Robbie Willmott wings in for Exiles (From South Wales Argus)
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Robbie Willmott wings in for Exiles
8:30am Friday 11th January 2013 in Newport County
By Michael Pearlman
BOUND FOR PARADE: Winger Robbie Willmott, seen here in action for Cambridge United
NEWPORT County have boosted their ranks with the signing of Cambridge United winger Robbie Willmott and are continuing to push for the signature of AFC Wimbledon striker Christian Jolley.
The Argus can reveal that Willmott took part in his first training session with his new club yesterday and put pen to paper shortly afterwards on an 18-month contract.
While the fee for Willmott has been announced as undisclosed, the Argus understands that there is no payment up front and any future fee is dependent on the Exiles gaining promotion to League Two.
County are also understood to have re-opened talks with the Dons over boss Justin Edinburgh’s principle target, Jolley.
The forward scored five goals in five appearances on loan at Newport and the club had a bid, understood to have been around £20,000 turned down just before Christmas with the League Two strugglers understood to be seeking nearly double that amount.
Boss Edinburgh subsequently ended negotiations and since then Forest Green Rovers, Luton Town, Dartford and Wrexham are all believed to have been in discussions over the player.
However, the Argus understands that Jolley favours a return to Rodney Parade and talks will continue as County look to land a real coup by completing the deal for a player coveted by their rivals.
Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley seemed to open the door to a Jolley departure by commenting yesterday (when asked whether Newport and Forest Green Rovers were interested).
“Christian has to be realistic and make sure he gets the right deal,” he said.
“If he wants to go out and be a star player then he needs to look at one of those clubs. It is in Christian’s hands, we’ve said we’re happy to let him go if the fee is right.”
Willmott signs in time to face Lincoln tomorrow and boss Edinburgh believes his signing represents a significant coup for County, Willmott having featured in the playoffs, been selected in the Conference team of the season, played for England C and commanded a £50,000 transfer fee, and he’s still only 22.
He explained: “Every time I have come across him as a manager he has caused havoc and he is one that I have kept an eye on him.
“He can play on either wing or through the middle and that gives us an extra dimension.
“This is a signing we feel of real quality and he’s someone who adds to the squad.
“I’ve said before and will reiterate, January is a really terrible time to try and make signings,” he said. “Normally it’s hard to get the right players in, which is why this deal is so pleasing.”
Willmott is a former teammate of both Aaron O’Connor and Danny Crow at Luton Town and O’Connor took to Twitter within minutes of him signing to praise the move.
County’s leading scorer posted: “Buzzing my ex-teammate and good pal Robbie Willmott has signed for us today. #Welcometothefamil.y”
Comments(18)
rhinestine
says...
9:13am Fri 11 Jan 13
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
Nptsportsfan
says...
9:22am Fri 11 Jan 13
ncfcr
says...
9:35am Fri 11 Jan 13
llandaff wrote:Defending is done from the front. With Crowe returning and maybe some another additions, I imagine the ball won't be returning back to whence it came every 5 seconds.
I will say it yet again WHAT ABOUT OUR DEFENSE?!!!
netala
says...
9:42am Fri 11 Jan 13
the dork
says...
10:04am Fri 11 Jan 13
the dork
says...
10:06am Fri 11 Jan 13
Owain Vaughan
says...
10:20am Fri 11 Jan 13
Exile Elmo
says...
10:37am Fri 11 Jan 13
the dork wrote:erm.. I think you may have him mixed up with Gary Willmott.. Cambridge also play in "amber"
Nice picture of Wilmots backside well done Argus we will recognisehim ashe legs it over the severn bridge
county mad
says...
11:24am Fri 11 Jan 13
llandaff
says...
11:35am Fri 11 Jan 13
ncfcr wrote:And I suppose the opposition is just going to stand back in awe and let it happen. The last two games gainst FGR and Wrexham (I was at both) highlighted the sloppines of the County DEFENSE. County look great going forward but are being caught out with gaping holes at the back, currently attempting to be covered by a goal keeper who is also way off form. Action is required here as our goal difference is being squeezed.
llandaff wrote:Defending is done from the front. With Crowe returning and maybe some another additions, I imagine the ball won't be returning back to whence it came every 5 seconds.
I will say it yet again WHAT ABOUT OUR DEFENSE?!!!
Exile Elmo
says...
11:44am Fri 11 Jan 13
yak-james-hughes
pipe-evans-porter-fl
ynn-sandell
oconner-crow
at least as a plan B
or
4-3-3 as a plan A, which seems to be JE preference
Exile Elmo
says...
11:46am Fri 11 Jan 13
D Taylor
says...
11:55am Fri 11 Jan 13
rhinestine
says...
12:50pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Nptsportsfan wrote:Hi, thank you!! ...... I have to admit, I went over to watch the Braintree game and thought the atmosphere was great, I seen alot of people who I know there too.
Bloody hell Rhinestine i've ordered you a county kit Lol. How u doing?
The chanting and the enthusiasm from the fans was great too.
Whilst I am not converted fullly, but, as long as the home side wear black and amber on that pitch, I am happy!
I will continue to throw the odd wind up in here and there!
Happy new year and all the best for the remainder of the season!
UP THE COUNTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!
rhinestine
says...
12:52pm Fri 11 Jan 13
county mad wrote:Thank you....I have been! It was good!
Rhinestine look forward to welcomeing you RP
Nptsportsfan
says...
4:14pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Best of luck to all in amber and black as you say.
AMBERLING
says...
8:40pm Fri 11 Jan 13
llandaff wrote:Quite agree, as I have posted similar recently. Why our (ex-defender) manager is oblivious to these holes I don't know because everyone else seems to be aware of them - especially the opposition ! Why he's not strengthening our leaky defence is incomprehensible. I would still rather see Sandell and Pipe operating in midfield with two recognized fullbacks behind them . They could close down potential attacks before they reached the defenders as well as support our strike force. So come on Justin and Jimmy, wake up to this weakness before we blow the best chance we've had to regain our League status, PLEASE !!!-
ncfcr wrote:And I suppose the opposition is just going to stand back in awe and let it happen. The last two games gainst FGR and Wrexham (I was at both) highlighted the sloppines of the County DEFENSE. County look great going forward but are being caught out with gaping holes at the back, currently attempting to be covered by a goal keeper who is also way off form. Action is required here as our goal difference is being squeezed.
llandaff wrote:Defending is done from the front. With Crowe returning and maybe some another additions, I imagine the ball won't be returning back to whence it came every 5 seconds.
I will say it yet again WHAT ABOUT OUR DEFENSE?!!!
llandaff says...
9:08am Fri 11 Jan 13