Canterbury United

Dragons sign 29yo English journeyman forward Chris Bacon. After playing in the United Counties league for Wisbech Town (Cambridgeshire) the last 2 seasons, he signed for Cambridge City in August 2013. More background:

King's Lynn Chris Bacon (Forward)
Born: 24/01/84 Age 29
Signed for his second spell in November 2010.
Chris made his first team debut in August 2002 having progressed through the ranks. He was a regular scorer in the youth and reserve sides.
He was released in July 2005 by manager Tommy Taylor.
He went on to play for Grantham, Mildenhall Town (twice), Dereham Town, Noosa Lions (Australia) and AFC Sudbury.
He spent the past two seasons playing for Queensland League club Sunshine Coast who were 2010 champions. 

I wonder if his nickname is Biffa

Maybe Chrisp 'E'

Buttee?

I guarantee one of the lesser creative Canterbury lads will go for "Kevin"

Bakes

are there any kiwis left in this squad?

shows lack of faith in local players

or lack of talent in local players?

Not only talent but lack of attitude as well.

"Lack of attitude". Expand please AW

So your saying the only talented local based players are already in the squad? That meaning every other mainland player is useless

not useless, just not up to this level of football

so someone who they have never seen play is up to this level more than the boys here?

Talent will get you so far in most sports but to go to the next step your need the right attitude in my opinion.  

My comment not just directed at this year. Having watched the old National League, Southern League and more recently the Mainland PL for thirty years plus I feeel the attitude of many of the players in recent years - on and off the park is lacking,

I know things are a lot different now compared to the 70's and 80's but if you talk to coaches / managers in recent years, as I have done you hear them moaning about:

- only half a squad showing up at some clubs for 1st team training - this is during the season.

- players saying on Tuesday they will be at Thursday training then not bothering to show up or let the coach / manager know

- plenty of stories pre season about certain players wanting guaranteed first team starts even before they would even considering showing up to train, try doing that to the late great Terry Conley and see what would have happened

- I have been at MPL games were players have arrived late, within 30 minutes of kick-off, again no contract with management - not that hard these days with cell phones, only to find themselves 'dropped' and then they bugger-off do not even stay and watch the game to support their team mate.

-  I have seen players walking off after losing by more than four goals goals and laughing and joking about the result or more worried were they were going after the game.

- I have seen so called team mates abuse one another during games and even one throw a punch at a team mate during a MPL game.

Coaches talk to each other, not just within Christchurch, so if a players are involved with any of the above then maybe this is a reason for not being considered playing at a higher level.

I know not everyone will agree with me, maybe call be old fashion.

Not that hard to 'see' a player on a video clip, You Tube etc these days or use contacts / scouts to find out about a player. Yet to hear about any player been 'signed' sight unseen without having trained with the squad for a couple of sessions.

So is that why a few players from last year are not playing this year? 

I agree with you on some of your points. But if your FC20 they were probably laughing because 4 goals was great result to them

There's some players around who I always wonder why they haven't had a crack with Canterbury United. Few players from Coastal always high up in scoring charts or having impacts on the result. Rhys Parker who played many years for the youth team and now captains halswell very well. Dan Ede always been in the top few goal scorers for the league. Tom Sansom and another couple from western. And obviously pay few from Nelson. Maybe someone knows the reasons for some/all of these not playing but from my thoughts I think more local players should be looked at.

but surely local players had the opportunity to trial pre season?

i see what you are saying all whites, but i'm sure that every single player down there isn't like this. most other teams around the country manage to find more than a small handful of locals.

so is this a christchurch only issue or a keith issue?

last year he had a problem with the bulgarian boys, so perhaps his preferred player profile is a little too specific

and if this preferred profile is limited to poms who have barely, if ever touched a pro team, then i suggest that he might want to reconfigure slightly

by the way. i have no beef with braithwaite.  in fact i like watching his teams.  i live just out of wellington and visit christchurch often so actually watch more canterbury games than team wellington games.  and i do this without hesitation at least partially because i like how his teams play with good fast ball movement and plenty of good stuff down the flanks.

but i was thinking that o'brien and mitchell would do well to be in the team this year and would also bring a lot to the team.  instead we have a bunch of foreigners who are probably here for 6 months and of no long term use.

who was that left back a couple of seasons ago?  glozer?  he was ok, but he kept wortelboer out of the team.  what use was this?  i don't think he was any better

Interesting to hear about the problems that Keith was mea nt to be having with the Bulgarians as I understand that they were staying with Keith so problems cannot have been that great.

Some could or would say they not may not be up to the level of national league but how would they know until they are given a chance. Only thing is Rhys Parker trys to play out from back where Canterbury like to lump it forward. Dan Ede has something like 50 MPL goals only players in Canterbury squad id say have more would be Stu Kelly and Russell Kamo. Very hard to believe that not one nelson player is in, Coey won keeper of year and the boy Johnston is it? would be handy at back!

