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.
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