Speculation Round Up

By: The Whisperer
Date: 20/03/2001

The Fishy takes you into the dark and murky world of myth and legend that is the football transfer rumour mill. Each week The Whisperer gives you the lowdown on the latest stories to be 'doing the rounds' in the Nationwide League

ROY ESSANDOH (No Club)
After his much publicised exploits in the FA Cup, Roy Essandoh's opinion of himself seems to have swelled somewhat. Wycombe have tabled the striker a contract offer, but his agent has advised him to sit tight, prompting speculation that there may be other offers in the pipeline.

Cambridge United are one club to be linked with a move for the ex-Motherwell man, whilst Bristol City were also said to be interested. City's recent signing of Lee Matthews from Leeds would suggest, however, that any interest shown by Danny Wilson will now be retracted.

STEVE CLARIDGE (Portsmouth)
Although still officially a Pompey player, the south coast club have stated that they are willing to release Claridge from his contract should he receive a suitable offer from another club. Luton boss Joe Kinnear admitted that he had approached the former Leicester marksman about a move to Kenilworth Road, only to be told that Claridge was still embroiled in settling personal affairs with Portsmouth.

Nottingham Forest boss David Platt has also expressed an interest in acquiring the services of the experienced striker.

DANNY COYNE (Grimsby Town)
The Welsh shot-stopper has reportedly attracted interest from both Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers recently, although Trotters boss Sam Allardyce has emphatically denied suggestions that he is preparing an £800,000 bid for Coyne.

CRAIG LIDDLE (Darlington)
Darlington boss Gary Bennett has played down suggestions that he is about to sell the former Middlesbrough stopper to Birmingham City for a £500,000 fee.

It was rumoured earlier in the season, however, that Liddle had sought talks with Darlington chairman George Reynolds over his future at the club after being dis-satisfied with The Quakers' league position.

SCOTT SELLARS (Huddersfield Town)
The veteran midfielder is currently mulling over a move to Third Division Hartlepool United after having previously attracted attention from Blackpool manager Steve McMahon.

COLIN CRAMB (Crewe Alexandra)
Bury are reportedly interested in making Cramb's loan spell at Gigg Lane a more permanent arrangement, although the volatile Scotsman has also been linked with a move back north of the border with either Hibernian or Motherwell. Shakers manager Andy Preece is said to be equally interested in landing the permanent signature of on-loan Liverpool striker JON NEWBY.

TONY GALLIMORE (Grimsby Town)
Reports from the Midlands suggest that the former Carlisle United full-back could be set for a summer move to Second Division Port Vale. Gallimore, who is out of contract with the Mariners at the end of the season, hails from the Potteries and is believed to be one of several targets being sighted by Valiants boss Brian Horton.

ANDY LIDDELL (Burnley)
After being omitted from The Clarets' starting line-up on Saturday, Liddell is said to have fallen out with manager Stan Ternent, sparking rumours that he is set to leave the club.

The well travelled striker has reportedly come to the attention of a number of clubs, with Stockport County and Barry Fry's Peterborough United being suggested as possible summer destinations for the ex-Barnsley man.

SCOTT DOBIE (Carlisle United)
Arsenal and Ipswich Town are both taking a very close interest in the progress of this young forward, who was recently valued at £1 million by Cumbrians manager Ian Atkins. It is understood that Tractor Boys boss George Burley may be preparing to tempt the cash-strapped Third Division strugglers with an offer in the very near future.

BOBBY ZAMORA (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Zamora, currently the Third Division's leading scorer has attracted scouts from a plethora of top-flight clubs including Tottenham, Derby County and Southampton.

The leading contenders to snap up the £1.5 million-rated marksman are, however, Middlesbrough.

Boro manager Bryan Robson passed up the opportunity of signing a little-known striker from Watford a number of years ago only to see him flourish for local rivals Sunderland and is reported to be wary of repeating the mistake he made in letting Kevin Phillips slip through the Boro net.

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