The way if was reported at the time the brothers were here on a three month visitor visa and could not work so decided to head back home when their visa's expired.

As stated earlier several Nelson players approached bu none wanted to move to Christchurch to train - fair enough if you work up in Nelson. Sounds like Coey and Mark ll be turning out for the Nelson Falcons in the ASB Academy League.

I believe Epsom Girls Grammar School (EGGS) are pushing their football development programme. He'd do worse than joining with them.

It will be interesting to hear how your Marquez (ex- Ngarawhahia, Northern Lge Div 1) compares against our Marquez (ex- Villarreal, Spanish La Liga). He should get some game time if not a full game.

Hard to see why a 22 year old whose 4th in local league all time scoring charts hasn't been given a chance at National League level.. Also others like Alex Pak for Western who often scores and looks a handful and Wiremu Piercy from bays.. Can understand Nelson players not being part of the squad if they don't want to move down for the summer, but you would think several would have been prepared to surely

So is there any from this list deserve to have a chance? apart from the 3 already there!

I vote for Pappa Muprh and Feutz

Nil all today? Canterbury would be happy with that.

Yes, Canterbury maybe should have had the lead at the break, Clapham set up Kamo but ball hit over bar. Auckland finished strongly and rattled the crossbar late in the game and Highfield pulled off a couple of sharp save, so overall a share of the points seemed the right result.

Amasingly it was the first scoreless draw in the last 103 ASB Premiership games.

I went along today, was a top day out in the sun. 

Yes Canty probably could have scored in the first half, however Auckland were all over us in the last 20 minutes and hit the bar, couple of top saves from Highfield, and some lucky misses. So all in all, I think we are probably happy with the draw, and Auckland not so much. 

And the greatest news of all was that they have cut the tress down on the bank thus creating a beautiful view of the game in what must be one of the best parks in the country for football. 

Sweet as.

The guy already has a NZ connection through his former manager Tommy Taylor:
 

Tommy Taylor!!! - played for West Ham the entire 1970's (FA Cup winner '75, UEFA Cup runner-up '76) and started his managerial career at Hamilton FC & Waikato FC in NZ in the late 1980's  before returning to manage Leyton Orient in England:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Taylor_(footballer_born_1951)

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Ex-Hammer-Taylor-gets-nod-new-Belper-boss/story-11582558-detail/story.html

BACON A SEVENTY GOALS IN TWO LAST SEASONS MAN!!!!

31 goals last season!!

Videos of some of those goals: 

Cambridge City v Wisbech Town 19/02/13 - two goals, the first a stunning 30 yard strike.

http://www.youtube.com/user/wtfc/videos

http://www.cambstimes.co.uk/sport/chris_bacon_thanks_wisbech_town_football_club_for_two_memorable_seasons_as_he_joins_cambridge_city_1_2347441

"The hot-shot striker, who netted 31 times last season, posted a message on the club forum thanking the club and its fans for their support during his two prolific years at Elgood’s Fenland Stadium.

He said: “I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone involved with Wisbech Town FC.

“I’ve had a very memorable two seasons with the club; I’ve managed to make some good friends, both on the pitch and off it and thoroughly enjoyed myself playing here.

“The supporters have been great, along with everyone behind the scenes. I can’t praise and thank you enough.

“Hopefully I should be moving abroad in the near future. In the meantime, I want to take the opportunity to play at the highest level that I can achieve.

“I’d like to thank Apps for showing faith in me and giving me an opportunity here. I have nothing but praise and respect for him and everyone else at the club.”

Manager Steve Appleby paid tribute to his former striker.

He said: “His contribution has been massive. Nearly 70 goals in two seasons is remarkable. He is almost irreplacable.

“He is a magnificent player and person and I wish him good luck for the future.”

Chris Bacon (white) in action for a previous club King's Lynn

Cambridge City v Kings Lynn, FA Cup, Sept. 14 2013:

http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/kings-lynn-fc/coach_wishes_cambridge_city_s_bacon_well_but_hopes_he_fails_to_sizzle_on_king_s_lynn_town_return_1_2502613

"The Cambridge City frontman, who joined the Lilywhites from Wisbech Town in the summer, returns to his old stomping ground in the FA Cup first qualifying round.

He scored 35 goals in 140 appearances during his spells with the ‘old’ and reformed Lynn and remains a popular figure due to his friendly nature. But King’s Lynn Town first team coach, and pal, Ross McNeil admits those pleasantries will soon disappear once the referee blows his whistle.

He said: “Chris Bacon is a top player and a great lad who had some good times at Lynn.

“He did well at Wisbech and he’ll now be trying to well for Cambridge. Between 3-5pm we don’t want him to do well this Saturday though.

“He was a good servant for King’s Lynn and I’m sure he’s looking forward to coming back. I’m looking forward to seeing him before and after the game, but he’s an opposition player once the whistle goes.

Preview on this Sunday's southern darby. 

 http://asbpremiership.co.nz/index.php?id=2117