[quote=Tommycash]in regards to Brent Griffiths i've seen him play in the game of Glory vs the WA State team
and he was easily the best on ground for us and scored a goal.
though he was in CB and not left back.
i dont know how well he'd swich but im sure its worth a look.

He is listed as a LB on the website, if we sign him cheap then there could be more cash for quality imports or Mile even. Even then we will still struggle to stay under the salary cap.

PERTH Glory are not ruling out a treble capture with Mile Sterjovski, Alvaro Recoba and Jacob Burns all firmly on the club's radar.

Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell believes changing circumstances may force Socceroos' midfielder Mile Sterjovski to play in the A-League this season.

Speaking after returning from a three-week scouting trip in Europe, Mitchell said Championship club Derby County's decision to release Sterjovski from his current contract could see the 29-year-old playing in Perth.

But, Mitchell felt the Glory's chances of securing him may be hampered by Australian coach Pim Verbeek's directive that the majority of players selected for next year's World Cup will be taken from European leagues, not from the domestic competition.

"Since Brian Clough has come in to Derby, he's re-assessed the squad and he's (Sterjovski) actually been told he's going to be released now," Mitchell said.

"So he's one that strikes us as available."

"There's a situation where I think we had initial discussions with him but I think Pim's comments, sort of put the brakes on a little bit."

"But now his actual personal position has changed because Derby are letting him go, he's just got to think of where can he go and what can he do."

"So he's got a few options and I think there's a couple of clubs (after him). Adelaide have shown interest in him as we have, so that's got to be borne out again," he said.

Mitchell is hopeful a personal connection with Sterjovski, who he coached at Sydney United, will help bring him to Perth.

But the coach is more than aware Adelaide's qualification for next year's AFC Asian Champions League could tip the scales towards the South Australians.

If Sterjovski did come to Members Equity Stadium, there's every possibility he could join Socceroos team-mate Jacob Burns and fellow Derby man Andy Todd in a re-vamped Glory line-up.

Although Mitchell couldn't confirm he'd signed any Australian expatriates or international players while overseas, it appears increasingly likely both Burns and Todd will be at the Glory next season.

Burns currently plays in Romania and has expressed an interest in coming home to play with Mitchell, his coach at Sydney and the Parramatta Power in the old National Soccer League.

And, Mitchell doesn't believe Verbeek's words of warning will worry the 31-year-old fringe Socceroo.

"He's a pretty confident guy and I think he feels if he comes back he would still sort of be in the frame," Mitchell said.

"So from that point of view, I don't think that's a problem for him."

Mitchell said current negotiations prevented him from directly naming any signed players at present, but said he expected to make some announcements next week.

But, the coach was careful to play down reports the club was looking at signing former Inter Milan forward Alvaro Recoba, saying discussions with the Uruguay star were still in their infancy.

"There was an agent that said he had Recoba and asked were we interested," Mitchell said.

"The next step is how much is he going to be worth and does he really want to come to Perth."

"Again it's an ongoing thing, nothing's been decided but there's been discussions."

"These players earn a lot of money and that's a big factor (so) you could have three or four good players who say they're interested but when you get down to the nitty gritty it comes down to the dollar really."

"He's (Recoba) keen to come to Australia, that's what we've heard, so we're one of a few clubs that have shown an interest and that's where it stands at the minute."

"(But) I'm not confident of getting any players until they sign on the dotted line," Mitchell said.

from now im ignoring all 'rumor' storys for perth unless we get official sources lol

and whatever happened to denilson lol

Perth's fab five
Friday, 1 May 2009

The depth of young talent in West Australian football has been embraced by Perth Glory with the club elevating three more players from their youth system ahead of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season.

Defender Brent Griffiths, striker Anthony Skorich and midfielder Howard Fondyke all impressed the club’s coaching staff enough to earn full-time senior contracts and takes to five the number of Glory National Youth League players promoted to the Hyundai A-League this season.

The talented trio join youth team mates Andrija Jukic and Scott Neville in a Perth squad brimming with local stars in the making. Jukic, Neville and Skorich all experienced Hyundai A-League action last season and showed that Glory’s young brigade has what it takes to make an immediate impact at the top level.

“We didn’t have an expectation on the number of young players that would come through the youth team and be ready for the next step but we’ve been pleasantly surprised,” said Perth Glory Assistant Coach Kenny Lowe.

