Latest news with #Hatters
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Luton must get off to a fast start
Successive relegations mean that Luton find themselves in a similar position to this time last year. They are playing in the league below, are one of the favourites for the title, and expectations are high. Playing at another level lower means they surely must do well. They will come up against teams who were in League Two when they were in the Premier League two seasons pressure is back on, and the Hatters will need to get off to a fast start. They can't make the same mistakes they made last year. And recruitment is they are likely to be experiencing similar scenarios to what occurred 12 months ago. Players who think they should be playing at a higher level, who may not want to be at the club and with agents in their ear. There could also be others who are surplus to requirements who are under contract and happy to remain where they are. Transfer business has begun, and two big characters have been brought in. Kal Naismith, on loan last season, who inexplicably didn't start the final Championship match at West Brom that relegated George Saville from Millwall, whose game time across the last seven seasons in the Championship is phenomenal. Both are leaders; both will be part of the spine of the team, and so they seem excellent, solid additions. The next stage of the rebuilding process may have to wait until others depart. This waiting game affected Luton last year, and they've got to hope it goes smoother. It's never easy, as the transfer merry-go-round takes time to kick in, particularly the lower down you go, but Luton may have to force the issue to get players out quicker so that they can then go about sorting incomings. Luton have just changed their recruitment team; the January transfer window was deemed a success with the likes of Izzy Jones, Thelo Aasgaard, Millenic Alli and Kal Naismith (loan) brought in, and so those involved in that business have been have got to get it right again this time. Hatters boss Matt Bloomfield knows he has to get off to a good start and try and repeat what Birmingham did last season.
Belfast Telegraph
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland midfielder rejects Championship offers to join former Premier League side in third tier
The 32-year-old was confirmed to be leaving Millwall at the expiry of his contract and had interest from multiple sides that would have seen him remain in the second tier. However, the international star has instead opted to step down a level and join the Hatters, who only two years ago were in the Premier League but have suffered the ignominy of going down two years in a row. Despite that, Saville, who played 45 of Millwall's 46 games last season as they just missed out on the Championship Play-Offs, believes he has made the right move for himself. "It's been a tough couple of years for the club but this is now a chance to correct that. Speaking with the manager, and what he wants to do, there's a chance to build something, create a good atmosphere and have a good season,' he said. "I had offers in the Championship but since the first conversation with the manager it was clear-cut, it fits what I want and it's an opportunity to achieve something." Former Chelsea youth product Saville departed Millwall after making over 200 appearances for the club across two spells at The Den, with spells at Brentford, Wolves and Middlesbrough in between, the latter of which he also hit a century of caps for. The Camberley-born midfielder has also made 57 appearances for Northern Ireland, whom he qualifies for through his Enniskillen-born grandmother, and set up Isaac Price's winning goal against Iceland on Tuesday. "We're really pleased to sign George, not just because of the experience and quality he'll bring, but because he's really enthused about the challenge that lies ahead,' praised Luton boss Matt Bloomfield. "He's chosen us over some Championship offers which shows his belief in our club, and that's the type of character we're after. "We're hoping George can help us with his leadership and ability to knit the game together in the middle of the pitch. He's going to be an important component of the squad."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saville chooses Hatters over Championship offers
Luton will sign experienced Championship midfielder George Saville when his Millwall contract expires at the end of June. The Northern Ireland international, who turned 32 last week, has spent the past four seasons playing for the Lions in the second tier, appearing in 45 of their 46 Championship games last season as they narrowly missed the play-offs. Advertisement Hatters boss Matt Bloomfield told the club website: "We're really pleased to sign George, not just because of the experience and quality he'll bring, but because he's really enthused about the challenge that lies ahead. "He's chosen us over some Championship offers which shows his belief in our club, and that's the type of character we're after. "We're hoping George can help us with his leadership and ability to knit the game together in the middle of the pitch. He's going to be an important component of the squad." Saville said: "It's been a tough couple of years for the club but this is now a chance to correct that. Speaking with the manager, and what he wants to do, there's a chance to build something, create a good atmosphere and have a good season. Advertisement "I had offers in the Championship but since the first conversation with the manager it was clear-cut, it fits what I want and it's an opportunity to achieve something." After coming through the ranks at Chelsea, Saville made well over 200 appearances for Millwall across four spells at The Den, the first two on loan, and also had time with Brentford, Wolves and Middlesbrough, making more than 100 Boro appearances before returning to Millwall in 2021. He has also won more than 50 caps for his country since making his debut in 2017, and teed up the only goal as Northern Ireland beat Iceland in a friendly on Tuesday night. Saville's arrival comes after the Hatters confirmed the return of veteran defender Kal Naismith on Tuesday.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Collar and Touray leave Stockport
Stockport County have confirmed defender Ibou Touray and midfielder Will Collar will both leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the 30, made 75 league appearances in two seasons after joining from Salford City in June 28, scored 32 goals in 150 league games for the Hatters and helped them win promotion from National League to League Collar, chief executive officer Simon Wilson told the club website:, external "He is rightly a man in demand, and we have had to respect that the decision around his next move has to be in the best interest of himself and his family,"
31-05-2025
- Sport
Stetson scores 7 runs in first inning of 11-2 romp over NC State in opener of Auburn Regional
AUBURN, Ala. -- Isaiah Barkett used three doubles to drive in four runs and Jonathan Gonzalez pitched six shutout innings as No. 3 seed Stetson scored seven times in the first inning in an 11-2 romp over second-seeded North Carolina State in the opener of the Auburn Regional on Saturday. Stetson (41-20) awaits the winner of the nightcap between No. 1 seed Auburn and No. 4 seed Central Connecticut State in a Saturday matchup. NC State (33-20) will play an elimination game against the loser earlier Saturday. NC State starter Dominic Fritton (5-5) retired just one batter and left trailing 6-0 after the teams waited out a 2 hour, 10-minute weather delay before starting. The first five Hatters reached base off Fritton and Barkett capped the big first inning with a two-out, two-run double off reliever Anderson Nance for a 7-0 lead. Salvador Alvarez had an RBI single in the fifth. Barkett doubled and scored on a groundout in the eighth then added a two-run double in the ninth. Josh Hogue and Brandon Novy hit solo homers for the Wolf Pack in the eighth off reliever Jake Gorelick, who pitched the final three innings for his third save. Gonzalez (10-2) allowed five hits and walked three for Stetson. The Hatters have played in 20 NCAA Tournaments but have never advanced to the College World Series. They won their only regional title in 2018. NC State has played in 35 tournaments and made four CWS appearances — most recently last year.
