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Powys County Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
We are interested in getting Cardiff – Gareth Bale confirms takeover talk
Gareth Bale has confirmed that he is part of a consortium looking to buy a controlling interest in Sky Bet League One club Cardiff. Bale, who is Wales' all-time leading goalscorer, described the prospect of linking up with his hometown club as 'a dream come true'. The group involving Bale reportedly made an initial enquiry earlier this month, which was rejected by Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan. Speaking on the red carpet at the premiere for F1: The Movie, Bale told Sky Sports: 'We are interested in getting Cardiff. It's my home (town) club, it's where I grew up and my uncle used to play for them. 'To be involved with an ownership group would be a dream come true.' Bale had been linked with Cardiff after leaving Real Madrid in 2022 but decided to end his career with Los Angeles FC. He was recently linked with a group that failed in a reported bid to take over Plymouth, who like Cardiff were relegated from the Championship last season. Bale added: 'It (Cardiff) is a club close to my heart. It's where I grew up and I would love to be able to be a part of growing Cardiff and taking it to the Premier League where it belongs. 'I know how amazing the Welsh fans and Cardiff fans are. It would be amazing to try and do something together. 'We are trying to engage with Cardiff and more news will come out on that in the future but hopefully we can get something done.'
Scotsman
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Former Hearts and Wigan star secures latest club as he completes transfer to EFL club
The former Hearts man has signed for an English club | Getty Images He's formerly of Hearts and his pace is seen as a major plus point with 'best years ahead of him' Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A former Hearts and Wigan Athletic star has signed a two-year deal with an English club after entering free agency. Stephen Humphrys was left assessing his options after a deal at Barnsley ran down. He has now signed until 2027 with Graham Alexander's Bradford City, who were dramatically promoted from League Two last season and into the third tier of English football ahead of this campaign. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Humphrys joined Hearts on loan from Wigan in the 22/23 campaign and was a favourite of the Jambos support during his temporary stint. He scored five times with two assists in 25 games including a memorable strike from distance against Dundee United. Stephen Humphrys on why he's moving to Bradford City The striker said of his switch to Valley Parade: 'Bradford City is such a massive club. I consider it a sleeping giant really. I am delighted to get it done so early before pre-season starts. Everyone saw the scenes last season, on the last day. Obviously, the club got promoted, just seeing those scenes made me want to be a part of it. Hopefully, we can make more memories like that.' Bantams boss Graham Alexander added: 'Stephen will add genuine pace and power to our front line, while giving us an extra goal threat with his finishing ability. I believe he has his best years ahead of him. After meeting with Stephen, I know he is determined and ambitious enough to put the work in to become an even better player. We are very happy to have him here.' A club statement reads: 'Bradford City AFC is delighted to announce the signing of Stephen Humphrys on a two-year deal upon the expiry of his contract at Barnsley. Humphrys, 27, joins the Bantams with a wealth of experience in the third tier, scoring 52 times in 219 appearances, also boasting 18 assists. The forward was part of the Wigan side which won the Sky Bet League One title in 2021/22, featuring 38 times for Leam Richardson. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Former Hearts star message after transfer move 'He switches to BD8 after a season at Oakwell, where he found the back of the net nine times in 37 Sky Bet League One outings, assisting his teammates twice. Standing at 6ft 2ins, the striker represented Hearts in the 2022/23 Europa Conference League, scoring away to Fiorentina. Humphrys turned professional with Fulham, having initially spent time in Bury's academy, and has also enjoyed successful spells with Southend United and Rochdale.' Humphrys sent a message to Barnsley on social media: 'I want to thank every single player, coach, member of staff and most importantly the brilliant fans at Barnsley FC for the time I spent at the club. I've made some friends for life and memories to last a life time. I realised fairly early after the summer that the club weren't in a position to continue the journey so unfortunately, it has come to an end. I believe Conor Hourihane is the man to take the club forward and I want to thank him for trusting me during his time. All the very best for the season and beyond.'