“There is a good underlying current of quality in WA. The lads who have joined the club have great potential and what we need to do is help them turn that into reality, much the same as someone like Nikita Rukavytsya. If we achieve that then the player, the club and the supporters all benefit.

“There is a pathway there for the local players and we’re delighted to be able to integrate these outstanding young men into the squad,” Lowe said.

Skorich proved he has attacking nous to fill some of the void left by Rukavytsya’s move to Europe with five goals in 11 matches at youth level. A well timed header also gave the striker his first goal in the seniors after playing in Perth’s round 21 clash against the Roar at Suncorp Stadium.

Glory will receive added impetus to their midfield with Fondyke continuing his rapid development in the centre of the park. The former AIS scholarship holder played 13 youth team matches in 2008/09 and has a silky set of skills coupled with great vision and passing range.

Griffiths, a former Blackburn Rovers apprentice, is eager to hit the pitch again after a niggling injury forced him out of the second half of the youth season. The 19 year old turned down an opportunity to extend his stay in England to achieve his goal of playing in the Hyundai A-League with Perth and will get his opportunity this season.

“It’s terrific to promote WA talent if they’re up to the grade and these boys can hold their own on the football pitch,” said Lowe.

“There is a huge amount of interest in the local players and if the people in the terraces have an affinity with the people on the park then I think it creates a terrific bond between supporters and the club.

“All the young boys are a work in progress and the real hard work starts for them now. Their talent got them here and I’m certain their character will keep them in there,” Lowe said.

Perth popular for international stars
Friday, 1 May 2009
by Melissa Catenacci, perthglory.com.au

Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell has returned from a scouting trip to Europe enthusiastic about the future prospects for the club following a number of successful discussions with high profile international recruits.

Mitchell identified a number of potential recruits and was delighted with the response he received about playing with the Glory this season.

“It was great. There were a lot of things we did, talked to players, talked about clubs coming over here playing pre-season this year and next, so there was a lot gained from the trip,” Mitchell said.

“There are lots of players out there that are playing in Europe that I used to coach and I have a good relationship with those players and I’ve spoken with many of them.

“Things are in progress but there is a process you have to go through. Nothing is guaranteed yet, but we’re confident of bringing some good quality players to the club this season,” said Mitchell.

Perth has used two of the five international spots available on their roster and Mitchell indicated he was hoping to fill the remaining positions as soon as possible. The Glory has 16 contracted players and is looking to add at least another four to their list.

“We’re after a marquee player and hopefully we can attain one, but it’s on-going,” Mitchell said when quizzed about the possibility of Uruguayan superstar Alvaro Recoba coming to the club.

With Wolverhampton Wanderers set to play a pre-season friendly against Perth in July, Mitchell says the club is poised to deliver big things on and off the pitch this season.

“Lot’s of things are happening, we’re just trying to get the enthusiasm back at the club and get the support back to say that this club can be a top team again.

“We’re confident we can get this place rocking again,” Mitchell said.

Wolves to wing their way west
Friday, 1 May 2009
by Melissa Catenacci, perthglory.com.au

Perth Glory supporters are set for a blockbuster month of football action in July with English side Wolverhampton Wanderers confirmed to play two matches at Members Equity Stadium and another Premier League side also on the cusp of making their way west.

Wolverhampton will play the Glory on Friday 10th July with another match scheduled for the following week against a yet to be named opponent at Members Equity Stadium.

The pre-season matches are certain to attract a capacity crowd with the four-time FA cup winning Wolves has secured their promotion into the world’s most popular football competition after finishing top of the Championship.

For both Perth and the Wolves these friendly matches will play a significant part in their pre-season preparations. Wolverhampton set to spend a fortnight in Western Australia as they plot their return to England’s top tier.

Glory Coach Dave Mitchell has expressed his excitement which will provide his side with a stern test ahead of a crucial Hyundai A-League season. Mitchell said it will be an ideal platform for Glory players to gain first-hand experience from some of the world’s best.

“Mick McCarthy (Wolves Manager) is renowned for being a bit of a hard task master so it will be good for our boys to see how he does things,” Mitchell said.

“There will be plenty of opportunity for us to learn from them including a joint training session where we have a Wolves and Perth Glory together on the park, that would be fantastic for the club and for the fans to see,” Mitchell said.

