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Town Confirm Triple Signing
Monday, 17th Aug 2020 14:16

Town have confirmed the signings of left-back Stephen Ward, keeper David Cornell and striker Oli Hawkins.

Ward, who has been given the number three shirt, has put pen to paper on a one-year deal with an option for a further season, and Cornell, who will wear 28, and Hawkins, the Blues’ new number 32 shirt, two-year contracts, both also with an option for an additional campaign. All three were free agents prior to joining Town.

Cornell, 29, was initially mentioned in connection with the Blues in December, again in January and more recently July with a host of other clubs said to have been monitoring his situation.

The Welshman left the Cobblers at the end of their successful League Two promotion season having rebuffed the offer of a new contract.

Born in Waunarlwydd, Cornell started his career at Swansea during which time he had spells on loan at Port Talbot, Hereford, St Mirren and Portsmouth before moving on to Oldham in the summer of July 2015 having made only one League Cup appearance for the Swans.

In June 2016 he joined Northampton and went on to make 107 starts and one sub appearance while at Sixfields, helping them to win promotion to League One via the play-offs last season.

The 6ft 2in tall keeper was reportedly close to a first Wales call-up last season having won caps at U17, U19 and U21 levels.


A big frontman was known to be among manager Paul Lambert’s main targets this summer and at 6ft 5in tall former Portsmouth man Hawkins certainly fits that bill.

The 28-year-old, who TWTD revealed was in talks with the Blues on Thursday, started his career in non-league with North Greenford, Hillingdon Borough, Northwood, Hemel Hempstead Town and Harrow Borough.

The Ealing-born striker got his break in league football when Dagenham and Redbridge signed him in January 2016.

In August 2017, with the Daggers by now in the National League, Hawkins moved on to Portsmouth.

The centre forward, who has also often operated at centre-half, scored 18 goals in 71 starts and 25 sub appearances before being released by Pompey, with whom he won the EFL Trophy in 2018/19, when his contract was up this summer.

Last season he was rarely involved, and when he was usually in central defence, failing to find the net in nine starts and four sub appearances.

Hawkins was previously linked with the Blues in January 2017 when he was with the Daggers with Town subsequently signing another towering striker, Kieffer Moore, from Forest Green Rovers.

On the day Moore joined the Blues, ex-Town winger Darren Currie, then the Daggers' assistant manager, gave BBC Radio Suffolk's Life's a Pitch his thoughts on the pair.

“Oliver’s very similar to Kieffer Moore, obviously I’m going to be biased and say Oliver’s better!” Currie said.

“He’s another one that for a big man is good on the floor, very mobile for a big man, he’s got goals. He’s filled in at centre-half for us once or twice and he’s looked very comfortable there as well.

“He’s a great kid to work with, very humble boy, came from Hemel Hempstead, so his roots are very good and he’s gathering interest as well because he’s been playing very well.”

Ward, 34, who was released by Stoke at the end of last season, joined up with the Town squad for training last Monday and evidently quickly impressed the Town management.

The Dubliner, who was initially a striker, started his career with hometown club Bohemians before joining Wolves, at the time managed by Mick McCarthy, in January 2007 with then-Town boss Jim Magilton having confirmed that the Blues were also interested.

Ward spent seven years at Molineux featuring regularly in the Premier League before moving on to Burnley in 2014.

After five further seasons in the top flight at Turf Moor, the 5ft 11in tall left-back or winger moved to Stoke last summer. However, he made only 17 appearances and left at the end of the season. Ward has been capped 50 times by the Republic of Ireland, scoring three times.

Given Town’s limited scope for additions within the salary cap, Ward’s signing ends the Blues’ interest in bringing former loanee Luke Garbutt back to Portman Road on a permanent basis.


Photo: ITFC



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cat added 17:32 - Aug 17
Three useful additions in problem areas during these uncertain times is a plus. 👍
4

Town4me added 17:42 - Aug 17
Ryorry. Wasn't Clive baker 5'8"?
0

LWNR2013 added 17:46 - Aug 17
Very positive thoughts about these 3 signings. Hope it's all good for players, staff and FANS. 👍
1

stiffy501 added 18:03 - Aug 17
Have to say not overwhelmed by these but remain open minded, will judge when see them play. Would still like a solid centre half though !!
0

spanishblue added 18:16 - Aug 17
Did Mich DAvary play up front moved to C/B many times ? One of my favorites Mickey Stockwell did a great job when played up front as he did at full back wish we had 2-3 of him around never stopped
0

Northstandveteran added 18:20 - Aug 17
Taking into consideration the position the club is in and the wage cap, this would appear to be reasonably good business.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see?

