Forde Focus
Sunday, 23rd Jun 2013 22:33

Town are continuing their pursuit of Millwall’s Irish international keeper David Forde, TWTD understands. The 33-year-old was first mentioned in connection with the Blues in the Irish press last week when Hull City and Blackburn were also linked.

The newly-promoted Tigers were then said to be the favourites for Forde’s signature but are now understood to have turned their attention towards Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel with former Rangers man Allan McGregor, who is currently in Turkey with Besiktas, targeted as his back-up.

New Millwall manager Steve Lomas recently said that he wants to keep hold of Forde, but if he does move on insisted that it won’t be for peanuts: "David has a year left [on his contract] and we'd certainly like to keep him for the foreseeable future.

“But there are a few players with a year left and that's a challenge for me, to sit down and prove to them that Millwall are going in the right direction. It certainly would have to be a hell of a bid for us to even contemplate getting rid of David Forde."

The Blues would almost certainly be put out of the running if the Lions do demand a significant fee with Mick McCarthy on a tight budget this summer.

We understand that former loanee Stephen Henderson also remains high on McCarthy’s list of potential summer signings with the Blues having spoken to West Ham about a season-long loan. However, the Town boss may want to explore potential permanent additions, such as Forde, before committing to bringing Henderson back for a third loan spell.

Out-of-contract Tranmere keeper Owain Fon Williams is understood to have been offered terms by Town, along with his current club, Blackpool and Bristol City.

Scott Loach is Town’s only senior keeper at present with Arran Lee-Barrett and Jason Brown having been released at the end of the season.

Forde started his career in the League of Ireland with his hometown club Galway United before moving on to Welsh side Barry Town and then West Ham in 2002.

After two years at Upton Park, in which he spent time on loan at Derry City and Barnet but failed to make a senior appearance for the Hammers, the 6ft 2in tall keeper moved back to Galway before another spell with Derry.

Forde made a handful of appearances back in the Football League with Cardiff City between 2006 to 2008, during which time he had stints on loan at Luton and Bournemouth.

In June 2008 he moved to Millwall on a free transfer and since then has made 237 starts for the Lions.

Over the last couple of seasons he has cemented his place in the full Ireland squad and has now won 10 full caps, including starts in three of their last four games.

Photo: Action Images

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Marcus added 22:41 - Jun 23 Worst headline ever
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wrightsrightglove added 22:45 - Jun 23 Best headline ever!
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NoCanariesAllowed added 22:50 - Jun 23 Most Marmite-y headline ever! :)
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HarryfromBath added 22:55 - Jun 23 Fantastic headline, and a terrific goalkeeper. I would be delighted to see him at Portman Road. Millwall supporters are really sorry to lose him, wherever he ends up. Any more headlines like that, and we will have to Escort Phil off the premises...
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Unbelievable_Jeff added 22:57 - Jun 23 I think I'd rather a Ford Focus in net!
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Arthur added 22:58 - Jun 23 Groan .... Been on the juice Phil?
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KieranBrun16 added 23:13 - Jun 23 Hmmmm...
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taylor15 added 23:32 - Jun 23 omg, PLEASE no! he is appalling!!!!!
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itfccymru added 23:32 - Jun 23 Possibly the best headline ever! and top class goalkeeper, Forde, Loach and Fon Williams would be fantastic!
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shefkuqi32 added 23:50 - Jun 23 Is he really better then Loach? Apart from Henderson (who I thought had actually signed again) I don't see Forde or Fon Williams being any better then what we already have. I also think ALB was a useful backup 2nd/3rd choice and unless he wanted regular games I don't know why he wasn't kept on (cheap wages I imagine)
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Lennyboy added 00:00 - Jun 24 Getting bored again with yet another link, so I'm really pleased that there is just 6 more weeks until kick off at the Majes..majset...majetsk...at Reading. With the link to Forde I know this will be POPLAR with every one. Hee Hee!!
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Lennyboy added 00:01 - Jun 24 Just thought that most of you won't know what a Ford Popular is will you? Aw well, showing my age again. COYB!!!
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martleshamitfc added 00:07 - Jun 24 Cannot see this happening due to wages. Forde is a decent keeper but is he better than Loach? Would rather see money spent in other areas. Agree with shefkuqi32 that ALB would have been a better option as back up - he never let us down when called upon.
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Michael11 added 01:00 - Jun 24 Forde Focus hahaha in all seriousness i think he's a decent keeper but not worth a big transfer fee. Would rather just take Henderson for the year if it came to that. Nice to see we don't just want a quick fix in the transfer market though.
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arc added 01:17 - Jun 24 Surely, a Ford Anglia headline is next.
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bluemikey100 added 06:38 - Jun 24 great headline sign him its KA with me
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village_blue added 07:07 - Jun 24 Think that Forde is a better option than Henderson and Fon Williams best keeper we have been linked with.
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DiamondGezzer added 07:29 - Jun 24 What about getting Henderson on loan and using any money for Stearman ?
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Wickets added 07:50 - Jun 24 Apart from the fact that Hendos loan fee would be about the same as we might get Stearman for.
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Tractorog added 08:28 - Jun 24 There is a whole Galaxy of other Forde gags waiting for Phil here. But one question, does he have an agent or a dealer?
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