There has been huge interest in the Wolves matches and ticketing details will be released soon. Perth Glory members who sign-up for the 2009/10 season will be given priority access to tickets. Memberships will be released shortly.

Hmm I reckon the third EPL side could well be Everton, who we 'had' discussions with a while ago ofcourse, but then heard little, after they started pursuing addition fixtures with Sydney FC and others.

Everton could well be back on? And if it's not Everton, then who else could it be?

Glory add three more from youth squad
May 1, 2009, 11:54 pm

Perth Glory have upgraded three more players from their youth team, with defender Brent Griffiths, striker Anthony Skorich and midfielder Howard Fondyke all earning promotion to the senior A-League side.

The trio join Andrija Jukic and Scott Neville as players to have progressed from the youth league side.

"We didn't have an expectation on the number of young players that would come through the youth team and be ready for the next step but we've been pleasantly surprised," Perth Glory assistant coach Kenny Lowe said.

"There is a good underlying current of quality in WA.

"The lads who have joined the club have great potential and what we need to do is help them turn that into reality, much the same as someone like Nikita Rukavytsya.

"If we achieve that then the player, the club and the supporters all benefit.

"There is a pathway there for the local players and were delighted to be able to integrate these outstanding young men into the squad."

nikita was using up our youth marquee position too. that means we have a spare 100k to splash on a youth player that lands outside of the cap. if sage was genuine about using all the cap i hope this money gets allotted to one of the boys.

Not sure how spending more money on the boys would make them better. Only reason you'd do that is for leverage on a transfer or to free up some of your cap

thats not what i meant. whoever it would be would have there salary which we already pay them come off the total salary cap for up to the sum of 100k

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25420205-5005408,00.html

[size=8]Perth Glory chase former Dutch star for marquee spot[/size]

PERTH Glory has targeted re-born former Arsenal and Barcelona star Marc Overmars as a marquee signing for next season.
Glory coach David Mitchell met with the 36-year-old Dutchman in Holland during his recent European raid.

"We certainly discussed coming to Australia and he was pretty keen. We've made a concerted effort to make it pretty exciting down here. We're trying to get real quality in," said Mitchell.

Former Uruguay and Inter Milan star Alvaro Recoba, currently with Greek side Panionios, has indicated he is keen on a move to Australia but Glory appears to be one of four A-League clubs competing for his signature.

Overmars is currently at Dutch second-tier club Go Ahead Eagles, where he began his illustrious career in 1990.

Crucially, that is the club that produced fellow former Dutch international and Glory midfielder Victor Sikora. Sikora's input could be key to newly-ambitious Glory completing the coup.

Overmars sensationally returned to the game last year after being retired for four years. He was forced into retirement prematurely in 2004 with a knee injury.

The fairytale return began when he played in a tribute match for former national teammate Jaap Stam last July and stunned onlookers with his pace and skill. Clubs around Holland were soon on the phone asking if he would make a comeback.

Overmars claimed he was more surprised than anybody with the decision, saying "maybe someone wants to make it into a movie".

Glory is now trying to convince Overmars his script, which took him from Ajax in Holland to Highbury and the Nou Camp, ends on the other side of the world at Members Equity Stadium.

Former club champion winner David Tarka and Brazilian warhorse Amaral have been shown the door as Glory clears the decks to announce a string of overseas signings in the next month.

Former English Premier League defender Andy Todd, 34, is set to be the first unveiled.

Wow-wee! :D



Hmm interesting that second last sentence, seems a shame, but with Burns coming in, Amaral didn't have much chance and I guess Mitch and co are not going to hang onto Tarka any longer. A bit of a shame, especially considering how thin our defensive stocks are, but shows our concerted effort to chase quality, everywhere on the park.

Edited by gloryperth: 3/5/2009 01:09:10 AM

Former club champion winner David Tarka and Brazilian warhorse Amaral have been shown the door as Glory clears the decks to announce a string of overseas signings in the next month.

Has Fail written all over it. On the bright side, it looks like Recobs might come down here playing for one team or another.

Overmars.
lameness.
i'd rather some others.
hes too over the hill for me.

Old youtube clips of Overmars are amazing. I'm trying to find some clips on youtube from after his comeback.

Overmars eventually decided to come back on the football pitch, under conditions. His right knee that caused him to end his career, still gives Overmars some worries. Therefore, Overmars won't play as many minutes or attend as many training sessions as the rest of the squad.