Or in the current climate, wait and listen.

3

BlueArrow added 18:35 - Aug 17
Welcome to The Free Musketeers. Good luck boys 🐱
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:08 - Aug 17
Given that miracles are not likely to happen in the current situation, all three seem on balance like positive signings.
1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:10 - Aug 17
Hawkins seems to have grown a lot since he joined us - or does the pitch slope that much?
0

bringonthetractor added 19:13 - Aug 17
Happy enough with all three, look solid additions to the squad. Glad we were able to get them all in despite the salary cap! I'm not sure what those who are underwhelmed were expecting really?
1

TimmyH added 19:39 - Aug 17
Well I wish them all the best...lets be honest they don't have a lot to live up to. Putting on my pre-season positive face and hoping for the best (as we all do).

2

Dissboyitfc added 19:48 - Aug 17
Pleased with these 3 signings especially the outfield players! As always, getting excited at the thought of the new season!

Welcome Guys!
1

ThaiBlue added 20:39 - Aug 17
Decent solid signings lets welcome them and give them a chance and support,got a good feeling especially for ward and hawkins.
0

dirtydingusmagee added 21:02 - Aug 17
Welcome to the 3, have to think its a positive, things were grim last season when better things were expected. Personally i think we will struggle again, BUT new faces new hopes. .
0

ringwoodblue added 21:05 - Aug 17
Now we need to hang on to the likes of Downes, Woolfie and Jackson. If we do, we have a decent squad who should compete in this league.
0

Town4me added 21:26 - Aug 17
What's this all about Norwood and Dundee it's?!
0

budgieplucker added 23:17 - Aug 17

Three good signings at this level to strengthen the squad in areas of weakness, and whilst no moans from me over these specific recruits my real concern though is the squad has become bloated in some areas. I pick two teams (see below) who on paper should be more than competitive at this level, but who will be Lamberts key picks? The strength in depth will lead to unrest and pressure for squad rotation.

More importantly the players that need game time this year, El Mizouni, Dobra, Lankester, and Nydam who are all terrific young players are not in the 22 below!!!

Not because I don't think they are good enough but because we have two many players for some positions and the threat ultimately means playing players out of position and constantly changing your formation to accommodate. - all this doesn't bode good for harmony and consistency. It's important these young players get their opportunities otherwise they in turn will be blocking the next promising youngsters coming through. With so many out of contract players at the end of the season then we may be stuck with the issue of playing our youngsters next year with little game time this year and not have been given ample opportunity to get valuable experience in league 1.


Holy.

KVY. Chambers. Woolfeden. Ward.

Bishop. Downes. Huws.

Judge.
Jackson. Norwood.

==============================•
Cornell.

Donacien. Nsiala. Wilson. Kenlock.

Nolan. Skuse. Dozzell.

Edwards.
Hawkins. Sears.

==============================•

0

WorcesterBlue added 08:41 - Aug 18
Good points @budgieplucker but for a start I'd drop the terrible 433 formation - we just haven't got the players for it! 4411 451 would be my preference. Second - how many of second set should be in first team? Third - I think the four young lads you mention should be closer to first team than that 2nd 11 (Sears aside). But you're right - does look a bit heavy on not very good second string.
Now for a commanding CB!
0

Daleyitfc added 09:34 - Aug 18
It is a terribly sad state of affairs, when the only new signings we can make are tenth-rate dross like these three.
If Bobby Robson was alive today, he'd turn in his grave ...
1

istanblue added 10:47 - Aug 18
Hawkins:

''Last season he was rarely involved, and when he was usually in central defence, failing to find the net in nine starts and four sub appearances.''

Ward:

Experienced, but a significant downgrade on Garbutt.

Cornell:

Sounds decent but an unnecessary signing now given the salary cap and will probably result in constant rotation with Holy, similar to when Norris was here.
0

BettyBlue added 13:40 - Aug 18
Even more crap players.
Stick them in a team with Skuse, Norwood and Chambers.
National league here we come.
How low does Lambert have to take us before he is shown the door.
0


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