Josh Simpson has a choice on his hands where he ends up
Well, well, Blue Square Premier club Crawley Town, who had been in the high court even after us with financial problems, are one of the clubs that may take the Shrimpers loanee midfielder Josh Simpson away from his League One parent club Peterborough, before he can sign on the dotted line again for us.
The rumours are that an injured Simpson, who has made 24 appearances for Southend, scoring twice, has already returned to London Road as he won't be fit by the end of his loan on January 4th anyway, an ankle problem picked up in the 2-0 win at Cheltenham, so would miss the away game at Oxford and the home return against the Robins anyway.
However, he has have made it clear that he would like to stay a Shrimper telling the Echo last week: "Staying at Southend is definitely a positive option for me and I know the two clubs are talking about trying to make it happen. Southend have also spoken to my agent and I would like to stay here for longer because I've been enjoying it."
And Blues boss Paul Sturrock will hope that's what will happen; though, of course, he is now concerned at the prospect of losing the classy midfielder, especially with the lack of dosh at the club.
Josh still has two and a half years remaining on his Posh contract and the Judas Fry will probably be looking for a fee, then again, they would be saving on his wages.
Sturrock told www.echo-news.co.uk: "We remain in negotiations with Peterborough over Josh but his performances for us since he's been here have alerted other clubs now. It makes it harder for us to sign him but we're still hopeful because he's enjoyed his time here, has played regularly and gets on well with the group of players we have."
At a press conference on July 1st, 2010, Crawley co-owner Bruce Winfield said that all of the club's debts had been cleared. He further revealed that friends and business acquaintances of his had come onboard as passive shareholders and so the club had money in the bank.
On December 7thm, 2010, Crawley beat League One Swindon Town 3-2 in a FA Cup 2nd round replay, therefore entering the third round where they play Derby at home live on the box!
Red Devis boss Steve Evans had also been told to get a squad together that could get into the Football League as soon as possible, and he's annoying several managers from the lower tiers by trying to sign every player he can get his hands on!
While striking target Shaun Harrad is not willing to move down a division from League Two rivals Boston United, the west Sussex club did have success a step up when Brentford midfielder David Hunt agreed to join on a month's loan.
Evans said: "I am delighted we have David here, he is a player I have admired for some time.The lad will initially join us for a month's loan but if both parties are happy to make it a permanent deal then it can be done very quickly, Brentford have agreed to that pre-requisite from ourselves."
Blimey, this lot can obviously cover the wages!
Look at those matches in hand
| AFC Wimbledon | 21 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 24 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 39 | 22 | 44 | +17 | |||||
| 2 | Newport County | 23 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 23 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 38 | 25 | 41 | +13 | ||||
| 3 | Crawley Town | 19 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 38 | 16 | 40 | +22 | ||||
| 4 | Luton Town | 20 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 41 | 20 | 39 | +21 | ||||
| 5 | Fleetwood Town | 22 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 30 | 18 | 37 | +12 | ||||
The Simpson Files
| Full name | Joshua Richard Simpson[1] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 6 March 1987 (1987-03-06) [2] | ||
| Place of birth | Harlow, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2] | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Southend United (on loan from Peterborough United) | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2004-2006 | Cambridge City | 54 | (4) |
| 2006-2007 | Cambridge United | 19 | (0) |
| 2007-2008 | Cambridge City | 41 | (6) |
| 2008-2010 | Histon | 50 | (12) |
| 2009 | → Peterborough United (loan) | 3 | (2) |
| 2010- | Peterborough United | 18 | (0) |
| 2010- | → Southend United (loan) | 10 | (1) |
| National team‡ | |||
| England C | 2 | (1) | |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:36, 19 October 2010 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 01:05, 27 January 2010 (UTC) | |||
(Player info supplied by Wikipedia, for the full article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Simpson_(English_footballer)
(For more on Crawley Town:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawley_Town_F.C.)
The original article, S24 first on the case:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
will_simmo_stay_a_shrimper_610450/index.shtml
Whoops, beat the local media again:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/barry_fry_
southend_united_pulled_out_of_a_deal_to_sign_josh_simpson_
on_a_permanent_basis_610588/index.shtml
And the saga continues:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
shrimpers_strike_back_over_simmo_club_utilising_options_
by_considering_a_number_of_new_players_610909/index.shtml