It’s going to be a warm one tomorrow. You know what that means? I have to hide inside, being ginger.
I wish I’d hidden inside today to be honest. Took the dog to the groomers in Boston; had a bottle of Fanta explode in my lap before I’d reached Horncastle. Spent the next three hours soaked in Fanta without a drink. Worst of all, my dog is a borstal puppy and doesn’t like grooming very much, in the same way I don’t like Forest Green very much.
Anyway, here’s a bit of a round-up of stuff happening in our league over the last 24 hours or so, with a bit of local news thrown in for good measure. That why a League Two side, Scunthorpe, feature on the top picture.
Funso Ojo
Let’s start with the non-League One news shall we, just because it’s fascinating.
Funso Ojo is a former Belgium Under 21 international and PSV Eindhoven youth product who, inexplicably, spent the last year or two with Scunthorpe. I’ve been to Eindhoven and I’ve been to Scunthorpe… there’s little wonder he wants out.
He had a move to Edinburgh all set up. Hibernian wanted him, he wanted to go there and he had a relegation release clause that would allow him to move for free. The deal was all set up and Scunthorpe decided to pull the plug.
They’re claiming the midfielder didn’t activate the clause before May 31st, meaning his contract is still valid and they want a fee. Hibs have pulled out of the deal and Ojo is refusing to train with the first team. Embarrassing for all concerned.
Stefan Payne
I’m of the understanding that at more than one point in the last three years, we’ve been coveting the services of Stefan Payne. You’ll maybe remember him from Dover, scoring regularly in the National League before Ricky Miller joined. He moved to Barnsley, flopped, then to Shrewsbury where he did okay.
Last summer he went to Bristol Rovers and flopped, then had a loan spell back with Shrewsbury. He’s now signed for Tranmere Rovers after his Gas contract was terminated by mutual consent. Two years ago I would have applauded this move. Now? Meh.
Sam Jones
Back in the winter of 2018, a little birdie told me that we’d wanted to sign Sam Jones, then of Grimsby Town. I think the problem had been them wanting a fee and us, being us, not wanting to pay a big one. He moved to Shrewsbury and even Town fans raised an eyebrow and wondered why.
It seems they were right to do just that. He’s another who has had his contract terminated by mutual consent, with shrews boss Sam Ricketts suggesting he goes back to the level he came from, but in a nicer way.
“Sam was out on loan when I first came to the club and now it’s about him going out and playing football more regularly. I think it’s best for both parties that he goes off to play football at the level he was at when he came to the club.”
Oh, maybe it wasn’t in a nicer way. Oh well, cheers for the one goal in five matches Sam, don’t let the New Meadow door hit your ass on the way out.
Isn’t he 34 not 39?
Pretty sure he’s 39
Delighted to see the site has changed the lead picture and included a pair of true Lincoln legends in the shape of Percy Freeman and Keith Alexander, both of whom are fondly remembered and sadly missed.