Cambridge keeper crisis

Seems they have no fit keeper for the play offs. Seems odd that they have only one keeper on their books the other one being a loanee?

http://www.cambridge-news.co.u.....s-20140422070200.htm

I can't see how the conference can change the rules for them, one game before the end of the season. Don't they have a youth squad or something?

Don't let them sign anyone I mean its the right thing to do.

They'll be allowed to sign someone. Didn't it happen with one of out relegation rivals when we was still in the football league.

Bet the conference allow them to sign another keeper on loan for the playoffs and he will be a decent one from league one or two

Quoted from Garth

Bet the conference allow them to sign another keeper on loan for the playoffs and he will be a decent one from league one or two

WHS.

They'll have the pick of most out-of-contract 'keepers from League One and Two!!

Who in their right mind would turn down a three game contract with the chance of a game at Wembley and a promotion on their CV going into unemployment?!

Never rated that Norris. Money is a wily old fox. Wonder if he's chancing his arm?!

Quoted from wigworld

I can't see how the conference can change the rules for them, one game before the end of the season. Don't they have a youth squad or something?

I agree. Isn't that part of the role of the youth team? It's the risk you take only having one senior goalkeeper.

They would not change the rules for us and 70%of the conference,  but I have a sinking feeling they will for Cambridge and it could just be the difference

Quoted from Garth

They would not change the rules for us and 70%of the conference,  but I have a sinking feeling they will for Cambridge and it could just be the difference

'They' (football authorities in general, not specifically the conference) allowed us to sign Mark Oxley in 2010. They also allowed Carlisle to sign Jimmy Glass in 1999.

I'm sure there are others.


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11714/6069593/oxley-to-rejoin-grimsby

6.6.4 Emergency Loan Transfers (applicable to Conference National Clubs only) Conference National Clubs may have unlimited Emergency Loans. Such Loans are subject to application to, and approval of, the Board but can be registered during the Registration Period(s) and, also during the closed period, subject to the following conditions:- A Player cannot be registered on an Emergency Loan (or a Youth Loan) a) During the period of seven days after the end of a Registration Period b) In the first half of the Playing Season, after 5.00pm on the fourth Thursday in November and c) In the second half of the Playing Season, after 5.00pm on the fourth Thursday in March d) At any time, from a Club or club playing in a Division or Competition below the National Division where the Player or player does not qualify as being unemployed in accordance with Rule 6.3.2 at the time the preceding Transfer Window closed. In all other aspects Emergency Loan Transfers will be administered in accordance with the regulations applying to Short Term Loan Transfers. The cumulative total number of days of all Short Term Loans and Emergency Loans of one Player to the same Club may not exceed 93 days.

Going by this surely they can't allow it?

Simple compromise would be too let them sign an emergency keeper on loan, but it has to be from a lower division.  

Quoted from Squinter

Simple compromise would be too let them sign an emergency keeper on loan, but it has to be from a lower division.  

Scottish prem???

With us usually playing McKeown and filling the bench with outfield players, will Hurst reconsider our goalkeeping situation? Especially given Pearson (who is plan b) is walking the yellow card tightrope?

Apparently they're considering putting a CB in goal instead of a youth team keeper?

Isn't Norris the one they had in goal when we beat them in the league at the Abbey? He induced conniptions in their defence every time we attacked and was at fault for the second goal (possibly even the first too?).

Cambridge have form in this, they used an emergency loan keeper in the 2009 final: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/spo.....ambridge-United.html

I reckon John Beck or Dion Dublin are on the emergency loan committee.

Quoted from Abdul19

Cambridge have form in this, they used an emergency loan keeper in the 2009 final: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/spo.....ambridge-United.html

I reckon John Beck or Dion Dublin are on the emergency loan committee.

..and Max Rushden.

They should be made to play the Duchess of Cambridge in goal

Quoted from tanga_the_indestructible

Isn't Norris the one they had in goal when we beat them in the league at the Abbey? He induced conniptions in their defence every time we attacked and was at fault for the second goal (possibly even the first too?).

So could it be a ploy with them making out he is injured but in reality they want something better?
That's my conspiracy theory. Rules are rules Mr Conference guy.

