Archived News from October 2002
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DELANEY LEAVES FOR HULL
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Hull City's new boss wasted no time in settling into his post. Within minutes of officially taking on the job Peter Taylor made his first signing. Not suprsingly, like all the others before him, the new mans first plunge into the transfer market has been to bring a centre half to Boothferry Park. Taylor chose to plunder his old club, cash strapped Leicester City, to bring 21 year old Damien Delaney to Hull. The Cork born player, is an Irish U21 international who, as well as playing centre half, can also fill a midfield role as well as at left full back. It is possibly in the latter position that City fans will initially see the player. We would assume that delaney will make his debit for City on saturday. Reports suggest that although having only just turned 21 Delaney is a confident and authoritive player who is not afraid to shout instructions, and demand the ball, from more senior players. Apparently, his physical and vocal exertions often leave him very red faced which causes amusement among his team mates. As well as Leicester, for whom Delaney started 4 games and came on as sub once, he was on loan at Huddersfield last season were he made two appearances and has this season played 7 times for Mansfield during another loan spell. The arrival of another centre-back will once again raise doubts about Justin Whittles future at the club. It may also point the way out for for Mike Edwards and Matt Wicks who, similar to Delaney can play left back and centre half. It is thought that Taylor has paid £50,000 for Delaneys services.
Source: Rivals.net ------------- Stuart Watkiss said on Mansfield 103.2...... Damien approached me after training yesterday and said that Hull and Leicster had agreed a fee. He also told Stuart about going up for talks today. Stuart said he told Delaney he could not afford the fee and that he couldn't match the players wage at Leicester. He also went on to extend his best wishes to the player and said it was a great signing for hull. He added it's not such a great problem now that Allen Tankard is close to fitness, they would have liked to held him back for another week but it now looks like he'll play on Saturday. --------- Thanks to Maverick on the messageboard for the Watkiss quotes - Martin ------------ Hull Daily Mail: Hull CITY boss Peter Taylor was today poised to celebrate his first day in the job by returning to his former club Leicester City to snap up highly rated Irish star Damien Delaney in a £50,000 deal. In his first major interview since taking the City job, Taylor revealed he had agreed a fee for the 21-year-old who is likely to go straight into the squad for Saturday's clash at Torquay United. Delaney, who was signed by Taylor when he was in charge at Leicester, was due to Boothferry Park this afternoon to finalise personal terms. Taylor told the Mail he was "very confident" Delaney would sign but, in what amounted to a massive vote of confidence for his squad, immediately ruled out any other raids on the transfer market. Taylor, who officially took up his post today, said: "As soon as I discussed taking the Hull job, I told the chairman that Damien was a player I wanted to sign. "I'm delighted he (Adam Pearson) has backed me and hopefully everything will be sorted out today. We have agreed a fee with Leicester and it's just a matter of sorting out the personal side of things with the player. I don't think there will be any problems and I'm very confident he will sign." Delaney, who is six feet three, can play in a variety of roles including the left side of midfield, left back or centre half. Although highly rated by Leicester, he's spent the last six weeks on loan at Second Division Mansfield Town who had hoped to extend that particular deal. Previously, he has spent loan spells at Stockport and Huddersfield Town but is thought to be keen to move to Boothferry Park and link up with his former mentor. Taylor added: "I brought Damien across from Ireland when I was at Leicester. He's a big lad but he can play. He's very strong, has a good left foot and I'm sure he'll do a good job for us. "However, I want to make it clear that the fact I've moved for him is in no way a reflection on the other players, or the way we played against Rochdale last Saturday. "It was a very encouraging performance and has given me a lot to build on. However, I would have signed Damien even if we'd won 25-0 against Rochdale. I'm looking forward to working with him again - as I am with all the players." Taylor said it would be difficult make any changes after that emphatic win against Rochdale although it's by no means certain he will retain the 4-3-3 formation favoured by Jan Molby. The former England boss revealed: "Playing four-three-three is not something I'd thought too much about but the players coped with it very well last Saturday. I was impressed with their work rate and their movement. However, it's too early to say whether we'll stick with that system. It is an option though." Delaney will increase those options although he faces a battle ousting rookie Steve Burton who made such a big impact on his first team debut last Saturday. Taylor added: "Steve did really well and I couldn't believe it when people told me it was his first game. He looked very mature for someone with his experience." Delaney will also be competing with Andy Holt and Shaun Smith for the left-back role but his versatility does mean Taylor could switch to a four-four-two formation. He will also provide cover at centre-half. Meanwhile, Taylor took his first training session earlier today. Such is the interest in his appointment, he was then due to meet the press this afternoon. He will step up his preparations for the Torquay game tomorrow. Taylor will also hold more talks with Pearson and it's thought the appointment of an assistant manager will figure high on the agenda. Sources continue to link the post with former Cambridge striker Steve Butler, as revealed in the Mail last Saturday. ---------- Posted by Martin Shaw |
Latest | October 2002