Shels in for Curtis Fleming?

**Poor Student** · 15/07/2005, 12:50 PM

From eleven-a-side.com:

Shels interested in Fleming swoop

July 15, 2005

Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon has revealed he is interested in signing former Middlesbrough and Republic of Ireland international defender Curtis Fleming from under the noses of Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic.

Fleming guested for Saints during a pre-season friendly against Scottish Premier League side Hearts last weekend, and the Inchicore outfit are trying to come up with the funds to entice the 36-year-old back to the club for a second spell.

However, Pats look like losing out to Shels, with Fenlon admitting he was impressed by Fleming’s condition during that 0-0 draw with Hearts last Sunday.

Fenlon has been on the look-out for a new defender since the departure of Stephen Brennan earlier this month, while his options have been further restricted by injuries to Jamie Harris and, earlier this week, to Dave Crawley.

He told the Irish Sun: “We need a defender we didn’t have one on the bench against Glentoran on Wednesday, which gives an indication of our injury problems.

“Curtis is available and I have no doubts about him because we know him inside out. I watched him against Hearts and he strolled through the game.”

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Could be a very astute signing, very experienced and they could do with his cover. Would he snub Pat's though? I thought he was a true Saint?

**GavinZac** · 15/07/2005, 12:53 PM

he's 36. city's defense is an average age of about 23. they're welcome to him

**Poor Student** · 15/07/2005, 12:55 PM

I don't think his age is a problem. He's kept himself in good shape. Shels could do with good cover at right full back considering how vunerable they are when Heary is absent.

**superfrank** · 15/07/2005, 1:00 PM

He's a good player though. You know the whole, form is temporary, class is permanent thing.

**EnDai** · 15/07/2005, 1:03 PM

He can also fill in anywhere accross the back four. Which is useful, would allow us to keep Ollie Cahill on the wing pending injuries to Crawley, etc.

**Danny** · 15/07/2005, 1:06 PM

I wasnt too impressed with him last week v Hearts altho he did play centre half beside caffo. He looked a bit slow to me and not worth the big money which he is supposedly looking for.

**OneRedArmy** · 15/07/2005, 1:32 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

he's 36. city's midfield is an average age of about 23. they're welcome to him

The above may be true. But how is this relevant to Shels signing a left back?

**GavinZac** · 15/07/2005, 1:35 PM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

The above may be true. But how is this relevant to Shels signing a left back?

excuse my mistake, i meant our defence. carry on.

**noby** · 15/07/2005, 2:22 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

excuse my mistake, i meant our defence. carry on.

Which makes it slightly more relevant

Anyway, Doherty has gone back to Shels. Oh, but wait; he's probably injured.

**dcfcsteve** · 15/07/2005, 2:27 PM

Feels like a step back to the bad old days really - picking-up experienced players/big names from England on the cheap when they've come to the end of their career.

If he was really that good then surely he'd be getting decent money off one of the lower league clubs in England, or a club in Scotland ?

Fenlon has a short term problem to fill, which is fair enough. I just hope it's a once-off and that the days of relying on aged has-beens, rather than developing local youth, is indeed long gone....

**Drumcondra Red** · 15/07/2005, 2:34 PM

Originally Posted by noby

Which makes it slightly more relevant

Anyway, Doherty has gone back to Shels. Oh, but wait; he's probably injured.

He's come back has he? I didn't know that, or seen him around???

**EnDai** · 15/07/2005, 2:36 PM

IIRC he was sent straight out to Bray on loan...

**Da Real Rover** · 15/07/2005, 5:06 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

he's 36. city's defense is an average age of about 23. they're welcome to him

Everbody stop and take in a deep breath, now a big WOW, we can now carry on with the thread.

**Dyl10** · 15/07/2005, 7:05 PM

he's 36. city's defense is an average age of about 23. they're welcome to him

Well at lest you admit your teams lack of experience at the back

**Drumcondra Red** · 15/07/2005, 8:07 PM

Originally Posted by EnDai

IIRC he was sent straight out to Bray on loan...

WTF does IIRC mean Chris???

**Anto McC** · 15/07/2005, 8:32 PM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra Red

WTF does IIRC mean Chris???

When will you refer to people by their web names

**GavinZac** · 16/07/2005, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by Da Real Rover

Everbody stop and take in a deep breath, now a big WOW, we can now carry on with the thread.

of course the age matter wouldnt mean anything to a club consisting mainly of local lads brought through the youths, but then thats where the whole 'top of the premier division with the best defence record' factor comes into play

dont do it shels... why employ a 36 year old with no future who barely made an impression (and then has the gall to demand extravagant wages apparently), when there are hundreds of kids out there wanting to play football to prove themselves. i bet lots of shels and pats fans ridiculed and frowned upon roddy's old folks home at dublin city last season, they must see what kind of reflection it would have on the league if a has been signs for "the irish galacticos".