I hear this guy's available: [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Forecast[/url]

I saw a documentary once and the emergency loan keeper in that was this chap:

[img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/02/25/article-2284181-0B98B99A00000578-610_634x408.jpg[/img]

Quoted from Abdul19

I saw a documentary once and the emergency loan keeper in that was this chap:

[img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/02/25/article-2284181-0B98B99A00000578-610_634x408.jpg[/img]

I volunteer to play for them  

Quoted from davmariner

6.6.4 Emergency Loan Transfers (applicable to Conference National Clubs only) Conference National Clubs may have unlimited Emergency Loans. Such Loans are subject to application to, and approval of, the Board but can be registered during the Registration Period(s) and, also during the closed period, subject to the following conditions:- A Player cannot be registered on an Emergency Loan (or a Youth Loan) a) During the period of seven days after the end of a Registration Period b) In the first half of the Playing Season, after 5.00pm on the fourth Thursday in November and c) In the second half of the Playing Season, after 5.00pm on the fourth Thursday in March d) At any time, from a Club or club playing in a Division or Competition below the National Division where the Player or player does not qualify as being unemployed in accordance with Rule 6.3.2 at the time the preceding Transfer Window closed. In all other aspects Emergency Loan Transfers will be administered in accordance with the regulations applying to Short Term Loan Transfers. The cumulative total number of days of all Short Term Loans and Emergency Loans of one Player to the same Club may not exceed 93 days.

Going by this surely they can't allow it?

This sounds more complicated than Jung's theory of synchronicity

Quoted from Abdul19

I saw a documentary once and the emergency loan keeper in that was this chap:

[img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/02/25/article-2284181-0B98B99A00000578-610_634x408.jpg[/img]

CDAJATL

Quoted from wigworld

I hear this guy's available: [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Forecast[/url]

CNDAJATL

I hear theyve been refused unless it's a GK from lower division

Seems fair enough. Don't see why because they've not managed their squad properly, they should suddenly be able to loan a keeper from a higher league at this crucial point in the season.

How many part time clubs from lower divisions even have a keeper to spare - let alone a decent one?

Quoted from AdamHaddock

How many part time clubs from lower divisions even have a keeper to spare - let alone a decent one?

most teams will have finished their games and it would be a fantastic opportunity for a decent keeper to showcase himself

so, if they dont have a keeper of any note do we want to play them twice instead of in the final

something smells deeply of fish in all this, and for once it isn't us....

They shouldn't be able to bring in a top class keeper, it should be like when you replace the ball in a cricket match and you have to use one with a similar amount of wear. So a second choice 'keeper from League 2 at best.

If it's easy enough just to do this & bring someone new in at the drop of a hat then surely it's penalising every club which has carried a second choice keeper on their wage bill all season as back-up?  Hopefully the other 3 Boards of GTFC + the other teams in the playoffs can kick up enough of a stink to make sure they don't get their way in this?

The Skrill lot are pretty adamant about it, don't see them bending in any way to Cambs demands: [url]http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Cambridge-United/Cambridge-United-have-to-keep-to-rules-say-Football-Conference-over-keeper-crisis-20140423070200.htm[/url]

Interesting views in the comments section too, some fans pointing the finger at the club.

Let's hope that they're not allowed to get around this...for once it would be good to know that Money doesn't always talk!

The only thing i'd say is, based on two memorable similiar situations, one where a team in a lower division had no goalkeepers, and one where a team in the paint trophy had loads of players out sick, and everyone went mad betting against them, and then the lower division team won and the trophy team drew, lets not get too excited about this situation Maybe the team plays harder knowing theyre at a disadvantage

Carlisle just released a keeper!!!

It has been stated that they can get a lower league player on loan. So if North Ferriby win the league there would be nothing stopping Cambridge getting their first choice keeper on loan, so it's not that bad for them.

They have to stick to the rules, extract from the conference board statement-

“Most clubs when they have an injury to any player, they play their second string, it shouldn’t be a vehicle to improve your side or even replace a goalkeeper at the same level.

“What I learned from that is if you’ve got a team asking for a concession when it actually improves the side or strengthens the team, that’s not the objective, I’ve got to be very careful with the integrity of the competition.

“Why they haven’t got a second-string goalkeeper isn’t my problem.

“I’m not here to be obstructive, but we can’t be seen to favour one team.”

UTM

So we could save money by not employing a reserve keeper and then if needed bring one in on loan at the last minute ,Maybe this will be a good cost cutting exercise for next season  

Quoted from mariner tommy

They have to stick to the rules, extract from the conference board statement-

“Most clubs when they have an injury to any player, they play their second string, it shouldn’t be a vehicle to improve your side or even replace a goalkeeper at the same level.

