Found this on the Sunderland Echo website - news story dated Thursday. Link is .here
Delaney hopes to open Cats account
GIANT former West Ham defender Clive Delaney is bidding to earn a contract with Sunderland.
And if cash-strapped Sunderland don't fancy him as a footballer, they could at least call on his services in the business he learned at university accountancy!
The 23-year-old was released by the Hammers at the end of last season along with Black Cats new boy Gary Breen and played in Sunderland Reserves' 1-0 win against Manchester City last night.
Boss Mick McCarthy said Breen recommended the youngster to him and he has spent a few days training on Wearside.
McCarthy, who was at the reserves match, said: "Clive's deal at West Ham ran out at the end of the season and he's been looking for a new club.
"I gather he has had offers, but he hasn't got fixed up yet. Gary Breen mentioned him to us and we're just having a look at him, but it's nothing more than that at this stage."
Delaney is a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 cap who was snapped up by West Ham mid-way through last season after being offered a trial following some impressive performances in the Eircom Irish League for University College Dublin.
Since being shown the door at Upton Park, he has had trials with Hibernian and Burnley as well as rejecting an offer to play in France.
The 6ft 6in stopper is highly regarded in the Irish league, but didn't win a first team appearance during his brief stay with the Hammers.
It was difficult to judge him on last night's match at Durham, which was played at a low tempo.
His height gives him an obvious advantage in the air, and he seemed relatively comfortable with the ball at his feet.
McCarthy is hardly stretched in the centre back department, with Ben Clark and Gary Breen being the preferred pair in Saturday's home game against Millwall, and Phil Babb, Joachim Bjorklund, Darren Williams and Emerson Thome also available although Thome has been in talks with Bolton over a free transfer.
But the Black Cats' boss is still keen to recruit and has been linked with promising Fulham defender Zat Knight
Delaney hopes to open Cats account
GIANT former West Ham defender Clive Delaney is bidding to earn a contract with Sunderland.
And if cash-strapped Sunderland don't fancy him as a footballer, they could at least call on his services in the business he learned at university accountancy!
The 23-year-old was released by the Hammers at the end of last season along with Black Cats new boy Gary Breen and played in Sunderland Reserves' 1-0 win against Manchester City last night.
Boss Mick McCarthy said Breen recommended the youngster to him and he has spent a few days training on Wearside.
McCarthy, who was at the reserves match, said: "Clive's deal at West Ham ran out at the end of the season and he's been looking for a new club.
"I gather he has had offers, but he hasn't got fixed up yet. Gary Breen mentioned him to us and we're just having a look at him, but it's nothing more than that at this stage."
Delaney is a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 cap who was snapped up by West Ham mid-way through last season after being offered a trial following some impressive performances in the Eircom Irish League for University College Dublin.
Since being shown the door at Upton Park, he has had trials with Hibernian and Burnley as well as rejecting an offer to play in France.
The 6ft 6in stopper is highly regarded in the Irish league, but didn't win a first team appearance during his brief stay with the Hammers.
It was difficult to judge him on last night's match at Durham, which was played at a low tempo.
His height gives him an obvious advantage in the air, and he seemed relatively comfortable with the ball at his feet.
McCarthy is hardly stretched in the centre back department, with Ben Clark and Gary Breen being the preferred pair in Saturday's home game against Millwall, and Phil Babb, Joachim Bjorklund, Darren Williams and Emerson Thome also available although Thome has been in talks with Bolton over a free transfer.
But the Black Cats' boss is still keen to recruit and has been linked with promising Fulham defender Zat Knight
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