Former Portsmouth youngster to snub Barnsley in favour of Charlton
League One clubs are slowly but surely activating their transfer strategies following the opening of the transfer window last week.
And while deals continue to be completed – Pompey have welcomed six new arrivals to date – the rumour mill keeps churning out potential moves as sides navigate their way through the market.
Here’s the latest transfer gossip from around the third tier as clubs also prepare to head back for pre-season training.
Charlton set to win Isted race
Former Pompey youngster Harry Isted is on the verge of a move to Charlton.
That’s according to TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook, who claims the 26-year-old is heading to the Addicks instead of an expected return to Barnsley.
The Luton stopper, whose contract at the Hatters comes to an end this month, spent the second half of last season at the Tykes.
He impressed by keeping nine clean sheets in 22 games as Michael Duff’s side made it to the League One play-off final, where they were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday.
A permanent move back to Oakwell was reportedly on the cards, but that now appears off with Charlton supposedly in pole position to land the keeper on a free transfer.
The Chichester-born ace will compete with Ashley Maynard-Brewer for the No1 jersey at The Valley if he completes his anticipated move.
Charlton boss Dean Holden needed a new keeper after allowing Jojo Wollacott to sign for Hibs for an undisclosed fee
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Ex-Barnsley man suggests Darren Moore ‘had no option’ and backs boss to swap Sheffield Wednesday for Reds
Darren Moore’s friend, and former footballer, Bruce Dyer, has suggested that he’ll have been put in a position where he ‘had no option’ but to leave Sheffield Wednesday.
Dyer never played alongside Moore, but they became friends and are both involved in Faith & Football – a voluntary organisation which, in their own words, ‘wanted to serve their local communities by helping young people and their families, be positive role models and help make a real difference’.
The former Barnsley and Crystal Palace forward, who faced Moore on the field many times, has backed the ex-Owls boss for the now vacant position at Oakwell, and says that he ‘spoke passionately’ about his plans at Hillsborough after the play-off final.
In a long post on his Facebook page, Dyer said, “After reading through a lot of comments from fans on my recent post about Michael Duff, I see nothing but fans screaming for consistency, loyalty, and stability at BFC.
“I don’t play social media games. I spoke to Darren a few days after the play-off final to congratulate him. Darren spoke passionately about his heart and passion for what he wants to achieve at Sheffield Wednesday, all pending discussions with the chairman. I haven’t spoken to Darren since our last conversation, and knowing Darren’s character, I’m sure he was put in a position where he had no option but to leave, and I’m sure that wasn’t his intention. The truth always comes out in the end, so we’ll see, and again, I haven’t spoken to Darren.
“Look at Darren’s track record of clubs. You know people by their fruit, by their actions, and behaviour clearly communicates a message.
“Darren was unfairly sacked from West Brom, who were sitting comfortably in 4th place in the championship, and there was uproar across the football world, who were really disappointed in how Darren was treated.
“Doncaster Rovers fans would say Darren jumped ship to go to a bigger club, but that’s not the truth. Darren had a plan and was always committed to Doncaster, but there was a reason why Darren left, and it wasn’t because of money or him going to something bigger and better. Those who know just know. There are some things fans will never see or hear.”
He went on to say, “Sheffield Wednesday… Record after record broken, against all the odds, promotion to the championship, loved by the players and the staff. Darren’s assignment was to get them back to the championship, and that assignment was accomplished, and then he leaves by mutual consent. In the world of football, we all know what that really means (I’ll let you work that out).
“Darren is everything that represents the community of Barnsley. Loyal, honest, hardworking, a fighter, with a never-say-die attitude… Darren spoke so highly of Barnsley’s team to me on the phone last month. He actually used the word ‘heroic’ about the team.
“Barnsley has a young squad, some great young potential in the academy. This is just my humble opinion. I can see Darren working in collaboration with the Academy staff, U21s staff in Bobby Hassell, Tom Harban, Nicky Eaden to drive this club to another level. I know Darren’s number two (Jamie Smith) really well, I played with him, another great guy and good coach.”