“What I learned from that is if you’ve got a team asking for a concession when it actually improves the side or strengthens the team, that’s not the objective, I’ve got to be very careful with the integrity of the competition.

“Why they haven’t got a second-string goalkeeper isn’t my problem.

“I’m not here to be obstructive, but we can’t be seen to favour one team.”

UTM

But he states that they can get a loan from a lower league club. That is why I posted that they could get the first choice keeper from the champions of the conference north/south because they wouldn't have any matches, which doesn't seem fair either.

Could go for someone with Football League experience (and Wembley experience) - Phil Barnes, for example.

Just out of interest (and apologies if it's already been asked earlier) but who's our goalkeeper if McKeown gets injured/sent off in a game and Pearson isn't playing?

Quoted from RichMariner

Just out of interest (and apologies if it's already been asked earlier) but who's our goalkeeper if McKeown gets injured/sent off in a game and Pearson isn't playing?

Big Mac ought to be a contender...don't know what his shot stopping would be like but he should be able to command his area

Quoted from RichMariner

Just out of interest (and apologies if it's already been asked earlier) but who's our goalkeeper if McKeown gets injured/sent off in a game and Pearson isn't playing?

I'd be tempted to stick the Shop in goal ,Nobody ever scores when he is in the six yard box  

Quoted from grimps

So we could save money by not employing a reserve keeper and then if needed bring one in on loan at the last minute ,Maybe this will be a good cost cutting exercise for next season  

We've done it before a few times. Unfortunately one of the keepers we brought in on loan was Tommy Forecast! (and that bloke from Hull, after the deadline)

i'd like to nominate Aylesbury United's Jack Sillitoe to be Cambridge's keeper

http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/images/action/20120811enfield_home/005.jpg

good goalie, but he seems to have taken full advantage of the staff discounts available in his day job as a manager in Frankie & Bennies !!!

Signed a keeper from Leicester
[url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/article/adam-smith-joins-cambridge-united-1510483.aspx]http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/article/adam-smith-joins-cambridge-united-1510483.aspx[/url]

Just seen on Twitter...they've got a keeper in on loan

http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/article/adam-smith-joins-cambridge-united-1510483.aspx

Fair enough.

Quoted from Abdul19

Fair enough.

Doesn't seem to have any recent stats on Soccerbase....

http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=61608&season_id=142

Maybe he's been doing a Nick Colgan kind of thing - like when we loaned him out to Huddersfield - and has just been keeping the bench warm at other clubs  

Thought they was only allowed to get a player on an emergency loan from clubs in a lower league than themselves? And not from clubs in the same league or above?  

So the conference havent exactly stuck to the rule they were stating then? A player from the lower leagues or a development player?

I don't understand why our fans have to give the lad abuse about it.

Thought they said they could only get a player on emergency loan from a lower league club? So if he plays, wouldn't that make him an illegitimate player, with him coming from a higher league club? And the club should be fined or deducted points if they field him? But the FA and Conference are letting them break the rules?

Quoted from Dan

I don't understand why our fans have to give the lad abuse about it.

Not the keeper's fault he's being brought in so if some Town fans are giving him abuse that is plain wrong

There's a storm brewing on Twitter right now though and rightly so imho as to why a keeper from a higher level has been brought in contravening what the Conference has previously stated

Wonder what will happen if Cambridge get to the final and win a penalty shoot out with Adam Smith saving the day....I predict a riot!  

http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=61608&season_id=142

He's not played since October 2012. So can't be that good.

The conference tweeted a few days ago 'why should a club be allowed to improve their team when others can't.'

Quoted from GiveUsAG

http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=61608&season_id=142

He's not played since October 2012. So can't be that good.

Part of a Leicester youth team that beat City's 3-2 yesterday. I am making an assumption that City's youth team is fairly decent admittedly.

Quoted from biggles9999

Part of a Leicester youth team that beat City's 3-2 yesterday. I am making an assumption that City's youth team is fairly decent admittedly.

Yeah someone else has just made me aware of that.

Either way, he's from a higher league club, of which I'm sure the conference said, it's against the rules for them to get an emergency loan from a higher league club, and that they can only get an emergency loan from a lower league club.

Joke of a decision!!

I see the Telegraph got hold of the story;

GRIMSBY Town's promotion rivals Cambridge United have been allowed to ease their goalkeeping crisis with the signing of Leicester City stopper Adam Smith.