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Caolan Boyd-Munce opens up on St Mirren love affair after Wycombe switch
The Northern Irishman admits he'll never forget the affection shown to him by the black-and-white army. BY KYLE GUNN Caolan Boyd-Munce says he had 'goosebumps' the first time he heard the black-and-white army sing his name as he revealed his love for St Mirren. The Northern Irish midfielder who arrived at the SMiSA Stadium in March 2023 is very different to the man who departed Paisley at the end of the season – both on the pitch and off it. During his time at Greenhill Road, he became a fully-fledged international and, more importantly, a father to 10-month old son Roux. And Boyd-Munce, who has signed for Sky Bet League One side Wycombe Wanderers, still recalls how he was serenaded for the first time in front of his family. He told the Paisley Daily Express: 'It was Hibs away and I was taking a corner and, in the song, I heard my name for the first time and the goosebumps I got. The feeling that runs down in the back of your neck and the family hearing it was amazing. 'So, things like that will always stick with me and I've loved every part of it. I've loved playing in front of them and I'll never ever have a bad word or a bad memory. 'For me, it was more about football than me, with my son being born. So, it's always got that wee bit of an attachment to me now. This is a birthplace of my son. 'This is nearly his home. I think it's been more about things like that than just the football. But I've absolutely loved it. I genuinely can't say a bad word about all the people there.' Boyd-Munce played a major role in the last two seasons in helping Saints make the Premiership top six under boss Stephen Robinson. He believes that his fellow countryman leading the Buddies to these heights now means the club should be seen as more than just a stepping stone to better things. The 25-year-old continued: 'People cannot say it was lucky or a fluke, but they can use external factors to say, 'yeah, this is why they got it'. But three years in a row, I think people can now kind of look at St Mirren as more than a platform. 'Of course, players in their career at different stages will look at that and think, 'yes, I can gain this amount of experience or I can gain this from going to St Mirren'. 'And for the gaffer and his staff to do what they've done three years on the bounce is incredible.' Boyd-Munce also revealed that he had conversations to remain with the club – and certainly didn't part on bad terms with Saints. And he credits that to the way Robbo runs an open-door policy with the squad. He said: 'Because we were so close, it was never an awkward conversation to have. It was never a concern to have conversations like that. 'And that's not just me. It's not just me and the gaffer; all the players and all the staff are together. It is an open changing room. I think that's why it works so well. 'Even when I hadn't made my mind up, because I hadn't, I went in and said, 'just get past a certain stage in the season and we'll discuss it'. 'So, as soon as we got towards the end of top six, we then obviously had discussions about it and I just kind of was honest with them and told them that I'm thinking about looking at my options back down in England or abroad and seeing what's out there.'
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jayden Richardson vows to entertain black-and-white army after St Mirren switch
The 24-year-old, who has previously been with Aberdeen, St Mirren new boy Jayden Richardson insists he is excited to hear the Buddies back him instead of boo him. The Englishman, a product of Nottingham Forest's youth academy, is boss Stephen Robinson's fourth signing of the window after he agreed a two-year deal yesterday. Richardson follows in the footsteps of Killian Phillips, Rolan Idowu and Richard King in putting pen to paper at the SMiSA Stadium. The 24-year-old is no stranger to the Scottish game as he was on loan at Aberdeen, where he made 24 appearances, in the 2022-23 campaign under former Saints boss Jim Goodwin. But he is now looking forward to turning out for the Buddies and is relishing being in the top-flight spotlight after spells at Sky Bet League One side Stockport County and Colchester United in Sky Bet League Two. 'When I was up here in the past playing against St Mirren,' he told the club's media team, 'we knew it was going to be a tough game no matter what. 'Even the fans coming here were outstanding so, hopefully, we can look forward to them being on my side this time! The first time round [in the Scottish Premiership ] it was amazing playing in front of the big crowds and stuff like that. 'It is something you need to get used to quick. I have been here, I know what it is like and hopefully I can do it again.' The right-sided full-back spent last season at National League South side Boreham Wood where he made 37 appearances, scored two goals and assisted four times. He was part of the team which dumped Maidstone United 1-0 in the play-off final last month to secure promotion back to the National League. Richardson says he will be able to bring 'energy, pace and power' to Saints and wants to thrill the black-and-white army. He added: 'Hopefully that athleticism up and down can get the fans on the edge of their seat. 'I've had a few chats with the manager and they've been positive. I know what he wants from me and I know what I need to provide for him so hopefully it's a good chemistry and we can work well.' Robbo has been keeping an eye on Richardson's devlopment for a number of seasons now after trying to secure his signature during previous transfer windows. After missing out on the chance to bring back Ryan Alebiosu after a successful spell loan spell from Belgian Pro League outfit KV Kortrijk, the Northern Irishman soon pivoted to Richardson and vowed the similarities between the pair will be clear. He said: 'Jayden is someone I tried to sign a few seasons ago. He has got a lot of attributes that I like in a wing-back/full-back. He's quick, he's strong, he's tall and very like Ryan who was with us last season. 'All the attributes are there and it's up to us to get that quality out of him. I think he'll be a really good signing for us.' Meanwhile, Saints will find out their schedule for 2025-26 when the Premiership fixture are released by the SPFL on Friday morning. The first-team squad returned to Ralston this morning for the start of pre-season training.
