Melbourne City are trialing a number of english-based players on their current tour. Some profiles:

George Evans - English defensive midfielder who has been in Man City academy for a few years. Went on loan to League 1 side Crewe Alexandra (home of Aussie Bradden Inman) last season making 22 appearances.

Tom King - Young Aussie left back from Perth who was at Liverpool's academy for a a number of years before being released and has playing in Bristol City's U21's for the past two seasons.

Chris Chantler - English defensive midfielder who came through Man City's academy before being released. Has played 50 games from Carlisle United (League 1) in the past three seasons.

James Poole - English striker who again came through Man City's academy. Has made 77 appearances scoring 13 goals over the past 3 seasons for Hartlepool United (League 2). Also played several games in the center of midfield last season.

Ross Archibald who does not currently have a contract for the upcoming season also went on tour with the club and is being considered a trialist.


The link to Man City's scouting network (i.e. past players) is obvious. With limited visa spots, I can't see anyone but King being seriously considered.

One of the best posters on here. Awesome stuff!

Poole is a freak on Football Manager

City could use another striker. Don't really want to rely on Williams after Villa leaves.

Poole looks like a good signing, decent experience behind him for a young player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRGaquQqH4A

He looks ok. Better then Marc Bridge at least.

I reckon They are competing for the post Villa-Lampard visa spots.

Pool looks quite an alright signing by this video. Got a nice left foot on him.

Would be good to see the Aussie Tom King in the A-League.

Gee that second goal was a great composed finish. Commentator was a bit flat. Andy Harper would have busy a poofoo valve

edit: just watched all the goals, he would slot in nicely in the A-League!

Edited by azzaMVFC: 17/7/2014 02:51:07 PM

I think I sounded a bit harsh on him. He looks very decent.

ffs if they pull this off...

It's not fully clear. There's been a fair few rumours that King will ultimately be signed, and a few less rumours that Poole might be signed, but nothing concrete to go on. I agree they would be useful additions, as the team still needs more firepower (there's Williams, and it looks like the Australian marquee will be a striker, probably Kennedy, but it would be valuable IMO if the club signed another goal-scorer), and the fullback positions are the weakest positions in the team, so any strengthening there would be positive.

There have also been several trialists in the team since it got back to Melbourne, including, apparently, Jordan O’Doherty, among others. So it looks like there should be a good amount of further recruitment activity before the team is settled for next season.

Oh I do hope the club can take advantage of their opporunties their relationship with Man City and NYC can provide for them. To utilise their scouting connections is fantastic and if King and Poole are up to par with what the squad needs, then go for it. I would also love to see the club bring in some more talent from the state leagues.

Tom King played for Melbourne City last night against Hume City he was listed as a trialist, as he is from Perth not a VISA player.

Interesting that City with all this money to burn are looking at bringing young League One & Two players to fill visa places. Just wondering whether Evans, Chantler or Poole have any hidden Aussie ancestry...

Edited by Benjamin: 21/8/2014 12:52:45 PM

Well they still operate under the same salary cap restrictions as everyone else. So maybe they are looking to save on some players and spend a little more on 1-2 quality players under the cap.

Id take Poole or Chantler without a doubt. Its a visa spot sure, however if no one better fits the bill then why not. There are some really good opportunities for City here, if they can properly utilise Manchesters scouting network and academy then they will continue to bring in top quality imports.