That's despite the Conference insisting this week that the injury-hit U's could only sign a keeper from a lower division, given that FIFA's emergency loan deadline of March 20 has passed.

However, on their website this afternoon, the U's announced Smith's arrival from the Championship club on a deal until the end of the season.

U's Director of Football, Jez George, said: "The Conference have been really understanding of our situation and the fact that it wasn't of our own making.

"We've had to be patient in finding the right man and be realistic with who we can bring in.

"We didn't want to have to go to Gateshead and play an outfield player in goal, which is what we would of had to do.

"We're really pleased to have been able to sign someone of Adam's calibre and we are extremely grateful to Leicester City for allowing the move to happen."



Read more: http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.....y.html#ixzz2zv70XbIP

We should lodge a complaint and make it awkward for them

Stupid decision! Were they not made to look for a lower league keeper

Lucky male masturbators!

Petition!

Any strikers we could have? Or maybe a centre mid too

Quoted from GyMariner

Any strikers we could have? Or maybe a centre mid too

Is it an emergency?  

Yes they have lack of scoring syndrome

Hold on a second guys, remember when we got a goalkeeper from a big club. The myth that is Tommy Forecast. Not only was he hilariously excrement but he also ended up costing Southampton their 25% sell on fee for Bale  

Every time I think of that fact, I cannot help having a little chuckle to myself and the sheer pain he put us through almost becomes worth it.

U's Director of Football, Jez George, said: "The Conference have been really understanding of our situation and the fact that it wasn't of our own making."

Is that strictly true ?

Quoted from pontoonlew

Hold on a second guys, remember when we got a goalkeeper from a big club. The myth that is Tommy Forecast. Not only was he hilariously excrement but he also ended up costing Southampton their 25% sell on fee for Bale  

Every time I think of that fact, I cannot help having a little chuckle to myself and the sheer pain he put us through almost becomes worth it.

On the other hand we've had very good loan keepers from higher clubs like Richard O'Donnell and Wayne Henderson in the past. Who's to say this keeper Cambridge have signed won't be of similar quality? (Hopefully he's of Forecast standard though!)

Why've we bothered paying Hedge all season if we could have just pulled what Cambridge have? It's a total nonsense of a decision and makes a mockery of the league's integrity (like they had any left after their pathetic response to fixture pile up earlier in the season).

Whats the point of having rules when they can be broken whenever some club always spouts the word "emergency"

Emergency or not, that rule should now be removed and rewritten " clubs can sign emergency loans on the basis they act like a right bunch of bellends"

Seriously why are rules bent when it suits.

He played 7 games on loan last season in the Conference for Nuneaton so he's hardly a seasoned professional. Those are his only senior first team games.

The fact still remains, that they (Cambridge) have saved £££ on a reserve goalkeeper all season that could have easily funded players in different positions all season.

Quoted from GrimRob

He played 7 games on loan last season in the Conference for Nuneaton so he's hardly a seasoned professional. Those are his only senior first team games.

Still more games between the sticks though Rob than any of Cambridge's outfield options that they were having to consider before the "change of heart"

Not to concerned, let them have him. Let's concentrate on what we have and get that playoff final won.

Let's just win the next four games and let Cambridge worry about their keeper shall we.

If we get them, it doesn't change anything.
on our day we can get goals past anyone in between the sticks.

We've signed an emergency loan keeper after the deadline before, as have others.

Although having said that we weren't told we couldn't do it beforehand.

I've got no issues with them signing him, but am puzzled by the Conference's backtracking.

If they're allowed to do that, what's to stop us getting Cech (or even Suarez) on a one-game loan after the Premiership season's finished for the play-off final? So amateur this league!

Latest statement released just now http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=12347

Click on league news

That is one of the strangest statements produced by a 'professional' body I have ever come across.

'Making it up as we go along' springs to mind.

It looks like Cambridge have found a loophole by saying if they replace a player of the same quality and experiance of the Villa keeper they are not improving the team

The conferance statement ends with this

It is therefore announced that Cambridge United have late this afternoon been permitted to submit a registration under Rule 6.2.1. in respect of Adam Smith from Leicester City, being a goalkeeper of the same age and with a previous playing record at the same standard and experience of Benji Siegrist.
Permission to play for the club will be confirmed after formal registration acceptance by the Football Association and Football League as is standard in such cases

So the not allowed to sign from a higher club seems to have been forgotten now.

