Benson celebrating after doing what he does best; scoring!
Robins boss Paolo Di Canio's has made first signing of the New Year by grabbing the Shrimpers supporting striker Paul Benson from Chrissy Powell's Charlton Athletic, while sending former Shrimpers loanee striker Leon Clarke to South London in a swap deal.
Swindon nearly secured Benson's services on loan deadline day but missed sending the correct documents to the Football League by minutes.
This time the tempremental Italian seems to have his man, who many thought was the main Southend target before Elliot Benyon's arrival, on and could well make his debut against AFC Wimbledon on monday.
Di Canio told www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk: “He spent a few days with us and the fact that he wants to join us again means that he is the target. We are in a good position with the situation."
So we will see Paul at Roots Hall after all, probably on Saturday, January 28th when Swindon roll into town!
Meanwhile, the runaway League One leaders Charlton, what a job the former Shrimpers legend is doing at the Valley, are prepared to take a risk on Di Canio's nemesis Leon Clarke, who had a much publised tunnell punch-up with the ex-Hamster and has been on loan at Chesterfield.
No one doubts Clarke has the talent, and I suppose if anyone can turn him around it's Chrissy.
The infamous clip: www.youtube.com
Shrimpers sign striker from Swindon: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
Good deals all round?: http://boards.footymad.net
Still more players needed at the Hall?: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
The Benson Files
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Andrew Benson[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 12 October 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Southend-on-Sea, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Swindon Town | ||
| Number | TBC | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1997 | Southend United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2003–2005 | White Ensign | 62 | (107) |
| 2005–2010 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 174 | (70) |
| 2010– | Charlton Athletic | 32 | (10) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2007 | England C | 1 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:46, 2 July 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:35, 9 August 2009 (UTC) |
|||
(Full player info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Benson)
The Clarke Files
 |
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Leon Marvin Clarke | ||
| Date of birth | 10 February 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Wolverhampton, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Swindon Town | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2003–2007 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 74 | (13) |
| 2004 | → Kidderminster Harriers (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2006 | → Queens Park Rangers (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2006 | → Plymouth Argyle (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2007–2010 | Sheffield Wednesday | 83 | (18) |
| 2007 | → Oldham Athletic (loan) | 5 | (3) |
| 2007–2008 | → Southend United (loan) | 16 | (8) |
| 2010–2011 | Queens Park Rangers | 13 | (0) |
| 2011 | → Preston North End (loan) | 6 | (1) |
| 2011– | Swindon Town | 2 | (0) |
| 2011– | → Chesterfield (loan) | 13 | (9) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:35, 05 November 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
(Full player info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Clarke)
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