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Greg Kiltie set for Kilmarnock return as trio of Saints find new clubs
The 28-year-old is set to join Caolan Boyd-Munce and Richard Taylor who also have found new clubs since departing. Greg Kiltie is on the verge of a return to Kilmarnock. The St Mirren midfielder – who has two years remaining on his Buddies contract – is believed to be close to agreeing a deal which would see him go back to Rugby Park. New Killie boss Stuart Kettlewell is keen on the 28-year-old who joined the Buddies four years ago. Kiltie was closing in on 150 appearances in the black-and-white stripes and has scored 11 goals during his spell in Paisley. He has been part of three top-six Premiership finishes with Saints and helped the club end their 37-year European football exile. However, ankle surgery last summer saw him miss the Buddies ' UEFA Conference League matches with Iceland's FC Valur and SK Brann of Norway. Kiltie and his partner became parents last summer and they live in Kilmarnock. And losing the midfielder – given his vast top-flight experience – would be a setback for Saints who were eyeing at least six new signings this summer before this development. Meanwhile, two former Buddies have sealed moves south of the border. Centre-back Richard Taylor has joined Bolton Wanderers while Northern Irish international Caolan Boyd-Munce has signed on the dotted line at their Sky Bet League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers. The popular duo enjoyed a memorable spell at the SMiSA Stadium but will now be going head-to-head. Having previously worked with Chairboys manager Mike Dodds at Birmingham City when he was a youngster, reuniting played a major factor in Boyd-Munce's move, according to his new boss. He said: 'Caolan was a fantastic young talent at Birmingham and I'm really excited to work with him again and develop his game further now that he's picked up great experience in senior football in the last few years. 'He's a really energetic player and suits the way we want to play and we're looking forward to bringing him into the squad for the new season.' Taylor arrives in Greater Manchester to join a Wanderers outfit desperate to return to the Championship. The 24-year-old is the fourth new face at Toughsheet Community Stadium this summer and has signed a three-year deal. The defender said: 'Joining Bolton Wanderers is a massive opportunity for me and I'm absolutely buzzing to be here. 'You can feel the ambition around the place and I want to be a big part of taking this historic club forward. 'I've heard all about the incredible support at the Toughsheet Community Stadium and the thought of playing in front of that crowd, helping to make it a real fortress for us, is something special. 'I'm a defender who will put my body on the line and I'm ready to bring that commitment, that desire to be solid at the back, and help us achieve our goals. 'I can't wait to pull on that white shirt and give everything for Bolton Wanderers.' There have been no further developments regarding keeper Zach Hemming's future. The 25-year-old keeper has enjoyed 18 months of the last two seasons on loan with Saints and is entering the final year of his contract at Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough. Hemming is a Buddies target but Sky Bet League Two outfit Chesterfield are believed to have bid £150,000 for his services. Boro are currently without a manager after Michael Carrick was axed. The Saints squad return to pre-season training on Thursday and will head to Spain for a training camp after a friendly with League Two Dumbarton on Saturday, June 28.
