We reveal five Football League gems that could prove the missing piece to your club
STILL looking for a bargain as pre-season picks up steam? Now is the perfect time to pluck a gem from the Football League.
Whether it’s players still kicking their heels after being axed in May or bit-part acts shoved down the pecking order by summer signings, the market is bursting with opportunities to a snag that extra touch of class.
By now, those hanging on for a big move will be setting their sights a bit lower. Those seeking a bumper payday will settle for a regular pay packet. It’s a buyer’s market – and here are a few EFL stars who could be tempted to make the drop. Age: 31 Winger Released by Mansfield in May, Hurst is yet to find a club which is remarkable for a player who, on his day, is one of the best crossers of a ball in the business.
In 2012-13, the former Chesterfield trainee racked up 13 assists for Southend – more than anybody in League Two. At one stage that season, he’d crafted more goals than any player in the entire EFL.
So why did Phil Brown let him leave Southend in 2016? And why did Stags boss Steve Evans exile Hurst to Guiseley at the back end of last season?
According to Sammy McIlroy, who worked with Hurst at Morecambe, the winger is a classic confidence player.
“Some boys need a rocket every now and then to keep them on their toes but he's not like that at all,” said the Northern Irishman. “He won't thrive on being told he needs to buck his ideas up.
“No, Kevan is a classic arm-aroundthe-shoulder player, who needs to know he’s wanted. If he’s happy and content, Hurst can be an unbelievable player.”
Currently on trial back at Guiseley, the 31-year-old would be a solid acquisition for any National League side. Age: 19 Midfielder Described by erstwhile Grimsby boss Marcus Bignot as “the talk of the EVO-STIK Premier” last season, Clifton was the creative heartbeat of a Grantham Town side that finished eighth – the Gingerbreads’ highest finish since promotion to Step 3 in 2012.
Slender deceptively strong, Clifton scored six goals in 47 matches as Grantham but
also went 17 games unbeaten.
Regulars reckoned the teenager was playing well below his level, and were elated when his six-month loan was extended in December. Amongst the many qualities they admired were levels of fitness and consistency beyond his tender years – Clifton can run box-to-box for fun
Handed a new one-year deal with the Mariners in March, Clifton is back at Blundell Park for pre-season and insists he is ready for a crack at League Two.
“Grantham has helped me massively,” he said last month. “Not just in terms of football ability but to get to know yourself, knowlot faster your playing game. against men and youYou had to think a had to be a lot more physical. I’m ready to take the step.”
So will Russell Slade agree? August will provide an answer. If Clifton is lightly run, a loan move to a side in the top half of the National League would surely suit all parties.
MARK ELLIS (3) CARLISLE UNITED Age: 28 Defender
That Ellis remains at Brun ton Park is something of a surprise – the 28 -year-old was transfer-lis ted by Keith Curle in January and spent the second half of the season on loan at Forest Green. “I am here to get this club promoted,” said Ellis on his arrival in Stroud on January 28 – and that’s exactly what he did! The former Torquay and Crewe man formed a formidable part of Rovers’ back line, missing not a single game between his debut and the playoff final vic tory over Tranmere Had Mark Cooper made an instant offer as many expected – Carlisle would almost certainly have listen ed. But whilst Rovers were reportedly “appre ciative and complimentary” about Ellis, the wallet of Dale Vince stayed closed. Curle insists the “door is open” for Ellis and fellow out cast Shaun Brisley but earlier this month admitted further signings would hamper their hopes.ably would “Marktially the ask, if we are potensigninga and Shaun are prob two players who you centre back, where does theirfuture lie?” he said. Twenty-four hours later, Tom Parkes arrived from Leyton Orient. That Ellis is available and a class act at Step 1 is not in doubt. But with a year left on his deal and League Two
NATHAN DOYLE (4) UNATTACHED
wages, only the division’s biggest spenders need apply.
Age: 30 Midfielder
Two years ago, few Non-League sides could have hoped to tempt Doyle, an athletic midfielder who played (albeit briefly) in the Premier League with Hull City.
That, though, was then. Signed by newly-promoted Luton in 2014, ankle and knee injuries wrote off much of the 2015-16 campaign, and the 30-yearold had just returned to training when he ruptured his achilles during a pre-season knockabout last summer.
Ruled out for the entire season, he was released by the Hatters in January and hasn’t kicked a ball since.
That’s a LOT of time off, and with Luton boss Nathan Jones publicly questioning the former Barnsley and Bradford man’s attitude last year, he’s hardly a risk-free signing.
Nevertheless, Doyle has plenty of experience and a game suited to the National League. Fit and focused, he is a tireless – and versatile – midfielder grafter whose inclusion in the Luton side was described as a “no-brainer” by John Still just 18 months ago.
And wages? Well, after six months on the sidelines, he’s hardly in a strong negotiating position.
ROWAN LIBURD (5) STEVENAGE Age: 24 Striker
When Liburd joined Reading from Billericay in the summer of 2015, Royals boss Steve Clarke said the Championship side were “lucky” to snag the giant striker before anybody else.
“He’s young and he’s raw and there’s certainly a lot to work on,” said the former Chelsea defender. “But the potential is there.”
So far, however, it has not been realised. Liburd played just three times for Reading, followed by a barren ten-game loan spell at Wycombe. A five-figure move to Stevenage last summer proved equally fruitless, and Liburd finished the season on loan at Leyton Orient.
“He’s certainly not at Leyton Orient out of the way,” insisted Boro boss Darren Sarll. “Rowan’s training is getting better and he is definitely part of our plans for next year.”
Yet with five other strikers on the books at Broadhall Way – including 20-goal top scorer Matt Godden – Stevenage could surely be tempted to cut their losses.
That’s not to say Liburd – a product of the American college system – is a sure thing. He has, after all, scored one goal in two years. But all those scouts can’t be wrong.
With the trust of a manager and a run of games, the 6ft 6ins striker may just show what all the fuss is about.