going  :crash: :crash: :crash: :crash: :crash: :crash: before getting to that bit ::)

You're still a bad B3nny for frightening Uncle Shaun though :badmood:

I asking a question, stop pmsing.

He's definitely a decent down-to-earth lad.

I had the pleasure of a quick chat with him after a couple of our away games last season and he comes across really well and is always happy to chat and be photographed with fans.

Sounds like Leon Knight.  :D

From our local rag this morning.

http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/Grimsby-Town-Connell-makes-dream/story-12963833-detail/story.html

Leon Kinight could learn a thing or two from this guy about how to conduct oneself in the public eye

A Grimsby Town view on Alan Connell by Cod Almighty fanzine is now up on The Washbag.

http://thewashbag.com/2011/07/18/a-grimsby-town-view-on-alan-connells-move-to-swindon/

Problem is, I doubt he could.

One of the most encouraging signs about Connell is how highly he's rated by lesgtfc and other Mariners fans.  (And to think we may have been looking a Marvin Morgan.  **Shudder**)

Got to admit he's shown great respect to the Grimsby fans in the way he's conducted himself over this transfer. Goes to show footballers aren't all pricks.

Lets hope he can replicate some of the form he showed there wearing red this season.

hear hear

Think this  bit from his twitter sums it up in one... seems a genuine bloke!

"left gtfc with a heavy heart,was happy to stay until swindon came in... everything i could've wished for. have so many fond memories from gt"

Very good.

http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~2343642,00.html

See the video on the top right.

He's signed a two year deal, yet we are paying it off over thre years according to the Grimsby chairman!! :hmmm:

Its all relative,Cox and Austin probably were sold in the same manner of deal.

Indeed. I believe all transfer fees are paid in instalments unless stated otherwise.

Which is why some clubs occasionally let a player go for less money than previously turned down, I.e far more given upfront. Standard football economics.

Blimey looking forward to seeing Alan C after watching that goal of the season video, very Cox like, some of his finishes. Quality over head kick v Kidderminster.

Hope he knows how to knock them in from 5 yards too.

Looked great today when he finally got on. Great feet.

Completely agree.  Looked very sharp when he came on.  Hopefully he will bag a few this season.

very much a livewire when he came on. looked as if he wanted to be on which is always a good bonus

A quite like the fact he was in the box with back to goal, swiveled and shot. OK it went wide, but on another day that could have been a goal.

Also like that he chased down the ball after losing it. OK he had fresh legs but it bodes well.

Looked good when he came on, sharp with some good touches. Must be close to full fitness now.