News Round-Up (7/8/08)

7th August 2008

A young Lincoln City side defeated Lincolnshire non-league club Horncastle Town via a 2-0 scoreline at Horncastle. Apart from Sam Mullarkey and trialist Adrian Patulea, The Imps' side was made up of trainees. The goals were scored by Connor Fitzpatrick and Patulea.

Note that Mullarkey is not described as a trialist. This is because Mullarkey has signed a one-year contract with Lincoln City, after impressing during his month's trial at the club. Little is known of Mullarkey but he was rated highly at his former club Grantham Town, who will receive an undisclosed fee, believed to be £5,000. Crewe Alexandra were also interested in signing Mullarkey.

20-year-old Mullarkey began his career as a trainee at Nottingham Forest, but was released without making a first team appearance. He joined Lincoln United, who were then managed by John Wilkinson. When Wilkinson switched to Grantham, Mullarkey, along with several other players, also made the switch to Grantham Town.

Mullarkey scored 19 goals in 53 appearances for Grantham during the 2007/08 season - his only season at Grantham.

Meanwhile, Mullarkey could still joined in the ranks by Patulea, as Lincoln attempt to cut through the red tape that is holding up his move to Lincoln City.

One other loose end was tied up this week when a Football League tribunal ruled that Lincoln City must pay Chesterfield £17,500 for Janos Kovacs. Chesterfield will also be entitled to a 20% sell-on fee if Kovacs is sold by Lincoln at a later date. Imps' boss Peter Jackson immediately hailed Kovacs as "the bargain of the season"!

Lincoln had offered Chesterfield £10,000 but the Derbyshire club wanted £25,000 therefore the tribunal split the difference and settled for £17,500.

Unfortunately, Kovacs' debut might be delayed as he is struggling to be fit for Saturday's opening league match against Rotherham United. Kovacs suffered a nasty head injury during last Saturday's 2-0 friendly win at Gainsborough Trinity. Also struggling to be fit is influential striker Ben Wright, who missed the Gainsborough match due to a foot injury.

Of course this might be academic, as Saturday's match against Rotherham is doubtful. The latest on Rotherham is that they have been deducted 17 points by Football League, who also want assurances and a bond in regard to their move to the Don Valley Stadium.

The situation is likely to be resolved by Friday afternoon as the Football League have set a Friday deadline for Rotherham to accept the proposed terms of their membership renewal of the Football League.

Please click the links to view cheap merchandise for Chesterfield, Crewe Alexandra, Lincoln City, Nottingham Forest or Rotherham United football clubs.