Quoted from Rob_in_Grimsby

It looks like Cambridge have found a loophole by saying if they replace a player of the same quality and experiance of the Villa keeper they are not improving the team

The conferance statement ends with this

It is therefore announced that Cambridge United have late this afternoon been permitted to submit a registration under Rule 6.2.1. in respect of Adam Smith from Leicester City, being a goalkeeper of the same age and with a previous playing record at the same standard and experience of Benji Siegrist.
Permission to play for the club will be confirmed after formal registration acceptance by the Football Association and Football League as is standard in such cases

So the not allowed to sign from a higher club seems to have been forgotten now.

Did the rule state a lower division? The conference twitter account is getting slated on twitter!

"The club would not be permitted to submit a registration of a goalkeeper who was already registered with a club in membership of the Conference National division. (Step1)

The club could, however, make application to submit a registration of a goalkeeper who was either playing at Step 2 or below; or of a goalkeeper of the equivalent standard as Benji Siegrist."

This is the important bit - who's to say he's of an equivalent standard to Siegrist? And another thing, if they aren't allowed a Conference National player, where's the part about it being a league player? In that case, they could just sign anyone who the Conference determines to be "of the same age and with a previous playing record at the same standard and experience of Benji Siegrist."

Surely it should be about Norris rather than Siegrist anyway? Considering he's actually their keeper and has played more recently for them.

It's about time we got promoted and rid ourselves of these absolute amateurs.

Quoted from Tom13

If they're allowed to do that, what's to stop us getting Cech (or even Suarez) on a one-game loan after the Premiership season's finished for the play-off final?!

well cech is injured, so not the best choice

Does look a joke decision by the league setting a strange precedent - loan as many second choice goalies as U like!?!?
clubs with backup goalies should be furious.

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

well cech is injured, so not the best choice

Does look a joke decision by the league setting a strange precedent - loan as many second choice goalies as U like!?!?
clubs with backup goalies should be furious.

Alright then, Lloris instead  

Quoted from Tom13

"The club would not be permitted to submit a registration of a goalkeeper who was already registered with a club in membership of the Conference National division. (Step1)

The club could, however, make application to submit a registration of a goalkeeper who was either playing at Step 2 or below; or of a goalkeeper of the equivalent standard as Benji Siegrist."

This is the important bit - who's to say he's of an equivalent standard to Siegrist? And another thing, if they aren't allowed a Conference National player, where's the part about it being a league player? In that case, they could just sign anyone who the Conference determines to be "of the same age and with a previous playing record at the same standard and experience of Benji Siegrist."


Surely it should be about Norris rather than Siegrist anyway? Considering he's actually their keeper and has played more recently for them.

Couldn't agree more.

Like a lot of fans, I'm more concerned about the way the Conference has acted throughout this, not necessarily the way Cambridge have acted. After all, if we were in the same position, we'd be reading the rules for loopholes.

The Conference has done precisely nothing to convince me that they are consistent in the way they apply their rules. The impression I'm getting from all of this is that they've tried to help a club but never considered how the rest of the league's clubs would view their decision.

They've completely misjudged the situation and broken what little trust we had in them to act honestly and credibly.

Lets hope he turns out to be another Tommy Forecast  

http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/crewe-alex-grimsby-town-0-5620419

It's still going to be a gamble for them.  He is obviously going to be fairly inexperienced, especially in front of big play-off crowds.  And he won't have much time to build a proper understanding with the Cambridge defence (I hope).

But having looked back at this thread, at one point the Conference were apparently saying: 'it shouldn’t be a vehicle to improve your side or even replace a goalkeeper at the same level'.  Surely if they have brought in a player who is equivalent to Ben Zeitgeist (or whatever his name is - Cambridge's on loan keeper from Villa), then they in fact are replacing a goalkeeper at the same level...aren't they?  He has had experience at Nuneaton in the Conference, too, according to Grim Rob, which isn't so very far off from signing a Conference player... is it?

From the Grimsby Telegraph, a Cambridge spokesperson said, "We didn't want to have to go to Gateshead and play an outfield player in goal, which is what we would *of* had to do."

Why couldn't they *of* just signed a player from the Conference North or South, then there would (probably) *of* been no argument about it?

Quoted from TAGG

Lets hope he turns out to be another Tommy Forecast  

http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/crewe-alex-grimsby-town-0-5620419

Hahaha that article is amazing!! Just shows how low our club had sunk under newell though   even though we are a league below I really do think we now have a better management and squad